This Colorful 480-Square-Foot NYC Rental Uses Every Nook and Cranny

Adrienne Breaux

January 14, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.·6 min read

Green couch and framed art in white space — Abby Starobin, a designer and the founder of Symphony Lane, describes her home today as "cheerful, colorful, cozy, eclectic, fun." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

television with scalloped wall shelves above it — The wall color in the living room is Backdrop's "Rose Quartz." The media console and the display case is from IKEA (although she DIYed the media console a bit). The large white vase is vintage from Facebook Marketplace.
Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

small home office setup — "This is my little work area in my living room," Abby explains. "I took advantage of vertical storage by installing floating shelves that go up to my ceiling, and a pegboard with different attachments, including a spot for my niece's artwork!" Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Rattan bookcase in white space — "This is the other side of my living room. There’s usually a true crime show on the TV. Because I don’t have a place to hide my step ladder, I had to get a cute one!" She got the step ladder from Amazon. The candles were handmade by Abby. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

kitchen with wallpaper and black and white tile floors — Abby says the entire kitchen was a renter-friendly renovation. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Items and vases in white and green kitchen — "I added the flooring, [a] stenciled accent wall, backsplash, lighting, microwave shelf, sink attachment, mini dishwasher, mounted hooks for utensils, and even the light switch plate," she describes. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Plants and items in green and white kitchen — "The entire left side of the kitchen was blank when I moved in, so I added upper and lower cabinets, a supply closet, and a little dining area." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

colorful bird perched on a colorful piece of parrot art — This is Lola, Abby's bird roommate. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

hallway with scalloped rug and framed art — "Fill your home with things that make you happy; vertical storage; replace ceiling lights; and a big comfy sofa," advises Abby. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Art and items on purple and white walls — Her small but powerful entryway. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Red and white wallpaper in hallway — Abby makes quite a few visual statements in her home with strips of wallpaper in small spots. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

bedroom corner with floral bedspread and wicker vintage headboard — "I always get headboards instead of bed frames, because they’re easier to switch up," Abby writes. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Abstract painting on white wall over dresser — Abby says her favorite room is the bedroom. "I’m mostly remote, so my bedroom brings me peace and relaxation. Plus it’s really cozy and feminine." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Rattan chair in blue and white bedroom — "I painted all of the trim in my bedroom a gorgeous cornflower blue. It really helps accentuate the height of the closets. Painting the trim is another way to add a punch of color without painting an entire wall. I also painted the door knobs to match, which I love. They were previously painted white." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

white vintage vanity set with flowers on top — "This is my 'glow-up' area in my bedroom. The desk is probably my favorite Facebook Marketplace find to date. I splurged on the mirror, only because it was absolutely perfect and I couldn’t find a better one." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

peach bathroom with wallpaper and colorful rug — Although Abby says the bathroom was "disgusting" when she moved in, she says the most impactful thing she did was give "it a proper deep clean. I grabbed a toothbrush and some bleach and went to town." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Peach wall and white tiled bathroom — "I found a couple of narrow storage carts to utilize the awkward gaps next to my sink," she continues to describe about her bathroom. "Also, highly recommend getting your own toilet seat. Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

Green and peach details on white wall — Thanks, Abby! Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York

STYLE: Colorful, Eclectic, Maximalist

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 480

When Abby Starobin first toured this 480-square-foot apartment in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood two years ago, it was during a crowded open house, and the last tenant’s stuff was still inside. She said it was hard to see just how bad of a shape this space was actually in.

Woman sitting on green couch in white space — "I probably spend the most time here," Abby describes of her living room. "I love my gallery wall and am always looking for new pieces to add. I love combining old and new styles." Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

“There were broken tiles, missing pipes, and it was filthy,” she writes, describing the home before she moved in as “decrepit, neglected, run-down, gross.” But the building’s 1918-era charm was evident, and she “decided to revive it to its former glory. Plus, I love a project.”

Framed art on white wall — Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

“I’ve moved almost every year since living in NYC, so I wanted a place I could put roots down. This is also my first solo apartment, so it was extra important to me to make it a place I loved. I live here with my bird (and design assistant), Lola!” Abby explains.

Items on wood shelves in white and green space — Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

“I always say my apartment is a self-portrait. I’m a naturally creative person, and this apartment has truly been a canvas for me to express myself,” she continues. “Every detail is intentional and tells a story, like the framed photo of my late father who built solar-powered homes in the ’80s, or my DIY media console.”

Framed art on peach wall over white tiling — Credit: Abby Starobin Credit: Abby Starobin

“I love to experiment with color and pattern and combine looks that wouldn’t ordinarily ‘go.’ It’s an ongoing project and brings me so much joy. As a budding interior designer, I see spaces as opportunities to tell a story. This apartment has been my playground for exploring styles, refining my skills, and pushing boundaries — qualities I bring to every project I take on,” Abby, who is a designer and the founder of Symphony Lane, writes.

Resources

KITCHEN

Floor — Amazon
Wall — Stencil from Etsy (paint colors are Backdrop’s “Rose Quartz” and Clare’s “Pink Sky”)
Window hangings — Vintage
Art print — Society6
Stools — Wayfair
Curtain — Amazon
Ceiling light — Target
Backsplash — Amazon
Cabinet hardware — Etsy
Fruit basket — Target

LIVING ROOM

Wall color — Backdrop’s “Rose Quartz”
Sofa — IKEA with custom Bemz cover
Rug — Etsy
Tray — The Lacquer Company
Tissue box — Etsy
Yellow pillow — Target
Patterned pillow — Vendor from Fort Greene Flea
Lumbar pillow — Feng Sway
Large round pillow — Urban Outfitters
Small round pillow — West Elm
Art from either Society 6 or Artfully Walls; middle right is framed business cards I got in France
Ceiling light — IKEA
Plant light — DIY
Media console — IKEA DIY
Floating shelves — Stooped from the street in Brooklyn!
Display case — IKEA
Bookends — Target
Step ladder — Amazon
Diptych — Society 6
Flower vase watercolor — My mom painted in the ’80s
Art in gold frame — Actually is a printout of “THE note” from Jersey Shore
Large white vase — Vintage from FBM
Faux pink palms — Amazon
Vase with flowers — Amazon
Striped vase — IKEA
Candles — Handmade by me

BEDROOM

Desk — Vintage from FBM
Chair — Vintage from FBM
Mirror — Dream Fishing Tackle
Paint color — DecoArt furniture paint in “Refreshing”
Vase — Vintage from FBM
Sconces — West Elm, then painted
Cake Stand — Mother of Junk
Ceramic wall hanging — Vintage from FBM
Necklace holder — Etsy
Ceiling light — IKEA

Thanks, Abby!

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

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