"When The Everygirl’s junior graphic designer, Marta Taras, moved into her current studio apartment in downtown Chicago, it was her first time designing a home completely for herself. After moving to the U.S. from Belarus at 24, graduating from college, and then going through a divorce, she finally had free rein—at almost 30—to decorate her apartment exactly how she saw fit. Pulling inspiration from favorite movies and luxury hotels, she created a calm, cozy space filled with personality and playful touches. Although the entire apartment spans less than 400 square feet, Marta’s thoughtfully curated studio offers the perfect escape from her busy Chicago life. Keep reading for a full tour of Marta’s apartment, along with her best tips for making a small space feel like home.
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Marta Taras’ Chicago Studio Tour
The details:
Name: Marta Taras
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Square footage: 380 square feet
Rent/own: Rent
You recently celebrated one year of working at The Everygirl—congrats! Tell us about how you got started at the company and your career path leading up to this.
I joined The Everygirl a year ago as a junior graphic designer. Before that, I was working as a freelance designer with small businesses after graduating from design school in Milwaukee. I actually found the position on LinkedIn and decided to take a chance and apply. I still remember writing my cover letter to my future art director—never thought it would actually happen! It honestly feels like a dream to work here!
You moved from Belarus to the U.S. all on your own six years ago. What was it like starting over in a different country, and is there any advice you wish you could give your past self during that transition?
I moved to the U.S. alone at 24, knowing only my ex-husband, and had to start from scratch: new language, new systems, new everything. I didn’t doubt myself, but I definitely felt lonely. Everyone says your 20s should be the most fun, but for me, it was more about survival and growth. I’m still working on building friendships, especially since I just moved to Chicago from Milwaukee. If I could tell my past self anything, it would be: dream big and go for an extraordinary life—because why not?
What were some of the biggest adjustments moving here from Belarus, and how has your apartment helped make Chicago feel like home?
Moving to a big city like Chicago, everything felt new and fast—so many people, so much happening all the time. It was exciting but also overwhelming. That’s why my apartment means so much to me. It’s my safe space—calm, cozy, and grounding. No matter what’s going on outside, I come home and feel at peace. It’s the one place that truly feels like mine.
This apartment was your first time getting to decorate a space that’s just for you. How did you let your own personality shine throughout the space?
Growing up, I shared a tiny room with my older brother, then lived in a dorm with other students for six years, and after that, with my ex-husband. So it wasn’t until I was almost 30 that I finally got to live alone—and honestly, it feels like a dream.
This space is fully mine, and I’ve loved filling it with things that reflect who I am. I kept it soft, cozy, and a little playful—mixing thrifted pieces with personal touches like art books, candles, and warm tones. It’s calm, creative, and feels like a big exhale at the end of the day.
Your apartment is a studio that’s pretty tight on space. Walk us through how you decided on the layout that works best for your lifestyle.
It definitely took some time to imagine everything! Since it’s a small studio, I had to be intentional with every corner. I placed my bed near the window and as close to the wall as possible, then added sheer curtains for my canopy bed to create a cozy sleeping nook. I used two chairs to separate the “living room” area from the rest of the space. Because I work from home a lot, I made sure my desk is in a spot with good light but still feels separate enough to help me focus. Even though it’s all one room, the layout creates little zones for different parts of my day.
Instead of a couch, you opted for two gorgeous green velvet chairs. What drew you to this arrangement over a more traditional sofa?
I think I just really value my personal space—even when I have friends over, I like us each having our own cozy seat. Plus, when I was browsing hotel rooms for inspiration, I noticed this kind of setup came up a lot. It felt chic, intentional, and perfect for the vibe I wanted to create.
Your apartment is full of books and knickknacks that add so much personality. Do you have any go-to stores to shop for these pieces?
I’ve been slowly building a collection of Taschen books—they’re my favorite, and I’d love to have a full shelf of them one day. The rest of my books are mostly thrifted! I found a lot of them at used bookstores in the art section. I love the mix of high and low—it keeps my space feeling personal and full of character.
You may live in a studio, but you’ve done so much with the space you have. Do you have any hacks for maximizing space in a small apartment?
You have to be really intentional with your furniture choices. I avoid open shelves because they can make a small space feel cluttered. Mirrors and artwork on the walls make a huge difference—they add depth and personality. I like to play with shapes, using rounded coffee tables and chairs to soften the space. And almost every piece of furniture I chose has built-in storage—that’s key for keeping things organized and maximizing every inch.
You live with the most adorable roomie, a cavapoo named Chester. What are your secrets for keeping your space so clean and organized with a pet?
I have a robot vacuum named Wall-E, and honestly, it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made—it keeps the floors spotless with hardly any effort from me. Since my space is small, it actually makes it easier to keep up with cleaning because everything is quick to tidy. Chester’s toys are definitely scattered everywhere, but I actually find that kind of adorable. Plus, having a washer and dryer right in my unit makes it super easy to wash everything whenever needed. These little things make keeping my space clean with a dog totally manageable!
When you’re not in The Everygirl office, you work remotely from home. How does your desk area keep you inspired and motivated?
My workspace is pretty simple—just a ladder desk with shelves and a comfy chair. I didn’t add a lot because I actually spend a lot of time working from coffee shops around the city. Honestly, it could be better, but making my apartment a cozy home was more of a priority since I have access to a great coworking space in my building.
How would you describe your personal style? Do you have any advice for someone who’s trying to nail down theirs?
I don’t like chaos or a maximalist style, and I’m definitely not into collecting a lot of stuff. For me, it’s important that my space feels flexible enough to move if I want to, so minimalism makes sense. But I also think minimalism can feel boring if it’s just beige and white everywhere. That’s why I chose a color palette that’s calming and cozy but with enough personality to keep it interesting. My advice? Quality over quantity. Find a balance that feels peaceful but also sparks joy—your home should make you feel calm and inspired.
What are your favorite sources of design inspiration, both in your home and work?
Movies are a huge source of inspiration for me. I love directors like Paolo Sorrentino, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Wes Anderson, and I’m always screenshotting interesting shots and details from their films. Traveling also inspires me, especially staying in beautiful hotels. I wanted my apartment to feel like a stylish hotel room: calm, cozy, and a little special. Sometimes, I even browse Booking.com just to get fresh ideas. For me, inspiration is everywhere—I just have to keep my eyes open.
Your bed looks like it belongs in a Four Seasons suite—complete with canopy panels and a silver tray for breakfast in bed. What inspired this setup?
You’re totally right—the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton were exactly my inspiration! I wanted to create that same luxurious, hotel-like feeling, but in a way that was budget-friendly for me. I spent hours scrolling through Booking.com, saving photos of dreamy hotel rooms, and figuring out how to recreate that vibe in my own space. I invested in velvet ivory curtains, and they instantly made the space feel so chic. The canopy panels and silver tray were simple additions, but they really brought the whole vision together.
Do you have any secondhand or vintage finds in your apartment? If so, what’s been your favorite score?
Of course! I found two beautiful lamps on Facebook Marketplace that I absolutely love. I’ve also picked up little details like silverware, picture frames, and a silver tray secondhand. I wish I could thrift more, but since I don’t have a car, it’s a bit tricky to grab the good finds when I see them!
As a graphic designer, it’s only natural that you have an eye for art. How did you choose the artwork displayed around your apartment?
Choosing the artwork was actually the hardest part—I honestly wanted to cover every wall! But I think when picking decor, it’s important to consider the feeling you want to have every time you look at it. For me, my goal was to feel inspired as a woman. That’s why I chose portraits of four beautiful women and a poem about life from my favorite Russian writer to hang on my wall. They remind me of strength and inspiration every day.
What does your ideal day in Chicago look like?
My ideal day would start with loud jazz, a walk with Chester, and an iced latte before heading to the dog park—nothing beats watching him live his best life (yes, I’m that dog mom). Then it’s avocado toast, a hot yoga class, and a little HomeGoods shopping therapy. I’d have dinner with friends in the Gold Coast neighborhood and end the night with tea on my silver tray, an old movie, and snuggles with Chester. Pure bliss.
Anything else we should know about you or your home?
Having a small space doesn’t mean you can’t switch up your style! I love changing my bedding colors—sometimes ivory, sometimes chocolate—depending on my mood. I also like to play with different tablecloths on my coffee table or add fresh, colorful flowers. A small space can absolutely be chic if you have the right inspiration and measurements. I’ve bought everything budget-friendly, but people are often surprised because it doesn’t look like it!
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.