Sleek Black n’ White

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As someone who values simplicity and functionality, I've designed my home to reflect those values. Hi there! This is Sophie currently living in Boston. After three years of marriage, my husband and I bought our first house at the end of last year.  After years of working as a consultant and experiencing burnout, I decided to quit my job for a better life. Spending more time at home due to COVID-19, I tapped into my passion for interior design and started sharing styling tips and inspiration on YouTube. Life has been great since!

Boston has a lot of old, rustic-style buildings, so it was hard for me to find a house that had a modern and minimalist style, both inside and out. Luckily, a new townhouse was being built nearby, so I bought it right away. Now, there are seven buildings and 14 households in the neighborhood.

Our home is a side-by-side duplex, a multifamily home consisting of two separate units built as a single dwelling with three floors and an area of 1375 sq. ft. excluding the garage and closets. As it was a newly built home, we chose not to make any structural changes. We also got to pick whichever flooring color we wanted at no extra cost before the floor was laid. We chose dark gray-washed tiles throughout the house, including the second floor stairs, and the whole third floor which had previously been carpeted. The black-toned marble in the kitchen was touched up with a solid white coat, and the staircase and walls were also painted white before we moved in.

Just like a typical family house in the US, the garage leads into the house with another door that can be accessed from the outside.

When you enter the home, there is a space where you can take off your shoes which connects to the storage and utility room.

We plan to transform the corner next to the stairs into a home gym. We've already bought a treadmill and are looking to spruce up the wall with a custom mirror, plus bring in additional machines like benches and weights.

The second floor has a kitchen and living room that we have decorated with special care, as our friends and guests usually gather here when they visit.

Sadly, our guests usually say it feels like a deserted art gallery. Well, I don't give a monkey's about what they say, I love how the layout brings an enhanced spaciousness.

I rarely display objects or decorative items that serve no purpose, and even hide everyday items to keep them out of sight.

I'm interested in contemporary art, but don't feel I have the necessary background knowledge or budget to invest in paintings. So, I'm collecting posters and prints, which are more affordable. I especially like commercial posters issued and sold to the public. Both posters were used sometime back in the 1940-60’s. I bought the prints online and custom-ordered matte black metal frames to match the interior.

I'm shopping for a new black leather sofa, but haven't found one that fits my space. Currently, I'm using a 4-seater IKEA sofa with the middle section removed.

We've had this Samsung TV for seven years, and it's still running perfectly, but I'm considering replacing it with a 4K projector since we don't watch much TV, and it's taking up too much room.

My favorite spot in this house is the dining room with its Louis Poulsen PH 5 pendant light. I've been keen to get this lamp in black for ages and I promised myself that once I bought a house, I would buy it. It’s as beautiful in reality as in my dreams.

People have been inquiring about this HAY dining table a lot on Instagram. The price is rather high, so I initially tried to find an alternative product, but nothing could compete with its sleekness and seamlessness. I had no other option than to buy it, and I'm very pleased.

The matte black color of the table makes the dishes look more luxurious and enhances the dining experience.

With limited storage space, I had to get creative to organize the kitchen. I got rid of items I didn't use often and found clever ways to store the rest. Some were moved to the first floor storage, while others were hidden away.

My husband calls this spot the Breakfast Bar. It's part of the island that sits across from the kitchen and in front of the entryway. It's a casual dining and seating area, great for small meals and light reading.

I wanted to create a peaceful place to enjoy coffee and a break – this is the rearview of the island.

The frame is the same as in the living room, but bigger. The poster is the famous Vitra chair collection. It took two months to arrive after ordering.

I hung a classic round mirror by the front of the stairs leading from the second floor to the third to create a selfie zone. At the bottom of the stairs, we keep a collection of empty wine bottles. Although I despise dust-collecting items on display, I couldn't bring myself to throw away these beautiful bottles.

The third floor houses three bedrooms, the largest of which is the master bed, and two separate home offices for each of us. As someone who tends to overthink, I prefer my environment to be as simple as possible. There is something comforting about sitting in emptiness, as it helps me get inspired and motivated.

There's not much in the room – just a wardrobe, bed, mirror, and drawers.

My office also has only the essential supplies. This large white desk is from IKEA and I love it so much.

I was ready to buy a white desk from USM when I spotted this product at IKEA – its large and simple design sealed the deal and I made the purchase right away!

The great thing about this desk is that, compared to the 1500 dollar USM design, it only costs 150 dollars and comes with a 10-year warranty! It's almost the same size and includes thick, solid metal legs – an unbeatable deal.

The Herman Miller Aeron is widely recognized as a top ergonomic office chair. When my husband and I were out shopping, we were fortunate to sit on it. Though pricey, we bought it without hesitation. Working from home often, having a comfortable chair is essential. This chair provides comfort, improves posture, and eliminates back pain.

The interior design of a home is more about expressing the lifestyle and character of those living in it than showcasing one's aesthetic. I don't like orange in my home, but I enjoy visiting bars painted in it. I like to avoid bright home decor, yet I love visiting fancy and glamorous shops and restaurants. Home should be a place that reflects our lifestyle and current mindset, which is why our home should reflect our way of living. Instead of following popular styles, designing a home should be a process of creating a physical and emotional comfort zone that suits our lifestyle best. Thank you all for coming by, hope you enjoyed our house!