Lorin Luxuriates in a Studio

Name: Lorin
Location: Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Size: 400 square feet — Studio
Years lived in: 9 years

“Just because you have to live in a small space, doesn’t mean you have to forgo convenience, organization, OR luxury.” After nine years in a studio in the West Village, this is Lorin’s modus operandi.

Not only did her square footage change dramatically when she moved from a townhouse in DC, but her style did as well.

Ten years ago she lived in a mid-century home, heavily influenced by the art collection of her ex-husband. Now, on her own, Lorin has allowed her fantasy of a traditional London flat to transform her New York City abode.

Lorin spared no expense or effort to achieve the best living in a small space. She created a lot of built in storage areas, going so far as to customize a refrigerator that maximizes use of ceiling height.

High ceilings in the apartment helped provide places to put things, and also staves off the potential claustrophobia of such a small home.

It took Lorin over 18 months to fully transform a basic white box with low-end fittings in kitchen and bathroom into her dream home.

She refers to her walk-in closet as “closet paradise” and exudes no end of pride in the oasis she has created.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My style: European Traditional

Inspiration: The townhouses and flats in Knightsbridge, London

Favorite Element: My library

Biggest Challenge: Fitting the contents from a 2 bedroom Georgetown townhouse into this studio. I couldn’t. I had to edit. I have furniture in the homes of a dozen friends until…

What Friends Say: Besides “Thanks for letting me use your _____”? About MY apartment? “It’s fabulous!”

Biggest Embarrassment: That I can’t find a competent person to make me a radiator facade at a tenable price.

Proudest DIY: My hand-painted “motto” kitchen backsplash tiles. I’m going to reproduce them.

Biggest Indulgence: My nearly $4000 custom refrigerator. At only 18″ wide and 7′ tall, it holds as much as a conventional model while occupying a much smaller footprint. It’s a good thing I like to cook and eat at home.

Dream Source: P.E. Guerin (fixtures, of course. All hand cast and finished)

Resources
Living Area
Curtain fabric, silk taffeta – Colefax & Fowler
Giltwood curtain rod and rings – Sarkis Studio
Crystal column lamp on bedside chest – Vaughan
Tufted chair fabric – Lee Jofa
Rounded corner cabinet – The Elysee Collection

Den/Foyer
Wide stripe sofa fabric – Ian Sanderson
“Bamboo” brass standard lamp – Mario Buatta for Frederick Cooper
Hanging foyer hundi (pumpkin) lantern – Vaughan

Kitchen
Built-in refrigerator – Northland Corp.
Curtain fabric in Kitchen – Quadrille
Ceiling Fixture – Visual Comfort

Bath
Sink and toilet from Kohler
Lavatory faucet set – Cifial
Brass bath accessories (toilet paper holder, grab bar, towel rack) – Ginger
Shower curtain fabric – JAB
Porcelain wall tile and moldings – Cerim Pietra Vicentina imported from Italy by Hoboken Floors
Deco floor tile with border – American Olean Vintage Collection

(Images: Walter Bell)

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