A Chic (and Frankly Genius) Renter-Friendly Wall Transformed This Brooklyn Rental
Thirteen years. That’s how long the rental lofts in this building were on Kiron Akeem‘s mind when he first spotted one when visiting a friend’s unit. “I remember thinking her apartment was so spacious and cool,” he muses. “I’d always dreamed of living in a loft, so that building stayed on my mind all those years.”
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Four years ago, after living in New York for 15 years, Kiron, an interior, photo, video, and set curator, was ready for a change, and went on the hunt for a new place to live. “That building was still living rent-free in my head,” he admits.
When he discovered that one his best friends had found a unit in the very same building on Craigslist, Kiron took to the web, too. “That’s when I found my current apartment, which happens to be the exact same layout as my friend’s from 13 years ago.”
It was an incredible full-circle moment. “It honestly felt like I put the intention out there, and it found me,” he says of the 850-square-foot open loft, which he described as a blank canvas when he first moved in three and a half years ago.
“It needed a lot of love, but it was my first place alone in NYC, so I was all in and ready to do the work,” Kiron explains. “I also saw it as a chance to grow my design career — learning through every win and every loss inside my own space. I’ve learned so much along the way, and that experience has really shaped how I curate spaces for others now.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Living room wall — Varanthane “Early American”
- Bedroom Nook — Behr “Midnight”
- Bedroom Wardrobe — Behr “Elkhound”
- Kitchen Ceiling — James Alexander Carbone “Gray – Black Limewash”
- Bathroom — James Alexander Cachi “Peach – Tan Limewash”
- Window Sills — Danish oil Walnut
ENTRY
- Pendant Light — Herman Miller Ball Light
- Tear Drop Hooks — Dropit Hooks by Normann Copenhagen
LIVING ROOM
- Muse Sofa — Sarah Ellison
- Under TV wood shelf — Made by me
- Ball Pillow — LuLu and Georgia by Sarah Sherman Samuel
- Marble Coffee Table — Vintage
- Senufo Stool — Vintage
- Chess Set — Umbra Wobble Chess Set
- Pendant Light — Herman Miller Saucer
- Candle Blocks — Apparatus Candle Blocks
- Candle Holder — Interconnect Candleholder by Audo Copenhagen
- Painting — Made by me
- Pottery Pieces — Handmade by me
DINING ROOM
- Painting — Made by me
- Pendant Light — Docos, Trumpet Pendant Light
- Dining Table — Vintage
- Cantilever Chairs — Vintage
- Wood Chair — Forom, Jeanneret Floating Armchair
- Vase — Stainless H&M Home
- Sconce — IKEA Varmblixt Collaboration
KITCHEN
- Washer/Dryer — Samsung
- Gas Range — Whirlpool
- Fridge — Insignia
- Water Filter — Berkey
- Espresso Machine — Breville
- Stainless Counter — IKEA
- Island Counter — Made by me
- GE Toaster — Vintage
- Kettle — Alessi
BEDROOM
- Wardrobe — IKEA Pax
- Hay Rice Paper Pendant Light
- Donut Light — IKEA Varmblixt Collaboration
- Desk — Handmade by me
- Wood Chair — Forom, Jeanneret Floating Armchair
- Painting — Me
- Peloton Bike
- Iron Clothing Storage — Pamo Design
BATHROOM
- Shower Curtain — Quiet Town, Amber
- Flush Mount — CB2
- Wood Stool — Vintage
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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