As a writer with a knack for home design, I’ve heard “you should start a blog!” more than a few times from encouraging friends. “But there are a lot of interior design bloggers out there,” I’d countered. I wasn’t convinced I had anything to add to that conversation, but I entered Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool Design contest in spring 2022. I didn’t win, but I made the top twenty and caught the eye of an editor who reached out about doing a longer feature and video tour. I was pleasantly surprised and thrilled that I’d have professional photos and videos of an apartment that has been so special to me. Fast forward a few weeks and over three million people had watched my apartment tour on TikTok and Reels. Maybe I did have something to add to the conversation.
By day, I’m quite happy as copywriter for a fashion company, but I’d been looking for another creative outlet. My apartment’s 15 minutes of social media fame seemed like a sign, and the idea for this newsletter came quickly: One post a week for 52 weeks, a year in the studio life, a series of love letters to the tiny home I’ve created. One week I’d spotlight the much-commented-upon couch and the next I’d give tips on how to host a dinner party.
The ideas were flowing, but the project needed a name. I wracked my brain, googled “how to come up with a good blog name,” and wrote down several ideas that didn’t really sound like me. I decided the blog and its name were a problem for future me. I wasn’t thinking about either when, on the flight back from a trip to Greece, I turned on Dirty Dancing as a palate cleanser from the testosterone-fueled Top Gun sequel that had killed off Meg Ryan (who, according to my neighbor, used to live in our building).
I have seen Dirty Dancing many, many times, so I was anticipating my favorite line a few minutes into the endlessly quotable movie. Baby’s dad boasts to the resort’s owner, Mr. Kellerman, that “Baby’s going to change the world.” When Kellerman asks after Baby’s sister, the self-righteous heroine pipes up: “Oh, Lisa’s gonna decorate it.”
Lisa is style, Baby is substance, and it’s clear which one you should aspire to be. Mid-giggle, something clicked. Was that it? Did my theoretical blog have a name? Or was I drunk on Delta’s heavy pour of complimentary red wine? I’d love to follow Baby’s lead (dance pun fully intended) and write something that might change the world—right after my summer fling with Patrick Swayze. But I’m Lisa. I’m going to decorate it.
Starting with my 200 square foot apartment in New York City.
And what’s so bad about that? My home struck a chord with people. Some were merely stricken by what I pay in rent, but most seemed to genuinely like what I’ve done with the place. The thrifted and handed-down furniture, the creative storage solutions, the English-country-inspired design, that ladder chair—I’m proud of it and ready to share it. I’m no professional, but someone pointed out that things that seem intuitive to me are not intuitive to other people. I won’t have all the answers, I won’t try to force you to buy anything, and I probably won’t post much on social media. I will write honestly about the highs and lows of small-space living, I will try to make you laugh, and I will probably sneak in some book recommendations.
I can guarantee style, but hopefully you’ll find some substance too.
Love your small home! Very efficient and cute! And in NYC!
Loved reading this! Very eloquent!!!