Elevating the Everyday: Michaela Babuskova
A modern minimalist's perfect Friday night in with the FIGTNY blogger.
For blogger Michaela Babuskova of FIGTNY, two time-tested mantras hold true: Less is more (thanks, Mr. Van der Rohe) and your home is your sanctuary. Her Williamsburg, Brooklyn, loft, shrouded in artful layers of white, is a blank canvas for living beautifully and consciously. Whether acting as a multifunctional home office or playing host to friends for a Friday night movie binge, the space suits the European-born talent's preference for curating things, events, and experiences. Even when entertaining, she keeps things refreshingly minimal. Nothing says low-key evening like serving vodka sodas—minimalist in yet another way—in her favorite vintage glassware and a bowl of popcorn. Keep reading to see how chic accessories from The Citizenry and luxe loungewear from Lunya help make it all come together.
Lonny: Tell us about your home.
Michaela Babuskova: We've had our apartment in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for six years now. In that time our neighborhood has had a major transformation. Smaller shops used to line the streets and now Whole Foods, the Apple store, J Crew, and Starbucks, to name a few, are all moving in here, and it's turning into a major New York destination to visit and explore. I love our location because even though we are in the busiest part of Williamsburg, we have access to anything and everything and still have a fairly quiet street. We live in a renovated furniture factory with 33 units, all with unique floor plans, so no two apartments are alike. I’m happy to not be in a cookie-cutter space and love our two-story open layout. It feels spacious and airy and we benefit from a 20-foot wall of glass, which floods our place with light.
L: How would you describe your interior style?
MB: I really like clean living and simplicity so all my design choices are made with that in mind. I appreciate iconic, classic pieces, like chairs by Eames and Tolomeo lamps. We use basic white Ikea storage throughout the apartment. I love that it sort of blends into the background. It’s seamless and unobtrusive and really acts as a blank canvas, while solving our typical New York storage issues!
L: What is your favorite area of your home?
MB: Since my husband and I both work from home, we really utilize our entire apartment throughout the day. He works out of our home office, and I always seem to move between the dining table, the kitchen counter, and the sofa with laptop in hand.
L: Describe your perfect Friday evening at home.
MB: Some of our best friends live in our neighborhood, so its not uncommon for friends or neighbors to pop in. My perfect Friday is spent on the couch with friends, eating popcorn for dinner, watching a movie, and wearing the comfiest lounge clothes.
L: What are you favorite tips for a well-styled and well-stocked bar cart?
MB: We rarely have more than a few bottles of anything on hand. Usually we try and have a bottle or two of something that can easily be blended with soda for a simple and quick mixed drink. I also need to have something on hand with bubbles like a champagne or sparkling rose. I always have my eye out for nice glassware as well; my current favorite would have to be my small vintage tumblers by Dorothy Thorpe, which I managed to find in perfect condition.
L: What’s your favorite summer cocktail recipe?
MB: Since I’m ultra simple with a minimal approach to most things, drinks included, I usually default to a vodka and soda—bubbly and uncomplicated!
L: What’s your go-to playlist to set the mood?
MB: I have the Banks album on repeat. If I’m entertaining I turn to Jamie xx and The Weeknd.
L: Any other need-to-know tips for taking a more thoughtful approach to evenings in?
MB: Creating a space you love being in really is key. The first thing I do is slip into lounge clothes—comfort is everything! I love an environment where I don’t feel overwhelmed. I try and clear clutter. A quick tidy up helps me relax and enjoy the evening.
To see more of Michaela’s space, visit figtny.com
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