Transitioning from a blank canvas to highly personalized style often requires time, cooperation and a little elbow grease. This was the case for New Yorker Amanda Barlow, a marketing manager for the United States Council for International Business, who downsized out of a spacious rental in Queens into a 600-square-foot apartment in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood.
The largest challenge: Barlow had more furniture than she knew what to do with. However, with the help of longtime friend and designer Jeanie Engelbach, she strolled through her eclectic bits to make a well-curated, color- and – pattern-happy flat with sprinkles of punk rock. “I feel like this is the happiest space in New York,” she states. “It’s sophisticated, airy and bright. It’s a good balance from my day job.”
at a Glance
Who lives here: Amanda Barlow
Location: East Village neighborhood of New York
Size: Around 600 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Barlow, shown here, was choosy in regards into her collection of knickknacks and accessories. “I was on a shoestring budget, but I needed help finding a way to fit some of it while also making it quite me,” she states.
Luckily, Engelbach specializes in helping people creatively reorganize their distances, and discovered a means to help Barlow form through all her eclectic things.
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Barlow has a small punk rock soul that tends to melt in subtle ways throughout the flat, like using a candle set adorned with a dark skull.
Sofa: Sutton Sofette, West Elm; around table: Bouncing Souls show at Webster Hall; pubs: Crate & Barrel; wallpaper: PrintIcon
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Knickknacks and art collected from various street fairs — “Things that actually reflect me and create the space a little more private,” Barlow says — decorate a toile-covered cutout in the living room.
Toile fabric: Zarin Fabrics; puppy portrait: twofewbullets
Chris A Dorsey Photography
As with many apartments in nyc, Barlow’s has essentially no closet space, therefore finding other creative ways to deal with storage has been significant. This market, outfitted using repurposed shelving, became a home for Barlow’s books and DVDs.
Shelving: custom by carpenter Dominic Kelly; paint: Peony satin, Benjamin Moore
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Many corners and spaces display Barlow’s various ranges out of her travels. This miniature chandelier sits in an ice container.
Chandelier: Bergdorf Goodman; lamp: purchased at a street fair
Chris A Dorsey Photography
“I am all about restyling and repurposing, especially if the budget is tight,” states Engelbach. She utilized a tray out of Ship Bottom Antiques as an art piece in the kitchen, along with a spray painted mirror found at a stoop sale in Astoria, Queens.
Elephant print: purchased at a street fair; rug: T.J.Maxx; paint: Mayan Green, Benjamin Moore; dining table: 1940s, Chelsea Antique & Collectible Flea Market
Chris A Dorsey Photography
On a nearby shelf are mugs and a striped teapot out of Whittard in England.
Angel mug: Ship Bottom Antiques, eBay; hanging plate: Fuego 718; red teapot: Surprise! Surprise!
Chris A Dorsey Photography
However, the treasured display of Barlow is on her bedroom wall. “I am such a lover of pinups, burlesque and vintage poster art,” she states. “It sets the tone for your bedroom, because it makes me feel like I am surrounded by powerful females. Every day I wake up, I feel empowered.” The portraits comprise one of Barlow’s mother and a Dolly Parton print by Kii Arens out of La La Land Posters.
A hat collection hangs near a crystal chandelier, which was used as a prop in a Sony retail window screen.
Paint: Black Satin, Benjamin Moore
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Englebach discovered this side table at a street sale in Queens and painted it bright green. “We also did the trimming with glitter as, well, what’s better with glitter,” she states. She also had a custom-cut Plexiglas mirror out of Plasticsland added to the top .
Lamp: Fab; seat: SiteNYC; pinup: Viva Van; smaller three frames: Mode Merr style show booth
Chris A Dorsey Photography
Engelbach designed the oilcloth headboard, which carpenter Dominic Kelly then assembled. “We discovered the fabric and stretched it over the board and added the studs,” Barlow says. “The studs were difficult find, but they add to the character of the piece.”
Headboard: custom by ApartmentJeanie; pillows: Lancelotti Housewares
Chris A Dorsey Photography
The style doesn’t quit in the restroom, where damask vinyl background and pots finished with glitter paint include in-your-face style.
Wallpaper: PrintIcon; toilet seat cover: Homebody Boutique; pink baskets: Saifee Hardware, painted by PartyJeanie with Martha Stewart glitter paint; garbage may: Surprise! Surprise!
Chris A Dorsey Photography
The Joan Jett Barbie doll was a birthday gift to Barlow’s 30th.
Towel hooks: Urban Outfitters
Show us your creative flat!