Jackie is a sound musician, artist, teacher, meditation leader, and an absolute expert in making small spaces stunning. Her last apartment was only 400 square feet, but she filled it with color, pattern, and energy. Recently she’s transformed another space, this time a bit larger, and the journey to her current home was no easy feat.

“Once I decided it was time to leave my last apartment last summer, I began the NYC apartment hunt,” Jackie says. “I realized quickly that with shit credit, not much savings, and no guarantor it was going to be a tough look. A broker I was working with named Daniella and I grew a special bond—but my applications were weak, and getting an apartment was looking like a no.”

Six months into her search Jackie still didn’t have a new apartment, but Daniella sent her a text with this address. “I met her and because of her friendship with the owner, I was approved on the spot,” Danielle explains. “When I walked into the place, I fell in love with its character. There are little tiles in the kitchen with kitschy illustrations of weird combos like lobster, beer, and eggs and in the bathroom there are oddly placed red rose tiles. I pulled all the colors for the kitchen out of those tiles.”

You can just tell this is the home of someone bursting with creativity, and Jackie uses her home not to just live in, but also to make things. “I make weird and educational videos about sound, mental health, and self-love for my IG, cook up delicious meals, and make music and sounds in The Rip Room,” admits Jackie. “And there’s always another wall to paint.”

My Style: I asked some pals about this, I got: “Acid Mod,” “Spiritual Sherbet Soul,” and “Groovy Eclectic.” I don’t know, it’s Jackson (my nickname.) I like to hope it’s like if Aretha Franklin, Blondie, Frida Kahlo, Ram Dass, and Parliament-Funkadelic had a baby. 

Inspiration: I’m inspired by ’60s/’70s color palettes, Hollywood Regency with its golds and mirrors, old soul music, mid-century modern lines and minimalism, rock & roll, great chefs, big personalities, love, and quiet. 

Favorite Element: I love the big eat-in kitchen and all its character… the tin ceilings, the weird pull-down ironing board turned shrine, the old textured walls and molding, and the wobbly floors. How I can hear the mariachi band that lives across the way every Friday out my window. I love places that feel like they’ve got some history or a story to tell. 

Biggest Challenge: I’ve never lived in a railroad apartment before. Figuring out how to make the thing flow and feel open was a cool challenge. Moving in right before quarantine gave me lots of time to figure that—and painting the 10-foot ceilings—out.

Proudest DIY: Painting dollar store stools to match the walls in the kitchen, and turning the ironing board into a little bar is a proud moment. The shrine inside pays homage to some really important men in my life that have passed away, mixed with special memories. 

I built a few things in the house (gotta let ‘em know!), but I’m also proud of the little counter top table I built to marry the space between the stove and the counter. I had to make little risers because the floor is mad slopey—but it’s a vibe.

Biggest Indulgence:That big blue couch in the back was def a big blue purchase. I’d never bought a really nice piece of furniture, and I wanted the kind of couch I could just fall onto all loud like an angsty teen. It’s hard to find comfy big and stylish couches, but this felt like it fit the bill. 

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? Mid-way through is that smaller room that all railroads seem to have. I think it’s usually used for a small office or a closet, but in my place I call it The Rip Room. I’m a sound musician and meditation teacher  and moved in here right before the quarantine hit. I set this room up to house all my instruments and to use as a backdrop for virtual experiences. I call it The Rip Room, ‘cause it’s where I rip (play) my sound bowls. I also meditate in there, so it’s got GREAT vibes. 

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? One thing that I learned in art school that I also apply in life and in decorating, is to take a step back and check different perspectives every now and again. When I’m setting up a room, I spend a lot of time standing in different corners to see how the space looks from different angles—that way, anywhere you sit is a good seat.

• Kitchen — Benjamin Moore’s “Silver Half Dollar,” “Salsa,” “Oklahoma Wheat,” and “Black”
• Bedroom — Benjamin Moore’s “Soft Chinchilla,” “Antiguan Sky,” and “Winter Grey”
• Rip Room — Benjamin Moore’s “Salsa,” “Silver Half Dollar,” “Springtime Peach,” and “Yellow Marigold”
• Living Room — Benjamin Moore’s “Calypso Orange,” “Winter Grey,” “Springtime Peach,” and “Peachy Keen”

• Round Wall Mirror — Target
• Pure White Ceramic Vases (assorted) — West Elm
• White Storage Boxes — IKEA
• Wicker Baskets — IKEA
• Fatboy Lamp (on shelf)  — Fatboy
• Dumbo Bookends — Tortuga
• Ceramic chicken feet planters/vases — Courtney K
• Red Fan Lamp — Hay
• Yellow Vase —  MoMa
• Two-Tone Vase —  MoMa
• Blue Sofa — West Elm
• Silver Area Rug — West Elm
• Custom Pink Sofa — Total Design Furniture
• Custom Black Chair — Total Design Furniture
• Vintage Morroccan Runner — Rug Moroccan Shop or Zayania Moroccan Rugs on IG
• Mirror Coffee Table — Urban Outfitters
• Surfer Paintings — Roberto Jamora
• Large Head Painting  — Mike Cantwell
• Painting of Mother & Daughter  — Mike Cantwell
• Shelving — Container Store
• Bench — Craigslist
• Pink Sofa Side Table  — DIY
• Bench Cushion — DIY
• Bar Table (under circle mirror) — Vintage
• Pillows — DIY
• Shelf Under Painting — DIY

• FOTO Plug-in Pendant Lamp — IKEA
• Mid Century Wishbone Chairs — Rove Concepts
• Faux Wool Mongolian Lamb Fur Pillow — Overstock
• Cabinet Pulls — Etsy
• DIY Track lights —  
• Skinny Mirror — IKEA
• Elvis Clock — Amazon
• Japanese Antique Porcelain Mugs — Makari Japanese Antiques and Fine Art
• 3-tier wooden shelf — Urban Outfitters
• Silver Tray — West Elm
• Kitchen Runner Rug — West Elm
• Countertop/shelf — DIY
• Stools — Dollar Store
• Table — Handmade Vintage

• All Crystal Singing Bowls & Crystal Pyramids  — Crystal Tones (I’m  a distributor, so if you’re interested in bringing one into your life reach out to me on Instagram!)
• Marble Mid-Century Tripod Side Table — Etsy
• Pearl Area Rug  — West Elm 
• Light Box  — Bingkai
• Curved Candle Holder — West Elm
• Blue Morrocan Runner — Rug Moroccan Shop or Zayania Moroccan Rugs on IG
• Pure White Ceramic Vases (assorted) — West Elm
• Guitar — Martin Guitar
• Ocean Drums — Amazon
• Tuning Forks — BioSonic
• Shruti Box — My friend Jesse Israel’s 🙂
• Floor Shelf — West Elm
• Meditation Pillows — Sage Meditation
• Hay Pillar Candles — MoMa
• Tibetan Singing Bowls — Nepal
• Black Tray — Vintage

• Platform Bed Frame — Overstock
• Black Round Wall Mirror — Urban Outfitters
• Bon Bon Lamp Shade — Coming Soon
• Bedding — Parachute Home
• Velvet Curtains  — West Elm
• Custom Black Velvet Pillow — Willow & Moon Home
• Bench — Urban Outfitters
• Gold Mirror Pedestal — Urban Outfitters
• Purple Vase — Urban Outfitters
• Dried Flowers — Etsy
• Grace Jones Nightlight — Etsy
• Divider — Vintage Etsy
• Panel painting — Vintage Etsy
• Curtain Gold Fan Curtain Hold-backs — Vintage eBay

Thanks Jackie!

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