A Sunny Minimal 588-Square-Foot Apartment Seems Larger Than It Is
A Sunny Minimal 588-Square-Foot Apartment Seems Larger Than It Is
Name: Minette Hand (and Hank the dog!)
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Size: 588 square feet
Years lived in: Less than a year, renting
I’m a freelance photographer based in Charleston, South Carolina, and I’ve been photographing homes all over the U.S. for Apartment Therapy for two years. I love meeting people and seeing their spaces, seeing how the two relate, finding the angles, and following the light. And I’ve also learned a lot about having my own home photographed through photographing the homes of others. The cleaning! The cords! It’s so much work. I’m very grateful to those of you who have opened your home to me. And I look forward to meeting you and photographing more once it’s safe. In the meantime, I’ve photographed my own home while I’m quarantining. My style is fairly minimal (and even more so since adopting a potty-training dog), but it’s filled with art and textiles that I love. It’s also full of beautiful natural light… just perfect for a photographer.

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Editor’s note: Minette isn’t the only one of our house tour photographers to share their own home tour. Carina Romano photographed the Philadelphia row home she’s been quarantining in, as well.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: I’d say my style is pretty minimal furniture-wise, but I love bringing color and layers in with art and textures. Now that I have a little four-legged friend, a lot of things had to be put away like pillows, stacks of books, and rugs (until the potty training phase passes).
Inspiration: I have my nose in a lot of design magazines and there are of course lots of items I would love to buy! However, since I travel so much for work, I save my money for experiences right now. When I have a more permanent home, I’ll deck it to the nines. I have endless Pinterest boards and magazine tear outs just waiting.
Favorite Element: I mean, does my dog count? Okay, my favorite part of this apartment has to be the light, hands down. As soon as I walked into this apartment, I knew it was the one. Oh, wait, maybe the layout. I can clear everything to the side and have a studio space to shoot in. I can also fit a long table right down the middle of my living room and seat 14+ people. I’m a big fan of dinner parties. In the evening, I can open the windows to let the sea breeze in (for now!) and light a few candles and voila, it’s cozy. The location is phenomenal, too.
Biggest Challenge: Well, honestly, Hank. He’s four months old. But in all fairness, I’d say the biggest challenge has been hanging art. As you can tell, there is still a lot of blank space. Since the apartment is so open, I’m still trying to figure out where to place art so that it doesn’t compete visually with another piece. I have so many wonderful works that aren’t even up yet (I’m sorry Sara Pittman, Chambers, Kate, Sophie, Lulie, and others)! It makes me cringe.
What Friends Say: Friends love the tall table in the kitchen. That always gets lots of attention. Otherwise, I’ve heard them notice the calmness of the space, the light, and the art, which I love.
Biggest Embarrassment: Oof, biggest embarrassment has to be the dang dog crate. I left it in the photos because it’s real life right now, but for such a small space, it sure takes up a bit of room. It’s just unsightly and there’s no way around it. It’s only for a season, though.
Proudest DIY: There aren’t many DIYs in this apartment, but I will have to say finding the tall kitchen table instead of a run-of-the-mill island was something I’m really happy about. My stools from my previous apartment fit under it just perfectly, to boot!
Biggest Indulgence: In this apartment, I’d say collecting all the art. Over time, that has been my biggest indulgence. I invest in one artist each year. I want to build a beautiful gallery and I’m doing it a little at a time. I got the idea from my cousin Mary Margaret and her husband Andy. Instead of anniversary presents each year, they invest in a piece of artwork together for their home. I loved it, so I’m doing it, too!
Best Advice: From a woman currently quarantining in a small apartment with a puppy—spend your money on travel and experiences; only invest in pieces you love a little at a time. Don’t feel the need to fill it up all at once. Besides, it’s always a work in progress, right?
Dream Sources: I love the magazine Design Anthology. The homes in it just breathe calm and there’s a big emphasis on architecture. There are a couple of companies on Instagram I’ve saved for when I have my forever house one day: @themodernhouse, @thehudsoncompany, @hedgehousefurniture, @dos_ombre, @hellotrader, @tigmitrading, @devolkitchens, @farrowandball, @quiettownhome, @totemroad, @sixpennyhome, and @hmhome.
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Paxton Sofa – Urban Outfitters (not avail anymore)
- Plants – Abide a While Garden Boutique
- Crate + Barrel Credenza – Craigslist
- Big abstract painting on wall – Jennie Tucker
Art Left to Right on Credenza:
- (Artist unknown for the black + white photo, help!)
- Raven Roxanne
- Mia Loia
- Lizzy Ervin
- Anne Abueva
KITCHEN
- Vintage Work Table — The Station Park Circle
- Stools — Target
BEDROOM
- Ruth Chair — Hausful
- Bedding – Linen Hearth + Home set from Target
- Art Prints in the Corner – Minette Hand Photography
BATHROOM
- Painting – Alex Waggoner
- Framed nude on counter – Katherine Cooney
Thanks, Minette!