The Portfolio Continuum | Breaking the rules in NYC
This NYC apartment was such a fun design challenge because the goal was not minimalism. The client wanted everything to fit comfortably into one compact space: extra seating, deep seating, a work area, storage, a bar setup, and enough openness to still feel relaxed and livable day to day.
Design 1
Instead of trying to visually “shrink” the room, we leaned into warmth, texture, and layered functionality. The deep green velvet sectional became the anchor of the space, while the darker walls helped everything feel grounded and cohesive rather than overcrowded.
One of my favorite details was the rolling coffee table. The client mentioned she loved sitting on the rug and playing with her dog, so being able to easily move the table out of the way made the room feel much more flexible without sacrificing functionality.
We also incorporated a secretary-style trunk with hidden drawers for storage and workspace needs. Since there wasn’t enough room for a permanent desk chair setup, she simply pulled a chair from the bedroom whenever she worked. Not every solution works for every client, but this one fit her lifestyle perfectly.
I was living in New Jersey at the time, so I was able to pop over to the city to help source some local pieces alongside the client, which made the space feel even more personal and collected over time.
This project is one of my favorite reminders that good design is not always about following rules. Sometimes it’s about understanding how someone actually lives and making the space support that beautifully. ✨
Design 2
This version of the apartment focused even more heavily on hidden storage and multifunctional furniture while still keeping the cozy, collected feeling the client loved.
The client wanted to maintain the deep, loungey seating while maximizing every possible inch of storage throughout the space. Since flexibility was important, we chose a lightweight metal coffee table that could easily slide out of the way whenever she wanted more open floor space.
One of my favorite pieces in this design was the vintage-inspired card catalog cabinet. While it looks like a traditional drawer piece from the outside, the drawer fronts are actually decorative, allowing the entire cabinet to open into larger hidden storage compartments inside. We ended up using it as a concealed bar area, which worked beautifully for entertaining without visually cluttering the apartment.
The trunk near the window became another hardworking piece in the room. It doubled as extra seating with an impressive weight capacity while also storing dog toys and everyday items out of sight.
We also incorporated a bookcase with a hidden pull-out ledge for her laptop, which allowed us to create a functional workspace without dedicating precious square footage to a full desk setup.
Like the first design, this apartment was really about making the space work for the client’s actual lifestyle instead of forcing traditional layouts that would have made the apartment feel cramped. Between the layered storage solutions, soft velvet textures, and flexible furniture pieces, we were able to create a space that felt both practical and inviting without sacrificing personality. ✨
If you love layered, functional spaces like this and are looking for help bringing your own home together, I’d be delighted to work with you. ✨
You can click here to explore my design services to learn more about my process, offerings, and how we can create a space that feels beautiful, personal, and deeply functional for the way you actually live.
