Creative director and producer Emily Elliott lives in a studio in Brooklyn with his cute dog Nemo. “He thinks the apartment is his,” Emily says. “It’s like having another person nearby.” Here’s a look inside …
About inherited aesthetics: Growing up, my mom was a maximalist; and although I have always wanted to be a minimalist, it has been passed on to me no matter what. I originally wanted the feel of an “industrial loft,” but when I really thought about it, I wanted my apartment to feel less designed and more homey. I brought in plants (lots of them!) To make the space feel fresh and happy. I also found a lot of things on the street or I succeeded.
LIVING AREA:
Concrete table: Goal, similar. Trunk: economical, similar. Alpaca printing: Urban Outfitters.
About creating storage: When I moved here, I cut a lot. I put everything I had in a pile and tried to pick things that meant something to me. The trunk under the TV is my favorite piece throughout the apartment, not only because it adds character, but also because it has a double duty as the main warehouse. In it are all my blankets and supplies of artwork and Christmas decorations. And I hide a lot of things under my bed. Also, don’t open closets because things will leak!
Showcase: Ikea. Speaker: Pottery Barn.
About tender family heirlooms: I have a lot of things from my family that are special to me. My grandmother gave me this oil lamp and it was she grandma. It was used during the Little House in the time of the Prairie, which is crazy to think about.
I’m alive: Before moving here, I always lived with significant others or roommates. At first I was shocked at how quiet it was the whole time. Now I make sure I always have some kind of noise in the background like TV or music. The bonus is that I like to have my space exactly the way I want it, without anyone’s input. If I want to become a human tornado and throw any rejected clothes on the floor, I do it! If I want to keep my place spotless, I do it. If I want to watch music videos from the 90s, I do it!
BED AREA:
Oklahoma sign: Urban farmhouse Oklahoma. Sheets: Brooches. Comforter: Bed, bath still. Circular pillow: Urban farmhouse Oklahoma. Throw: Urban Outfitters, similar. Antique glass: found on a street in Morningside Heights. Antique flour sieve: transferred from grandmother Carpet: Wayfair, similar.
About daily rituals: Quarantine just for me was hard, but I hang there. Every morning, Nemo and I go to Café Beit, and I take coffee, and he treats me. Then we go to the park and he plays for half an hour while me and the other dog owners smoke in the breeze. He likes routine and I met the cafe owner and my neighbor. In the evening we will take a super long walk through the park, where I put music into my headphones and leave myself alone in my thoughts. I will stop by the dagger under my building where I am friends with the owner; then I will bathe completely unnecessarily with candles and bath bombs.
Basket vase: bought on a trip to St. Lucia, similar. Fish hook plant: Sprout Home. Lamp: Pottery barn, similar. Bulb: Lighting and parts for ducts, similar. White vase: western elm, similar.
With night organs: I tried to keep my bed simple because there is no real physical separation between the bed and the living room. I also make sure I’m only in bed when I’m in my pajamas and ready to sleep so there’s mental separation and I don’t feel like I’m living on my own bed. I keep a rotating selection of my favorite books on my nightstand. My favorite of all time This is how you lose it written by Junot Diaz, and I will read all the way to Nora Ephron, who started my love for New York long before I moved here.
How to be a good mom plant: My watering schedule for plants is ongoing, but usually whenever I feed Nemo in the morning, I make a circle to see which plant is needed. I do not follow any instructions – if the plant looks sad, I give it some water. This also prevents me from having to water everything the same day which is irresistible and lasts forever.
Dinosaur Planter: Sprout Home, similar. Metal drawers: Urban Outfitters, similar.
About love for dinosaurs: I’ve loved dinosaurs since I can remember. Growing up, I watched Earth before time a thousand times and had about four birthdays with that theme. At one point, my mom was, okay, that’s enough. I have no idea why this carried over into adulthood, but it did. They are simply cool and unusual. Can you name another animal that is the size of a building but beautiful ?!
After adoption No: In March, I was quarantined with my family in Oklahoma, and the animal shelter was flooded with dogs, so I went there to look for it. I was drawn in loud, barking, but my sister said, ‘No. Pick this little man in the corner the others are jumping on. ‘Well, I held him in my lap and he was really cute. Now everyone always stops on the street to talk to him, and all pet owners love to share tips for dogs. He’s a puppy alarm clock / security system. It was love at first sight.
Thank you very much, Emily!!
PS Colorful family house, i Stella’s 175-square-foot studio.
(Photos Alpha Smoot for Cup of Jo.)
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