This Small Philadelphia Studio’s Bed Is Located in an Unconventional Spot
Name: Constante Quirino
Location: Spruce Hill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type of home: Studio loft in a historic building, formerly an all girl’s school called “Miss Gordon’s School for Girls”
Size: About 600 or 650 square feet
Years lived in: 3.5 months, renting
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I originally wasn’t looking to move. Up until May, I was living in a much smaller studio apartment across town and happened upon a Zillow post for this studio apartment in West Philly, just a few blocks from the University of Pennsylvania. The space was gorgeous, well-lit, with an abundance of historic details. I called my future landlord, toured the place, and immediately fell in love. I’ve been dreaming of a studio loft for years, having been in Philadelphia since 2008, and this was the best one I’d seen so far (and well within my rental budget.) My friends always think it’s funny that my apartments tend to be on the small side, but I think it may just be a differing cultural perception of space. I’ve traveled to Japan with my family a lot in recent years and it’s always inspiring to go there and see people not just “making do” with tiny apartments, but living and thriving in really intimate spaces.
I’m a content strategist for a digital marketing agency and work as a freelance writer. Needless to say, I’m away from home most of the day and busy during the weekends spending time with friends. So, there are a lot of conventions that I can easily do without: big TVs, a dining table I’m never going to use, etc. That leaves a lot of space devoted to things I’m passionate about: my wardrobe (I used to be a stylist), my plants, and my collection of books and magazines. The sense of history wasn’t lost on me, either. I did a little digging and found that this building used to be an all-girl’s school called “Miss Gordon’s School for Girls.” I want to do more in-depth research but I found this post along with some archived newspaper clippings on this building from when they used to advertise for school openings. I haven’t found out much about alumni, but one alum was Hilda Doolittle, a poet, protege, and apparent love interest of Ezra Pound.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Impulse-fueled maximalism meets mid-century lounge.
What is your favorite room and why? I really only have two rooms (a main studio/loft space and a bathroom) and they’re both my favorite. I love the intimate sense of space in both, coupled with how tall the ceilings are! The rooms fill with ambient, indirect light during the day, but the building faces north and is set in a bit and surrounded by tall trees, so I never really get full, harsh sunlight. I was initially concerned my plants wouldn’t enjoy that, but they’re actually thriving. I have a rubber tree that’s getting a little Seuss-ian in how tall and crooked it’s growing.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I impulse buy almost everything! Recently, I was at West Elm just kind of looking at candles and saw this sofa. I saw the price immediately thought it was a mistake because it looked and felt way too expensive for its size and the quality of the fabric, not to mention the almost-whimsical wooden drink table attachment that lended it a kind of warmth. In my fantasies of having no student loan debt and unlimited financial resources, I’d love a Pop & Scott sofa but those run upwards of $2,000, so to see and feel a $359 sofa that captured those vibes, it was a deal I couldn’t pass up.
Any advice for creating a home you love? Listen to your impulses. I read an interview in Kinfolk that featured Mexican architect Frida Escobedo and her response to a question about style really resonated with me: “How would you describe your style? I wouldn’t say it’s a style: I’d say you have a set of preoccupations that shape your drive. You need to be consistent with them and, if you are, a certain language will be present.” It’s something I wholeheartedly agree with: the idea that anyone creating a space for themselves can have a really distinct point of view and unspoken language that manifests in textures, colors, and shapes that speak to them on a truly personal level.
This submission has been edited for length and clarity.