Before & After: This Small Apartment’s a Reminder That a Refresh Can Be Both Low-Budget and Low-Impact

Low-waste design expert Laura Baross—who was a part of Apartment Therapy’s Class of 2020—is the founder of Design with Care, a practice focused on making green design both accessible and beautiful. She’s shared a lot of eco-friendly design ideas with Apartment Therapy through her residential projects, like this Brooklyn apartment that was designed with zero waste in mind, and an airy Tribeca apartment redesigned sustainably. Today, on Earth Day, we share a sneak peek of another recently completed design project—a living room and a bedroom redo that’s maybe her most accessible design yet. It’s a reminder that you can refresh your home on both a low budget and in a low-impact way.

“When Larissa and I started working together and she showed me her inspiration gallery, I knew this would be a very fun and feminine Design with Care makeover,” writes Laura about the redo of Larissa May’s Brooklyn rental apartment. Larissa (also known as “livinlikelarz” on Instagram), is the founder of Half the Story, a nonprofit organization that aims to teach younger generations about digital well-being, raises money to support research and education on healthy relationships with technology/social media, and encourages people to share their “unfiltered” struggles along with the highlights on social media. With mental health being so important to Larissa’s work and life, it was also vital she have a home that supports her needs.

“Being a young entrepreneur myself, I understood the importance of having a multi-functional living room that can serve both as a lounge area to decompress after a long day in New York but also as a home office when needed. I wanted to provide Larz with a serene space where she can feel comfortable, entertain friends and feel creative when working from home,” says Laura.  

As with her other projects Apartment Therapy has featured, the goal of this apartment refresh was to improve the look and feel of the space without spending a lot of money or impacting the environment negatively.

“To keep the environmental footprint low, I always aim to source secondhand furniture and decor,” Laura explains. “In Larissa’s place we shopped vintage, kept some of the furniture items she already owned, implemented local artisans textiles, pillows and added a feature wall. Preloved items brought unique style to Larissa’s space and were also less expensive compared to brand new items, which allowed us to fit in a $5K budget. Decorating second hand can save your wallet as well as our planet! Just a small change can go a long way and thanks to working with Design with Care, Larz treated herself with not only a low impact but also a low budget home renovation.” 

Larissa’s Style: I’m a bit of an East Coast mind with a West Coast spirit. My style is inspired by vintage, bohemian inspiration, and sleek modern elements. I’ve never really fit into a box, so I mix all of my interests together. 

Inspiration: I am inspired by women. As an entrepreneur, I wanted my space to reflect the female creators that inspire me. I wanted it to embody the power and finesse of the female force. A mixture of soft hues, elegant design, and powerful modernism. 

Favorite Element: The antique mirror above my vanity. I’ve always loved vintage pieces, and it feels incredibly special to feature a family heirloom in my home. There’s something to that. I don’t have any family in New York, so it feels like a part of my family has a space in my home. I love imagining all of the adventures my great-grandmother had every time I look in the mirror. It’s a magical way of remembering her. 

Biggest Challenge: My biggest challenge is hosting large groups of people! I have a four-seat table but worked with Laura to build an open floor plan to open my space to others. I love to host. 

Proudest DIY: Definitely installing the wallpaper mural. It’s a great fix for an upgrade on a budget, but requires a bit of team work and precision to make it happen!

Biggest Indulgence: New interior design.

Best Advice: Your home is a reflection of your inner world. A clean space leads to a clearer mind. 

What’s your best home secret? Trim the fat! Every season I go through my closet and try to donate five – ten articles of clothing. It’s amazing how much you can accumulate over time that crowds and takes up space. My apartment was cluttered before my design project with Laura. She was a spectacular inspiration to streamline my aesthetic and space overall. It feels like I’ve entered a new chapter of my life. 

LIVING ROOM

• Blue Sofa — Sabai Design
• Shell Cushions — Tamar Mogendorf
• Coffee Table — Previously owned by Larz, you can find similar on Apt Deco
• Wall Mural — Minted
• Side Table — West Elm
• Candle  — Half the Story
• Stack of Magazines  — Cereal
• Brass Vase — Hawken 
• Lounge Chairs — Previously owned by Larz, you can find similar on Apt Deco, 
• Curtains  — 100% Cotton from CB2
• Copper Lamp — Design with Care
  

DINING ROOM

• Dining Table — ​Adaptations (Porter James)
• Dining Chairs  —  Apt Deco
• Decanter Vase — Ichendorf Milano

BEDROOM

• Bed Frame — Previously owned by Larz, you can find similar on Apt Deco via Anthropologie 
• Shell Cushions — Tamar Mogendorf
• Bed Throw  — Caroline Z Hurley
• Side Table  — Previously owned by Larz, you can find similar on Apt Deco
• Vintage Table Top Decor  — Design with Care
• Book Decor  —  Taschen
• Record Player — Crosley from UO
• White Credenza  —  Bi Rite
• Vintage Vases  — Design with Care
• Le Klint Lamp  — Danish Home vintage store via Etsy 
• Vintage Mirror  — From Larz’s Great Grandmother Perfume Tray — Hawkins

Thanks Larissa and Laura!