NYC Studio Apartment Living

After announcing my NYC move yesterday, I promised I'd share the process of finding a living space  in the city and making it my own.  With seemingly endless apartment viewing appointments next week, I'm anxious to find a spot and get settled.  Since I'll be working in the Upper East Side, I've been primarily looking in that area.  Like most starry-eyed NYC transplants, I've realized 2 things- one, that my budget does not get me much in the way of  square footage, and two, I'll need to get creative with layout.  Luckily, many design-savvy residents have already figured out floorpan solutions and are providing inspiration for my own space. For instance, you have surely laid eyes on Elizabeth Bauer's oft-published pre-war Gramercy studio:

Featured in Lonny's June/July 2010 issue (and photographed by my talented friend, Patrick Cline), Bauer's colorful haven features a velvet sofa upholstered in Designer's Guild striped fabric and a bedroom surrounded in Rose Cumming's Zebrine wall covering.  A glass and brass screen gives a slight separation. 

Designer Alison Pringle of Baker Ballard is another inspiring soul who transformed her Toronto studio.  The wooden armoire anchors the space and fits in nicely as a contrast to the white and blue.

{Baker Ballard Interiors}

In 2014, House Beautiful published a Manhattan apartment designed by Lily Bunn for a 20-something young professional.  Although the space is not a studio, I was so inspired by the mix of high and low, like the Bungalow 5 coffee table and Jonathan Adler chippendale chairs:

Lucite pieces are great for small spaces because they seemingly disappear.  Lily chose a functional Kartell dining table with a mix of seating- the Chippendale chairs from the living room can be easily moved over for additional seating.

{Lily Bunn via House Beautiful}

Designer Max Sinsteden's 525 square-foot studio apartment was another show stopper recently featured in the July/August issue of House Beautiful.  You may recall drooling over his college dorm room when it was published back in 2009, so it's no surprise that at the age of 27 Sinsteden has only stepped up his standard of living:

To divide his bed from the rest of the apartment, Max installed draperies that can be pulled shut, acting as a makeshift wall.  He installed a piece of art suspended from the ceiling in front of the draperies to further create a sense of separation. Genius!

Another great way to create a sense of separation between the bedroom and living area while still maintaining functionality is through the use of a bookshelf.  NYC resident Jacqueline Clair used a simple white Ikea shelf in her studio:

Dividing her books up by color and mixing in decor makes the shelf feel cohesive and beautiful, almost as if it is a work of art itself!

So NYC readers- Any advice for a NYC newbie?

Over the next few months I hope you'll follow along as I decorate my first NYC living space!