This Chicago Apartment tour looks like a luxury hotel

When the Junior Graphic designer Everygirl, Marta Taras, moved to his studio apartment at this time in the center of Chicago City, it was the first time he designed a house completely for himself. After moving to the US from Belarus at the age of 24, graduated from college, and then through divorce, he finally had a free control ‘in nearly 30â €. Attracting inspiration from favorite films and luxury hotels, he created a calm and comfortable space filled with personality and funny touch. Although the entire apartment covers less than 400 square feet, Studio Marta, which is curated with consideration of offering perfect escape from Chicago’s busy life. Continue to read for a complete tour of Marta Apartment, along with the best tips to make a small space feel like a house.

Chicago Marta Taras Studio Tour

Details:

Name: Marta Taras
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Square footage: 380 square feet
Rent/alone: Rent

You have recently celebrated one year working at Everygirlâ € “Congratulations! Tell me about how you start in your company and your career path that leads to this.

I joined Everygirl a year ago as a junior graphic designer. Before that, I worked as a freelance designer with a small business after graduating from a design school in Milwaukee. I really found a position on LinkedIn and decided to take a chance and propose. I still remember writing my application letter to the director of my future artsâ € ”never thought it would really happen! Honestly feel like a dream to work here!

You moved from Belarus to the US all six years ago. How does it feel to start again in a different country, and is there any suggestions you hope you can give in the past during that transition?

I moved to the US alone in 24, only knew my ex -husband, and had to start from the beginning: new language, new system, everything new. I do not doubt myself, but I must feel lonely. Everyone says your 20s must be the most fun, but for me, it’s more about survival and growth. I am still working to build friendship, especially because I just moved to Chicago from Milwaukee. If I can tell myself in the past, it will be: dreaming big and living an extraordinary life â € “because why not?

What are the biggest adjustments that move here from Belarus, and how your apartment helps make Chicago feel like at home?

Moving to big cities like Chicago, everything feels new and fastâ € ”so many people, so much happened all the time. It’s fun but also extraordinary. That is why my apartment means so much to me. This is my safe space. No matter what happened outside, I went home and felt peaceful. This is the only place that really feels like mine.

This apartment is your first time decorating space that is only for you. How do you let your personality shine throughout the room?

Growing up, I shared the restroom with my sister, then lived in a dormitory with other students for six years, and after that, with my ex -husband. So it wasn’t until I was almost 30 years old that I finally live aloneâ € “and honestly, it feels like a dream.

This room is entirely mine, and I like to fill it with things that reflect who I am. I made him soft, comfortable, and a little play -playing -mixed pieces with personal touch such as art books, candles, and warm tones. This is calm, creative, and feels like big breath at the end of the day.

Your apartment is a fairly tight studio in space. Run us through how you decide on the layout that is most suitable for your lifestyle.

It takes time to imagine everything! Because this is a small studio, I must be intentional with every corner. I put my bed near the window and as close as possible to the wall, then add a thin curtain for my canopy bed to make a comfortable sleeping corner. I use two chairs to separate the “bedroom” area from all rooms. Because I often work from home, I make sure my table is in a place with good light but still feels quite separate to help me focus. Even though everything is one room, the layout creates a small zone for various parts of my day.

Instead of sofa, you choose two beautiful green velvet chairs. What makes you interested in this setting through a more traditional sofa?

I think I really appreciate my personal space € ”Even when I have friends, I like each of us to have our own comfortable chairs. Plus, when I explore hotel rooms for inspiration, I see this kind of settings appear a lot. It feels beautiful, intentional, and perfect for the vibrations that I want to make.

Your apartment is full of books and spacms that add so many personalities. Do you have a shop in to shop for these items?

I have slowly built a collection of taschen book € “they are my favorite, and I will be happy to have full shelves one day. The rest of my books are mostly saving! I find many of them in used bookstors in the arts section. I like the mixture of my characters.

You may stay in the studio, but you have done many things with the space you have. Do you have a hacking to maximize space in a small apartment?

You must be completely intentional with your furniture choices. I avoid open shelves because they can make a small space feel messy. Mirror and artwork on the walls make big differences “they add depth and personality. I like to play with shape, using a round coffee table and chair to soften space. And almost every furniture that I choose has innate storage” is the key to keeping things organized and maximizing every inch.

You live with the most adorable roomie, a cavapoo named Chester. What is your secret to keep your space clean and organized with pets?

I have a vacuum robot called Wall-E, and to be honest, this is the best purchase I have ever done and that makes the floor clean with almost no effort from me. Because my room is small, it really makes it easy to be annoying because everything is fine, but it’s everywhere, I really pull, and some are everywhere. The dryer right in my unit makes it very easy to wash everything whenever needed.

When you are not in the Everygirl office, you work remotely from home. How does your table area keep you inspired and motivated?

My workspace is quite simpleâ € ”Only one stairs table with a comfortable shelf and chair. I didn’t add much because I really spend a lot of time working from a coffee shop around the city. To be honest, it can be better, but makes my apartment a more comfortable home is a more priority because I have access to a good leakage in my building.

“Your home must make you feel calm and inspired.”

How do you describe your personal style? Do you have advice for someone who tries to nail them?

I don’t like the maximum chaos or style, and I certainly don’t like to collect many things. For me, it is important that my space feels flexible enough to move if I want, so minimalism makes sense. But I also think minimalist can feel boring if only beige and white everywhere. That’s why I chose a soothing and comfortable color palette but with enough personality to keep it attractive. My advice? Quality more than quantity. Find a balance that feels peaceful but also triggers the joy of your home must make you feel calm and inspired.

What are the sources of your favorite design inspiration, both at home and your job?

Film is a very big source of inspiration for me. I like directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Martin Scorsse, Quentin Tarantino, and Wes Anderson, and I always screenshot photos and interesting details from their films. Traveling also inspired me, especially living in a beautiful hotel. I want my apartment to feel like a hotel room that is full of style: calm, comfortable, and a little special. Sometimes, I even explore Booking.com just to get fresh ideas. For me, inspiration is everywhereâ € ”I just have to open my eyes.

Your bed seems to belong to the four -season suite ”complete with canopy panels and silver trays for breakfast on the bed. What inspires this arrangement?

You are really rightâ € ”The Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton Exactly my inspiration! I want to create the same luxury feeling like a hotel, but in a budget-friendly way for me. I spend hours to make a very good space. Chic.

Do you have a used or vintage discovery in your apartment? If so, what is your favorite score?

Of course! I found two beautiful lights on the Facebook market that I really like. I have also taken small details such as silver, photo frames, and former silver tray. I hope I can be more efficient, but because I don’t have a car, it’s a little difficult to take good findings when I see it!

“I like a high and low mixtureâ €” that makes my space feel personal and full of characters. “

As a graphic designer, it’s only natural that you have eyes for art. How do you choose the artwork displayed around your apartment?

Choosing a work of art is actually the hardest part of € ”I really want to cover up every wall! But I think when choosing decorations, it is important to consider the feelings that you want to have every time you see it. For me, my goal is to be inspired as a woman. That is what reminds my russ.

What is your ideal day like in Chicago?

The ideal day I will start with a hard jazz, walk with Chester, and ice latte before heading to the dog’s garden € ”Nobody defeated him to live his best life (yes, I was the dog’s mother). yoga, and one -only in the house, and one -only at home with yoga, and one -only at home with yoga, and one -only in the house, and one -only at home with yoga, and one -only in the house, and one in the house, and one at home at home, and one -The is Tea in Gold at home, and one -only at home at home with yoga in Gold, and one -only at homeage coast, and one -only at home with yoga in gold, and one -only at homeagening well.

Is there anything else to know about you or your home?

Having a small space does not mean you can’t change your style! I like to change the color of my bed ”sometimes ivory, sometimes brownâ €” depends on my mood. I also like to play with a different tablecloth on my coffee table or add fresh and colorful flowers. A small space can really be chic if you have the right inspiration and measurement. I have bought everything friendly budget, but people are often surprised because they don’t look like that!

About the author

Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor

As an assistant editor for Everygirl, Lauren Ideates and wrote content for each aspect of our readers’ life. His articles reach the topics of books that must be read, movies, home tours, travel plans’ and all of them. When he does not test the latest tiktok trends, he can be found exploring goodreads for new releases to be displayed on the site.