ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Studio Apartment

LOCATION: Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

STYLE: Parisian, Traditional

BEDROOMS: 0

SQUARE FEET: 350

Melody Kim had been wanting to move to New York City for over 10 years before finally making the move while on a trip in May of 2024. “I extended my trip for about a week and buckled down to begin my hunt via StreetEasy,” begins Melody, who found this 350-square-foot unit in a building built in 1877 in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood for rent.

A woman in a red cardigan sits on a green sofa, holding a notebook, in a cozy living space with a dining area and bookshelves.

“I fell in love with the neighborhood immediately as I walked down the brownstone and tree-lined street. There were even these adorable gas lamps still operating all along the block,” she writes.

Festively decorated mantel with greenery, pinecones, dried orange slices, and a red candle, reflecting a cozy atmosphere.Melody used the free trimmings at the nearby Christmas tree stand she bought her tree at to decorate the mantel, “along with oranges I dehydrated in the air fryer and velvet ribbon. Trader Joe’s is the best for budget greenery – got the wreath for $17 and the hanging garland for $12 (usually 2-3x the price elsewhere),” she explains. Credit: Kiritin

“The front doors, entryway, stairwell all had its prewar character, and I remember just being in awe walking up to the unit itself. Often the emphasis is what’s inside the home, but I do think the environment entering and leaving your place can really impact your day-to-day.”

A wooden dining table set with a plaid tablecloth, a floral arrangement, an open book, and a coffee mug.

For Melody, who’s a designer, writer, and content creator and runs a small design studio, it helped that this unit had advantages despite the small size. “The high ceilings and massive windows made the 350-square-foot footprint feel much larger. I loved the fireplace feature, and how large/updated the kitchen and bathroom were,” she writes.

A person in a red sweater holds a sprig of greenery near striped curtains adorned with dried orange slices and beads.

“I really feel like I lucked out because I continue to find more reasons to fall in love with this neighborhood and location!”

ResourcesNarrow entryway with white walls, a mirror, a black countertop, and a wooden tray holding perfumes and sunglasses.ENTRY

Slim shoe cabinet — IKEA

Hasegawa Ladder — Wayfair

Extended Tours: “The A Line” SeriesA woman in a red cardigan sits on a green sofa, holding a notebook, in a cozy living space with a dining area and bookshelves.LIVING ROOM

Bookshelf — IKEA (Norrebo discontinued)

TV — Samsung Frame TV + Teak Frame

Large Gold Mirror — FB Marketplace

Cozy home office corner with a wooden desk, laptop, books, and a decorated Christmas tree. Red ribbons adorn the windows.OFFICE

Desktop (Karlby) + Chrome legs — IKEA

Desk Chair — Craigslist

Dining table with a plaid tablecloth, floral centerpiece, and a chandelier above; bookshelves in the background.DINING ROOM

Dining Table 55” — Hernest

Chairs — B&D Italy (Craigslist)

Candelabra — Vintage (FB Marketplace)

Floor-to-Ceiling wall shelves — IKEA Elvarli

Kitchen countertop with a white pitcher of holly, a tablet on a wooden stand, and a red towel on the dishwasher.KITCHEN

Marble contact paper — Amazon

Cozy bedroom featuring a white bed with layered bedding, a plaid throw, and greenery decor.BEDROOM

Smoked Mirrors — Restoration Hardware (Secondhand FB Marketplace)

Backdrop — Used a flat sheet from the Citizenry linen set

A modern black wall lamp above a dark wooden cabinet, next to a potted tree with green leaves and a candle.CLOSET

Armoire — Pottery Barn Cayman series

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

Create Your Own Interior Design Mood Board | Apartment Therapy

11 Beautiful Hanukkah Decor Finds to Make All 8 Nights Sparkle

The $30 Little Luxury That Shoppers Are Buying 2 of at a Time (It’s the Perfect Gift!)