A 59sqm/640sqft Condo in a Unique Afro-Japandi Style
“My mantra is to love your space no matter the square footage”, Oyin Antwi, industrial engineer, tech entrepreneur, and co-founder of Via Asha Design, told Never Too Small about the 59sqm/640sqft condo she shares with her husband Jeff, a product designer. Together with some guidance from her sister Sade Hoffschroer, an interior designer based in London, the couple created a serene escape from the city that blends Japanese and Scandinavian design hallmarks with influences from their West African heritage. “We call it Afro-Japandi,” offered Antwi of the inviting balance of organic shapes, earth-toned colourway, and crisp light finishes.
The couple lives in the historic neighbourhood of Stuyvesant Heights, known for its well-preserved brownstone and limestone homes and landmarks that date back to the 19th century. Among these historic buildings, their recently constructed building stands out but also fits right in as it was based entirely on the style of the previous townhome that stood there since 1899. When they first moved into their apartment, it was, by Antwi’s telling, “essentially a plain white, one bedroom, one bathroom box”. It has some definite pros, like the open-concept floor plan, but some cons as well, such as very limited storage space in terms of cabinets and closets: “Typical of New York City”, she added. Without making any major adjustments to the layout, Antwi and her husband made some considered updates to ensure the space had the full functionality they needed to live sustainably.
Balancing Ambiance and Functionality
The first order of business was increasing the amount of storage. And in a small space, a little can go a long way: the hot water tank was swapped for a wall-mounted instant heater and a closet for jackets and shoes was gained in the process; the swinging bedroom door was swapped for a pocket door and space for an additional wardrobe was created. In the kitchen, some extra cupboards allowed them to maintain the clean, minimalist feel. With storage accounted for, the couple began their careful styling – which considers ambiance and function in equal measure. “For me, it is all about designing one room or space at a time, making sure to encapsulate the feel that I want in the room before moving on to the next”, Antwi told us about her mission to “make it a place that we will love now and for years to come.”
This attention to detail and cohesion is obvious while moving through the space, which greets you with a terracotta coloured doorway, leaving the neutral whites, blacks, and greys of the condo’s hallways behind. The warm feel of this area is amplified by the terrazzo backsplash and a wood island used for kitchen prep, a quick bite, or a morning coffee. Three large bay windows lure you toward the living and dining area, where an oak-coloured lounge chair and wood side table designed by Jeff, a low profile Japanese coffee table, and wooden acoustic wall panels were used to create a cosier feel in the space. A feeling that is only strengthened by their clever idea to convert the straight ceiling beam into a curved one, which not only adds character but also complements the curves of the bay windows.
Heritage Meets Contemporary
Oyin and Jeff’s home offers one approach to how quality of living in cities can be improved while still respecting the history and heritage of a neighbourhood. “As with other major cities, living in New York City means there’s higher demand than supply”, explained Antwi, “so reconstructing these heritage homes into boutique buildings allows for more people to have housing and is a more sustainable opportunity for this generation to own”. By adapting infrastructure to increase its functionality, more pathways to sustainable living solutions are created for individuals ready to love their space no matter the square footage.
Shop this episode:
