Two Small NYC Studios Merged to Make One Apartment With “Cool Library Lounge” Vibes
Born in New York City, Meg Darda eventually moved away from the city for life, school and work reasons. With her husband, macro economist Mike Darda, they spent over 20 years making the commute into the city, “always making time for a night out in the West Village,” Meg begins. “It was our favorite neighborhood to eat, wander, and imagine a future where we might someday have a little place of our own there.”
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“One day on the subway, I spotted a real estate ad with fantasy-level search criteria: “West Village. Outdoor space. Natural light. Doorman. Fireplace. Dog-friendly… It’s possible.” I typed it into my phone, expecting nothing. One listing appeared,” she continues.
“The top floor, corner apartment was like a nest in the sky above all the action but quiet and bright. Mike loved the quiet corner in the meat packing, and it was convenient for work and close to one of his favorite jiu-jitsu academies, which clinched it for him. We closed a few weeks later,” describes Meg of the home’s purchase, which was actually a small, 500-square-foot studio apartment when they bought it eight years ago.
“One year in, we could not believe how much fun we were having in NYC in our tiny apartment,” Meg continues. But, they started to get curious about something: “[W]ould the neighbor adjacent to us, who had a similarly configured apartment ever consider selling?”
“We could then merge the two studios and have a bit more space. At the time, our neighbor wasn’t interested in selling but a few years later (during the pandemic) we got a call telling us she would consider selling. We jumped at the opportunity, and the rest is history.”
Their home’s renovation took place in 2021, not a great time to be undertaking a big construction project. “Raw materials prices surged. Labor was in short supply. And anyone doing a project quickly found out what elevator clauses are,” she explains.
Meg, who is a healthcare professor, provider and author, sketched the apartment design while sitting at local wine bar, Entwine, which she says served as aesthetic inspiration. The couple worked with architect Peter Storey to bring Meg’s visions to life.
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Paint — White Dove (no one has ever regretted it).
- Floors, Paneling and Cabinets — Unfinished White Oak
ENTRY
- Anderson Windows that double as French doors.
- Tiny entry table for keys and dog leash.
LIVING ROOM
- Mostly filled with finds and inspirations from our travels but a few local artists are special and worthy of support:
- Palio di Siena Italy Racing Horse, Filippo Galgani, Siena Italy
- Sneaker painting — Santiago Garcia, Argentina
- Hand blown glass apples and pears, Marthas Vineyard Glassworks
- Animal Hybrid Art (Weimaraner) Gillie and Marc, Australia
- Seating — Timothy Oulton
- Lamps — Lucas McKearn
- Dining table/desk — 1stdibs
- Throw rugs — Etsy
- Industrial Cabinet: Repurposed from original kitchen apartment
KITCHEN
- Faucet — Kitchen Water Works Faucet (Nickel)
- Tile — ZIA Zellige carbon black Casablanca
- Island Bar — Hudson Company
- Bar lights — Ralph Lauren
- Under counter fridge — Viking
- Wine fridge — Bertazzoni
BEDROOM
- Bed — Restoration Hardware Thaddeus Bed
- Bedding — The Inside, emerald tigresse collection
- Bedroom Desk — Found on Horatio Street curb
- Wall — Faux brick silver distressed
- Closet sliding door — Rustica scrap door
BATHROOM
- KOHLER — Drop in tub
- Tile — Sasha Hex Gray
- Waterworks shower fixtures and hardware
- Towels — The Huntress NYC
BALCONY
- Plants — Original source from Tucson, Arizona, and The Old Yew
- Bistro table — Amazon
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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