One of the hardest things to do as you flip through the amazing array of inspiration that you come across on Decoist each day is to stop yourself from trying out the strategies and ideas just because you live in a rental. That’s right; the hardest thing for design aficionados to do is to contain themselves simply because they cannot make permanent changes to the space they live in. Of course, you can still do a whole lot to alter your rented home, and this ingenious and exquisite apartment in New York City is a perfect case in point.

Designed by The New Design Project, the stylish space shies away from using bold color, as white and shades of gray shape its curated interior. But going down the monochromatic route does not mean there is not enough excitement and contrast here, as a cool, exposed brick wall in the living room, upcycled low stools crafted from old cable reels, metallic lighting fixtures and wooden décor additions provide all the excitement one needs. And yet not one of these relies on making permanent changes to the apartment, as it is only the highlighting of existing architectural features and unique furniture that does the trick.

Pattern is ever-present in every room of the apartment, thanks to the geometric tiles in the kitchen, a cool rug in the living space and penny tiles in the all-white bathroom. Features like the custom accessories, framed black and white prints and large handwritten wooden frame add another layer of intrigue to this exceptionally beautiful and unassumingly charming NYC retreat.