A 500-Square-Foot Studio Does a Great Job of Sectioning Off a Small Space

Name: Steffi Graffis and my kitty, Helo!
Location: First Hill Neighborhood — Seattle, Washington
Type of home: Studio Apartment
Size: 500 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I live in a little studio apartment with my rescue kitty Helo (named after a “Battlestar Galactica” character because I’m a huge nerd for that show), and this place has been my cozy retreat for three years. It’s the first apartment I’ve ever lived in without roommates, and was therefore able to decorate it in a way that perfectly reflects my personality. I fell so deeply in love with this apartment and the way I decorated it that it inspired me to start an interior style blog and YouTube channel, Moda Misfit, dedicated to teaching my fellow apartment dwellers how to create a dreamy space they can fall in love with, too! It’s been a huge passion of mine, born from this studio apartment.

I think identity is everything when it comes to styling a space. My specific interests, passions, and personality traits are the lifeblood of the way I styled my studio. My love of music comes through the wall art of my favorite singer/songwriters, my dramatic personality is present in the drama of my style, my affinity for dark witchy things are reflected in my accessories… even my love of the Legend of Zelda makes an appearance through the triangles I have hanging to form the Triforce from the game! And the list goes on.

I personally think that a pretty piece of decor in your space means nothing if you don’t connect with it on a personal, intellectual, or emotional level. I like to tell my readers/viewers that instead of wondering what your decor style is, investigate what’s in your brain first. Think about what you want to feel as a human being in your space. Your personal style will come organically from there!

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Cozy, rustic, moody, rock and roll, personality-driven

What is your favorite room and why? Since it’s a studio, can I say the whole thing? Haha, I do love the vibe of my studio as a whole, but if I had to pick one area in here, it would probably be my bedroom area. I just love how the styling came together, with my wood headboard and my sound wave prints hanging above it. Fun fact—those are sound waves of three of my favorite songs: “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin, “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix, and “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles. See, I’m relentless about incorporating my passions in my decor.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? It’s been a while since I bought anything substantial for my apartment, since I’ve been living here for three years, but one type of item I can’t seem to stop buying for this place are candles and reed diffusers. I’m a home fragrance fan. I recently made a YouTube video listing my five favorite scents for fall because I just love talking about home fragrance. My most recent addition to my studio is a reed diffuser from Antica Farmacista in their Ironwood scent.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Doing silly things is a valid part of the interior styling process. If you do something with your interior decor that doesn’t end up looking good, that’s okay! Just change it. This is where so many people give up and resign themselves to just not being good at decorating, and therefore unworthy of a home that makes them happy. Messing up is part of the process. Give yourself license to be foolish with your styling, because so many brilliant things are born out of foolishness. You’re probably just a couple mess-ups away from creating a beautiful little space for yourself. Keep going.

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

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