They Merged Two Tiny NYC Studios — Now It Feels Like a “Cool Library Lounge” in the Sky

Adrienne Breaux

Mon 19 January 2026 at 9:00 pm UTC

4 min read

They Merged Two Tiny NYC Studios — Now It Feels Like a “Cool Library Lounge” in the Sky

Cozy indoor space with a view of a balcony, featuring a potted plant, a table with a lace tablecloth, and colorful flowers.

Cozy living space with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, a rustic table, and a comfortable chair.

Ceramic bowls and mugs on wooden shelves, with a checkered tile background and a white rose nearby.

Cozy bedroom featuring a green patterned duvet, black and white pillows, a floral vase, and a sliding barn door.

Cozy living space with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, a small table, and a window seat adorned with plants and flowers.

Narrow hallway with exposed brick walls, a gray door, a patterned rug, and a "Dramatic Exit" sign.

Cozy living space with exposed wooden beams, a rustic desk, bookshelves, and a decorative sign.

Modern kitchen with light wood cabinetry, open shelving displaying glassware and ceramics, marble countertop, and a sink.

Cozy bedroom featuring a green patterned duvet, decorative pillows, a bedside table with flowers, and a wall-mounted lamp.

Compact bathroom featuring a marble sink, hexagonal tiles, striped wallpaper, and a glass shower enclosure.

Balcony with black railing, potted plants, and a small table with chairs, overlooking a textured wall.

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: West Village, Manhattan, New York

STYLE: Farmhouse, Rustic

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 1100

Born in New York City, Meg Darda eventually moved away from the city for life, school and work reasons. With her husband, macro economist Mike Darda, they spent over 20 years making the commute into the city, “always making time for a night out in the West Village,” Meg begins. “It was our favorite neighborhood to eat, wander, and imagine a future where we might someday have a little place of our own there.”

“One day on the subway, I spotted a real estate ad with fantasy-level search criteria: “West Village. Outdoor space. Natural light. Doorman. Fireplace. Dog-friendly… It’s possible.” I typed it into my phone, expecting nothing. One listing appeared,” she continues.

“The top floor, corner apartment was like a nest in the sky above all the action but quiet and bright. Mike loved the quiet corner in the meat packing, and it was convenient for work and close to one of his favorite jiu-jitsu academies, which clinched it for him. We closed a few weeks later,” describes Meg of the home’s purchase, which was actually a small, 500-square-foot studio apartment when they bought it eight years ago.

“One year in, we could not believe how much fun we were having in NYC in our tiny apartment,” Meg continues. But, they started to get curious about something: “[W]ould the neighbor adjacent to us, who had a similarly configured apartment ever consider selling?”

“We could then merge the two studios and have a bit more space. At the time, our neighbor wasn’t interested in selling but a few years later (during the pandemic) we got a call telling us she would consider selling. We jumped at the opportunity, and the rest is history.”

Their home’s renovation took place in 2021, not a great time to be undertaking a big construction project. “Raw materials prices surged. Labor was in short supply. And anyone doing a project quickly found out what elevator clauses are,” she explains.

Meg, who is a healthcare professor, provider and author, sketched the apartment design while sitting at local wine bar, Entwine, which she says served as aesthetic inspiration. The couple worked with architect Peter Storey to bring Meg’s visions to life.

Resources

Extended Tours: Kitchen and Bathrooms

PAINT & COLORS

Paint — White Dove (no one has ever regretted it).
Floors, Paneling and Cabinets — Unfinished White Oak

ENTRY

Anderson Windows that double as French doors.
Tiny entry table for keys and dog leash.

LIVING ROOM

Mostly filled with finds and inspirations from our travels but a few local artists are special and worthy of support:
Palio di Siena Italy Racing Horse, Filippo Galgani, Siena Italy
Sneaker painting — Santiago Garcia, Argentina
Hand blown glass apples and pears, Marthas Vineyard Glassworks
Animal Hybrid Art (Weimaraner) Gillie and Marc, Australia
Seating — Timothy Oulton
Lamps — Lucas McKearn
Dining table/desk — 1stdibs
Throw rugs — Etsy
Industrial Cabinet: Repurposed from original kitchen apartment

KITCHEN

Faucet — Kitchen Water Works Faucet (Nickel)
Tile — ZIA Zellige carbon black Casablanca
Island Bar — Hudson Company
Bar lights — Ralph Lauren
Under counter fridge — Viking
Wine fridge — Bertazzoni

BEDROOM

Bed — Restoration Hardware Thaddeus Bed
Bedding — The Inside, emerald tigresse collection
Bedroom Desk — Found on Horatio Street curb
Wall — Faux brick silver distressed
Closet sliding door — Rustica scrap door

BATHROOM

KOHLER — Drop in tub
Tile — Sasha Hex Gray
Waterworks shower fixtures and hardware
Towels — The Huntress NYC

BALCONY

Plants — Original source from Tucson, Arizona, and The Old Yew
Bistro table — Amazon

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