Lisa Lu completed her first home project, installing a mirrored bar shelf, when pandemic restrictions prevented her from hiring anyone to help. “Once I came up with that, I thought, what else could I do?” she says.
One project led to another, and culminated in her single-handedly renovating a 350-square-foot studio in New York's Chelsea neighborhood using paint, IKEA hacks, and renter-friendly upgrades. The final results were featured on Embrace Your Space. real simpleKatie Holdefehr is a home design book packed with organizing and decorating ideas for small space renters. Here, we interviewed Lisa about her colorful home…
living area
Storage box: IKEA.
If you want to make the most of your space: Temporary walls or screens are often used to divide studio apartments into separate rooms. But my approach was to embrace open space while creating zones. My apartment is long and narrow, so I've tried several layouts, including pushing the bed up to the window. But I like the current arrangement best. Because you can install an additional dresser and walk around the bed.
To create additional storage: At first I stored my off-season clothes at my mom's house, but then I installed an IKEA BESTÅ unit near the ceiling. It was a big job, so I thought, Oh my god they're gonna fall. But they kept happening for three years. Currently, I am using a stepping stone to redecorate each season.
Tufted Sofa: West Elm, similar. Side table/Stacking stool: IKEA, similar. Wall sconce: CB2, similar. Rag: Annie Selke. Ceramic vase: H&M. Wall art: Gail Schechter, Kate Baird, Emma Curry, Karin Haas, and Tyler Mitchell at Elmhurst Hospital Center.
For second-hand items: Both the trunk and the dresser that serves as my media console are vintage. It's a hand-me-down from my sister. She moved to Los Angeles, so I was just supposed to keep them for her, but now I think they're kind of mine.
sleeping area
Bedding: West Elm. Dresser: Wayfair is similar. Table lamp: portmanteau vintage. Illustration: Carly Wilhelm.
About the design inspiration: I have a skateboard deck above my bed because I'm really into streetwear and 90s and 2000s hip-hop and R&B. In fact, I used them as inspiration when choosing paint colors because I didn't want the apartment to look like a jumble of colors. Teal, pink, yellow, it's all here. Having one open space is very important for things to flow smoothly.
About sourcing art: The painting above my nightstand was my first original piece of art. I discovered artist Carly Wilhelm on Instagram and fell in love with her work.
Shelf: West Elm, similar. Hanging Planter: Capra Designs. Kate Moss print: Etsy. Painting of Camron and Biggie: Jung Lennox, “The artist was only 9 years old at the time.”
About DIY projects: I don't have any power tools yet, but I do have the basics like a screwdriver and a hammer, and I know how to hang shelves and repair holes in walls. I've learned a lot from YouTube tutorials, but for everything else I look to others for help.
dining area
Paint: Tan lines due to background. Table: CB2, same. Bar stool: Scandinavian design. Wall mirror with shelf: West Elm, similar. Wall Art: Loot House. Coupe glass: CB2.
About working from home: During the day, I use this counter-height dining table as a workspace. And in the evening, I call it “my little spritz corner.” Because my drink of choice was an Aperol Spritz and the print on the table was from the Italian seaside.
Floor mirror: Urban Outfitters.
Regarding entertainment: I like to host dinner parties, but keep it small and intimate. Also, my apartment is on his 6th floor in a walk-up, so people are usually gasping for breath by the time I get up here. Still, they always say they are welcoming and make me feel like I am, which is the best compliment. I want my home to be personal, where people can get to know me just by looking at it.
kitchen
Cabinet Paint: Saturday On Sunday by Backdrop. Hardware: Rejuvenation. Peel and Stick Subway Tile: Wayfair. Marble Contact Paper: Amazon. Storage box: Hay. Kettle: Chantal. Rug: Loloi. Bathroom door molding: Etsy. Bathroom Floor Tile Decal: Etsy.
About kitchen paint: I was worried about painting the cabinets, so I ordered a paint sample first. Choosing the colors took a lot of courage. I had to take the cabinet door off to paint the front, so I tiptoed around it for a few days. Next, we added the hardware. I'm very happy with the results.
About renter-friendly upgrades: We used peel-and-stick subway tiles to cover the existing kitchen tiles and contact paper on the countertops, which were dirty and yellowing. It's holding up surprisingly well! In the bathroom, we used peel-and-stick flooring and added pre-cut removable molding to the door before painting it pink. If you need to move it, you can easily remove what you've added.
Bathroom
Painting: 36 Hours of Marrakech with Backdrops. Shower curtain: CB2. Towel: Parachute. Wall art: Angela McKay.
About accepting one-room living: Because the studio is so small, I think many people think of it as a place of transition. But this has been my home for a long time, and even though I could afford a bigger apartment, I absolutely love it. I started thinking more deeply about what I bring into my space.
Regarding being published in the design book: It's kind of surreal. I just did these projects to make my apartment feel homey and had no idea they would be featured in print. I liked Look, mom, I'm in the books!
Next, Katie Holdevehr and I spoke on the phone. And here's what she told me about her book…
Caitlin: What inspired you to write this book?
Katie: There's this idea in our culture that you shouldn't invest financially or emotionally in a space unless you own it. If you're saving up for a down payment, this may make financial sense. And emotionally, immersing yourself in a temporary space comes with risks. However, I have lived as a renter for years and wanted to create a home decorating book that shows how sophisticated rental spaces can be. You don't have to wait to become a homeowner to build a home you love to live in.
Why did you choose Lisa's apartment as the setting for your book?
The first photo I saw was of Lisa's kitchen. There are so many great reversible ideas out there for renters, some of which I had never thought of before. My favorite part is the way she uses paint. She creates a small world inside the apartment through color.
All of the homes featured in your book are under 1150 square feet. What’s so important about small spaces?
In fact, you can be more creative with limited square footage. This is a problem that is always in search of a solution. A successful small space is reduced to include only what is useful and meaningful. Walking into a small space full of character makes an even bigger impact than walking into a cavernous home. I feel like people's lives are condensed into this small space.
Congratulations to Katie on her beautiful book. If you like, please follow her on Instagram. And Lisa, thank you so much for sharing your home with us!
PS See more house tours, including a brightly colored tiny Swedish apartment and a womb-like studio.
(Photo by Genevieve Garruppo of Embrace Your Space.)
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