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Small Spaces

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

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A daring and dramatic New York City apartment

Daring and dramatic decor using a high-contrast palette Author: Raquel Langworthy

Small Spaces

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

By:

Artist and owner of Made By Girl, Jen Ramos shares design tips for adding dramatic interest to her small space.


The 1,050-square-foot New York City apartment of artist Jen Ramos breaks the mould with its high-contrast palette, graphic artwork and gold accents.

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A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

Breaking the mould

Find helpful design tips from artist and owner of Made By Girl, Jen Ramos's stylish New York City abode.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

1 Make a big entrance

Drama defines this apartment’s small entryway. Homeowner Jen Ramos painted swatches of high-gloss black on top of the matte black walls, which serve as a bold backdrop to a console accented in gold. An organic-shaped white mirror offers a fresh counterpoint.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

2 Go faux

"To take attention away from the odd indentation behind the sofa in the living room, we created faux panelling with black paint,” says Jen. The treatment also enhances the graphic artwork and lively mix of toss cushions.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

3 Mix soft and smooth

Faux fur toss cushions add lushness to a sleek leather daybed, which hides an unsightly radiator. Placed beside a marble-topped coffee table, a pair of python-print stools creates a conversation area without taking up much square footage in the small living room.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

4 Modify big-box buys

Jen and her husband, Mat, customized an inexpensive sideboard, adding an ebony-stained reclaimed-wood top and finishing it with gold knobs to provide much-needed storage to the cramped living room. Jen keeps its surface relatively clear so that it won’t compete with the treasure-filled bookshelf.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

5 Use the Midas touch

Gold is Jen’s go-to metallic for adding instant shine and standout glamour. In the entryway, brass horse-head hooks offer intriguing function and organic form. Here, Jen loves to display her favourite Rebecca Minkoff bag – it’s ready to grab and go when she’s heading out the door.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

6 Make it yourself

Jen needed a large work table in her office/studio, so she and Mat merged two storage cabinets and affixed a countertop to the surface.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

7 Mix metal tones

Normally a diehard fan of gold, Jen brought in silver for this high-impact installation of her graphic love print. She mounted 12 posters made of metallic foil on heavy card stock, alternating gold and silver to showcase the warm and cool tones.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

8 Use window ledges

When living in a small space, every inch has possibilities – even a ledge. “I like to use decorative and personal items that reflect light and shine in the sun,” says Jen.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

9 Try tone on tone

Jen created a sophisticated vignette in the master bedroom by painting a ceramic lamp base glossy black and placing it on an ebony-stained nightstand, both of which disappear against the soft black wall.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

10 Experiment with a feature wall

In the master bedroom, Jen painted the wall behind the bed black, allowing the white bedding and leather headboard to provide relief. A gallery wall breaks up the darkness. “I used personal art and photos, while mixing up their frames; it makes things more interesting,” says Jen.

Image by: Style at Home By: Charlotte Safavi Source: Raquel Langworthy

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Small Spaces

A New York City apartment breaks the mould with daring and dramatic decor

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