{"id":105101,"date":"2026-01-19T21:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T21:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/105101\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T21:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T21:52:12","slug":"they-merged-two-tiny-nyc-studios-now-it-feels-like-a-cool-library-lounge-in-the-sky","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/105101\/","title":{"rendered":"They Merged Two Tiny NYC Studios \u2014 Now It Feels Like a \u201cCool Library Lounge\u201d in the Sky"},"content":{"rendered":"

ABOUT THIS TOUR<\/p>\n

HOME TYPE: Apartment<\/p>\n

LOCATION: West Village, Manhattan, New York<\/p>\n

STYLE: Farmhouse, Rustic<\/p>\n

BEDROOMS: 1<\/p>\n

SQUARE FEET: 1100<\/p>\n

Born in New York City, Meg Darda<\/a> eventually moved away from the city for life, school and work reasons. With her husband, macro economist<\/a> Mike Darda<\/a>, they spent over 20 years making the commute into the city, \u201calways making time for a night out in the West Village,\u201d Meg begins. \u201cIt was our favorite neighborhood to eat, wander, and imagine a future where we might someday have a little place of our own there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cozy<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day on the subway, I spotted a real estate ad with fantasy-level search criteria: \u201cWest Village. Outdoor space. Natural light. Doorman. Fireplace. Dog-friendly\u2026 It\u2019s possible.\u201d I typed it into my phone, expecting nothing. One listing appeared,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n

\"CozyMike is a macro economist<\/a> and uses the apartment as a “TV media studio often broadcasting live from the living room.” Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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<\/a> academies, which clinched it for him. We closed a few weeks later,\u201d describes Meg of the home\u2019s purchase, which was actually a small, 500-square-foot studio apartment when they bought it eight years ago.<\/p>\n

\"Ceramic“When we\u2019re not working, we love to read, write, and travel. We eloped in Tahiti, honeymooned in Africa, and never really stopped \u2014 52 countries and counting,” Meg writes. Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne year in, we could not believe how much fun we were having in NYC in our tiny apartment,\u201d Meg continues. But, they started to get curious about something: \u201c[W]ould the neighbor adjacent to us, who had a similarly configured apartment ever consider selling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could then merge the two studios and have a bit more space. At the time, our neighbor wasn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cozy“We\u2019re 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 \u2014 we bring home ideas.” Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

Their home\u2019s renovation took place in 2021, not a great time to be undertaking a big construction project. \u201cRaw materials prices surged. Labor was in short supply. And anyone doing a project quickly found out what elevator clauses are,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n

Meg, who is a healthcare professor, provider and author<\/a>, sketched the apartment design while sitting at local wine bar, Entwine<\/a>, which she says served as aesthetic inspiration. The couple worked with architect Peter Storey<\/a> to bring Meg\u2019s visions to life.<\/p>\n

Resources\"CozyRelated: Extended Tours: Paris: 420 Sq Ft or Less\/Paris’ Most Stylish ApartmentsPAINT & COLORS<\/p>\n

Paint \u2014 White Dove<\/a> (no one has ever regretted it).<\/p>\n

Floors, Paneling and Cabinets \u2014 Unfinished White Oak<\/p>\n

\"NarrowENTRY<\/p>\n

Anderson Windows<\/a> that double as French doors.<\/p>\n

Tiny entry table for keys and dog leash.<\/p>\n

\"CozyLIVING ROOM<\/p>\n

Mostly filled with finds and inspirations from our travels but a few local artists are special and worthy of support:<\/p>\n

Palio di Siena Italy Racing Horse, Filippo Galgani,<\/a> Siena Italy<\/p>\n

Sneaker painting \u2014 Santiago Garcia<\/a>, Argentina<\/p>\n

Hand blown glass apples and pears, Marthas Vineyard Glassworks<\/a><\/p>\n

Animal Hybrid Art (Weimaraner) Gillie and Marc<\/a>, Australia<\/p>\n

Seating \u2014 Timothy Oulton<\/a><\/p>\n

Dining table\/desk \u2014 1stdibs<\/a><\/p>\n

Industrial Cabinet: Repurposed from original kitchen apartment<\/p>\n

\"ModernKITCHEN<\/p>\n

Faucet \u2014 Kitchen Water Works<\/a> Faucet (Nickel)<\/p>\n

Tile \u2014 ZIA Zellige<\/a> carbon black Casablanca<\/p>\n

Island Bar \u2014 Hudson<\/a> Company<\/p>\n

Bar lights \u2014 Ralph Lauren<\/a><\/p>\n

Under counter fridge \u2014 Viking<\/a><\/p>\n

Wine fridge \u2014 Bertazzoni<\/a><\/p>\n

\"CozyBEDROOM<\/p>\n

Bed \u2014 Restoration Hardware Thaddeus Bed<\/a><\/p>\n

Bedding \u2014 The Inside, emerald tigresse<\/a> collection<\/p>\n

Bedroom Desk \u2014 Found on Horatio Street curb<\/p>\n

Wall \u2014 Faux brick silver distressed<\/p>\n

Closet sliding door \u2014 Rustica scrap door<\/a><\/p>\n

\"CompactBATHROOM<\/p>\n

Waterworks shower fixtures and hardware<\/p>\n

Towels \u2014 The Huntress NYC<\/a><\/p>\n

\"BalconyBALCONY<\/p>\n

Plants \u2014 Original source from Tucson, Arizona, and The Old Yew<\/a><\/p>\n

This tour\u2019s responses and photos were edited for length\/size and clarity.
Share your style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form<\/a><\/p>\n

PLEASE NOTE: You may notice comments are turned off on our house tours for now. We temporarily moved conversations to our community forums<\/a> to ensure they stayed supportive and welcoming \u2014 but we heard you loud and clear. We\u2019re bringing comments back to House Tours<\/a> soon, with thoughtful moderation to keep the vibe kind and constructive. Thanks for your patience while we put the finishing touches on this update!<\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/p>\n

7 Things Ridiculously Organized People Have At Home<\/a><\/p>\n

I Tried My Grandmother\u2019s Technique for Cleaning Stainless Steel & I\u2019m Never Using Anything Else<\/a><\/p>\n

54 Things Absolutely Nobody Should be Storing, Anywhere<\/a><\/p>\n

Sign up for Apartment Therapy’s Daily email newsletter to receive our favorite posts, tours, products, and shopping guides in your inbox.<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 21<\/p>\n

They Merged Two Tiny NYC Studios – Now It Feels Like a “Cool Library Lounge” in the Sky<\/p>\n

\n PAINT & COLORS\n<\/p>\n

Paint – White Dove<\/a> (no one has ever regretted it).
\n Floors, Paneling and Cabinets – Unfinished White Oak <\/p>\n