A Plant-Packed Apartment in Puerto Rico

updated Apr 30, 2019

A Plant-Packed Apartment in Puerto Rico

updated Apr 30, 2019
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Style
Bedrooms
Square feet

1000

Sq ft

1000

Name: Adriana Sierra and Victor, plus their sun parakeet Fibi
Location: El Monte Norte — San Juan, Puerto Rico
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: Rented 2 years

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When your apartment is surrounded by the lush foliage of Puerto Rico, it’s only natural to bring the outdoors in. Adriana’s San Juan apartment does just that, showcasing thriving plants, natural wood elements, and even a parrot with bright and colorful plumage.

Adriana’s home inspirations are clear: island living, minimal yet warm vignettes, and stores, like Muji, that value simplicity. Though the apartment is filled with beautiful and unusual plants, it’s from her balcony where the greenery is to die for. She recently re-did her entire balcony, moving potted plants down from the ledge to encourage her guests to soak up the gorgeous view of San Juan. And though Puerto Rico’s unpredictable rainy weather can cut outdoor time short, listening to the rain fall from her sofa is soothing in itself.

Adriana’s apartment is an example of working with what you’ve got, even though the space isn’t necessarily “tiny.” The marble floor, as an example, is one of Adriana’s least favorite elements, so she and her boyfriend splurged and bought an area rug to cover up a part of it. And when she didn’t like the color of the walls, she painted them a flat white, like in the Scandinavian interiors she finds inspiring. “We love living in our apartment because of its great natural lighting that nurtures the essentials: our plants and productivity,” Adriana says.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Jungalow

Inspiration: The warm neutral aesthetics of Serena Mitnik-Miller (General Store founder) and Scandinavian interiors.

Favorite Element: Wood

Biggest Challenge: Decorating with red marble tile flooring

What Friends Say: “Please, bring some plants to my place!”

Get the look! → Puerto Rican-inspired Minimalism

Biggest Embarrassment: The apartment walls were covered with a glossy beige paint, but we recently fixed them and can’t believe we waited so long. The change is remarkable even though now they’re just flat white.

Proudest DIY: Our simple bedroom’s plywood headboard with light fixtures that respond to the room’s switch.

Biggest Indulgence: Our 8’x10′ area rug.

Best Advice: Work with what you have.

Dream Sources: Muji and Sight Unseen’s features.

Thanks, Adriana, Victor & Fibi!


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