{"id":207644,"date":"2026-04-23T20:40:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T20:40:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/207644\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T20:40:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T20:40:42","slug":"she-transformed-a-grimy-brooklyn-apartment-in-just-2-weeks-the-kitchen-cost-under-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/207644\/","title":{"rendered":"She Transformed a \u201cGrimy\u201d Brooklyn Apartment in Just 2 Weeks \u2014 The Kitchen Cost Under $300"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ABOUT THIS TOUR<\/p>\n

HOME TYPE: Apartment<\/p>\n

LOCATION: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, New York<\/p>\n

STYLE: Cottage, Parisian, Vintage<\/p>\n

BEDROOMS: 1<\/p>\n

SQUARE FEET: 325<\/p>\n

By the time writer<\/a> Sarah Ingle<\/a> turned 18, she had already lived in 15 homes. And after eight years in New York City, finally having a place that feels like her own has been especially meaningful \u2014 something she\u2019s poured \u201ca lot of love, blood, sweat, and tears into.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A“Professionally, my background is in local and global nonprofits, where I\u2019ve focused on storytelling and helping organizations connect with people in ways that truly resonate and make a difference,” Sarah explains. “At my core, though, I\u2019m a writer. I self-published a poetry book a few years ago, and I\u2019m always drawn to creating things that make people feel something.” You can find Sarah on Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and Substack<\/a>. Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

A year ago, Sarah had been living in the Williamsburg area for six years but found herself craving a change. When one of Sarah\u2019s friend sent her a Craigslist listing for an apartment in a brownstone in Clinton Hill, a neighborhood she didn\u2019t know much about, she wasn\u2019t impressed with the listing, but decided on a whim to go take a look.<\/p>\n

\"CozySarah thinks the kitchen has had the biggest transformation. “It is incredibly small, less than 6 feet across, with almost no storage and fully visible from the main living space. It originally had clunky cabinets and awkward shelving that made it feel even more cramped. I removed everything, sanded it down, and installed wraparound shelving with the help of a friend,” she writes. <\/p>\n

“Because of the size, I decided to lean into it rather than fight it, designing it to feel like a charming, Parisian-style kitchenette instead of a typical New York eyesore. I went bold with a two-tone paint treatment, deep maroon walls paired with a rich espresso ceiling. The first coats were honestly terrifying, it felt way too intense at first, but I trusted the vision and it paid off. It now feels incredibly intentional and full of character. I also replaced the harsh overhead ‘boob light’ with a renter-friendly shade, which completely softened the space and added so much warmth.” Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe apartment needed a lot of work, truly, but the moment I stepped inside, I could feel its potential. It had these incredible bones, with detailed crown moldings and unique bow-shaped architectural elements that instantly reminded me of a dollhouse. There was something about it that also brought me back to the Victorian homes I grew up around as a kid,\u201d Sarah writes.<\/p>\n

\"MagnoliaSarah says the home’s history is really special. “My landlord has lived in the building since he was 10 years old and is now in his 80s, so there\u2019s this deep sense of story and continuity that you can feel in the space. It doesn\u2019t just feel like an apartment; it feels like a place that\u2019s been lived in and cared for over generations. I\u2019ve also come to love the community that comes with it. It\u2019s a small building, my neighbors are incredible, and I\u2019ve even joined a local community garden where I share a plot with one of them,” she writes. Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

At first, the thought of moving felt too overwhelming in terms of time and money. \u201cBut the next day, I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about it. The idea of starting fresh and taking on a project I\u2019d never done before felt both terrifying and exciting in the best way. So I called back, and when I found out it was still available, I said yes,\u201d Sarah says.<\/p>\n

\"Cozy“I had never picked up a power tool, painted a room, or designed a space before, so this was completely new territory for me,” Sarah admits. “Still, it felt like the perfect outlet after a pretty intense season of life. I had lived in over 15 homes by the time I was 18, and I don\u2019t think I had ever fully made a space feel like mine as an adult. This was the first time I really claimed that and poured myself into creating something personal.” Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

After paperwork was signed, Sarah \u201csuddenly had just two weeks before move-in to clean, paint, and completely transform the space. It was a leap, and definitely a risk, but it felt like the right one,\u201d she writes. \u201cWhat started as a random Craigslist link turned into a home that pushed me into a new chapter, one where I got to build something of my own from the ground up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cozy“The layout presented its own set of challenges, especially in the bedroom. It\u2019s incredibly narrow, and my bed wouldn\u2019t fit in the traditional orientation. I couldn\u2019t afford to replace it, but I also needed to be able to open the closet, so I ended up rotating it horizontally and styling it more like a daybed. I honestly didn\u2019t know if it would work until the day I moved in, but it ended up being one of those constraints that pushed me to get creative in a way I really love. The kitchen was another major challenge. It\u2019s extremely small with almost no storage, and because it\u2019s visible from the main living area, I knew it had to feel intentional, not like an afterthought.”
Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I\u2019m renting, a lot of my solutions had to be renter-friendly, which forced me to think creatively,\u201d Sarah writes. \u201cI focused on paint, lighting, and shelving as ways to transform the space without making permanent changes. At first, I was a bit cautious about how much I could do, but once the owner told me I had full freedom to make it my own, I really leaned in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Extended Tours: Brooklyn Individuality\"Cozy“I think what makes this home feel unique is that it\u2019s so much more than just the physical space. It came from taking a risk I wasn\u2019t planning to take, and it gave me not just a home I love, but a sense of community, belonging, and peace that I didn\u2019t expect to find in New York.” Credit: Erin Derby<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the end, the limitations, whether budget, time, or layout, actually shaped the space in the best way. They pushed me to be resourceful, intentional, and to create something that truly feels like mine,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Resources\"CozyPAINT & COLORS\"CozyLIVING ROOM\"CozyKITCHEN\"CozyBEDROOM<\/p>\n

Headboard \u2014 Vintage from Facebook Marketplace<\/p>\n

Pedestal \u2014 Vintage from Facebook Marketplace<\/p>\n

Wooden Closet \u2014 Vintage from Facebook Marketplace<\/p>\n

Candle Sconces \u2014 Vintage from Facebook Marketplace<\/p>\n

\"SmallBATHROOM<\/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

Further Reading<\/p>\n

Marie Kondo\u2019s Method for Storing Kitchen Towels Is the Only Way to Store Kitchen Towels<\/a><\/p>\n

Before and After: Black and White Paint Covers Up a Wood Paneling Kitchen<\/a><\/p>\n

10 Smart Tupperware Storage Ideas That Will Organize Your Cabinets Once and For All<\/a><\/p>\n

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