This TikToker Spent $20k on Her Rent-Stabilized Apartment, and Says Every Penny’s Been Worth It

Written by

Erin DerbyPhotographer
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 Mar 13, 2023

This TikToker Spent $20k on Her Rent-Stabilized Apartment, and Says Every Penny’s Been Worth It

Written by

Erin DerbyPhotographer
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 Mar 13, 2023
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Bedrooms
Square feet

560

Sq ft

560

Name: Brigette Muller (@hummusbirrd on TikTok) and cat, Ollie
Location: Greenpoint — Brooklyn, New York
Size: 560 square feet
Type of home: Railroad apartment
Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting
Rent: $2200 a month (rent-stabilized)

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“As soon as I walked into this space, I knew it was my apartment. I just felt it,” begins full-time content creator Brigette Muller, who posts about renovating and decorating as @hummusbirrd on Instagram and TikTok. “I found it on Craigslist and immediately fell in love with all the charm. Beautiful arches, original tin ceiling and moulding, built-in cabinets, white wood floors, and a fireplace mantel. I was in love.”

Brigette’s rental is a railroad apartment built in 1928, and she says it’s located on a quiet little street “around the corner from the calmest park. Sure, the bathroom doesn’t have a sink, but that was not enough to deter me from this dream space. It’s rent-stabilized, too. And came complete with a landlord who allows me to make any changes I want to the space (as long as I’m paying, haha). And so I’ve made a ton of changes,” writes Brigette. “It’s the first space I’ve lived in that truly feels like my own.”

Credit: Erin Derby

Apartment Therapy Survey

My style: French eclectic with a romantic touch.

Credit: Erin Derby

Inspiration: I’m super inspired by French design, the Victorian Era, nature, and antiques in general.

Credit: Erin Derby

Favorite element: I have two favorite spots in my apartment: The wall of shelves in my living room (I just had this installed a couple months ago and it turned out incredible), and the little breakfast nook area in my kitchen (I’m actually sitting here as I type this).

Credit: Erin Derby

Proudest DIY: I love this little sideboard in my kitchen. I found the piece at a thrift store, gave it a fresh coat of paint, added some baskets underneath, and topped it with a piece of marble that I had custom cut when I was updating my countertop. It’s so simple and so sweet — I just love it.

Resources

Credit: Erin Derby

PAINT & COLORS

  • White walls, trim, floor — Behr “Swiss Coffee”
  • Kitchen cabinets — Benjamin Moore “Swiss Coffee”
  • Blue bedroom — Clare “Chill”
Credit: Erin Derby

KITCHEN

Credit: Erin Derby

DRESSING ROOM

Credit: Erin Derby

LIVING ROOM

  • Amelia sofa — Sixpenny
  • Yolanda round ottoman — Overstock
  • Gleaming primrose mirror in gold — Anthropologie
  • Megan swivel chair — World Market
  • Sage green linen curtains — Etsy
  • Solange arch mirror — Wayfair
  • Marble side table — Vintage
  • Brass and crystal chandelier — Vintage
  • Glass oval coffee table — Vintage
  • Brown footstool — Vintage
  • Art — Vintage
Credit: Erin Derby

BEDROOM

  • Corsican iron canopy bed — Jack and Jill Boutique
  • Gauze linen curtains — Etsy
  • Gold pillow cover — Etsy
  • Light fixture — Vintage from Etsy
  • Mirror — Vintage from Etsy

BATHROOM

Thanks, Brigette!

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