A Brownstone Rental With a Cottage Feel in New York City

When Lisa Miller and her family moved into their New York City brownstone apartment, the 1,400-square-foot rental needed more than a coat of paint.

Over the following months, Miller transformed the three-bedroom, two-story apartment with removable upgrades, thrifted furniture and thoughtful styling, creating a cottage-inspired home without making permanent changes to the rental.

Miller, a full-time content creator and former professional photographer, relocated from Knoxville, Tennessee, with her family two and a half years ago. The move was motivated by her children’s creative ambitions and her own long-held dream of living in New York City. The brownstone is their third apartment since arriving.

“I have spent the last few months decorating it and styling it, and doing our best to get rid of some of the landlord specials,” Miller said.

Renter-friendly design is central to Miller’s approach. Nearly everything she has added can be removed when the family eventually moves, from decorative treatments to furniture and wallpaper. She estimates that about 80% of the furnishings and decor are thrifted, repurposed or refinished, supplemented by affordable finds from Amazon, HomeGoods and Marshalls.

The main living area presented Miller with her biggest design challenge: There was no dedicated dining room. Instead of treating the lack of space as a limitation, she used furniture placement to carve out a dining area within the living room, creating a shared space that accommodates the family’s daily routine.

“We are a family of five, and we like to sit down for dinner every day together,” she said.

The living room, dining area and kitchen have become her favorite part of the apartment, with cottage-inspired details giving the open space a collected, layered feel. One recent thrift find has quickly become a standout: a vintage desk with a roll-top and hutch that Miller refinished with wallpaper on the back. She chose a pattern that coordinates with the room’s drapes.

For Miller, however, the apartment represents more than a successful rental makeover. Growing up in foster care, she said creating a stable home and family of her own has been one of her greatest accomplishments.

“My home is our safe place where we rest, laugh, spend time together and create our favorite memories,” Miller said. “Home to me is everything.”