My Houzz: A Sunlit 525-Square-Foot Studio in Downtown D.C.
Cheery accessories pop against neutrals in this interior designer’s rental apartment in Washington
On any given Saturday morning, you can find Jennifer Rogers sipping hot tea in her sunny living area, her favorite spot in her downtown Washington, D.C., studio apartment. “I love to sit there in all that natural light while looking out the window and just having quiet reflection time,” says Rogers, an interior designer and the blogger behind Southern Anchors. “It’s the perfect calm way to kick off the weekend before meeting up with friends and exploring my neighborhood.”
At night, that same space makes a great work area. “Being able to work on my computer with a glass of wine, kick my feet up and light a candle is the best way to decompress for me,” she says.
At night, that same space makes a great work area. “Being able to work on my computer with a glass of wine, kick my feet up and light a candle is the best way to decompress for me,” she says.
Plant basket: Pillowfort large storage basket in navy, Target
Rogers thought carefully about her studio’s layout when making design decisions. “The hardest part was finding a way to separate my bedroom and living room. A studio is a very unique space, because there are no walls separating areas,” she says.
She solved the issue with two rugs with similar tones, using one as a base under her sofa and the second as a base for her bed. “I also chose an acrylic coffee table so that it would almost disappear and make the living room seem larger,” she says.
TV stand: Alcott Hill Carrel TV stand, Wayfair; coffee table: Peek coffee table, Wayfair; mirror: Wayfair; rug: Bermuda Easy Shag lattice rug, RugsUSA.com
She solved the issue with two rugs with similar tones, using one as a base under her sofa and the second as a base for her bed. “I also chose an acrylic coffee table so that it would almost disappear and make the living room seem larger,” she says.
TV stand: Alcott Hill Carrel TV stand, Wayfair; coffee table: Peek coffee table, Wayfair; mirror: Wayfair; rug: Bermuda Easy Shag lattice rug, RugsUSA.com
Rogers was drawn to the apartment’s bright light and layout when moving from nearby Arlington, Virginia. She says, “Having my kitchen closed off from my bedroom gives me the illusion of not being in a studio, and it’s nice being able to lay in bed and not stare at a fridge!”
Throw pillows: Etsy, H&M and HomeGoods; sofa: Wayfair
Browse accent pillows
Throw pillows: Etsy, H&M and HomeGoods; sofa: Wayfair
Browse accent pillows
“I really wanted this place to reflect me entirely,” Rogers says. “It was a slow process, because anything I purchased I wanted to be absolutely perfect, so I didn’t have a sofa for three months.” Since this is Rogers’ first apartment on her own, she gave herself a $2,000 decorating budget for the living area. “I actually came in under budget,” she says.
White shelf: Vittsjö, Ikea
White shelf: Vittsjö, Ikea
“When I moved in, the first thing I bought was my bar cart,” Rogers says. “Maybe it’s the blogger in me, but I have always wanted one. I dress it up every season and love rearranging it to put certain things on display.”
Bar cart: Metal, Wood and Leather bar cart in gold, Target; Rosé S’il Vous Plait print: Minted; wineglasses: Stone Tower Winery; hurricane bowl: West Elm; acrylic tray: Etsy; cocktail napkins: Kate Spade; mercury glass jar: HomeGoods
Bar cart: Metal, Wood and Leather bar cart in gold, Target; Rosé S’il Vous Plait print: Minted; wineglasses: Stone Tower Winery; hurricane bowl: West Elm; acrylic tray: Etsy; cocktail napkins: Kate Spade; mercury glass jar: HomeGoods
Careful budgeting allowed for a special treat — a Herman Miller Eames chair, which Rogers says is her favorite piece of furniture. “I got it at an auction for a steal,” she says. “It’s a designer piece that my clients always choose, so it’s a cool feeling to have one of my own. I love being able to put it on display and tell people about it, and I put the pillow and blanket on it so that it appears more inviting to my guests.”
Sticking to a mostly white, gray and gold palette has made it easy for Rogers to play around with accessories and accents. “I have many different design styles and ideas; that’s one reason why I’ve left this current place very neutral,” she says.
Glass apothecary jars: Pottery Barn; lipstick holder: Bed Bath and Beyond; watch holder: Target; dresser: Hemnes, Ikea
Shop similar bedroom dressers
Glass apothecary jars: Pottery Barn; lipstick holder: Bed Bath and Beyond; watch holder: Target; dresser: Hemnes, Ikea
Shop similar bedroom dressers
Design books and jewelry are displayed on top of the dresser.
The studio’s compact kitchen has a tiny oven and limited countertop space, but Rogers keeps the space tidy so it doesn’t look cluttered.
Her bed is a place where she can experiment with looks. “I’m constantly changing pillows, switching out artwork, rearranging bookshelves, trying new bedding and the like,” Rogers says.
Nightstands: Hemnes, Ikea
Nightstands: Hemnes, Ikea
A design touch found throughout the studio is Rogers’ collection of plants. “I have always had a fascination with succulents,” she says. “I started off with one succulent and a plant in the corner by the windows, and it kind of took off from there!”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Jennifer Rogers
Location: Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Size: 525 square feet (48.7 square meters)