We kick off the new year in Brooklyn with sisters Erica and Amanda Riha who are designers at separate firms but a more newly minted team at online design site Homepolish.
We’re always inspired with city or close-to reno’s because you know you’re going to be served some sort of quirky and tight space in comparison to the rest of the country; point being it requires more imagination – like always! Case in point …
We’re always inspired with city or close-to reno’s because you know you’re going to be served some sort of quirky and tight space in comparison to the rest of the country; point being it requires more imagination – like always! Case in point …
When they decided to move out of their studio apartment in their New York city they were hesitant that they could actually find something they would BOTH feel comfortable in. Between the Brookyln tin and high ceilings, the picture rail and french moldings that changed! Great light and architecture are always major pluses in any space.
While they also appreciated the new floors and kitchen layout “new” wasn’t really their thing or style.
With Iowa roots they desired a farmhouse feel mixed with city life; evidently they had their work cut out for them. What you’re about to see is a stunning example of why you should think about every last detail of your home. This two bedroom railroad apartment was long and narrow and required even more brain power in the layout department.
Yes, that requires one to walk through one bedroom to get to the second one!
Seriously, only two sisters or besties could pull this all-too-common layout off! As renters they were unable to paint but had carte blanche on the rest of the non-permanent changes, including hardware and drapery which so many people overlook. Of course, it took 10 months for both to be satisfied with the final product though given their designer rank. Funny that the biggest stumbling block would just be trusting your own design gut but its all too common for designers; its always easier to design for someone else over yourself! See their new abode coming together over the first 10 months
It all started with a pink vintage sofa but of course. Amanda is the quintessential collection often found at markets and consignment stores; Erica is a stickler for curation and order. Not only did they both fell in love with it, but it’s size was far more luxurious than most new sofas with its deep back and huge feather down cushions – AND it fit in the space perfectly! .
Next door black metal and glass IKEA shelving units not only expanded the surface space but enhanced the height of the space. While the open shelving could potentially highlight disorganization for many, recall we have one sister obsessed with order and the other with collecting so we’re not remotely surprised how they were used! By flanking the wall duct bump out, they ended up with both kitchen and living room storage which creates symmetry and unifies this open-concept space all the while getting pretty visuals and far more storage then they started out with!
“We wanted to emphasize the architecture by placing shelving units within the niches to organize and display our collectables, books and kitchen items. The rest of the room played off of that design decision, like the small dining table, three chairs and the two sofas in an L shape.”
Their favorite piece in the space was hard to identify but the dining table, tucked between the shelving, came to mind because they spend a lot of time there drinking coffee, eating or entertaining. Easy to pull out when needed for entertaining, it otherwise has its own and still useful space when propped against the wall. (We also love the gray metal folding island towards the kitchen – see the wooden serving tray, knife, dink and bread?! #brilliant)
When complete – between the farmhouse esque plate wall and the beautiful detailed styling on the shelves
…all SO beautiful. And slighty to-the-right in the kitchen
a dose of form, function and amazing indeed! Over in the living room an eclectic mix of materials, colors and shapes, anchored by a West Elm rug to define the space.
With furnishings from Angel Thrift Vintage, Housing works and other antique dealers in Manhattan or Brooklyn they space really came together. They actually made the coffee table anchoring all around it from a $20 vintage metal stand they found and a free marble tile top.
Styled like a high-fashion vignette who would have guessed?!
Same goes for every other surface in the space, like this Anthropologie bone magnifying glass atop the books, or the pink H&M home pillow on the sofa and mirror on the wall.
We love how the blue and white plate palette and nod to their mid west roots in echoed in this end table.
We had to ask if they could only pick one feature that they were so pleased with what was it?
“The layout. We love having friends over as there is so much room to sit and be comfortable. We love having all elements in one room, kitchen, dining and living, its not disconnected like other designs we have seen.
Lets check out the bedrooms. Erica got the walk-through one with the double french doors.
It all started with a vintage looking metal bed frame from Ikea none the less, but what transpires thereafter is nothing short of genius. Ready?!
Right?! So the Bed has to stay against a wall to allow Amanda to actually get into her room. Between its open ends and being styled like a daybed it doesn’t look remotely out of place and keeps the traffic flow easy and comfortable. Then Erica flanks either end of the bed with storage to provide a) function and b) more styling surfaces! To the left ..
And to the right
Storage galore (we love the under the bed baskets too!), color, texture and character indeed. Through Erica’s bedroom we land in Amanda’s room which looked like this before.
Queue one minty green bed frame and a hefty does of designer style and well….
Gorgeous right?
…and it looks 100 times bigger!
Take note of the INCREDIBLE styling too; might 2016 be the year you style your bedside table?! Don’t let anyone tell you an old shoe form, wooden dusting brush, eucalyptus and books don’t go together perfectly.
Or that mixing old and new doesn’t work as exemplified with this pine meets West Elm lucite tray combo.
Even empty frames propped on the floor are deliberately placed!
What a sweet spot to lay clothes (temporarily of course!)
Each bedroom had a win-lose scenario. Amanda’s had the double set of windows but was without closet so a storage rack was incorporated.
Even Amanda’s color coordinated storage and “closet” adds a lovely visual to the overall room!
“We love the way the living space functions as an area to entertain. We love hosting friends for coffee, dinner parties and barbecues in the backyard too!”
We’re pretty sure that a designers home is always a work in progress, and these sisters echoed that sentiment stating they were continually making small changes here and there but that’s what makes a house a home; it’s a collection of your travels, experiences and memories. Awesome job ladies … remember if you want a dose of Amanda & Erica in your own home on over to Homepolish and request the duo.
Professional photos by Kelsey Ann Rose.
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