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ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Studio Apartment

LOCATION: Manhattan, New York

STYLE: Eclectic, Maximalist, Vintage

BEDROOMS: 0

SQUARE FEET: 400

At age 29, product designer Sara Duval took the plunge into homeownership by purchasing this 400-ish-square-foot studio apartment in Manhattan. (For those who are curious, she does a great job of breaking down the financials of this purchase on her TikTok account.) Located in a building from 1920, the apartment might be over 125-years-old, but Sara created a warm, personal, and modern home.

A woman in a red checkered dress stands at a doorway holding flowers, with a dog beside her and a bowl of fruit nearby.

“The apartment was simple but with some good, classic features. I fell in love with the wood floors, arched doorways, and window paneling!” Sara wrote when her house tour originally published.

Colorful wall art featuring a banana and a beer-themed print, with glassware and a floral arrangement on a dark table.

Sara shares her small home with her partner, Joe Danko, and their very cute dog, Clover. And while it’s a cozy home, it’s not a cluttered space, thanks to Sara’s smart storage solutions.

A woman in a checkered dress and a man in a white shirt sit on a brown leather sofa with a dog, surrounded by colorful wall art.

There are under-the-bed drawers, there are under-the-couch drawers. Sara added shelves inside the existing cabinetry to maximize space. In the bathroom, a rolling cart with cute storage boxes hides clutter. Joe and Sara used vertical space by building shelves that house things like books, knickknacks, and plants to make sure that not even an inch is wasted.

A wooden desk with a vase of colorful flowers, books, and a potted plant, featuring a cozy chair with a knitted throw.

Although the bathroom was clean and modern, it was sorely lacking in storage and personality, so she replaced the pedestal sink with a cabinet for tons of extra room. And although the kitchen is technically small, it’s quite open — it consists of a small little corner area with the stove, and another area with the fridge and a bar for seating.

A woman in a red checkered dress pours from a kettle into a mug in a modern kitchen with green tile backsplash, fruits, and a cozy living room visible.

I think what strikes me most about Sara and Joe’s apartment is just how livable it feels. It’s full of art, accessories, and personal touches that make it feel one-of-a-kind. It’s a little eclectic, a little maximalist, but also just clearly so loved. It’s evidence that small spaces don’t have to be boring or underwhelming. It’s proof that two people (and a dog!) can live comfortably in one room.

Colorful bookshelf filled with books, decorative items, candles, and a framed poster titled

“The apartment is definitely eclectic, vintage, and colorful. It is full of optimized storage spaces, but all of them look cute!” Sara admitted. “Even in a small space, we have lots of different colors to really make the space stand out. It is definitely a homey-cozy vibe.” 

ResourcesGallery wall featuring various framed artworks, including a hot dog print, a Statue of Liberty poster, and a green olive painting, above a brown leather sofa.LIVING ROOMCozy kitchen with dark cabinets, green tiled backsplash, a floral arrangement, and a bar area with glassware.DINING ROOM & KITCHEN

Bar Stools — FB Marketplace

Green Backsplash Tile — Purchased from Wayfair; brand Merola Tile

Cozy bedroom corner with a wooden nightstand, lamp, plants, and a bed with green and white pillows.BEDROOM

Gold Chest — My mom’s basement

Lamps — All thrifted/found

Bookshelf — Someone’s trash

Small bathroom featuring a white vanity, black faucet, green shower curtain, and a vintage mirror above the sink.BATHROOM

Cart — IKEA (painted it green)

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