A Modern and Minimal Rental Apartment in Crown Heights Has a Sleek and Inspiring Style
Name: Olivia Redfield, my husband, Ben, our dog Eli, and soon our baby!
Location: Crown Heights — Brooklyn, NYC
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 1100 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our apartment is a two-story unit in a small apartment building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. On the lower level there’s the kitchen, dining room, a bathroom, and a bedroom we use as an office. On the upper level there’s another bathroom, the living room, and two small bedrooms for us and the baby. Ben and I spend a lot of time at home, so a functional and enjoyable space is really important to us. We fell in love with this apartment for its light and airy feel, and the two-story layout makes it seem much more spacious than it really is. Apartment living in New York City typically means a lot of compromises, and this place is no exception! It was really lacking in the storage space we needed, but we’ve made some creative design decisions and DIYs to help tuck everything away. For instance, the curtain partition pictured off the living room is a master closet DIY!
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Organic modern minimal neutral peaceful
What is your favorite room and why? Ben and I agree that it’s a tie between the dining room and living room. We’ve filled the dining room with plants, and love sitting at the table drinking coffee together each day in the morning light. The living room in the loft-like area upstairs is where we do most of our hanging out. We love having space for a sectional where we can watch TV, read, snack, and nap with our dog.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Most of our purchases these days have been for the baby room. It’s been an exercise in balancing form and function. I wanted a washable area rug, and loved this Moroccan-style one from Lorena Canals. And I splurged on this pretty changing basket from Design Dua with a washable cover, (this changing basket is similar).
Any advice for creating a home you love? I am a fan of editing a space until it feels right. Craigslist is great for this! I’ve lost track of how many pieces I’ve bought and sold on there. And after several moves together, we’ve really landed on functional furniture and decor that we love. I’d also say less is more. Let a space breathe and allow architecture to shine. Plus it’s easier to keep clean!
This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.