In a demonstration of creative interior design, Christie Ward has adeptly transformed a compact studio apartment in New York City into a stylish living space. Despite its 650 square feet, the apartment features innovative solutions like a partition screen that redefines the living and sleeping areas, breaking conventional design norms.
Ward, who co-founded the homeware brand el mono home and leads the design firm Ward & Gray, has made the West Village her home for most of the past decade. With a desire to create a unique haven, she and her husband, Sharif Zu’bi, seized the opportunity to buy their dream studio, which offers views of greenery rather than neighboring buildings.
Upon moving in, Ward recognized the potential for improvement amid a layout that felt cramped due to design flaws such as insufficient closets and thin flooring. With the help of metalworker Doug Newton, she constructed a glass-paneled divider to separate the living area from the bedroom while bringing in natural light.
The kitchen underwent a thoughtful redesign, including the addition of a desk by the window and enhanced storage solutions. Vintage elements, with contemporary accents like a deVOL kitchen, offer a personal touch. Ward specified her cabinetry in Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue, a hue she found aesthetically pleasing over months of deliberation.
Throughout the renovation, every detail was meticulously chosen to reflect a ‘collected’ personal style, from the striped upholstery of the sofa to the orange pillows that inspired a custom rug for the bedroom. Highlights include a custom coffee table and handcrafted drinking glasses, all designed to capture sunlight.
The couple faced challenges during the renovation, particularly water damage from a neighboring fire, which temporarily relocated them to London. There, Ward collaborated with deVOL on kitchen designs, integrating unique features such as marbling patterns that recurred in the bathroom.
After a year and a half of renovations culminating in 2022, the couple was thrilled to settle into their West Village home, emphasizing that the new dining nook has significantly enhanced their daily lives. Stylish yet functional, this studio showcases the potential of small living spaces when approached with creativity and intent.
