Before and After: The Dramatic Evolution of a Tiny Beige Studio
Angie Teater is a vibrant New Yorker who knows how to make use of a small space. The proof? Her studio apartment was a 350-square-foot beige box when she first moved in eight years ago. But now, it’s a bold, dramatic home that somehow fits a bedroom, living room and dining room in a teeny space. Effortlessly graceful, it feels more like a luxurious hotel room than a small studio apartment in the city. An interior designer by trade, Angie describes her style as “easy elegance. I love for my home to feel sophisticated without being too fussy or formal.”
Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox
Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter
Angie shares how her studio apartment evolved:
“This was very much an evolution of style! When I moved into this apartment all my stuff was ‘just because.’ I’d bought them on Craigslist or on sale at a box store. I didn’t love anything. It was just functional. But I desperately wanted my ‘dream’ apartment and decided to make an effort to create it, collecting tons of inspirational photos that fit my style. I slowly began swapping out the ‘just because’ things for pieces I truly loved and that fit the space. I’d say my biggest aha moment was the spontaneous ebony-wall paint job! It’s not for everyone, but it was soooooooo for me!”
The fact that it feels like a luxury hotel also isn’t an accident: “I get lost perusing luxury hotels like the Belmond collection and the Oberoi Hotel & Resorts — they have really perfected the art of high-style relaxation.”
The secret to efficient studio spaces:
“Measure, measure, measure! I make a list of what is needed then measure out the space and figure out where things should go and how big it should be. In a small space, proportion is essential,” says Angie.
