This Brooklyn Apartment Is Home to a Family of 5 and a Massive IKEA Wardrobe

Erin Derby
·6 min read
Dwellers in neutral bedroom with floral art above bed.
Chandelier hangs above bed with lots of bedding and pillows in bedroom with wall of storage.
Floral art hangs above bed with striped bedding, throw pillows, and breakfast tray.
Wall of closets topped with storage boxes in bedroom with framed television above wood desk.
Photos hang above candles, camera, basket, and plant on top of covered radiator.
Shoes hang on door in neutral bedroom.
Organ at end of twin bed in neutral bedroom with dresser and ladder bookshelf.
Books and toys on wood and white ladder bookcase in white room.
Animal portrait art on wallpapered section of wall bordered by crown moulding behind bed.
Wood shelves hung above toilet in bathroom with green and white shower curtain.
Blue wallpaper on hallway wall with hooks and silhouette artwork.
White bedroom with clothing rack, television on distressed dresser, and desk.
Computer on white under-lit desk and chair in white bedroom.
Neutral bedroom with Folding screen, macrame curtain, and white desk.
Natural folding screen behind twin bed with throw pillows in white bedroom.
White bedroom with twin bed, natural room divider, rattan lamp, yellow floor mirror, vanity, and area rug.
Sectional sofa in white living room with wood built-in unit and art frame TV hung above distressed dresser.
Beige secional in living room with wallpapered wall, gallery wall, and framed tv hung above distressed sideboard.
Graphic text art on wall in neutral kitchen with drop-leaf pedestal table and metal chairs.
Fruit bowl on wood drop-leaf table in kitchen with beige cabinetry and wallpapered entry.
Beige cabinetry in kitchen with white tile backsplash and off-white walls.
Floating shelves above oven in corner of white kitchen.
Coffee maker and ingredients on wood and rattan cabinet in nook off of kitchen.
Stacked white washer and dryer in laundry nook.

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

STYLE: Eclectic, Traditional, Vintage

BEDROOMS: 4

SQUARE FEET: 1200

It’s not unusual for families to outgrow New York City. As families begin to expand, it’s entirely reasonable to move to the suburbs or another, less crowded city in search of more space and affordability.

That’s why it’s surprising that Lisa Miller, a photographer turned content creator, decided to move with her family of five (including her husband, Dusty, and three kids, London, Cooper, and Luke) from Tennessee to Brooklyn.

Fruit bowl on wood drop-leaf table in kitchen with beige cabinetry and wallpapered entry.

The family wanted to pursue their creative dreams, Lisa says. So three months ago the family started renting a four-bedroom apartment that’s a mix of eclectic, vintage, and traditional styles. (Lisa even documents their new life on her YouTube channel.)

“I have a huge passion for decorating and curating items for my home that have meaning and unique-to-me beauty,” Lisa writes. “My new decorating motto in our Brooklyn apartment is not to follow trends that I will tire of in the ever-changing home decor world, but to stick with things that make me (and the other members of my family) ‘feel’ something.”

Since moving in, Lisa and her family have found ways to make non-permanent changes to their apartment (like repainting the kitchen cabinets) while appreciating the original details, like the built-in shelving in the living room. “I’m even in love with the creaky (and uneven) floors. It screams character and charisma,” Lisa shares.

Organ at end of twin bed in neutral bedroom with dresser and ladder bookshelf.

And even though their new home might be different from what they’ve been used to, their new apartment’s separate layout has actually benefited the family.

“We are so used to modern, open floor plans these days, but I really find beauty in the individuality of each room and each person having a dedicated space,” Lisa explains. “I really try to let my kids have an opinion on their decor as they get older, and I think each of us has our own unique space in our home!”

Resources

Wall of closets topped with storage boxes in bedroom with framed television above wood desk.

PAINT & COLORS

  • Cabinets — Heirloom Traditions “Putty”

Blue wallpaper on hallway wall with hooks and silhouette artwork.

ENTRY

  • Wallpaper — Wallpops “Equity Sherrod”

  • Art “Vienna Lyrics” — Etsy

  • Rug — Ruggable

Beige secional in living room with wallpapered wall, gallery wall, and framed tv hung above distressed sideboard.

LIVING ROOM

  • Couch — Rooms to Go

  • Rug — Jesper Stone

  • Wallpaper — Wallpops “Sage Larkspur”

  • Chandelier — Amazon

Beige cabinetry in kitchen with white tile backsplash and off-white walls.

KITCHEN

  • Table — Wayfair

  • Crane Wallpaper — Wallpops

  • Shelves — IKEA

  • “Howdy” Artwork — HeadWestStudio

  • Black Storage Cabinet — Amazon

Chandelier hangs above bed with lots of bedding and pillows in bedroom with wall of storage.

PRIMARY BEDROOM

  • Floral Artwork — Figgums

  • Wardrobe — IKEA

  • Storage Bed — Amazon

  • Rug — Ruggable

  • Desk Chair — Wayfair

  • Green Quilt — Target

  • Sheets — Brooklinen

  • Boys’ Bedding — Beddy’s

  • Daughter’s Bedding — IKEA

Wood shelves hung above toilet in bathroom with green and white shower curtain.

BATHROOM

  • Shower Curtain — West Elm

  • Wallpaper — “Sage Larkspur” Wallpops

Thanks, Lisa!

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

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