The Renter-Friendly Updates in This Tiny Brooklyn Studio Are Unbelievably Gorgeous
The Renter-Friendly Updates in This Tiny Brooklyn Studio Are Unbelievably Gorgeous
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, and a graduate of University of Southern California in Los Angles, Lauren Wilson has lived in New York City for 12 years. And after over 11 years in Manhattan, Lauren made the move to Brooklyn Heights to this small studio apartment seven months ago.
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“It was time to start the next chapter of my NYC life,” she begins. “I had been eyeing Brooklyn Heights for a while and the first time I walked through the neighborhood, I felt like I was walking through a storybook. I was totally in love and would search every summer around my lease end date to see if I could find something. Inventory is super slim.”
Lauren says a pre-war apartment with original moldings was on her wish list when it came to finding a place to rent. “Unfortunately, I did not find that, but made some renter-friendly renovations instead. I added paneled (peel-and-stick) molding around the entire studio space,” she explains. “I also changed out all of the light fixtures — a set of vintage crystal fixtures in the main room, a vintage pineapple crystal chandelier in the entryway (a nod to the fruit streets I live on), and one I just found on Amazon for the kitchen.”
“I also added peel-and-stick wallpaper to the entryway to give it a ‘moment’ when you walk in. Something about a distinct entryway, not matter how small, feels super luxurious to me. I also added a ceiling medallion around the chandelier in the entryway for a Parisian feeling,” she writes.
Lauren explains that she’s worked for luxury fashion brands for her entire career (including Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Christie’s, and Moda Operandi) but in 2020 she launched her own luxury fashion platform, Dora Maar.
“I am inspired by the views of the brownstones across the street from me and the history of the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. Walking around this neighborhood is like a time capsule. I wanted my apartment to have that cozy, lived-in feeling with a touch of elegance,” Lauren writes. “One of my best friends says that my studio reminds her of the Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, which happens to be one of my favorite spots in the city! I think it’s the warmth — touches of cinnamon, sage greens, and dusty pinks throughout and the overall worn-in feel of the leather pieces. There is also quite a bit of print mixing as well.”
Resources
ENTRY
- Wallpaper — Ayara Home
- Art — Collier West
- Ceiling Medallion — Amazon
LIVING ROOM
- Bouclé Sofa — Room & Board
- Pillows — West Elm
- Side Table — West Elm
- Coffee Table — Amazon
- Vase — Amazon
- Rug — Amazon
- Leather Ottoman — Finch Hudson
- Desk – Painted Swan
- Bar Cart — West Elm
- Rattan Hutch — Wayfair
BEDROOM
- Headboard — Ballard Designs
- Duvet — Ballard Designs
BATHROOM
- Apothecary Cabinet — Ballard Designs
- Towels — Pottery Barn
Thanks, Lauren!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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