This Warm 550-Square-Foot NYC Rental Studio Proves 7 Lamps Are Just the Right Amount

published Apr 20, 2026

This Warm 550-Square-Foot NYC Rental Studio Proves 7 Lamps Are Just the Right Amount

published Apr 20, 2026

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About this tour

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Home Type

Studio Apartment

Location

Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York

Style

Mid-Century Modern

Minimal

Vintage

Bedrooms

Square feet

550

Sq ft

550

There are seven total lamps — all with brass finishes largely collected from Facebook Marketplace — in software engineer Madhav Vats’ 550-square-foot studio in New York City’s Murray Hill area. Some people might consider that lamp amount overkill for just a single room, but it’s something that for Madhav was a “non-negotiable.”

Credit: Manaal Shareh

One of the pieces Madhav is most proud to own is the "French antique carved walnut leather-top desk, where I spend a great deal of time. Jiya sourced this one from an antique store in Wisconsin and had it shipped to the city. It is a regal, beautiful piece, which is a joy to sit at. Sitting atop it is a vintage Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock, which was a white whale of mine for many, many years. I am an avid watch collector, and this piece is perhaps one of the most underrated pieces of horology to exist. Unlike a traditional clock, the Atmos is powered not by batteries or winding, but by the air itself — tiny fluctuations in temperature cause a sealed capsule inside to expand and contract, slowly winding the movement. It is perhaps the closest we’ve come to building a perpetual motion machine. The balance oscillates so slowly you can almost watch time breathing. They are nearly impossible to find in good vintage condition, and I display mine proudly at my desk. The wood furniture, each a slightly different shade but still coming together to feel cohesive."

But while lamps have helped to create a wonderful and warm space, Madhav says he was actually fairly underwhelmed in the beginning. “When I first toured what was to become my apartment, the sun was about to set,” he writes. “As far as studios go, it was nothing special, a big white box with a floor grain that was a little too light for my liking. It had a newly renovated kitchen and bathroom, but otherwise, it felt like any other doorman building on the East Side.”

Credit: Manaal Shareh

"The art is another place where my Indian heritage is reflected," Madhav writes. "There are three pieces from my favorite painter, MF Hussain, who was associated with Indian modernism in the 1940s, and painted in a Cubist style. The first, Arjun and Sudarshan Chakra,' hangs near my desk and depicts a young warrior seeking guidance from Krishna in the midst of a fierce battle. I often look to this painting when I am seeking motivation and inspiration. The second, 'Veena Player' depicts a woman playing an ancient stringed instrument, and hangs above my dining table. I find it brings me a great deal of peace as I start and end my day."

But then, as the sky changed color, the apartment was washed with light,” he continues. “The windows, nearly wall-to-wall, had a stunning southern exposure with views of the World Trade Center and the Financial District. As I stood there watching the sunset, shadows dancing on the walls, I began to imagine a life for myself in this shoebox.”

Credit: Manaal Shareh

"On my bookshelf sits a Nataraj, a brass statue of Shiva in his cosmic dance of creation. Underneath it are two eagle bookends, symbols of the American Republic. There are many such contradictions scattered throughout the space — the European desk adorned with the little elephants I picked out in a market in Jaipur, the eclectic bookshelf with everything from books on farming to software system design to magic realism and science fiction," Madhav explains. "The natural colors throughout (greens, blues, purples, browns) remind me of the beaches, forests, mountains, and open skies of my childhood on the California coast. Even the rugs represent this dichotomy; a Persian and a Scandinavian. Jiya helped me carefully pick the right pieces to let my identity shine through without feeling cluttered or incongruous."

While Madhav claims to have good design instincts but not quite the right expertise, he wasn’t alone in having to transform this blank white box into a home. His girlfriend, designer Jiya Sultania, helped him not only identify his style but also “build a home that feels so comfortable” he never wants to leave. Despite the small amount of square footage, it’s also great for hosting.

“Today, I’d describe my studio as being firmly rooted in South Asian styles, while still carrying elements of mid-century modern, vintage, and art deco, Madhav writes. “There is an abundance of comfortable furniture, soft fabrics, dark woods, and brass finishes and accents.” And, of course, there are the seven light fixtures, “making the apartment glow with warmth at night.”

Credit: Manaal Shareh

The "sun-filled view of downtown Manhattan, which greets me from every corner of the apartment," is one of Madhav's favorite things about the apartment. "In the mornings the apartment fills with light while I drink coffee at the desk, and at night the lamps take over, turning the studio into a warm, amber-lit cocoon above the city." There's also the ficus that he rescued on Facebook Marketplace, "which thrives in the sunlight and creates a little canopy over the accent chair in the living room where I love to read or work."

“Each space within the studio is well-designated, and leaves plenty of space for living, working, dining, and rest,” he continues. “A Scandinavian rug anchors the living area, while a smaller Persian rug defines the office space, and a DIY ceiling lamp creates a dining area.”