If you’ve ever perused The Everygirl’s fashion section, you’ve without a doubt seen—and probably fallen in love with—our Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer Tinsley’s colorful, maximalist style. While I expected that, as a fashion stylist and writer, Tinsley’s signature style would extend into her home, nothing could have prepared me for the cool-girl decor that greeted me when I peeked into her space. From funky art prints to eye-catching patterns and pops of color, her apartment is full of playful touches and tons of charm while still serving as a serene escape from the busy New York streets. Keep scrolling to take a full tour of the apartment, learn more about Tinsley’s decorating process, and get her top tips for making the most of your city apartment.
Tinsley Crisp’s NYC Apartment Tour
The details:
Name: Tinsley Crisp
Location: New York City
Square footage: 650 square feet
Rent/own: Rent
You’re The Everygirl’s resident fashion It-Girl. Tell us how you got started with the company.
I started following The Everygirl when I lived in Nashville. Everything the brand was putting out really resonated with me, and I found the content to be both attainable and aspirational. After I moved to New York, I applied to be a freelance writer on a whim. It was only a month later that I was asked to join the team as a staff writer.
Finding a gem like this apartment in New York can feel as rare as winning the lottery. What was the process of finding this space?
We really lucked out. Our lease was up, and we knew we wanted to give the Upper East Side a try, but the search felt daunting. A friend of mine lived in a building with open units, and we immediately signed a new lease upon touring.
As a stylist and fashion writer, you obviously have incredible style. How does your decor aesthetic overlap with your personal fashion style?
My apartment mirrors my personal style—pared-back at its core, but full of pieces with personality. I tend to skip the clutter and keep things more minimalist, but what I do bring in really makes a statement. After moving seven times in nine years, we’ve learned to keep things light around here. Just like with my wardrobe, I believe in being intentional with what you choose, but never at the expense of having fun with it.
Your apartment is full of playful, fun moments, yet still feels relaxed and serene. How do you lean into maximalism while maintaining that sense of calm?
I spend a lot of time at home (which, for a New Yorker, might sound surprising), so it’s really important to me that my space feels safe and calm. The city greets me with noise and chaos the second I step outside, so I wanted the opposite inside—but not in a “sad beige” way (been there, done that). I realized I needed little doses of happy woven throughout, so I leaned into playful colors, textures, and pieces that make me smile while still keeping the overall vibe serene.
Throughout your apartment, you have several pieces of bold, unique wall art that draw the eye. Do you have any favorite places to source your art?
It’s definitely been a work in progress. We’ve swapped pieces in and out over the years, but one thing my husband feels strongly about is having real art on the walls and investing in it. A lot of our pieces are from Etsy that we’ve had framed locally, but we’ve also picked things up along the way—like prints from the MoMA, a piece from Central Park, and even a painting from a local artist at the flea market. It’s a mix that feels collected and personal.
Shelves can be tough to style, but your storage cabinet perfectly highlights books and tchotchkes full of personality. Can you walk us through decorating these shelves?
It’s funny because these shelves are literally the only “tchotchkes” I own—I just grouped them all together and called it a day. I thought I’d eventually go back and re-style them, but I ended up loving the way it felt. Everything that means something to us has a home here: my New Yorker collection, our records, and our favorite books. It’s become less of a styled vignette and more of a little memorial for the pieces that feel the most special.
Where did you draw inspiration when designing your home? Is it different from where you look for outfit inspiration?
I’ll browse Pinterest here and there, and I follow a few women whose quirkier styles I admire, but most of my inspiration really came from within. I’d get an idea in my head and then go down a rabbit hole online until I found exactly the right piece. Living in a small space also means some choices are made for you—there are elements of my apartment I probably wouldn’t pick if I had more room. But in the end, it’s a balance of function and fun, which is exactly how I approach getting dressed, too.
We’re absolutely obsessed with the statement zebra chair in your living room. What’s the story behind that piece?
My prized possession! I’ve always loved animal print, and a zebra chair was on my wish list for years. Everything I came across was either too oversized for a New York apartment or way out of budget, but I held out hope. There’s a local secondhand furniture shop where I found the pink velvet chair in my bedroom, so I kept refreshing their site. On my birthday (when I was feeling extra lucky), I spotted a pair of these and immediately snapped them up. Eventually, I plan to swap them in for the boucle chairs in the living room once we replace the couch—they feel like the perfect statement.
With limited counter space in a New York kitchen, every inch counts. How did you balance keeping your essentials accessible while still making the space look super cute?
We donated about 70 percent of our kitchen items before moving to New York, so now we really only keep the true essentials. (Spoiler alert: you don’t need nearly as much as you think.) Every inch of cabinet space is maximized with shelves and dividers, and we grocery shop multiple times a week—sometimes daily—so nothing sits around unused. Since a lot of things have to stay out for function rather than design, I’ve leaned into investing in pieces that are both cute and practical. That way, the space feels intentional without being overcrowded.
Your bedroom still has your signature style but feels a bit more muted and calm than the rest of your apartment. What was your approach to styling that space?
I love staying in hotels, so I knew I wanted that same feeling at home—starting with a comfortable bed and crisp white sheets. Because the bedroom is small and has to fit a lot, I leaned into a more muted, pared-back palette to keep it feeling calm. But I couldn’t resist adding small pops of personality here and there to make sure it still feels like me.
What has your journey been like in finding your signature decor style? Did having such a strong personal style in fashion help guide you?
Home decor feels a lot like fashion trends—just slower-moving and definitely more of an investment. My style has shifted so much over the years. For a while, I tried to recreate what I saw others doing, but I eventually realized I’d be happiest following my own intuition and sourcing pieces that genuinely made me smile. The zebra chairs are a perfect example—they were such a must-have for me that now I’m reimagining my entire living room around them. Having a strong sense of personal style in fashion definitely gave me the confidence to approach my home the same way: with intention, but always with a little fun.
Having a designated WFH setup in New York City is truly a luxury. Do you have any routines or tips that help you unplug and keep work separate from home life?
I wouldn’t claim to be an expert at separating work and home—my desk is literally six inches from my bed—but having a vertical desk with shelves tucked in the corner does help it feel like its own space. I try to keep it really clean and tidy so it’s always ready for me, and something as simple as making my bed each morning goes a long way in creating that mental separation.
As a fashion girly living in NYC, you’ve likely become an expert at maximizing closet space. Do you have any favorite hacks or tips for making the most of storage?
My best advice is to go up. I use every bit of vertical space I can—bins above shelves, on top of the fridge, even above my wardrobe. I’ve also added drawers inside closets, hung racks behind doors, and tucked storage under the bed. Not one square inch goes untouched. And honestly, the biggest hack of all is just not holding onto too much in the first place.
It’s so fitting that your purse collection is on full display, making it double as wall art. How did you decide on that setup instead of storing them away?
This setup was totally unplanned. When I moved in, I was quickly running out of space and needed a spot for my bags. At first, I tucked them into my wardrobe, but they’d end up damaged, hidden, or just tossed back in—it wasn’t working. Since I reach for them so often and had an empty corner, I added a few hooks. Only afterward did I realize it doubled as a fun little display.
You’ve even brought a playful touch into the bathroom with your bright yellow tiger towels. What’s your advice for adding personality to a small space like a bathroom?
I’ll be honest—I did virtually nothing to this bathroom besides add a few hooks and style the shelves. For me, it’s a space that I want to feel calm and serene, but I also wanted it to tie into the rest of the apartment. When I spotted these bright yellow tiger-print towels online, I knew they’d be the perfect addition. They bring just enough personality without overwhelming the room.
Anything else we should know about you or your home?
If you’re looking to revamp your space, start with one statement piece—it can take you further than you think. Style, whether for yourself or your home, is a process, and it takes time. Start small, choose thoughtfully, and then build around it.
What does your ideal day in NYC look like?
My perfect New York day starts with my husband and our French bulldog, Willow, in Central Park—with an iced coffee in hand (a cold brew with a splash of almond milk, to be exact). We’ll wander through the park for a while and then just see where the day takes us, usually popping in and out of shops before grabbing a quick lunch. In the afternoon, we like to head home to recharge before making our way downtown for dinner at one of our favorite spots.
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.
