Studio Apartment Interior Design: 3 Tips
The links in this post are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase them at no extra cost to you.
Living in a studio apartment means every design choice counts. With an open layout, it’s all about creating flow, function, and intention. I add mirrors, layer textures, and invest in quality textiles and materials to make my space feel cozy, cohesive, and inviting.
Here are three tips that have helped me design my studio, along with some of the products I recommend.
Use Mirrors to Make Your Space Feel Bigger
Mirrors create the illusion of depth and reflect natural light, making a small studio feel more open and airy. Place a large mirror across from a window to maximize brightness, or experiment with different placements to make your space feel more expansive.
Full-Length Mirror
Circular Mirror
2. Layer a Variety of Textures for Depth
Incorporating a variety of textures throughout your home adds warmth and visual interest. Mixing smooth, rough, plush, and woven materials creates dimension, making your apartment feel intentional rather than one-dimensional. One simple way to achieve this is by adding a throw blanket to your couch or sofa.
Chunky Knit Throw Blanket
Cashmere Throw Blanket
3. Invest in High-Quality Textiles and Materials
With limited space, every piece counts. Choose well-made, high-quality materials that feel good to the touch and enhance your living experience. These items will also last longer. Opt for natural fibers, solid wood, and handmade pieces. Investing in fewer but better items will elevate your space without adding clutter.
Linen Duvet Cover
Hotel-Quality Cotton Sheets
Cherry Wood Platform Bed
Designing a studio apartment is an opportunity to infuse your style into every corner of your home. By incorporating mirrors to create the illusion of space, layering textures for added depth, and investing in high-quality materials, you can transform your small space into a cozy and functional haven. These thoughtful design choices not only maximize the potential of your studio but also create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
For easy access to the products I mentioned, check out the links below. Whether you’re looking for a full-length mirror, a soft throw blanket, or luxurious linens, these carefully selected items will elevate your studio apartment's design without the clutter.
Full-Length Mirror - Buy on Amazon
Circular Mirror - Buy on Amazon
Chunky Knit Throw Blanket - Buy on Amazon
Cashmere Throw Blanket - Buy on Amazon
Linen Duvet Cover - Buy on Amazon
Hotel-Quality Cotton Sheets - Buy on Amazon
Cherry Wood Platform Bed - Buy on Amazon
What’s your favorite small-space design tip? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Spiritual Jazz Essentials: 3 Must-Have Records
The links in this post are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase them at no extra cost to you.
I believe all music can be a spiritual experience; whether it nourishes or depletes you depends on the sound, the intent, and, of course, the listener.
For me, spiritual jazz is refuge, divine guidance, and a lesson in improvisation. I’m drawn to a musician’s lifelong devotion to their instrument and how their mastery transcends words and becomes pure emotion.
These three essential records embody the power of music to nourish, witness, and hold us.
Pharaoh Sanders - Pharaoh Sanders (1977)
Why It’s Essential: This is my favorite album, period. It’s dynamic, moving—perfectly capturing life’s dualities: challenge and triumph, joy and pain. It resonates with me on a deep level. I first listened to it about six years ago, and it still has the power to bring me to tears.
Key Tracks to Check Out: There are no skips. With only three tracks, this album is meant to be experienced from start to finish just as Pharaoh intended.
Vibe & Sound: Bluesy. Dynamic. At times melancholy, at times triumphant. Sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes playful, even humorous.
Best Setting to Listen: Perfect for lying on the couch or the floor, staring up at the ceiling. Ideal for sitting on the crest of a grassy hill, lost in deep contemplation. Best for feeling seen, held, understood, and inspired to share your light or shadow.
Journey in Satchidananda - Alice Coltrane (1970)
Why It’s Essential: This album is a stunning intersection of jazz and Eastern philosophy, featuring beautiful collaborations with Pharaoh Sanders. The liner notes include Alice’s reflections on each track. I won’t spoil them for you, but they add even more depth to the journey.
Key Tracks to Check Out: Journey in Satchidananda, Stopover Bombay. This album is best experienced in full, so no skips; just be present and listen.
Vibe & Sound: Ethereal. Meditative. Transcendent.
Best Setting to Listen: Perfect for drinking tea, cleaning, practicing gratitude, getting ready, or any moment that calls for calm and intention.
Astral Traveling - Lonnie Liston Smith (1973)
Why It’s Essential: The album’s title, Astral Traveling, captures it perfectly. Listening to this record feels like basking in a sense of peace and resolve that transcends this earthly plane.
Key Tracks to Check Out: Astral Traveling, In Search of Truth. But honestly, I think you should listen to the whole album.
Vibe & Sound: Ethereal. Blissful. Cinematic. It’s the kind of soundscape that makes you feel like you’re living your best life, no matter what you’re doing.
Best Setting to Listen: Whether you're getting things done or soaking up the music, this album’s the perfect companion.
I hold the albums above dear, and I think you will too, so if you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of spiritual jazz, start with these classics. What are your spiritual jazz essentials? Comment below.
Free Photography Classes in Tacoma – Offered by Swan Creek Art Academy
I'm excited to announce that I'm partnering with Swan Creek Art Academy to offer free photography classes in Tacoma! These ongoing sessions will be held twice a month on Wednesdays and weekly on Saturdays at Evergreen College Tacoma Campus. Saturday classes are drop-in, so you can join anytime!
Location: Evergreen College Tacoma Campus, 1210 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
Room: 218
In these hands-on sessions, we'll explore photography as a form of love and care, using the camera to connect with ourselves and our community. If you've previously attended my one-hour workshop, Portraiture as an Act of Love, this is a great way to continue that creative journey.
These free art classes in Tacoma are supported by Tacoma Creates, making them accessible to the community. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your photography practice, I invite you to join us.
📸 Class Dates for February:
Saturday, 2/8: 2 – 4 PM
Saturday, 2/15: 2 – 4 PM
Wednesday, 2/19: 6 – 8 PM
Saturday, 2/22: 2 – 4 PM
If you're looking for fun, free things to do in Tacoma, come be part of this creative learning experience! I hope to see you there soon.
Woolworth Windows: An Artscape by Kenya Shakoor
Happy New Year! I hope you are finding beauty where you can and cultivating community. I’m excited to share my latest art installation at the Woolworth Windows in Downtown Tacoma! This installation is a retrospective of my photography, featuring works I’ve created from 2017 to 2023. As a visual artist and photographer, I think of my work as a labor of love—a way to tend to my love of self and my community. This installation is part of Spaceworks’ ArtScape program, which showcases the power of visual art in storefront windows, outdoor spaces, and an outdoor video gallery to enliven public areas.
About the Woolworth Windows
The Woolworth Windows provides a unique space where art meets the public. These iconic display windows are a canvas for artists to share their work with everyone who passes by, adding vibrancy and whimsy to Downtown Tacoma.
My Vision for This Installation
This installation is deeply personal to me, as it is a retrospective showcasing photographs I’ve taken from 2017 to 2023. Each piece reflects moments of care that have shaped my journey as an artist and individual. At this time seeing my work displayed in a public setting feels especially tender, and I hope you will find delight in discovering an image that reminds you of yourself or your loved ones.
The ArtScape Program by Spaceworks
Spaceworks’ ArtScape program is an initiative that transforms underused spaces into showcases for local art. Programs like these highlight how artists and communities need one another. Art thrives with an audience, and there are so many underutilized spaces that can bring people together to appreciate the beauty and joy of creativity.
Plan Your Visit
I invite you to come and experience my installation at the Woolworth Windows. Whether you’re a lifelong Tacoman or just visiting, this display offers a glimpse into Tacoma’s thriving creative scene. Stop by and take a look—you won’t want to miss it! My artwork is on display until March 13th, 2025. Let me know you’ve visited —I’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you.
Washington State Artist Opportunities: Grants & Exhibitions Fall 2023
Reimagining Oshun, 2017, Digital photograph
Aside from photo work for clients, exhibiting my photography and receiving grants to fund said photography has been important part of my artistic journey. If sharing your work with the public and receiving funding is in alignment with your desires right now, I present two opportunities for artists in Washington State.
Opportunity 1:
Description: The 2nd Annual Black Artists Exhibition is an expanded opportunity for Black artists to share their work with the public and to dialogue with members of the community about their inspiration and how it is manifested in their artistry.
Opportunity Type: Exhibition
Paid or Unpaid: Unpaid
Organization: Tacoma Community College | Tacoma, WA
Application Deadline: October 25th, 2023
Guidelines: Open to Black artists who reside in South Puget Sound or who have a connection with the South Sound. See the full guidelines > here
Kenya’s tip / lived experience: I took part in this opportunity this year, and overall, it was a positive experience. As for whether I would apply again in the future, I have some reservations. Currently, engaging in unpaid exhibition opportunities doesn't align with my sustainability goals.
However, if I were to consider applying and participating again, I would approach it strategically. Specifically, I would use the exhibition as an integral component of a broader public relations campaign, either to promote a paid product available on my website or to support the promotion of a self-curated or artist-driven ticketed exhibition shortly after the TCC exhibition. This way, I can ensure that my participation contributes to my short and long-term goals.
Opportunity 2:
Description: The Bothell Arts Commission provides funding and support for the arts through a vision of connecting, supporting, and inspiring the community through arts and culture. The 2023/2024 Creative Arts Grant Program is a new program of work.
Opportunity Type: Reimbursement grant funding
Organization: City of Bothell | Bothell, WA
Application Deadline: September 15th, 2023 & April 12th, 2024
Guidelines: See the full guidelines > here
Kenya’s tip / lived experience: This marks the first round of funding from the Bothell Arts Commission, so I haven't had prior experience with this specific award. However, in the past, I had the chance to curate and participate in my inaugural exhibition thanks to a grant provided by the City of Tacoma Arts Commission. With reimbursement grants, thorough record-keeping is important.
What has been your own experience with unpaid exhibition opportunities and reimbursement grants? I believe there is a need for more forums where artists can engage in conversations with one another about the intricacies of building a liberating and sustainable artistic practice. Please feel free to share your thoughts with me by sending an email or commenting below. I would be genuinely delighted to hear your perspective.
A Sunny Summer Afternoon at People's Pilates
It is not often that I stroll around and snap photos with my shoes off; however, last month, I was able to do precisely that! People's Pilates hired me to document the Pilates & Mimosas event in partnership with Tacoma Urban League. To be immersed in wellness amongst a welcoming community on a sunny afternoon makes for a beautiful day. The event offerings included mat pilates, reformer pilates, vinyasa yoga, a sound bath, meditation, a DJ, and more. See my photo documentation below.
Book pilates, yoga or a private event at People’s Pilates.
Learn more about the Tacoma Urban League.
Documenting Space Cowrie by Le'Ecia Farmer
Last month, to my delight, I was hired to document a stunning display of multidisciplinary magic from Le'Ecia Farmer, artist, birth worker, and co-owner of Parable Tacoma. Space Cowrie: The Prelude July 15th & 16th at Erickson Theater was a performance art exhibition incorporating experimental fashion and visual art. The event was a prelude to the ongoing exhibition at King Street Station, July 27, 2023 - October 7, 2023. Space Cowrie explores the theme of African diasporic desire - the whirring space of longing, grief, joy, and healing. The show examines both the fragmented and whole sites of individual and collective desire. The exhibition description is courtesy of the artist.
One of my favorite things about my artistic journey is witnessing the brilliance of other creatives. I left feeling seen, embraced and inspired. I photographed one of the pieces of fashion in 2019, so when the piece came down the aisle of Erickson Theatre, I was grateful to see the culmination.
Support Le'Ecia's artistry by experiencing Space Cowrie on exhibition at King Street Station until October 7, 2023. Support her bookstore and gift shop, Parable Tacoma. They host events that feel good and support local artists and artisans. Follow the multitalented Le'Ecia on Instagram.
Exhibitions, Panel Discussions and Artist Talks
Flyer for Tacoma Community College’s Black and Black Artists Exhibition Open 2.21.23 - 3.17.23
A photograph I took in 2017 entitled Reimagining Oshun is currently on display at The Gallery at Tacoma Community College until March 17th. Last week at the opening reception, the crowded gallery bustled with artists, arts advocates, and art enthusiasts in celebration of Black Imagination. TCC’s president Dr. Ivan Harrell, Mayor Victoria Woodards, Lyle Quasim, and Senator Twina Nobles all spoke to the abundance of artistic talent in the city and iterated the importance of championing artists. As a practicing artist in Tacoma that frequently mentions the vibrant creative community, it felt grounding to hear my sentiments echoed by the speakers and reverberate throughout the room in the smiles of the attendees.
I hope you will view the thoughtful works on display and engage with the programming surrounding the exhibition.
Thursday, March 2nd, from 7 to 8:30 pm at The Gallery, Dr. Linda Ashem hosts a panel discussion featuring artists from the exhibition, including JW Harrington, Gwen Jones, Sabreehna Essien, Jasmine Brown, Lauren Napier, Necashaw Montgomery, and myself.
Tuesday, March 7th, from 12:30 to 1 pm at The Gallery, I will speak about how my personal philosophy informs my artistry.
To see the complete list of programs and learn more, visit TCC Black Art and Black Artists. I hope to see you around enjoying our creative community!
Kenya's Blog:
Welcome to my blog! Here you will find bite sized writings about my work and other things I love.