Molly Garber and Braden Pierce faced a common New York City dilemma: how to make a one-bedroom apartment work for a family of three. With co-op rules preventing them from adding a second bedroom, the couple had to get creative with their living space.
Their solution? Redesigning the lower level of their Fort Greene duplex to include a sleeping niche and a home office. Despite the challenges of a narrow rowhouse layout, Molly and Braden managed to create a functional and stylish living space for themselves and their 1-year-old daughter, Lillian.
The 1,000-square-foot co-op featured a single bedroom and bathroom upstairs, with an all-purpose room and half bathroom downstairs. The lower floor, although partially below grade, had windows on two sides and access to a small private garden, making it a surprisingly bright and inviting space.
The couple worked with designer Ryan Brooke Thomas, who conveniently lived in the same building, to come up with a plan that maximized the use of their limited square footage. The result was a thoughtful layout that included a sleeping nook for Lillian, a cozy home office for Braden, and a stylish living and dining area for the whole family to enjoy.
Despite the challenges of living in a small space, Molly and Braden’s creative solution shows that with some ingenuity and the right design choices, it is possible to make even the tightest quarters feel comfortable and welcoming. Their story serves as inspiration for anyone facing similar constraints in their own living situation, showing that with a little imagination, any space can be transformed into a functional and beautiful home.
