Wallpaper Is the Secret to Multiple Optical Illusions in This NYC Apartment

Alvin Wayne, an interior designer, transformed his 800-square-foot rental apartment in Long Island City, New York, into a visually dynamic space utilizing strategic design choices, particularly wallpaper. Wayne's passion for rearranging furniture began in childhood, leading him to pursue a career in interior design. After the 2008 recession, he spent a decade in luxury retail visual merchandising before returning to interior design in 2020 by documenting his apartment's renovation on social media, which quickly garnered clients. Wayne's approach emphasizes the 'why' behind design decisions, moving beyond mere aesthetics. In the living room, he created a five-star hotel lounge ambiance with low-profile furniture, including a Mario Bellini–inspired sofa and custom nesting coffee tables made of pink and red marble. These choices not only provide a sense of luxury but also maintain the room's open feel. Addressing the challenges of a rental apartment, such as a lack of overhead lighting and an immovable structural column, Wayne implemented clever solutions. He mounted an articulating sconce on the column and designed a custom marble-topped table to fit around its curves. An unsightly electrical panel was concealed with a large, frameless artwork by his friend Ronnie Williams. In the kitchen, Wayne upgraded plain upper cabinets with $9 contact paper from Amazon, giving them the appearance of solid brass. For entertaining, which he frequently does, the dining space features landscape wallpaper and staggered pendant lamps with shades resembling clouds, creating the illusion of a field despite being in an urban setting with views of the Empire State Building. An interesting find, a neon "Kiss Me Karl" sign, salvaged from a Karl Lagerfeld event, adds a personal touch to the entry, where another Amazon wallpaper mimics concrete. The living room also features a removable wall mural behind a credenza, complementing his thriving monstera plant. Wayne's plant parenting extends to his bedroom, though he notes the challenges of varying light conditions in New York City, which led to the demise of a black olive tree. The bedroom itself is a testament to his design challenge: creating visual appeal with a monochromatic black and white palette. Graphic wallpaper extends from the walls to the ceiling, making the room feel significantly larger. This daring design choice, inspired by Tyra Banks's motto "Different is better than better," showcases how a limited color scheme can still produce a visually striking and expansive effect. Apartment Apartment