New Yorkers are masters of living in a small space. Now, shopping for a pint-sized designer look is easier than ever.
Popular home décor site Apartment Therapy brings space-saving ideas, sleek design, and cute design to a new pop-up at 515 Broadway, between Broome and Spring Streets.
Opening last Friday and running through May 15, the immersive event is a 12-room showroom, each created by a different designer — think the brightly colored geometric shapes of Memphis deco to the soft color palette of pastoral charm.
Forty different retailers are also participating – including Novogratz, Serena &
Lily and Joybird – With QR codes outside each directional space for items you want to buy.
It’s the brand’s first IRL home design event as part of the Small/Cool Spaces franchise, which has been going strong since it was first launched as a competition in 2005.
“I think the heart of Small/Cool resonates now more than ever,” says Laura Schocker, Editor-in-Chief of Apartment Therapy. “This event is not only about beautiful designs (although there are a lot of them!). It is also about solving problems, finding solutions, and creating a space that feels uniquely. We hope every visitor leaves with an idea they can bring into their home.”
Among the many designers participating in Small/Cool this year is Alvin Wayne, a New York City interior designer who has appeared on “Open House NYC” and HGTV with nearly 2 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
For this event, he created an outdoor urban oasis with Ashley Home Furniture.
“I designed my space for city dwellers, the thought process was a NYC patio or a brownstone deck, space is limited but style is limitless,” he said.
Wayne combined a variety of textures, wood finishes, and a pop of color on the pillows—all perfectly defined by the lush greenery to complete the space.
“I live and work in New York as an interior designer, and the challenge of creating an amazing 120 square foot space is something I have to work with every day in this city. It shows how creative we can be, sometimes making our own space or creating a space for someone else to call home.”
Living more sustainably is another component of small living and is especially important given the high cost of living.
Each room in the pop-up is separated by walls made of recycled wood, and Apartment Therapy has agreed to donate all of the displayed items to Habitat for Humanity after the event.
If you can’t see everything in person, you can wander the online spaces and shop from your phone with custom 3D capture.
Visitors can expect a few surprises throughout the tour and some fun pop-up activities such as a bouquet bar for Mother’s Day and a special guest poet to customize a “small/cool haiku” for attendees inspired by their favorite home design trend. There’s also a street party and games fueled by music out of place on Broadway in partnership with the Toyota Corolla Cross.
“I think a lot of people are thinking about how to do more with less,” Shuker said. “Small spaces, of course, also have the advantage of being more sustainable, and requiring less energy.”
