Sarah Storer had long-dreamed of living in an industrial-style loft space, so when her current apartment became available—in a building she’d had her eye on for years and in the exact same unit she previously toured on a Columbus Underground Urban Living Tour—she knew it was meant to be.
Storer, a recent nursing school graduate, moved into the 824-square foot Discovery District apartment in March of 2022 and quickly got to work making the space her own—without breaking any rental agreements.
The striking east-facing main wall of the apartment boasts two substantial windows and a beautiful brick accent. Storer added a large-scale removable clock to the brick to pull even more attention.
In the bathroom, she added black and white starburst peel and stick tile to the floor, giving the small room more character and depth.
Renter-friendly peel and stick tile in the bathroom – Photos by Lindsey Thieken Moore
What the loft lacks in walls, Storer makes up for by creating distinct spaces. In her bedroom, for instance, a metal frame four-poster bed gives the illusion of a separated area.
“I love how the bedframe uses shape and line to define the space without taking up a lot of visual real estate,” Storer said.
The bedroom, in fact, is Storer’s favorite part of the apartment, with its mural art (a Creative Commons photo she blew up using Rasterbator, a photography program that turns one image into a multi-tiled piece), black linen wall sconces, and a refinished (by Storer) nightstand.
“The area feels like it is its own space and is so cozy, despite being open to the rest of the apartment,” she said.
The apartment is peppered with Storer’s style, which she defines as boho modern.
“I love to balance softness and texture with clean lines and shapes,” she said. “Everything should feel lightly symmetrical to me without being harsh or stark.”
“I love lots of nostalgic touches and having pieces in my space with meaning,” Storer added. “I have things like my grandfather’s teaching certificate, a grandmother’s needlepoint, some ceramic pieces that were a great grandmother’s and antiques or accessories that I have personal ties to.”
Storer has also refinished several large pieces, including a buffet and vintage wardrobe.
“I have very little closed storage in the apartment, so anything with drawers or doors is prized,” she said.
Storer loves the ease of apartment living, with no household maintenance and no need to take care of major fixes on her own. She also loves the proximity of the Discovery District to Downtown—just close enough and still with everything you need in walking distance.
“It’s everything you could want from downtown living,” she said.
At Home is a monthly column on Columbus Underground focused on urban home remodeling and style as well as older home renovations and unique homes in Columbus. If you would like to have your home featured in the At Home series, please send an email to [email protected].