Susan Galvani, an interior designer, excels in crafting living spaces within tight quarters—a talent honed through her time living in bustling New York. To maximize the potential of her two-bedroom apartment in Charleston, South Carolina, she drew upon inspiration from both close and distant sources—the apartment’s scenic river vistas and the urban lofts of Manhattan. The river views inspired her to keep the interior design understated, emphasizing the view as the focal point, while the Manhattan influence led her to incorporate a chic urban aesthetic. What particularly captivated the design expert was the apartment’s pristine condition, as the rental building allowed her to wallpaper to her heart’s content.
“I aspired to leave my mark on it,” she declares. Susan aimed to preserve the airy, loft-like ambiance that initially drew her to the 1,100-square-foot apartment, and employed various decorating techniques to enhance the space without compromising its openness. With her keen eye for design, Susan transformed the bare-bones rental into a cozy, multi-layered home that feels far more expansive than its actual size. Here are her best strategies for optimizing space and flow.
One of Susan’s strategies was to restrict the color scheme in the main living area to light, vibrant shades. “To avoid a monotonous and dull atmosphere, the secret was to introduce a variety of textures and subtly vary the scale and pattern,” she explains. Warm woods, rattan, linen, and leather accents guide the eye through the living room, enlivening the space with depth.
White paint is not just for walls; it’s also an excellent method to lighten up furniture. White reflects light, conveying a sense of openness, and also makes furniture less noticeable in white-walled rooms.
She was also meticulous in her choice of furniture, opting for fewer, larger pieces to streamline the decor, a low-profile coffee table and storage unit to emphasize the views, and round tables to encourage movement—all in white or neutral shades.
Bold splashes of color are found in artwork and accessories, while the gallery wall creates a dynamic focal point, conveniently diverting attention from the television.
The main living area and kitchen are open to each other, yet Susan cleverly defined the living and dining areas through her furniture arrangement. “You want to create distinct zones while ensuring the space remains versatile,” she notes.
For instance, the dining area stands out, yet Susan can work at the table too. She selected an angled, open bookcase to minimize its intrusion into the space compared to a traditional one. Similarly, the round table is more navigable in an alcove than a square one, and the curved silhouette of the chairs complements the table. Susan personalized the rental’s light fixture with a rattan shade.
Choose fewer but more versatile furniture pieces. For example, opt for a coffee table that can accommodate your child’s artwork instead of separate coffee and play tables.
The kitchen island separates the cooking area from the living space, yet its open, table-like design keeps the space feeling light. White cabinets, pale gray tile on the backsplash, and glass pendant lights blend into the background visually. To prevent an open-concept kitchen from overwhelming the living space, make similarly understated selections.
In the hallway leading to the bedrooms, Susan hung a photograph of the Pantheon in Rome to complement the angles of the adjacent bookcase. A narrow bench, capable of storing baskets beneath, transforms unused space into storage. “In a compact space, it’s crucial to think about how the space can work as efficiently as possible and serve multiple functions,” she emphasizes.
The apartment isn’t solely light and airy. Susan indulged her penchant for patterns and vibrant hues in her son’s room, where the walls are adorned with an enveloping forest-themed wallpaper. “It immerses you,” she remarks—and this sense of escape and contrast can make a space feel more expansive.
To conserve as much play area as possible in her son’s room, Susan chose a daybed that could sit parallel to the wall. Sconces and floating shelves leave more floor space open. Follow her lead and select playful wallpaper to ignite imagination. Just ensure to wallpaper all the walls to maintain the sense of flow, as highlighting only an accent wall can have the opposite effect.
A tall headboard in the main bedroom aligns with the high ceilings. Smart lighting choices free up narrow bedside tables for books, and the floor lamp serves as a piece of sculpture. Furniture with built-in storage, such as a bed with drawers or a storage ottoman, is an excellent way to store more without taking up additional space or adding visual clutter. Simplicity is key when aiming for a bedroom that feels like a sanctuary.
