A Renter Added Storage and Style to This 275-Square-Foot NYC Studio Apartment

published May 2, 2023

A Renter Added Storage and Style to This 275-Square-Foot NYC Studio Apartment

published May 2, 2023
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“The high ceilings and natural light are what first caught my attention about this home,” begins Rachael Harvey, Assistant Membership Director for a synagogue in Manhattan. “I grew up on a busy road, so I especially love being connected to the city through my street view. I feel like I can be a part of the action, but within my own space. I want my apartment to not only share my story, but invite anyone who walks in to become a part of it,” she describes of the 275-square-foot Upper East Side studio apartment she’s been renting for eight months.

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Rachael says she found this studio thanks to word of mouth from her friend, Mikah. “She is good friends with the owners of the unit and told me they were looking for a new tenant come summer time. Because Mikah and her fiancé were moving in together, they were seeking more space than a studio apartment. I was planning on moving out of my one-bedroom apartment due to a large rent increase. So, they moved into my former place, and I moved in here. You could say we were each other’s brokers!”

Credit: Erin Derby

“Even though I am in a studio, I have never let that be a barrier to the curation of my home and its function, such as hosting Shabbat dinners and gatherings with friends. I have been able to create separation in each area of living with my furniture and art pieces. I see my home as a sanctuary, an opportunity to let my creativity shine through, and a place to be unapologetically myself.”

Credit: Erin Derby

Resources

Credit: Erin Derby

LIVING ROOM

Credit: Erin Derby

DINING ROOM

Credit: Erin Derby

KITCHEN

  • Peel and stick floor tiles — FloorPops Hudson Peel & Stick Floor Tiles, Black from Amazon
  • Lemon contact paper — Ace Hardware 
  • Spice rack — Bed Bath & Beyond 
  • Pink oranges print — Laura Supnik Art
  • Shabbat candlesticks — Ten Thousand Villages
  • Mezuzah — Camp Airy
Credit: Erin Derby

BEDROOM

Credit: Erin Derby

BATHROOM

Thanks Rachael!