House Tour: Laura’s Pared Down Perfection

Name: Laura
Location: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Size: 450 sqft, one bdrm rental
Years lived in: 7.5 years

“I’ll show you the closet, it’s really nice!” When Laura said this, I knew this house tour was going to be different than nearly any other from the past 3 years.

That’s because Laura is a professional organizer and she puts her money where her mouth is….

Laura takes a small space behind a thin wooden barrier (closet door), and creates a fantasy boutique experience. Not only is it well lit and not crammed with stuff, but it is carpeted and only contains items Laura loves and that fit her perfectly! When it comes to furnishings as well as her wardrobe, Laura says, “I am a very specific shopper with a specific idea of what I want.”

Laura’s apartment is sparse in that she likes the tenet of “living better with less.” So, when Laura looks around–anywhere in her home or her closet–she only sees things she likes! She never gets the pang of being faced with a pile of unwanted belongings or a piece of furniture she wished she didn’t own. The lighting creates the necessary warmth for the space and counteracts the potentially cold that comes with minimalism.

As a visitor, it is easy to enjoy the results of Laura’s strict paring down. The wide pine boards get attention, the flowing window treatments are appreciated, and the simplicity is inspiring. Space equals possibility and a select number of possessions convey confidence.