ABOUT THIS TOUR
HOME TYPE: Apartment
LOCATION: West Village, Manhattan, New York
STYLE: Farmhouse, Rustic
BEDROOMS: 1
SQUARE FEET: 1100
Born in New York City, Meg Darda eventually moved away from the city for life, school and work reasons. With her husband, macro economist Mike Darda, they spent over 20 years making the commute into the city, “always making time for a night out in the West Village,” Meg begins. “It was our favorite neighborhood to eat, wander, and imagine a future where we might someday have a little place of our own there.”
“One day on the subway, I spotted a real estate ad with fantasy-level search criteria: “West Village. Outdoor space. Natural light. Doorman. Fireplace. Dog-friendly… It’s possible.” I typed it into my phone, expecting nothing. One listing appeared,” she continues.
Mike is a macro economist and uses the apartment as a “TV media studio often broadcasting live from the living room.” Credit: Erin Derby
“The top floor, corner apartment was like a nest in the sky above all the action but quiet and bright. Mike loved the quiet corner in the meat packing, and it was convenient for work and close to one of his favorite jiu-jitsu academies, which clinched it for him. We closed a few weeks later,” describes Meg of the home’s purchase, which was actually a small, 500-square-foot studio apartment when they bought it eight years ago.
“When we’re not working, we love to read, write, and travel. We eloped in Tahiti, honeymooned in Africa, and never really stopped — 52 countries and counting,” Meg writes. Credit: Erin Derby
“One year in, we could not believe how much fun we were having in NYC in our tiny apartment,” Meg continues. But, they started to get curious about something: “[W]ould the neighbor adjacent to us, who had a similarly configured apartment ever consider selling?”
“We could then merge the two studios and have a bit more space. At the time, our neighbor wasn’t interested in selling but a few years later (during the pandemic) we got a call telling us she would consider selling. We jumped at the opportunity, and the rest is history.”
“We’re endlessly inspired by off-the-grid hotels and the beautifully functional ways people live around the world,” Meg writes. “From desert textures to moody materials, African prints to industrial edge, we collect more than just souvenirs — we bring home ideas.” Credit: Erin Derby
Their home’s renovation took place in 2021, not a great time to be undertaking a big construction project. “Raw materials prices surged. Labor was in short supply. And anyone doing a project quickly found out what elevator clauses are,” she explains.
Meg, who is a healthcare professor, provider and author, sketched the apartment design while sitting at local wine bar, Entwine, which she says served as aesthetic inspiration. The couple worked with architect Peter Storey to bring Meg’s visions to life.
Resources
Related: Extended Tours: Paris: 420 Sq Ft or Less/Paris’ Most Stylish ApartmentsPAINT & COLORS
Paint — White Dove (no one has ever regretted it).
Floors, Paneling and Cabinets — Unfinished White Oak
ENTRY
Anderson Windows that double as French doors.
Tiny entry table for keys and dog leash.
LIVING ROOM
Mostly filled with finds and inspirations from our travels but a few local artists are special and worthy of support:
Palio di Siena Italy Racing Horse, Filippo Galgani, Siena Italy
Sneaker painting — Santiago Garcia, Argentina
Hand blown glass apples and pears, Marthas Vineyard Glassworks
Animal Hybrid Art (Weimaraner) Gillie and Marc, Australia
Seating — Timothy Oulton
Dining table/desk — 1stdibs
Industrial Cabinet: Repurposed from original kitchen apartment
KITCHEN
Faucet — Kitchen Water Works Faucet (Nickel)
Tile — ZIA Zellige carbon black Casablanca
Island Bar — Hudson Company
Bar lights — Ralph Lauren
Under counter fridge — Viking
Wine fridge — Bertazzoni
BEDROOM
Bed — Restoration Hardware Thaddeus Bed
Bedding — The Inside, emerald tigresse collection
Bedroom Desk — Found on Horatio Street curb
Wall — Faux brick silver distressed
Closet sliding door — Rustica scrap door
BATHROOM
Waterworks shower fixtures and hardware
Towels — The Huntress NYC
BALCONY
Plants — Original source from Tucson, Arizona, and The Old Yew
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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Further Reading
7 Things Ridiculously Organized People Have At Home
I Tried My Grandmother’s Technique for Cleaning Stainless Steel & I’m Never Using Anything Else
54 Things Absolutely Nobody Should be Storing, Anywhere
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They Merged Two Tiny NYC Studios – Now It Feels Like a “Cool Library Lounge” in the Sky
PAINT & COLORS
Paint – White Dove (no one has ever regretted it).
Floors, Paneling and Cabinets – Unfinished White Oak