This New Yorker’s Been Renting a Tiny Studio Apartment for 10 Years

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, science fiction, and watching "Star Trek." In the past 10 years she's called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas, and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson. She currently lives in her…read more
published Apr 26, 2024

This New Yorker’s Been Renting a Tiny Studio Apartment for 10 Years

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, science fiction, and watching "Star Trek." In the past 10 years she's called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas, and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson. She currently lives in her…read more
published Apr 26, 2024
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Bedrooms
Square feet

425

Sq ft

425

When Amanda Phillips first moved to New York City in 2011, she lived in Midtown West, “which provided easy accessibility to all that Manhattan has to offer,” she begins. “Moving to NYC was always a dream of mine, and the past decade has certainly been a fun adventure.”

And while it can feel like New Yorkers tend to move apartments often, Amanda has been living in this 425-square-foot studio apartment for an impressive 10 years.

Credit: Amanda Phillips
"The last thing I purchased was a set of two Masters Entangled Chair from Laura Davidson Direct," Ashley explains. "The chairs strike a rare balance between elegant and durable. They’re modern, stylish, practical, easy to clean and perfect for dining in a studio apartment."

“My home is a small, ground-level, L-shaped studio apartment in Rose Hill. I’m lucky to have an outdoor patio and two spacious closets,” she writes. “I get great light in the morning and love entertaining on my patio during the summer months. I’ve enjoyed watching my neighborhood, as well as my design aesthetic, evolve over time. Creating a space that celebrates beauty and my individual style has been such a labor of love — and one that I’m very proud of.”

Credit: Amanda Phillips
"The power of inspiration cannot be overstated," Ashley advises. "I’m inspired by everything – books, magazines, blogs, travel, podcasts, Pinterest, Instagram. I look a lot to the past and love to peruse auctions, estate sales, and second-hand stores for vintage pieces. I think it’s important to take one’s time when creating a home. I am always cultivating, refining, and perfecting. I like to move things around and try things in different places."

Amanda, who describes her home’s style as “eclectic, sophisticated, personal, and timeless,” wanted her home to feel like “a little oasis where I can host friends and create memories.” To do that, she says she leans into a color palette of whites, blues, and grays, but also dabbles in leopard print (which she considers a neutral)!

“I like a classic aesthetic, but also enjoy mixing patterns and textures — I would say that I’m a maximal traditionalist. I have a lot of personal touches throughout my apartment, such as photos of family and friends, meaningful pieces of art, and coffee table books on topics I adore — glamorous women, fashion, travel, and interior design. I’ve always been a planner and because my space is small, I’m very thoughtful about every piece of decor that I use.”

Credit: Amanda Phillips
"I think decorating is most successful when it’s personal. And details are central to creating a space you love. It tells the story of a home and creates connection to the person who lives there. One’s taste, style, interests, sense of humor, and personal history can be understood through the details of a home. I love mixing up styles and textures – and playing with expectations to create a space that’s unique and individual."

Resources

Thanks, Amanda!

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