Laura’s Inviting Live / Work Studio

Name: Laura
Location: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Size: 600 square feet studio
Years lived in: 7

In addition to maturing tastes, Laura had a practical impetus for taking steps to upgrade. She was about to start working from home and she wanted to feel good about spending a lot of time within the same four walls. The addition of a refined and beautiful small home office in the corner of her studio was the beginning of great things.

With the help of her designer, Laura added a lot of color to what was previously a very bland palette. Bold steps like a flaming red couch and beautiful bedding boldly transformed her apartment from its ‘before’ to ‘after’ status.

Apartment Therapy Survey
Style: International, warm, cozy

Inspiration: I was really inspired by a couple of major trips that I took over a year ago to Argentina and China. Moroccan prints resonate with me, so I tried to incorporate them into the space as well.

Favorite Element: When it comes to my main living space, I’m gaga for my big red couch. It is an older piece that I had reupholstered in this fiery fabric. I think it really gives the living area a colorful anchor.

Biggest Challenge: Dividing the bedroom space from the rest of the room — I wanted it to feel open and airy, but I still wanted some separation. The Chinese-influenced screen we found was the perfect compromise.

What Friends Say: It’s vibrant and welcoming. (And, everyone wants the shower for themselves!)

Biggest Embarrassment: Formerly, I had some well-worn pieces that I was still hanging onto from IKEA — furniture I brought to NYC right after college.

Proudest DIY: My proudest DIY moment came in the earlier phase of turning this apartment into my home. I personally removed the nasty wallpaper from the bathroom and kitchen — by hand, since steamers weren’t cutting it. I never want to do that job again.

Biggest Indulgence: No question. My biggest indulgence was my spa shower. Rain shower, massaging hand-held and four side sprays. Since I’ve gotten it installed, I think I’m officially the cleanest woman in New York!

Best Advice: Be open to every and any option. At first I was resistant when my designer Keith Carroll suggested wallpaper in the hall. Now, I can’t imagine my entryway without it.

Dream Source: My decorator took me to a small “in-the-know” antiques dealer. Can’t reveal Keith’s industry secrets, but I did get my desk there, as well as my folk art still life of peaches.

Resources:

MAIN ROOM & ENTRYWAY:

• Interior Decorator — Keith Carroll Design
• Painting, wallpapering & custom shelving — CL Renovations
• Mid-century Danish dining table — Baxter & Liebchen
• Copper side table — Open House
• Mirror — Restoration Hardware

• Bedding — John Derrian Company, Inc.

• Tilework, plumbing, lighting, etc. — CL Renovations
• Tiles — Eagle Home Center

Images: Jill Slater

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.