An NYC Studio Without Closets? Here’s How This Art Curator Turned It Into A Functional Home

Alex Bass, founder of Salon 21, an education and commerce platform for the art world, showcases how she curated a sophisticated yet youthful dining nook within her West Village studio apartment. Her approach reflects the same philosophy as Salon 21: a blend of traditional concepts with a contemporary, youthful twist. Bass skillfully partitioned her studio into distinct areas without structural walls, utilizing creative staging to define each space. The dining nook, a key focus, features a marble table and Cesca chairs, complemented by a gallery wall and an antique mirror, strategically placed to enhance the room's perceived size and openness. The article delves into Bass's design process, emphasizing how she created this particular nook to be both stylish and highly practical for small-space living. Bass highlights the importance of natural light and the pre-war architectural details of her studio, such as archways and iron-paned windows, which inspired her furniture and decor choices. She aimed to integrate pieces that matched the inherent sophistication of the apartment, opting for a neutral and warm color palette in the dining nook to foster a sense of focus and relaxation. This deliberate choice contrasts with the more vibrant colors used in her living and bedroom areas. The space is designed for dual functionality, serving as both a workspace with a drop-down desk and a dining area, demonstrating her commitment to practicality in a compact environment. Her design philosophy for small spaces revolves around being decisive and maximizing utility without accumulating clutter. A core tenet of Bass's design approach is the strategic mixing of colors, textures, and styles. While the nook predominantly features muted tones, rusted golds, and browns to create a classic, luxurious feel, she introduces an orange basketball planter for a subtle pop of color, connecting it to other pieces on her bar cart. She stresses that the most crucial element in design is the juxtaposition of old and new elements. For instance, she pairs mid-century modern metal, wood, and cane Cesca chairs with a simple white marble slab table, achieving a modern aesthetic. This blend of styles, she argues, is essential for creating intrigue and balance in a space. Her appreciation for 'older' design, exemplified by her love for the Breuer-inspired chairs that evoke childhood memories, informs her ability to integrate vintage pieces with modern twists, such as the burl wood cabinet that perfectly fits the space. The gallery wall in the dining nook holds personal significance, featuring seven film photographs taken by Bass herself, given to her by her mother as a gift for her first apartment. These photographs, framed in brushed metallic, were carefully placed around an antique mirror, demonstrating how she adapted existing decor to fit a new layout. This process of re-evaluating and re-positioning items when moving into a new space, considering both style and logistics, is a practical aspect she emphasizes. Bass also shares her sourcing strategies, preferring to independently scour the internet and enjoy the hunt for vintage pieces. She highlights Overstock.com for good deals on items like her Cesca chairs and praises Etsy for its array of high-quality vintage finds, including the drop-down desk/armoire and various light fixtures she has personalized throughout her apartment. Finally, Bass discusses her intentional approach to maintaining a clean and functional table space. She uses candlesticks for ambient lighting during meals and keeps fresh flowers, a reminder of the outside world, especially during the pandemic. Her philosophy, inspired by a high school English teacher, advocates for dedicated spaces for different activities—working at the desk, sleeping in bed, and eating at the table—to maintain mental clarity and prevent clutter from encroaching on relaxing areas. This intentional separation of functions contributes to the overall tranquility and efficiency of her studio apartment's design. #StudioApartment #SmallSpaceLiving #InteriorDesign #DiningNook #HomeDecor #ArtDealer #VintageFurniture #ModernDesign #SpacePlanning

In the competitive New York City real estate market, closets are a highly valued amenity, often ranking in importance after kitchens and bathrooms due to the premium placed on storage space. However, when preparing an apartment for sale, closets are frequently overlooked in staging efforts. Many listing photos omit closet interiors, often because they are cluttered or overflowing, a common issue even after sellers attempt to declutter their homes. Professional organizers emphasize that this oversight sends a negative message to potential buyers. Kadi Dulude, owner of Wizard of Homes, warns that buyers will inspect closets, especially those in bedrooms and hallways. If these spaces appear cramped or disorganized, it can create the impression that the apartment lacks sufficient storage, deterring potential buyers. Janine Sarna-Jones, founder of Organize Me, highlights that the objective of staging is to reduce visual clutter and convey a sense of order and meticulous maintenance. The aim is to create an impression that living in the apartment will allow for an organized and stress-free lifestyle, distinct from merely organizing for personal use. Staging for a sale focuses on buyer perception, making the closet appear functional and spacious. Experts provide specific advice for staging different types of closets. For bedroom closets, the recommendation is to significantly declutter and reorganize. Dulude suggests packing away out-of-season clothing and items not regularly used, keeping only a curated selection of outfits. Attractive shoe collections can be displayed if a proper shelving system is in place, but most shoes should be stored away. The master closet, in particular, should be staged to evoke a sense of desire and spaciousness. Sarna-Jones advises editing hanging clothes to ensure ample space, removing items from the floor, and placing them on shelves. Color-coding clothes and ensuring all hangers face the same direction can enhance the visual appeal, making the closet seem organized and airy. Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, recommends grouping similar clothing types, arranging them by length and color, and perfectly folding sweaters. Displaying a few high-end designer shoes or attractive accessories can add perceived value to the apartment. Zaslow also cautions against storing unrelated items in closets, citing an instance where a slow cooker was found in a clothes closet, which could raise buyer concerns about kitchen storage or the seller's state of mind. Beyond bedroom closets, other storage areas also require attention. Barbara Reich of Resourceful Consultants suggests treating a closet like a small room, advocating for visible walls to be wallpapered and light fixtures added to increase perceived value. She recalled a particularly impactful laundry closet with custom wallpaper that became a highlight of an apartment. For utility and coat closets, organization is key. Reich advises arranging coats by length and color, utilizing the space beneath shorter coats for shoe or accessory storage, and using monochrome white bins to neatly group cleaning products. Marty Basher, a home organization expert with Modular Closets, recommends removing at least 50 percent of closet contents and thoroughly cleaning the remaining space, including vacuuming corners, as buyers will often inspect these areas. If a closet appears dingy, a fresh coat of white paint can significantly brighten the interior and make it seem larger, especially for pantries. Linen closets can benefit from a spa-like presentation. Basher suggests packing away unnecessary items, editing out worn-out sheets and towels, and coordinating remaining linens by color. For fitted sheets, he recommends storing them with their matching flat sheets and pillowcases inside one pillowcase for a tidy package. White baskets can store extra toiletries, demonstrating functionality, and a lavender sachet can maintain a fresh scent. For children's closets, Dulude advises donating or packing away toys not actively played with, emphasizing that children adapt well without an excessive number of possessions. Sarna-Jones recounted a case where a child's closet was used for overflow adult clothing, which was rectified by decluttering the master bedroom and returning the child's closet to its intended purpose, creating a sense of spaciousness in both areas. Ultimately, staging closets effectively contributes to a buyer's perception of overall space, organization, and the care taken in maintaining the home. #ClosetStaging #HomeSelling #NYCRealEstate #StorageSolutions #HomeOrganization #ApartmentStaging #Decluttering #InteriorDesign #RealEstateTips

Cloudy Zakrocki, a creative director at Refinery29, resides in a Berlin apartment that draws inspiration from the iconic Studio 54 nightclub, reflecting her passion for late-night club culture. This influence extends beyond her living space, deeply embedding itself into her personal style and wardrobe choices. Her apartment building, with its distinctive aesthetic, serves as a prelude to the vibrant and eclectic style found within her personal closet. Zakrocki's personal style is characterized by a blend of unique and expressive pieces, many of which carry a strong narrative of the 70s disco era, synonymous with Studio 54. Her closet is a curated collection that showcases her penchant for bold patterns, shimmering fabrics, and statement accessories. Among her notable possessions are star-covered bell-bottom pants, a key item that directly references the flamboyant and free-spirited fashion of the period. The article delves into the specific elements of her wardrobe, highlighting how each piece contributes to her overall aesthetic. It examines her selection of clothing, shoes, and accessories, noting the brands and designers she favors, as well as any vintage finds that hold particular significance. The emphasis is on the storytelling behind each item and how they collectively build a cohesive yet playful personal brand. Beyond just the clothing, the piece explores how Zakrocki organizes and maintains her closet, offering insights into her approach to fashion and personal presentation. It touches upon whether her professional role as a creative director influences her daily outfit choices and how she balances the demands of her job with her individual style preferences. Her choices in both apartment decor and clothing reflect a conscious effort to imbue her environment and appearance with a sense of energy and individuality. This deep dive into Zakrocki's apartment and closet provides a glimpse into the life of someone whose personal and professional worlds are intricately linked through a shared aesthetic. It illustrates how personal passions, such as an obsession with a particular cultural era, can manifest in tangible ways, from home decor to fashion choices, creating a living and breathing homage to a beloved style. The article ultimately presents Zakrocki as an individual who lives and breathes her personal brand, making a statement through her unique sense of style and home environment. #Refinery29 #CreativeDirector #Studio54Influence #BerlinApartment #FashionStyle #EclecticWardrobe #70sFashion #BellBottoms #ClosetOrganization

Converting an unused extra bedroom into a functional and stylish walk-in closet is a practical home improvement project, especially for homes built before the 1980s that often lack spacious storage. The transformation involves creative utilization of space and can be achieved with various budget levels, from DIY solutions to professional closet systems, while maintaining the flexibility to revert the room to its original purpose if needed. Selecting the right room is crucial, with experts suggesting choosing the bedroom closest to the master bedroom. This proximity offers the option of creating a direct doorway, a relatively minor construction that can be easily reversed. The core idea is to reimagine the room’s function without committing to irreversible structural changes. For a DIY approach, simple and cost-effective methods include lining the walls with clothing racks on wheels and free-standing wire shelving units. These can be personalized with colorful bins and baskets. Alternatively, custom shelving can be built to suit individual style, such as industrial-look shelving made from black metal pipes and wooden shelves, which offers both sturdy storage and easy removal. The center of the room can be utilized effectively by placing two bureaus of the same height back-to-back, covered with a granite sheet to create an island that serves as storage, a seating area, and a surface for folding clothes or organizing outfits. An elegant table or an upholstered bench or chaise can also be placed in the center for laying out clothes or for trying on outfits. Finishing touches like a framed, full-length mirror leaning against a wall can enhance the “boutique hotel” aesthetic and is easily removable. For a more polished look without DIY effort, various closet systems are available, ranging from free-standing units to more permanent, built-in styles. Brands like California Closets, Poliform, and Porro Storage offer customized solutions to maximize space. Additional practical items, such as a pull-out valet rod, are valuable for planning outfits or packing for trips. Repurposing a bedroom for a walk-in closet offers distinct advantages over traditional closets, including better ventilation and natural light. Natural light is particularly beneficial for tasks like color matching. To optimize lighting, installing dimmers and selecting appropriate light bulbs, such as LED daylight bulbs, is recommended. A common challenge in this conversion is that bedroom doors typically swing inwards, unlike closet doors. While sliding pocket doors can offer a luxurious solution, they are a more expensive option. #HomeDesign #WalkInCloset #BedroomConversion #DIYHomeImprovement #ClosetOrganization #InteriorDesign #SpaceUtilization