“In 2019, this studio apartment became an extended metaphor for my life at the time: a fixer-upper needing a bit of time, cleaning, and dedication in order to become its most resplendent version,” continues Juan, who’s been renting this 495-square-foot studio apartment for five and a half years.

“Little by little, I found what became key priorities for me while living alone — adaptability and customization, sprinkled with touches of color. I wanted to have carte blanche in transforming the otherwise constraining space into a custom home, so I considered my deposit a ‘personality fee.’ I’ve learned from past apartments that I would most likely receive back very little, if any, of the deposit, so why hesitate to paint and add nails to the walls?” he continues.

To create his home, he “built shelves into the awkward spaces in walls, had custom storage seating made to measure, and even turned hinged doors into sliding barn doors.” And he added in more personality with his collection of books, art, records, and more. Juan calls his home’s style as “Traveled Texture meets Curated Creativity,” but I call it clever! I love all the ways he personalized his small but stylish space.

• Armchair — Article (model discontinued) and purchased from Offer Up
• Pillows — Target and TJ Maxx
• Rug — nuLoom via Amazon
• Record Player — Audio Technica
• Record Wood Ledges —Etsy from @dividerrecords
• Garden PegBoard + Container Pots — SKÅDIS line from IKEA
• Lamp — Paul Smith x Anglepoise
• Window Dressing — IKEA (Curtains)+ Lowes (Curtain rod)
• Sofa — The Eddy from West Elm
• Credenza — Baxton Studio via Bed Bath & Beyond
• Coffee Table — IKEA ALSEDA stools stacked
• Barnyard Doors — Custom made by @straightfacedwoodworking
• Laundry Hamper — Container Store
• Suitcase — Samsonite
• Flower Vases — West Elm
• Artwork — “Virgil 2016” by George Byrne; “Llamas and Shapes” by Gray Malin; Moroccan oil painting purchased in Chefchaouen; and South African Beach House photograph purchased in an estate sale

• Murphy Bed —Breda Beds
• Container Bedding — Hudson’s Bay Multipoint blanket//pillow cases Target Pride 2021 collection/ Pillows IKEA
• Mirror — CB2
• Console Table — Suitcase thrifted and the legs are from Amazon
• Giraffes — Souvenirs from a local market in Nairobi, Kenya
• Framed Photograph — Framebridge + Target
• Flower Vases — Cleaned out candleholders from West Elm
• Key Plate + Bookstack — D& Department
• Mirror — CB2
• Camera — Instax Mini 40
• Projector — Amazon
• Calendar — Stendig calendar
• Artwork — Various museum exhibitions (Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, and printed photographs

• Storage banquette — Custom made by @straightfacedwoodworking
• Overhead Shelf — Brackets from IKEA and wood board from Lowes
• Storage Boxes — IKEA + Target
• Dining Table — West Elm
• Vase — IKEA KONSTFULL line
• Fiddle Leaf Fig — Local nursery
• Plant Wicker Basket — World Market
• Dining Chair — Target
• Cushions — Etsy (NC patio Cushions)
• Pillows — Jonathan Adler
• Bar Cart — World Market
• Artwork — Advertising poster from Opera Australia’s performance of “Aida” on Sydney Harbour.
• Lower Cabinet Color — Sherwin-Williams “Salty Dog”
• Cabinet Hardware —World Market
• Above Sink Shelving — IKEA BERGSHULT line
• Wineglass Rack — The Container Store
• Teakettle on stove — Michael Graves for Target
• Teakettle on shelf — Michael Graves for Alessi via FB Marketplace
• Toaster — SMEG
• Cutting Boards — Crate & Barrel + World Market

Thanks, Juan!

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

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