A Renter Transformed a 375-Square-Foot NYC Apartment into a Warm, Cozy Home
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published May 19, 2025

A Renter Transformed a 375-Square-Foot NYC Apartment into a Warm, Cozy Home

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published May 19, 2025
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About this tour
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Home Type

Apartment

Location

New York, New York

Style

Eclectic

Mid-Century Modern

Vintage

Bedrooms

1

Square feet

375

Sq ft

375

Gail Schulman is a photo manager and photographer for Paramount/CBS during the day, and on the side, creates videos for her YouTube channel. And this 375-square-foot, one-bedroom rental is the fifth NYC apartment she’s lived in, in the past seven and a half years.

“I’ve always believed in the necessity of loving where you are while you are there and building a home that truly feels like home,” Gail begins. “When I step through my door, I am welcomed and held by the space that I’ve created and curated for myself. Here I can fully let go and simply just be. The hope is that my guests, whether it be friends or family (I do love to host) will feel the same way.”

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Credit: Gail Schulman
"My biggest creative gamble now lives proudly on my living room wall," Gail describes. "The cream wooden art piece had been just a few hours away from being tossed in the trash. I was on the hunt for large artwork to fill the space when I happened upon it one Tuesday evening surrounded by trash bags. I stopped, looked at it, and thought it was interesting ... and yes, it could just work. But I went on to my date that night and thought if it's still there after, I'll take it home. Yup, still there. Carried it home (this wasn't easy as it is solid wood), gave it a fresh coat of paint, and had a Task Rabbit mount it to my wall."

Gail says she’s keeps “both fresh flowers and record albums on rotation. Occasionally I’ll shake my Magic 8 ball and ask for advice and other times make stovetop popcorn (despite having a microwave) because the flavor is simply superior. I am thoughtful, detailed, and creative, and I’d like to think that my home reflects the same qualities.”

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Credit: Gail Schulman
Gail's favorite room is the living room! "Frankly, the areas rug steals the show. That paired with the brick fireplace, massive (once trash) wall art, and record player media console ... it hits every mark. As mentioned, I love hosting friends and family for movie nights, dinner parties, or just a good old party, and this area of the apartment consistently sparks thoughtful and/or playful discussion/games/secrets. The layout invites you to sit down, take a load off, and talk face to face. But when it's just me, it's where I can journal, read, nap, watch a movie, or pick a random album and listen."

Being that Gail’s home feels much larger than its 375 square feet, she’s clearly an expert at designing small spaces. Her advice? Install curtains higher than you might think to. “This takes full advantage of the space you’re given and will make the room feel larger than it is,” she writes.

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Credit: Gail Schulman

She also suggests placing mirrors in darker areas to visually open up the space. “Do not be afraid of using different colors — just make sure the shades are complementary,” she continues. And finally, Gail suggests cleaning as you go — “by simply putting things back in their place, your home will feel organized and you will avoid buildup of clutter.”

Resources

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Credit: Gail Schulman

LIVING ROOM

  • Couch — All Modern
  • Floor Lamp — POP! Thrift Store in Providence, Rhode Island
  • Area Rug — Etsy
  • Coffee Table — Facebook Marketplace
  • Cream Wooden Art Piece — Trash
  • Yellow Vintage Chairs — Facebook Marketplace
  • Clay Side Table — Facebook Marketplace
  • Bookshelf — Facebook Marketplace
  • Knickknacks — Family Heirlooms, Thrifted, or Gifted
  • Wreath — Union Square Market
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Credit: Gail Schulman
"I created my own dining nook — combining an ottoman bench with wall panels to create a cohesive look (with storage!)," Gail explains of the dining area she created. The bench acts as the dining nook's base, and then she added a table, chairs, a pendant light, and a gallery wall. The space also doubles as a work table for Gail during the day.

DINING NOOK

  • Chairs, Table, and Ottoman Bench — Amazon
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Credit: Gail Schulman

KITCHEN

  • Peel-and-Stick Tiles — Amazon
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Credit: Gail Schulman

BEDROOM

  • The Edward Hopper Print — Gift
  • Floor Lamp, Side Table, and Hanging Pendant Light — Facebook Marketplace or Estate Sales
  • Area Rug — Etsy
  • Pillows — Urban Outfitters and Nabis Fabric
  • Mirror — Zara Home
  • Green Throw Blanket — Marshalls
  • Frame Photographs — Marrakesh
  • Dresser — Facebook Marketplace
  • Tassel on Doorknob — Morocco
  • Printed Picasso — NJ Thrift Store
  • Trinkets — From Philadelphia to London

Thanks, Gail!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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