When I get calls to do Houseplant Home Makeovers for Plant One On Me, typically it involves just houseplants, but this makeover required something a little extra…
Back in the Fall of 2019, I got a call from 111 Montgomery, which is a new full-service condominium in Crown Heights—just blocks away from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. They wanted to see if I would be interested in doing a Houseplant Home Makeover in one of their studio apartments—but it wouldn’t just be any makeover…they would need the entire unit outfitted to feel like a “home”. A home for who? Well, they asked me if I could make it over for a young woman who has “bohemian but modern sensibilities” —and to even make it feel as if it were my home.
Rest assured, I was up for the challenge.
But upon entering the premises, the challenge was much bigger than I expected because as you’ll see from the video, the space I needed to furnish had very little natural light, which as many houseplant lovers know—is a real bummer since plants need light to grow and thrive! But considering, that many of us have light-compromised homes, I figured this would be a fun challenge to pursue.
Additionally, though the space was small, furnishing any apartment for $5,000 within a very short period of time can be hard. Two friends of mine, one who just moved upstate—and another whom recently moved to Sweden—lamented how much it actually cost to outfit their apartments on a budget. Luckily I worked swiftly, drawing up inspiration boards, color swatches, and choosing ideal products just in time for Cyber Monday and the Holiday so that I could take full advantage of all the sales and make the most of the budget I was given. Essentially I wanted to make every penny count! I even chipped in some of my own accessories here-and-there, like jewelry, books and photos, to really round out the details and make this space truly feel “lived in”. The last thing I wanted to do was to make it feel too cold—or something right out of a name-your-own-catalog. Instead, I shopped around at over a dozen places with an emphasis on organic, handwoven, textured textiles; art and crafts from artists and artisans; and creating “scenes” around the home to give it a sense of life and love.
This whole effort was brought to you by my lovely sponsors of 111 Montgomery, Espoma Organic, and Chelsea Garden Center, whom this whole initiative would have not been made possible if it weren’t for them.
Watch the video here and see some of the shots from the home below.
Though this particular studio apartment had large picture windows facing a courtyard, it was still relatively dark in the interior of the space. This was due to the fact that the windows were north-facing and also blocked by another building past the courtyard. Since the apartment was light-limited and neutral toned, I felt it important to bring in pops of color to immediately liven up the space. Since the apartment was essentially one large, multifunctional room, I didn’t want to overdo it with the color. Though my own space is colorful—it’s also open, so I try to allow the colors to more harmoniously “blend” into one another by bringing in the same color elements into other “rooms”.
The main color palettes were jewel tones of turquoise and ochre/dusty gold. Additionally, I used raspberries and cerise colors as secondary hues combined with that ochre color, which eventually became the primary colors in the bathroom. I didn’t want to forgo on the neutral tones already being used in the apartment, so I still had some foundations grays and creams throughout the home.
The seating area of the living room was a tight fit—but we made the most of the space. Here you can see how we brought together those turquoise and ochre tones throughout, but sprinkled in some pinks and other colors too without going overboard. I ended up choosing plants that typically work well in lower light situations, including snake plants, Aglaonema, and even some moss, shown here.
Moss in beakers, a Hoya in a handmade pot, candles, agate stones, and books help make the home feel less like ‘something out of a catalog’ — and more personal.
One of the “scenes” by the bedside, featuring a sage stick, dream journal, poetry book, natural essence, dried flowers, and a floral pressed card.
An Aglaonema and Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata are excellent choices for homes that are a bit more light-compromised.
I imagine the woman moving into this apartment would like to journal.
Because the “bedroom” is right up against the rest of the living area, I wanted to carry the colors of blues and ochres throughout the bedroom space. Additionally piling on the textures and patterns was also important. Here you see an Ikat blanket from Pendleton, slubbed pillows from Anthropologie, a comfy quilt, and even a handmade pillowcase from a seller on Etsy.
A little dream bracelet. I personally like to obsess over the details of a place. Part of designing a space involves really trying to embody who this person is who is living there and to create little “scenes” to make it feel as if she is present. A little bracelet bedside on top of some books helps create a “living” atmosphere. Did she just remove her bracelet the night before after writing in her dream journal?
Textures would also come into play in a big way here. Unfurnished, the space felt very cold—very isolating. Fun textures of tassels, baubles, and knits make a big impact. And though the Murphy Bed could be folded up and turned into a desk space, I wanted this to feel more like a place someone can come to relax vs. a place that someone would come to work, so I spent extra time making the bed feel comfortable and inviting. Additionally, since it’s right up against the seating area of the living room—the bed could also serve as another place to sit and chat with friends. Unfortunately not all of my bed accoutrements came in on time for this shoot, but there was enough to communicate the point.
This is a view from the kitchen, which I think shows just how compact the studio space is. Keeping the color palette bright but consistent really helps with the continuity of the space. In the foreground to the right, you’ll see a taller Dracaena and to the left interior, you’ll see a Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Additionally, the centerpiece is a preserved flower arrangement, which I use throughout the space. This is a great tip for bringing in permanent color but still giving it the “foliage feel”.
Small touches like a hand-written card to the “imaginary” person in this home makes this feel more like a home.
Though the couch wasn’t my initial selection, the colors and textures brought in with the pillows and the covers help brighten the area and make it feel more inviting.
A look from the doorway in. Here you can see how the colors tie together via the artwork, flowers, pillows, and plating.
I maintained the jewel-tone color palette even in the plating. I went with gold flatware and even brought in hammered gold-plated glasses to bring in some interesting textural elements.
Out of all “rooms” in the tiny studio apartment, I was amazed by the ample kitchen space—so I wanted to utilize that. Bringing in cookbooks and some non-perishable items, like local pasta and fresh fruits also helped make this space feel “lived in”.
A Scindapsus pictus trails down the armoire with one of the organic artworks in the back. I went with more organic shapes for the artwork to break up the edges of the apartment
Espoma Organic set us up with their indoor organic fertilizers so that whomever moves into the apartment, they have all the plant fertilizer they need for their plants! My book SugarDetoxMe is in the background.
Seeds, positive-minded books, and Tillandsia: what’s not to love?
A trinket dish in the bathroom.
Another dried floral arrangement brings color to the bathroom area.
The raspberry, cerise and ochre colors bring some life to the bathroom.
We brought in more eco-conscious beauty products to round out the bathroom area.
Dried Eucalyptus and flowers hang from the shower. This brings in a nice aroma and requires no maintenance.
A preserved moss wall by Artisan Moss brings a bit more brightness to a room with no windows.
Putting together the finishing touches. In the back is an original artwork by Brooklyn-based artist, Alina Fassakhova, which not only ties in the color palette, but also brings in some softer organic shapes and a nice feminine touch.
Blowing out all the candles before I left for the day!
Product List:
Please note that many of these products may no longer be available. Additionally, I purchased many of these products during the holidays to take advantage of sale items to keep within budget on this project.
Entry Area:
Keane Driftwood Armoire (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Espoma Products:
Plants from Chelsea Garden Center:
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Dracaena (Sansevieria) trifasciata
Aglaonema
Dracaena marginata
Hoya pubicalyx
Tillandsia xerographica
Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’
Scindapsus pictus
Peperomia clusiifolia
Goeppertia elliptica
Books and Cards:
Living Room:
Auburn Sofa (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Zeal Black & Ivory Shag Rug (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Macbeth Hemlock Black Wood Coffee Table (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Bedroom:
Kitchen:
Box Frame Counter Table (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Primitivo Gray Chairs (provided by 111 Montgomery)
Personal Care Products:
Bathroom: