Emma Bates’ NYC Apartment Shows the Power of a Statement Mirror

Name: Emma Bates
Location: Lower East Side — NY, NY
Size: Less than 800 square feet
Years Lived In: 2 years, renting

Brand marketing strategist Emma Bates (formerly the Head of Global Marketing at Away) is the co-founder and CEO of Diem, a “women’s health social network,” and is currently calling a minimal, modern Lower East Side apartment home. Featuring a cute gallery of meaningful art, a few sumptuous textures, and a couple of fun patterns that infuse the small space with interest, she’s made a warm, cozy home in short time and despite the limitations of a rental. One of her secrets? The power of a statement mirror!

“Sadly being an old building in New York this means I can’t change the color of the wood and I don’t have too much space for entertaining, but I love how cozy it it is and the light is great. I’ve been able to find some unique vintage pieces and art to make the space feel homey and welcoming,” Emma explains.

My Style: I love to mix modern furniture with vintage finds and lots of colorful artwork to brighten spaces. I’m also a big fan of statement mirrors to accentuate space and light; gotta get creative in NY! My mum is an interior designer back in the UK so she often helps me find cool pieces or suggests how to best utilize a space.

Inspiration: Apart from growing up surrounded by design and interiors? I follow SO many interior and apartment accounts on Instagram, a few favorites: @cb2, @theinside, @tamsinjohnson, @compassny, @abigailbellvintage, and of course @apartmenttherapy!

Favorite Element: I love my couch and accent chair, I’d been looking for that exact couch for so long and I found it at @reuseamericany—they uploaded it to their account at 7 a.m. and I purchased immediately. I’ve been a Scalamandre fan for awhile and when I saw the collection they did with The Inside, I knew I needed to have.

My bed is also great; it’s from Floyd and I’ve got a Parachute Home mattress topper that is basically how I imagine heaven to be.

Biggest Challenge: As is the case with most New York apartments, my biggest challenge is available space and wanting to buy all of the furniture.

Biggest Indulgence: Probably my couch or some of the art.

Best Advice: Don’t buy everything at once. Obviously make sure you have a bed to sleep in but it’s nice to leave some room to fill with new pieces you find along the way.

What’s your best home secret? I’m very organized with seasonal clothing and keep everything I don’t need in suitcases in one of my wardrobes and switch out as required.

• Couch — Reuse America (Vintage)
• Chair — The Inside
• Leopard Pillows — The Inside
• Red Velvet Pillow — CB2
• Round velvet pillow — Adaptations, Greenpoint

• Shelves — CB2
• Glasses, etc — Vintage
• Table and bench — Vintage
• Gold oval mirror — Similar found at Wayfair

• Bed — Floyd
• Sheets — Parachute
• Pillows — The Inside
• Art — Tictail
• Floor mirror — Similar found at Urban Outfitters

Thanks Emma!