A 500-Square-Foot Brooklyn Rental Is an Explosion of Art, Color, Pattern, and Personality

Name: Hildos and cat, Riley
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 500 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years and 2 months, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I found my apartment three years ago, and it was love at first sight. Great location, affordable, and a good size for an NYC apartment. The funny thing is, it was listed as a studio, and it’s more like a one-bedroom. I am lucky to have enough space and have an art studio and a dressing room.

It’s my first solo apartment in NYC, so I have a special bond with it. For the past three years I have been decorating and making it my home, trying to make it look like me and be homey at the same time. I channeled my anxiety of this crazy year 2020 into creativity and did some major home decor. It took a lot of patience, research, building, and injuries.

My identity is certainly reflected in my home. When I buy furniture or home decor stuff, I always add or change something just to give it my own touch. I am an artist, so the walls are covered with my art. The streets of Brooklyn are also full of interesting giveaways that we grab for free. I like to mix a lot of style and culture because it reflects the melting pot of culture that NYC is.

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite is my bedroom. It’s the first room I furnished, and for the first two years I lived in this apartment, I spent a lot of time there. It’s cozy and artsy, has a nice view, and is sunny.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Artsy, boho, melting pot, and cozy.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I bought for my home is a metal lamp shade that I found on Facebook Marketplace. (Reduce, reuse, recycle.)

Any advice for creating a home you love? Do it yourself. It’s a great feeling, and it doesn’t have to be expensive or trendy, just a reflection of you.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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