This Small-Space Pro Transformed Her Brooklyn Rental into “Laidback Luxe” with Brilliant DIYs

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
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
Erin Derby
Erin DerbyPhotographer
Originally from California, but turned New Yorker since 2000, I've been shooting my entire life and am still inspired and excited about it. Lately I have been putting my energies into my Fine Art, which can be seen on my website and on Saatchi Art. Being infatuated with interior…read more
published Apr 13, 2023

This Small-Space Pro Transformed Her Brooklyn Rental into “Laidback Luxe” with Brilliant DIYs

Written by

Adrienne Breaux
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
Erin Derby
Erin DerbyPhotographer
Originally from California, but turned New Yorker since 2000, I've been shooting my entire life and am still inspired and excited about it. Lately I have been putting my energies into my Fine Art, which can be seen on my website and on Saatchi Art. Being infatuated with interior…read more
published Apr 13, 2023
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Bedrooms
Square feet

600

Sq ft

600

Name: Kim White
Location: Brooklyn — New York City, New York
Size: 600 square feet
Type of home: Apartment
Years lived in: 2.5 years, renting

Designer Kim White is an absolute expert at designing efficient and stylish small spaces, as evidenced by the tour of her last home, a 296-square-foot studio apartment. Although her last home felt much larger than its actual size — and functioned beautifully, too — a few years ago, Kim decided to make a move. “While I loved my little nest on the third floor, I couldn’t help but daydream about spreading my wings, clearing out the junk and weeds, and creating a space to host family and friends below. During the height of the pandemic, my neighbor relocated and I was able to snag her full floor garden apartment,” she writes.

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“Moving downstairs into a two-bedroom unit with a dedicated dining area, in-unit washer and dryer, and private outdoor space was an incredible opportunity. Because of the trust and rapport that I had built with my landlord in the previous apartment, I was granted permission to make most of the design, repair, and upgrade decisions within budget.”

Credit: Erin Derby

Apartment Therapy Survey

My style: Laid-back luxe tendencies, with a sentimental treasure-hunting habit.

Inspiration: A natural stone mosaic from a big-box store determined the color palette, and a desire to merge the indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly inspired many of the design decisions. 

Credit: Erin Derby

Favorite element: Living on the ground floor of a brownstone, I experience the extremes of a southern and northern exposure. Instead of fighting it, I painted in accordance. The rear of the apartment, leading out to the garden, is sunny, bright, and airy; the front of the apartment is drenched in inky blacks and browns, and feels more sultry and cavernous. Both areas speak to the duality of my personality. I can pick and choose where to lounge based on my mood.

Credit: Erin Derby

Paint Colors

  • Sherwin-Williams’ “Tricorn Black”
  • Sherwin-Williams’ “Black Beauty”
  • Sherwin-Williams’ “Rockwood Terra”
  • Benjamin Moore’s “Hasbrouck Brown” 
  • Sherwin-Williams’ “Cyberspace” 
  • Sherwin-Williams’ “Jitney”
  • Farrow and Ball’s “Savage Ground” 

Thanks, Kim!

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