A Designer Won This Dreamy Studio in the Coveted NYC Housing Lottery

published Nov 5, 2025

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When Tyler Correawhite first saw a listing for this small studio apartment in a building with “bold, sculptural energy,” she couldn’t believe it was available through the NYC Housing Lottery, but applied for a chance anyway.

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Credit: Molly Stromoski Photography

Tyler's proudest DIY in the space is how she was able to transform a blank studio into a home that can "balance structure and creativity. I wanted it to function as a workspace, a home, and a reflection of my design style without feeling cluttered or overthought," she writes. "It all came together over about two months, evolving naturally as I figured out how to make the studio feel both functional and inspiring. Now it feels like a place that moves with me — creative, balanced, and distinctly mine."

“As a designer and someone from Brooklyn, I’ve always loved spaces that feel intentional and expressive, and this building feels like living inside a piece of art,” continues Tyler, who is also the founder of Nu Studio by Ty, a design and tech brand that experiments with 3D-printed furniture and immersive installations. She also works by day at an artificial intelligence tech startup and is pursuing a master’s degree in technology management.

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Credit: Molly Stromoski Photography

Tyler says she looked for "modular furniture that could adapt throughout the day, like a table that doubles as a desk and storage that works as seating. I mixed those finds with smaller details — art, shelving, and lighting — to pull the space together." Her total budget was under $2,000 and she made sure to go with renter-friendly solutions like "removable wall hooks, freestanding shelves, and layered lighting to create depth." Of course, everyone asks about the Togo couch, which normally sells for quite a lot of money, but Tyler was able to snag for just $500 on Facebook Marketplace! "It’s sculptural, low to the ground, and so comfortable that it turns every hangout into a design moment. It anchors the entire space and feels like the perfect mix of function and art," she writes.

“I had been applying for a while, looking for a place that felt connected to the city but still gave me room to think and create,” she explains of her experience with the NYC Housing Lottery. “When I finally got the call, it felt like everything aligned. The first time I stepped inside, the light pouring through the windows and the clean lines of the layout made it feel cinematic. It had this calm energy that immediately made sense for me.”

Credit: Molly Stromoski Photography

Tyler loves her collection of wall art, especially the skateboard piece above the breakfast corner. "In the mornings, the light hits that wall just right, bouncing off the colors and giving the whole space a quiet energy. It’s my reset spot before the day starts. The posters and prints around the apartment feel like a timeline of my creative journey — pieces I’ve designed, collected, or discovered while traveling. Together they turn the studio into something more than a home. It feels like a personal gallery, one that changes with me."

“My favorite thing about the apartment is the sleek minimalism. It’s open, bright, and adaptable, which gives me space to live and design freely. The walls are covered with posters I’ve designed and collected, surrounded by stacks of design books from my travels. Little details, like the small models of my furniture concepts, make it feel like a living studio that evolves with me,” Tyler writes.

Credit: Molly Stromoski Photography

Tyler shares her home with her dog, Wolfie, and describes the studio apartment as a "creative escape with balance and warmth. The walls are layered with art and posters I’ve designed and collected, surrounded by stacks of design books that bring color and texture to the room. Small models of my furniture concepts add a sculptural element, while the lighting shifts the mood from day to night. It feels modern, grounded, and lived in, like a reflection of both my creative process and my Brooklyn roots."

“What I love most is how naturally the space shifts throughout the day. It’s my creative lab in the morning, a workspace in the afternoon, and a chill spot to unwind with friends at night. It feels modern, effortless, and authentically me — a reflection of where I’m from and who I’m becoming.

Credit: Molly Stromoski Photography

Resources

Toga Sofa — 1st Dibs
Aria Statement Coffee Table — Urban Outfitters
Barbie and Ken Art — Barbie and Ken Photos
Pink Carpet — Ruggable

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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