This Once-Drab Harlem Rental Transformed into a Bold, Glam, Patterned Home
Adrienne Breaux
·7-min read
"Perhaps I took the metaphor too far, but I really do see my home as being a true representation of not only my design aesthetic, but also who I am as a human person," begins interior designer and entrepreneur Minetta Archer. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
Minetta has been renting this 725-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment in Central Harlem for 15 years, and has also made plenty of updates. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"I really do love every room," she answers when asked about her favorite room, eventually going with the living room. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"That's where [I] spend most of my time, and it serves multiple purposes: entertaining, working, dining. It's also the space that I've updated most often." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
Minetta uses words like "colorful, homey, inviting, peaceful, and eclectic" to describe her home's style. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"The biggest challenge for me was allowing the space to evolve over time. When I first moved in, I wanted to decorate immediately, but I didn’t have the budget to do so. I started slowly making changes whenever I could afford to update," Minetta says. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"In the end, I’m glad that I allowed myself time to live in the space and figure out what I truly wanted and needed. It also allowed me to hone my style and find my true aesthetic. I’m now a big proponent of “slow decorating.” Moving too fast can end up costing money and unintended waste." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"The oldest item in my home is probably my living room credenza," Minetta admits. "It’s an MCM piece that dates back to approximately the 1950s." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"I purchased it in Chicago, personally refinished it, and moved it with me to NYC." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
Minetta says one of her indulgences is good-smelling candles. "I love DW Home. This one is a strong earthy masculine scent that to me is perfect for fall/winter." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"My home is filled with so many DIY projects. It's one of the things I'm most proud of," Minetta says. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"The last project I did was my kitchen reno. This was an update of the previous DIY version 3.0." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"I repainted the ceiling, changed the wallpaper, covered the countertops in faux marble contact paper, stenciled the floors, and made a valance." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
Minetta says not to look TOO closely [at] the kitchen counters, though. "I used a faux marble contact paper to cover the existing '90s laminate," she writes. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"It was my first time doing this project and let's just say it wasn't as easy as they make it look on YouTube. The cuts and air pockets definitely leave a lot to be desired. However, it fulfills both the aesthetic and functional value that I was l going for." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"The one thing that people usually ask about is the bedroom wallpaper," Minetta says. Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"It's a vintage German print that I purchased on eBay. The vendor had just enough for me to finish the bedroom." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
"Another dirty little secret is when you pull the bed out from the wall, the wallpaper doesn't go all the way down to the baseboard." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
In the past 15 years, interior designer (and short-term business owner) Minetta Archer and her apartment, this rent-stabilized 725-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment in Central Harlem, have undergone a lot of changes.
"Learn to live with less," Minetta advises. "I'm a self-proclaimed maximalist and I've often had a hard time living by my own advice. But one of the things I've learned is that clutter in your space creates clutter in your mind and in your life. I've had to really be discerning about letting go of certain things and only keeping the most useful and most meaningful." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
“I had a major career change and found my passion for design through experimenting and taking risks within my home. In doing so, I think it’s helped me to find myself and find my voice,” Minetta begins. “When you’re designing your own space, you really have to ask yourself the questions: Who am I? How do I want to live? What are the most important things to me?”
When Minetta first moved into this rental apartment, she says she doesn’t think it had been updated since the 1990s! “It was very plain, drab, and devoid of any character or personality,” she begins. “Now, I think the space really represents my personality well. It’s bold, vibrant, colorful, and full of patterns and unexpected mixes. It doesn’t adhere to conventional rules or expectations.”
"The other bit of advice I always hear is 'do not customize a rental, don’t spend too much money on a place that you don’t own.' A lot of people advised against putting up wallpaper or painting, but what I've realized is that if you're going to live in your home you must enjoy it! Your home is your refuge. Don't let the fear of losing your security deposit deter you from enjoying your space." Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
She reports that her apartment is a “mix of high and low, custom and thrifted, old and new (a $40 dresser that I’ve had for 16 years, my bedroom lamps, bench and other pieces that I brought with me from Chicago), and lots of DIY. I think this mix is what gives the space personality and soul.”
"I guess the biggest 'design rule' that I've broken in my home is the disparate mix of color and pattern. I think people are sometimes afraid to mix things up in their homes and end up playing it safe. Where’s the fun and enjoyment in that?" Credit: Alex StaniloffCredit: Alex Staniloff
“I think what’s unique about my home is that I’ve created this amazing space to suit my personal needs, but I also share it with complete strangers. I travel extensively and when I’m away, I offer my home to guests who are visiting NYC. This has been tremendously fulfilling for me because I get to share the space, my neighborhood, and a unique experience — a home away from home.
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