A Brooklyn Renter Spent Eight Years Transforming This Former “Bachelor Pad”
This three-bedroom, 900-square-foot apartment in Brooklyn had quite the past before renters Lindsey Swedick and her boyfriend started renting it eight years ago. “It was primarily a bachelor pad that functioned as an apartment with a revolving door of tenants in each room so it was homey and clean but not ‘designed’ at all!” Lindsey begins.
A photographer by trade, Lindsey also admits to a love of decorating and interior design, as well as being “one of those crazy renters that will put a lot of time and money into customizing the space even though I don’t own it, as I think it’s always important to have a space that feels like yours.”
“I have done a lot of renovations myself (with permission) including: replacing every light fixture, painting, replacing switch/outlet covers and doorknobs, adding knobs to kitchen cabinets, re-tiling kitchen backsplash, new kitchen sink/faucet, new kitchen counter, adding wainscoting to the hallway, wallpapering hallway and kitchen accent wall, re-grouting the bathroom, replacing the vanity, and customizing the closet doors with picture molding/paint and antique hardware,” she lists.
Lindsey’s best advice for decorating is to go slow. “I think a lot of people rush into decorating/filling space when they move or re-do a room but it ends up feeling thrown together and not personal to you, speaking from experience,” she writes. “Decorating/buying furniture is expensive as well, so going slowly allows you to not compromise and get the things you are truly excited by without totally blowing your budget all at once. It took about eight years to get to where I felt like I was ‘done’ in my apartment (although is a space ever really done?)”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Couch — Design Within Reach
- Coffee Table — Hedgehouse Furniture
- Rug — Beni Rugs
- Chair — Herman Miller
- Side Table — Pieces Home
- Lamp — Notary Ceramics
- Media Console — Hedgehouse Furniture
- Shelf — cb2
- Rug — Beni Rugs
BEDROOM
- Bed — Hedgehouse Furniture
- Bedding — Morrow Soft Goods
- Rug — Beni
- Print — Blockshop Textiles
- Light — Rejuvenation
- Tapestry — Blacksaw
- Rugs — Beni
- Chair — West Elm
- Mirror — Vintage
- Floor lamp — Crate & Barrel
BATHROOM
- Light — Rejuvenation
HALLWAY
- Wallpaper — Ayara
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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