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September 26, 2024 18 mins
Dive into the redesign of Alex and Margaret Ferrec's 550-square-foot apartment, starting with the living room's custom furniture. Explore key furniture pieces and thoughtful details in the dining room. Gain insights into the kitchen updates and bedroom design, highlighting practical and stylish choices. Discover the bathroom redesign and the role of multifunctional furniture throughout the space. Learn about the features and versatility of the Dresden sleeper sofa in our sponsor segment. Uncover the IKEA MOSSLANDA shelf hack and curated lighting options. Get introduced to the Archiology brand and explore top product picks. Conclude with final design thoughts, offering inspiration for maximizing small spaces.
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Episode Transcript

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(00:00):
Welcome back, design enthusiasts, to anotherepisode of Daily Interior Design Inspo!
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth, and today we arediving into the inspiring story of a family of
four who turned a basic 550-square-foot NewYork City apartment into a cozy, functional
home.
Get ready to be amazed by the creativity andresourcefulness of Alex and Margaret Ferrec,

(00:24):
who have lived in New York City for 10 yearsand have truly made the most out of their
compact space.
Alex is an architectural photographer andvideographer who also enjoys woodworking as a
hobby.
Margaret, on the other hand, is one ofApartment Therapy’s own videographers.

(00:45):
Over the years, she has been responsible formany favorite house tours featured on the site.
Now, it is her turn to be in the spotlight!
Seven years ago, the couple purchased this550-square-foot apartment in Washington
Heights, which they now share with their twoadorable daughters, 4-year-old Simone and

(01:05):
2-year-old Florence.
When they first bought the place, it had a verybasic early 2000s renovation vibe.
Picture “honey cabinets, light blue wallsthroughout,” and an “all-white bathroom.” There
was “no real character in the architecturaldetails or materials,” as Margaret puts it.

(01:26):
But with a lot of love and creativity, theytransformed the space into something truly
special.
One of the most striking features of their homeis the living room, where they broke away from
the traditional gallery wall cluster to createa more intuitive display of their art.
Margaret explains, “With the hanging art in ourliving room, we broke away from the grid and

(01:51):
also moved away from the usual gallery wallcluster.
We found the right places for the threeextra-large paintings based on how the three
paintings interacted together.
Then we balanced smaller works in between andaround them, balancing them based on the
natural lines of sight that the big piecesdirected.

(02:14):
Everything is balanced but more intuitively,spaced out with white wall space in between for
breathing room.
Visually, I move through and see theimages/themes/colors as a run-on sentence.” The
artwork, by the way, is either their own or bytheir dear friend, Rupert.

(02:34):
Each piece holds significant weight and meaningfor them.
They brought in natural textures, organicmodern elements, and folk decor with rich
craftsman furniture, clean white walls, andlots of colorful art and books.
But they did not stop at just surface decor.
They also undertook a total renovation of thebathroom, where Alex designed and built custom

(03:00):
cabinetry to maximize storage.
And while they hope for a bigger kitchenrenovation in the future, they have already
made some small but meaningful updates, likeswitching out oversized white appliances for
stainless steel, apartment-sized ones, andreplacing a dated overhead light fixture with
IKEA track lighting.

(03:21):
In the girls' room, Alex made the wood shelvingand book racks, and he has built quite a few
pieces of custom furniture throughout the smallhome.
This includes a toddler bed, the primarybedroom dresser and bed, as well as lots of
custom shelving and another bed in the office.
Yes, you heard that right—there are threebedrooms in this small home!

(03:46):
Margaret beautifully sums up their designphilosophy: “With two young children, our
home-world is now primarily a place where werest, play, learn, and are inspired.
It is a small space so it has to be practical,but it is also important to us that it is cozy,
filled with meaningful items, and is visuallyinteresting.

(04:10):
We love storied and playful things — especiallyquirky folk items that are humanistic and
handmade.”
Their living room features a Ms.
Chesterfield Leather Sofa from Interior Define,an Artbook Side Table from Cozymatic, and a
Lantern Floor Lamp from Vakker Light.
They also have a vintage secondhand BarcelonaChair and an unknown vintage chair with white

(04:34):
cushions, which Margaret reupholstered with hermom.
The black metal candle sconce is from Food52,and the walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s
“Decorator’s White.”
In the dining room, they have a secondhanddining table found on Craigslist, a bench made
by Alex from wood flooring, Wayfair WishboneChairs, and Stokke Tripp Trapp Adjustable

(04:58):
Chairs.
A mirror from Zara Home completes the look.
The kitchen features appliances from Home Depotand P.C.
Richard & Son, a From the Deep Dinnerware Setfrom Anthropologie, everyday black enamel
plates from a local thrift store, andmismatched antique silver flatware.

(05:20):
Margaret’s favorite daily tool is her personalpour-over coffee set.
They also have a Sangean WR-16 Kitchen Radiofrom Amazon and a simplehuman trash and
recycling can.
In the primary bedroom, the suite was designedand built by Alex using Europly wood with Rylex

(05:40):
Custom Cabinetry.
They have pillows from William Sonoma Home,layered summer bedspreads from The Company
Store, and a white jewelry cabinet and mirrorfrom Wayfair.
The nursery is equally charming with a StokkeSleepi Bed V3 Crib, an organic oval mattress
from Naturepedic, a handmade crib quilt bytheir friend Jena Starke, and a toddler bed

(06:06):
designed and made by Alex.
The toddler bed features Europly wood and legsfrom Amazon.
They also have an Avocado Toddler Pillow andcase, non-toxic custom-size foam for the
toddler mattress from Foamite.com, and toddlerbedding from West Elm.
The green wool floor rug is from Perigold, andthe dollhouse is from LEP1 with wallpaper from

(06:31):
Paper Source.
The sound machine is from Hatch, and the redwall clock is from IKEA.
Alex also made the bookshelves, and thechildren’s chair is a hand-me-down.
Toy boxes are repurposed wine crates from alocal wine shop, and the closet organization
was done by Rylex Custom Cabinetry.
The girls’ bedroom accent wall and bedroom doorare painted Farrow & Ball’s “Sulking Room

(06:57):
Pink.”
Lastly, the bathroom is a true standout withhoneycomb and terrazzo tiles from The Home
Depot, a vessel sink from Kohler, and cabinetrydesigned and built by Alex with Rylex Custom
Cabinetry and Europly.
They use Coyuchi Air Weight Towels to completethe look.

(07:19):
Alex and Margaret’s story is a testament to thepower of creativity and thoughtful design.
They have managed to create a warm, functional,and visually interesting home in just 550
square feet.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories anddesign tips on Daily Interior Design Inspo!

(07:40):
As Apartment Therapy’s resident personalshopper, one of my favorite things that happens
when I go on store visits is finding a piece offurniture with a cool extra feature, whether
that’s built-in storage, a charging port, orcup holders.
The more inconspicuous it is at first, thebetter!
A lot of times, though, I find these featuresin power recliners or sleeper sofas that aren’t

(08:03):
the most stylish examples of living roomseating.
Although I think power reclining sofas stillhave a ways to go in that department, sleeper
sofas have definitely improved in terms oflooks.
Rove Concepts’ Dresden sleeper is a perfectexample.
Not only is it a great pick for small spaces,but it also has a few different features that

(08:26):
allow it to function as three pieces offurniture in one.
If you’re after a sleek, multipurpose couchthat you can’t find anywhere else, look no
further.
You might even find yourself never wanting toget up from it!
Upon first glance, the Dresden looks like anyother modern sofa, with clean lines, a

(08:47):
rectangular silhouette, and chic grayupholstery.
But when you look closer, you’ll notice thatone arm is wider than the other and that it has
a wooden accent.
Indeed, one side of this sofa doubles as a sidetable, thanks to a removable veneer tray that
blends in seamlessly with the rest of thedesign.

(09:07):
Even better, the Dresden also unfolds into asleeper — simply pull on the concealed tab to
open the bench-style seat cushion, whichtransforms into a 74-inch by 53-inch sleep
surface.
Springs and polyester-wrapped foam providecomfort and support regardless of whether
you’re sitting on the seat cushion or lying onthe sleep surface.

(09:31):
Additionally, a kiln-dried hardwood frameprevents sagging and provides optimal
durability.
You’ll be happy to learn that, in addition tothe side walnut table tray, the Dresden also
comes with two throw pillows and a washablemesh mattress cover, so your sheets never go

(09:51):
directly onto the sleeper’s surface.
You can shop this piece in two in-stock feltcolors — a medium gray and a bone hue — or 27
custom fabric colors.
My favorite thing about a good sleeper sofa iswhen you can’t tell it’s a sleeper by initially

(10:11):
looking at it.
That’s true of the Dresden; it looks like acontemporary living room showpiece with comfy
but elegantly shaped cushions.
Despite its good looks, the Dresden isn’t amodel you have to be extra careful with.
It’s available in several durable performancefabrics that easily release stains and stand up

(10:33):
to everyday use.
No matter your interior design aesthetic,you’ll be able to tailor the sofa to the rest
of your living space.
If you wanted to, you could also place it inyour home office or a spare bedroom; the
Dresden’s 88-inch width makes it neither toolarge nor too small for most apartments.

(10:54):
And the next time you have overnight guests,they’ll have a comfortable and convenient place
to crash.
It’s also important to consider this sleeper’slow profile.
At 24 inches tall, it’s not the easiest toclimb in and out of.
But that’s the only design detail that doesn’tprioritize functionality.

(11:16):
From its fold-out sleep surface to its built-inside table, the Dresden is a place from which
you can carry out a range of activities,including napping, working, eating, and just
hanging out.
It basically eliminates the need for twoadditional pieces of furniture — what could be
better than that?
IKEA’s already the MVP of made-to-order cabinetand closet systems on a budget, but one hack

(11:42):
proves that even a seven-dollar shelf from thebrand can transform into a double-duty,
custom-looking storage piece that feelssurprisingly high-end — and it’s the most
simple styling trick.
Designer Elisa Decke, who runs the Instagramaccount @drellsky.home, recently demonstrated
how to DIY a wall shelf with under-cabinetlighting near her desk area.

(12:08):
To start, she used IKEA’s best-sellingMOSSLANDA picture ledge, but rather than
mounting it to the wall in the correctorientation, she installed it upside down.
With the ledge piece facing the ground, shethen added an adhesive LED strip inside the
MOSSLANDA’s built-in groove that’s designed tohold frames or books.

(12:30):
And in just two steps, Decke instantly has asizable, well-lit shelf.
The MOSSLANDA comes in two sizes, twenty-oneand three-quarters or forty-five and
one-quarter inches long, so you can choose theone that best fits your own space or even style
multiple side by side (which Decke appears tohave done).

(12:50):
And this project isn’t limited to just homeoffices, either — Decke noted in the caption of
her Instagram post that she implemented thisIKEA hack in her kitchen, too.
Either way, the flipped MOSSLANDA gives you amore extensive flat surface to style plants,
pictures, small candles, or decorative plates.

(13:10):
Decke opted for the white MOSSLANDA shelf tocomplement her more minimalist aesthetic, but
it’s also available in black or faux walnut andstained pine finishes.
As for the lighting, she added a color-changingWiZ light strip, which has a barely-there white
cord that she snaked down the wall and pluggedin beneath the desk (make sure you have an

(13:33):
outlet nearby).
IKEA’s MOSSLANDA ledge starts at just sixdollars and ninety-nine cents, with the light
strips falling around thirteen dollars.
That means you can create a functional officeor kitchen floating wall shelf with indirect
lighting for just about twenty dollars — and itlooks SO much more expensive!

(13:54):
It’s rare for me to come across a brand Ihaven’t heard of before.
As a commerce writer who’s been deeply involvedin the home space for over five years, it’s
refreshing to discover a company that offerswell-made products and good design at an
affordable price.
While there are countless furniture brands outthere, finding that perfect balance of style,

(14:17):
quality, and value is what I’m always on thelookout for — and contemporary home decor brand
Archiology nails it.
Founded in 2019 by a talented team ofdesigners, Archiology delivers the same
timeless, mid-century-inspired pieces you’dfind at West Elm, but at a fraction of the

(14:40):
cost.
Based in Torrance, California, the brand offersa curated collection of beautiful lighting and
furniture.
Their mission is to combine style anddurability, and they excel in creating pieces
that are both functional and visually stunning.
Keep reading to discover our top picks fromArchiology — with two-day shipping, these

(15:04):
pieces are hard to pass up!
First up is the Tipsy Lighting Floor Lamppriced at one hundred ninety-nine dollars and
ninety-nine cents.
Instantly elevate the ambiance of your livingroom with this decorative floor lamp.
At nearly six feet tall, it discreetly fitsbehind your couch or next to an accent chair,
adding a cozy atmosphere.

(15:25):
The lamp casts a soft, gentle glow — justenough to warmly illuminate the space in front
of you.
Next, we have the Layla Accent Chair, now twohundred forty-nine dollars and ninety-nine
cents, down from three hundred twenty-ninedollars.
There’s something special about a chair thatswivels, and the Layla accent chair — with luxe

(15:48):
velvet upholstery — truly stands out.
It’s not just the gorgeous slate gray colorthat catches your eye; it also brings a warm,
inviting charm to your home, and its compactsize makes it perfect for small spaces.
Whether you're looking to dress up your bedroomor add a Scandinavian touch to your living

(16:09):
room, the Cameron Accent Chair is perfect forthe job.
It’s available for two hundred twenty-ninedollars and ninety-nine cents, down from three
hundred twenty-nine dollars and ninety-ninecents.
Available in three colors and featuring agorgeous beechwood frame, this chair
beautifully complements a neutral palette.

(16:31):
Then we have the Halo I Table Lamp, priced atone hundred ninety-five dollars, down from two
hundred forty-nine dollars and ninety-ninecents.
From the front, the Halo I lamp appears asnothing more than a mere decoration, but from
the side it reveals its full form, casting alight that’s perfect for desks or living room

(16:51):
accent tables.
It has a designer look — and it’s on sale!
The Quinn Ottoman is next, at sixty-ninedollars and ninety-nine cents, down from
ninety-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents.
The Quinn not only elevates the comfort of yourliving room, but also provides an extra seat
for guests.

(17:12):
Additionally, its hidden storage compartmentkeeps your throws or blankets neatly tucked
away.
Another great piece is the Calabaza Glass TableLamp, available for sixty-nine dollars and
ninety-nine cents, down from one hundredtwenty-five dollars.
The Calabaza table lamp adds a touch ofminimalism to your home.

(17:33):
Its smoky gray glass base complements anydecor, while the white drum shade provides
warm, diffused light.
Perfect for use in a hallway or on bedroom sidetables — you can’t go wrong!
The Noa Floor Lamp is not only highlyfunctional, but also a work of art.

(17:53):
It’s priced at sixty-nine dollars andninety-nine cents, down from ninety-nine
dollars and ninety-nine cents.
With its crossed wooden legs and linen taperedshade that gives off just the right amount of
light, this piece is truly unique.
It makes a great accent alongside a couch orbed.
Finally, we have the Spade Accent Chair, pricedat one hundred twenty-nine dollars and

(18:18):
ninety-nine cents, down from two hundredtwenty-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents.
It’s hard not to get comfortable in the SpadeAccent Chair, thanks to its cozy padded seat
and slanted back.
With its reclining tilt and low-maintenanceleather upholstery, this chair offers both
comfort and convenience.
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