His apartment's entryway doubles as a gallery space. The shoe storage is from IKEA. Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
A view of the windows and Steven's work-from-home area from the entryway. The standing desk frame is from Amazon, and the desktop is from IKEA. The desk chair is from Office Depot. Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"Lighting makes or breaks a space, so it's worth putting in care and effort into getting it right!" Steven advises. "It's probably the most important way to make a space both functional and beautiful and highlight the objects that you have in your space." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"My apartment only came with a couple of generic overhead lights, so creating a lighting scheme that's comfortable both when I'm working during the day and when I'm relaxing at night has been crucial. Pretty much all of my lights are integrated with Apple HomeKit, and I've set up several different Scenes and automations to help accommodate different moods throughout the day." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
Steven says his living room area contains his record collection and more. "The main pieces (couch, record shelves, storage/display units, and rug) are all from IKEA and the lift-top coffee table is from Amazon. I've gotten a lot of the other things from Etsy and different shops around Chicago. One of my favorite pieces is the Tizio Lamp, which I got from Lightology (a local lighting store)." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
Steven says the living room area is actually his favorite element. "It has a lot going on, and I really like the mix of solutions I've settled on to accommodate all of it," he writes. Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"I have my couch, reading nook, TV, record collection, a set of storage cabinets that double as a display space, and a console table that holds a lot of my books and objects I've collected. It's all happening in a pretty small space, but I just love how it all comes together!" Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
The console table is from Amazon. "I love rearranging it and displaying some of my favorite things! The 'bedroom' is off to the left, and my small galley kitchen is behind the wall." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"I splurged and bought the Samsung Frame TV, which doubles as a way to display art when not watching TV — totally worth it," Steven admits. "Also pictured is a small tabletop 'Fireplace,' which makes the space super cozy at night." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"The most recent decor piece is the beautiful VARMBLIXT mirror/light from IKEA that I have hanging above my bed!" Steven begins. "I've been a longtime IKEA lover (I actually had my first job there), and I love how they've introduced a lot of higher-end pieces that don't break the bank recently." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
Steven says the bedroom area also doubles as his bookkeeping area. "I wanted this area to be super calming and cozy," he explains. "My bed and bookshelves, with add-on cabinet doors, are from IKEA, and then my nightstand is the Gehry Twist Cube from Design Within Reach." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
"Functionally, the biggest thing I've gotten is a countertop dishwasher," Steven explains. "My apartment doesn't have a built-in one, and getting that has literally changed my life." Credit: Steven RussellCredit: Steven Russell
Steven Russell says his apartment — this 410-square-foot studio apartment in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood — is a big part of his life. “Not only is it the space in which a lot of my life happens, I also see it as a reflection of my personality and the things I care about,” he begins. “I have been fully WFH since the start of COVID, and spend a large portion of my time at home, so having a space that can accommodate multiple functions and moods is incredibly important.”
“I have a variety of interests, and I love collecting physical things like books and vinyl records, so figuring out how to find a balance of all of those that feels authentic without being cluttered in a smaller space has been a challenge that I’ve enjoyed undertaking.”
“Despite valuing the ethos and aesthetics of minimalism, I’m a collector and a lover of physical things at heart,” Steven admits. “I think that provides an interesting tension for how I go about designing my spaces. I’ve focused a lot on how to organize my things in a way that puts them on display without feeling cluttered or excessive, and have gotten a lot of inspiration from different small-space Instagram accounts and YouTube channels.”
“I think my guiding design principle is to allow any/all objects or styles that I like into my space, and subsequently create a context for them that feels comfortable and restrained. The color palette I’ve employed involves a lot of blacks, whites, and other neutrals, and then my possessions provide the color and character that make it interesting. I also have a lot of Chicago-related things that make me feel at home in the city I love. Essentially, my advice is to bring in anything that brings you joy, and find a way to make it all work together!”
