Bold Colors Transformed This “Vast, White Concrete Canvas” into a “Vibrant, Playful Sanctuary”

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
Erin Derby
Erin DerbyPhotographer
Originally from California, but turned New Yorker since 2000, I've been shooting my entire life and am still inspired and excited about it. Lately I have been putting my energies into my Fine Art, which can be seen on my website and on Saatchi Art. Being infatuated with interior…read more
published Jan 20, 2025

Bold Colors Transformed This “Vast, White Concrete Canvas” into a “Vibrant, Playful Sanctuary”

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
Erin Derby
Erin DerbyPhotographer
Originally from California, but turned New Yorker since 2000, I've been shooting my entire life and am still inspired and excited about it. Lately I have been putting my energies into my Fine Art, which can be seen on my website and on Saatchi Art. Being infatuated with interior…read more
published Jan 20, 2025
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“As a photographer, I was on the hunt for a space that could double as my home and studio,” begins Averie Cole, who’s been photographing weddings for 10 years. “When I walked into this apartment, the soaring ceilings and flood of natural light had me sold instantly. Plus, being smack dab in the heart of downtown Jersey City, with all its awesome bars and restaurants, was a huge bonus.”

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Credit: Erin Derby
"I work a lot. If I’m not shooting portraits in my studio, I’m editing photos, making sure everything is perfect for my clients. That’s why having an inspiring home — one that feels alive and joyful — is so important to me. My space isn’t just somewhere I exist — it’s a place where I love to create and gather," Averie writes. "The kitchen is the heart of my home. It’s where I get to pause from the hustle and put my love for cooking and hosting to use. I’ve always been drawn to throwing dinner parties, bringing people together over good food and conversation. In a past life, I spent 10 years bartending, and those skills still come into play. The kitchen often transforms into 'Averie’s Bar,' where I’m behind the bar shaking up cocktails for my friends. We’ll sit there for hours, laughing, sharing stories, and making memories, the kind that linger long after the glasses are empty.
It’s those moments that remind me why I put so much thought into my home, why I make it colorful, vibrant, and full of personality. Here, I get to do more than work. I get to share, celebrate, and create."

“I actually had a photo studio on the third floor of this very building for a couple of years, but it was pretty tight on space. After my marriage ended, I started keeping an eye out for a place where I could both live and work. I stayed in touch with the building manager, and when this larger unit became available, it was like everything fell into place.”

Credit: Erin Derby
"Some people say they don’t want to invest in a rental because it feels like a waste of money, but I’ve never had that attitude," Averie admits. "I believe in investing in the present and making the space I have now as inspiring and enriching as possible. I want my home to uplift my daily mood and make anyone who walks in feel something. There’s still so much more I’d love to do if I had a larger budget, but the great thing about paint is that it can make a huge impact for very little money. Take the blue arch and purple dots mural in my entryway — that cost me under $50, and it completely transformed the space. Paint is definitely my favorite way to breathe new life into a room without spending a fortune."

“What really sealed the deal was the building’s backstory. It’s a heritage-listed warehouse that’s worn many hats over the years — about 20 years ago, it was a storage facility before being transformed into residential lofts. Moving in here wasn’t just about finding a cool apartment; it was about joining a vibrant community of creatives. The place is buzzing with painters, interior designers, furniture makers, photographers, cinematographers, and fashion designers; it’s this collective energy that makes living here so special,” Averie continues.

Credit: Erin Derby
"I found my vintage dining table on Facebook Marketplace for $400, and I’m absolutely obsessed with it. The day I went to pick it up was filled with so much anxiety and chaos. The table was all the way up in Vernon, NY, and I wasn’t even sure it would happen until an hour beforehand. I had to rent a U-Haul all by myself, which was a whole ordeal. I had to arrange a babysitter for my son, and I didn’t have anyone to come along to help me load it. Plus, the table is huge and heavy. To top it off, my driver’s license had expired, and I only had a temporary one saved on my phone. U-Haul required a printed version, so I made a mad dash to Staples to print it out," Averie describes. "Despite all these obstacles, I was determined to make it work. Once I finally had the table secured in the back of the van and was driving back to Jersey City, I felt so powerful and accomplished. The couple I bought it from were lovely — they were moving to California that week, so it had to go. I showed them photos of my apartment, and the woman was so happy that the table was going to a good home. It’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made, and I’m so grateful to have this beautiful piece of furniture in my space."

“Before I moved in, my home was this vast, white concrete canvas — an empty loft brimming with so much potential. It had this industrial vibe, with soaring ceilings and raw finishes, and it just begged for color and life. I remember walking in and immediately picturing how I could transform it, and honestly, I started dreaming up ideas the second I signed the lease.”

Credit: Erin Derby
Averie estimates that some murals, like the ones in the living room and the hallway, "each cost about $150 in paint."

“Now, it’s a completely different world. My home is this vibrant, playful sanctuary that brings me so much joy every day. It’s full of bold colors and whimsical details that celebrate my inner child. Painting and designing this space was more than just decorating — it was therapy. I poured all my energy into it while navigating the end of a seven-year marriage, and for the first time I had the freedom to express myself without compromise. Every wall tells a story, reflecting my growth, my resilience, and this newfound sense of independence.”

Credit: Erin Derby
"Living in Jersey City for the past eight years has given me the perfect backdrop to explore my passions, from quilting to painting murals. Painting my own apartment inspired me to start a mural business, helping others add vibrant color to their spaces, even if they don’t have the time or confidence to do it themselves," Averie explains. "Bringing my community together has been so important to me. As I don’t have family here, my friends have really become my support unit, and my home has transformed into a sanctuary for creativity, connection, and joyful gatherings."

“What makes the space feel truly personal and meaningful are the walls covered in art created by some of my closest friends. It connects me even more deeply to my home and celebrates the incredible, creative women in my life,” Averie explains. “One of my oldest and dearest friends from Australia, Sarah McCkloskey, has her work featured prominently on my walls, serving as a beautiful reminder of home and where I come from. Then there’s Rebecca Johnson, a newer friend I met whilst living in Jersey City, whose art is feminine, whimsical, and full of beautiful vibrant colors. I was especially drawn to all the pink in her work! Being surrounded by their art fills the space with warmth and inspiration. It’s more than just a collection of paintings — it’s a celebration of the joy and strength my community brings me, and it makes my home feel alive in the best possible way.”

Resources

Credit: Erin Derby

PAINT & COLORS

  • Entryway — Benjamin Moore “Big Country Blue” and “Exotic Fuchsia”
  • Living Room — Benjamin Moore “Full Bloom” / “Pink Peach” / “Dahlia” / “Frosted Berry” / “Sterling” / “Mango Punch” and “Springtime Peach”
  • Hallway — Benjamin Moore “Pink Cherub” / “Pink Peach” and “Morning Sunshine”
  • Kitchen — Benjamin Moore “Full Bloom” and “Springtime Peach”
  • Bedroom — Benjamin Moore “Just Peachy” and “Conch Shell”
  • Bathroom — Benjamin Moore “Pink Peach”
Credit: Erin Derby

ENTRYWAY

Credit: Erin Derby

LIVING ROOM

  • Rug — Ruggable
  • Bar Stools — Bludot
  • TV — Samsung Frame 55”
  • Couch — IKEA
  • Custom Couch Cover — Bemz
  • Custom Feet for Couch — Pretty Pegs
  • Pink Rattan Coffee Table and Shelves — Found 
  • Pilastro Stool — Lumens
  • Pink Marble Chess Set — Etsy
Credit: Erin Derby

DINING ROOM

Credit: Erin Derby

KITCHEN

  • Rug — Etsy
  • Glass Storage Jars — Amazon
  • Malaysian Tiger Fridge Wallpaper — Spoonflower
  • Mug Stand — DIY
  • Colorful Mugs — Mud Witch
Credit: Erin Derby

BEDROOM

Thanks, Averie!

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