This 505-Square-Foot NYC Studio Apartment Is Incredibly Cute and Cozy
This 505-Square-Foot NYC Studio Apartment Is Incredibly Cute and Cozy
Salome Mergia rented this 505-square-foot studio apartment on New York City’s Upper West Side for two-and-a-half years. And one of the first things she loved about the space when she first saw it was the separate sleeping nook, which meant she could “create distinct spaces within the studio. Another thing that I loved was the built-in bar/island that separated the kitchen from the living space — this separation allowed me to have a larger living space while creating a built-in dining space for entertaining while cooking.” The unit faces a courtyard, and Salome says she loved how much “great sunlight” it gets through the day.
When it came to decorating the small space, Salome says she stuck to vintage finds “from Housing Works, Salvation Army, Goodwill,” as well as a surprising source, her landlord. “She gave me a bunch of frames that I repurposed with my artwork that needed to be framed — it gave each piece of art a vintage but contemporary feel. A lot of my art is street art that I’ve bought during my travels,” she writes.
“I identify as a nomad — I’ve lived in a lot of different places, and one thing I’ve learned that is reflected in my space is adapting to each place. So I feel that I’ve mastered knowing what to leave and what is useful to keep in each new place to really optimize each space. This identity is reflected in the art that is displayed and certain small furniture pieces that I’ve kept with me throughout all my moves,” Salome writes. “I also love to mix styles because I don’t have the budget to stick to a look — I’m very value-driven, so if I like something I try to blend it into my already eclectic mix of design. One of the ways I am able to blend different styles is through my choice in color palettes. I love bold colors and will choose two primary contrasting colors (usually earthy tones) and find prints in my accessories to complement these two colors.”
Salome has moved on from this cute studio apartment into a remodeled Chicago home that’s just as lovely as this space.
Resources
- Sofa, Bed, and TV Stand — Wayfair
- Shower Curtain — Bed Bath & Beyond
- Bathroom Shelf and Bamboo Bath Mat — Amazon
Thanks, Salome!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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