From 2,000+ square feet to 620: On creative freedom, thoughtful design, and making a smaller space feel entirely my own.

Bonjour mes amies,

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I am a maximalist.

I love wallpaper, bold artwork, beautiful furniture, interesting textiles, and objects that have stories to tell. I believe a home should be an extension of the person who inhabits it, and I have never been particularly interested in decorating according to someone else’s definition of what is tasteful.

Give me pattern. Give me color. Give me an unexpected antique next to something contemporary. Give me a piece of art that makes guests stop mid-conversation.

Et s’il vous plaît, give me wallpaper.

So imagine the creative exercise of going from more than 2,000 square feet to approximately 620.

When I moved into my new apartment, I knew immediately that I would have to approach decorating differently. The generous square footage I had become accustomed to was no longer available, and every single piece of furniture would need to earn its place.

Rather than feeling creatively restricted, I’ve found the process rather liberating.

For the first time in (this new book of) my life, I have the opportunity to create a home entirely around my own vision. I can experiment with color, mix periods and styles, and make design decisions without needing to explain why something belongs.

And believe me, there will be some explaining to do when you see what I’m storing in my new buffet.

Before we go any further, however, I should mention that this apartment is very much a work in progress.

There are still empty walls, corners awaiting the right furniture, design ideas I’m reconsidering, and wallpaper projects I have yet to tackle. I’m not interested in rushing through the decorating process simply to present a perfectly finished apartment on social media.

I want to enjoy creating it.

So consider this the first installment of The Maximalist Apartment Diaries, where I’ll share the purchases, discoveries, decorating decisions, and occasional design dilemmas that accompany turning 620 square feet into a home that feels distinctly mine.

The Art of Downsizing Without Diminishing Your Style

One of the most common decorating recommendations for small spaces is to keep everything neutral, minimize your possessions, and select furniture that visually disappears.

Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach.

It’s simply not mine.

I’ve spent years studying fashion, design, art, and the relationship between beautiful objects and the people who collect them. I have a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and the personalities that emerge when different design influences come together.

Why should any of that disappear because my apartment has fewer square feet?

The challenge wasn’t to become a minimalist. It was to become more strategic about how I use the space.

In my previous home, I could afford to have furniture that served one purpose. In this apartment, I am much more interested in pieces that accomplish several things beautifully.

Storage is essential, but I don’t necessarily want it to look like storage. I want furnishings that contribute to the aesthetic of the space while quietly performing their practical duties.

I’ve also had to reconsider scale, placement, and how one area interacts with another. When your living and dining areas share a relatively compact footprint, every design decision affects the larger composition.

It’s a bit like getting dressed.

A fabulous outfit isn’t necessarily about how many pieces you’re wearing. It’s about proportion, balance, texture, and knowing when an unexpected combination works.

The same principles apply to interiors.

And if you happen to love a little drama, as I do, all the better.

Wallpaper, Wallpaper, and More Wallpaper

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, my affection for wallpaper should come as no surprise.

I have always believed that walls are an extraordinary opportunity for self-expression.

A beautiful wallpaper can establish the entire personality of a room before a single piece of furniture is introduced. It can add architectural interest where there is none, create visual depth, and transform the most ordinary space into something memorable.

And contrary to popular belief, bold wallpaper does not automatically make a small room feel smaller.

Sometimes the very thing people caution you against is what gives a room its character.

I’m particularly drawn to interiors that feel collected and layered, where patterns and colors have a relationship without necessarily matching.

My goal isn’t to make every room look identical. It’s to create a sense of continuity while allowing each space to have its own personality.

Naturally, because this is a rental, I also have to consider which design decisions can be reversed. Removable wallpaper has opened up so many possibilities for those of us who want a more personalized space without making permanent architectural changes.

And I fully intend to take advantage of them.

Will there be wallpaper everywhere?

Well, I certainly wouldn’t rule it out.

Shop the wallpaper edit: ceiling wallpaper | kitchen & hall wallpaper

The Buffet That Will Never See a Dinner Plate

Now, let’s discuss one of my latest purchases.

Since moving into the apartment, I’ve had a wall that has remained rather bare. I knew it needed something substantial, but I didn’t want to rush into purchasing a piece simply to fill the space.

Then I found a buffet.

Ordinarily, one might purchase a buffet to store dinnerware, serving platters, table linens, or other entertaining essentials.

I’m using mine for handbags.

Oui, handbags.

You see, when you have spent years collecting beautiful fashion pieces, downsizing requires a certain level of ingenuity. I wasn’t prepared to sacrifice the functionality of my wardrobe, but I also didn’t want to overwhelm my closet with accessories.

A buffet offered a rather elegant solution.

It provides concealed storage for my bags, anchors the wall, and offers a surface for displaying books, art, or other decorative objects.

And unlike a traditional storage cabinet, it contributes to the design of the room rather than merely solving an organizational problem.

To me, that’s the beauty of buying furniture thoughtfully.

A piece does not have to be used for its originally intended purpose to be useful.

In fact, some of the most interesting interiors are those in which objects are reimagined.

The wall has become even more exciting because I was recently gifted a magnificent photograph by the talented DC artist and designer Yvette. The work is bold, playful, and visually arresting.

I love the idea of pairing an expressive piece of artwork with a beautiful, practical furnishing. One creates visual interest, while the other quietly houses my handbag collection.

Function and style, in one rather fabulous corner.

Click the links to shop the furniture edit: buffet | lamp |

A Home Should Have Its Own Scent

I’ve always been fascinated by the relationship between fragrance and memory.

There are certain scents that can transport me instantly to a particular hotel, boutique, city, or moment in my life.

Scent is part of how we experience luxury, often without even realizing it.

The art we look at. The fabrics we touch. The music we listen to. The things we taste. And yes, the fragrance that greets us when we walk through the door.

Think about the signature fragrance of a beautiful hotel lobby or the way a particular boutique manages to create an atmosphere before you’ve even begun browsing.

I want my home to have that same sense of identity.

One of my daily rituals is burning incense.

There’s something wonderfully intentional about lighting incense, allowing the fragrance to settle into the atmosphere, and creating a sensory experience that belongs to the space.

For me, the ritual is as enjoyable as the fragrance itself.

It’s a small moment of pleasure, an opportunity to transition into the day or settle into the evening.

Because my apartment is considerably smaller than my previous home, I am also more conscious of fragrance intensity. I prefer a considered scent profile rather than competing fragrances overwhelming the space, and I pay attention to ventilation when burning incense.

I believe our homes should engage all of our senses.

All of these details contribute to the feeling of a home.

Link to shop my fragrance ritual: incense | incense holders

The Espresso Machine That Changed My Mornings

Speaking of rituals, we must discuss my espresso machine.

I built (one of) my brand(s) solely from based on my love of cappuccinos.

For years, convenience played a significant role in my morning coffee routine. But recently, I decided to replace my automatic coffee maker with a machine that allows me to be more involved in preparing my espresso.

I wanted to grind my own beans, enjoy the aroma of freshly ground coffee, and take a little more time with something I already loved.

And goodness, what a delightful difference it has made.

There’s something particularly satisfying about the process. The sound of the grinder, the fragrance of the beans, the preparation, and finally sitting down to enjoy a beautiful cup.

It’s become one of my favorite parts of the morning.

As someone who has splits my time between Paris, Milan, Dubai, studied in Milan, and other cities where café culture is woven into everyday life, I’ve always appreciated the ceremony surrounding a good cup of coffee.

But why should that pleasure be reserved for a café?

I still love going out for cappuccino. I always will.

However, I also believe that the experiences we enjoy while traveling should inspire how we live at home.

A beautiful cup of espresso in my own kitchen isn’t competing with a cappuccino in Paris.

Both are pleasures worth enjoying.

And because the machine occupies valuable space, I wanted something that was aesthetically appealing as well as functional.

In a small apartment, even your appliances become part of the décor.

Click here to shop my espresso ritual: espresso machine, espresso station artwork

Collecting Beautiful Things in a Smaller Space

One question I’ve been asking myself throughout this process is how to continue collecting and appreciating beautiful objects without allowing the apartment to feel overwhelmed.

As a former fashion buyer and someone who has spent years exploring antique markets, consignment shops, galleries, and boutiques around the world, collecting is simply part of who I am.

I enjoy discovering things.

I love the history behind an object, the story of its craftsmanship, and the possibility of giving something a second life.

But in 620 square feet, collecting requires a little more thought.

I’m becoming more deliberate about what I bring home, where it will live, and how it contributes to the larger design.

That doesn’t mean everything must be practical.

Sometimes a piece earns its place simply because it’s extraordinarily beautiful.

And I think we should allow ourselves that pleasure.

The key, at least for me, is ensuring that the things I own enhance my daily life rather than make the space difficult to navigate or enjoy.

I’m still experimenting with that balance.

There will undoubtedly be rearranging, editing, and perhaps a few purchases that seemed like excellent ideas until I got them through the front door.

But that’s part of decorating.

And part of the fun.

The Creative Freedom of Making It Mine

Perhaps the most meaningful part of this entire process has been having the freedom to express myself through my surroundings.

I’ve always believed that personal style extends far beyond what we wear.

It’s reflected in the books we collect, the art we display, the fragrance we choose, the furniture we purchase, and the atmosphere we create for ourselves and the people we love.

Our homes tell stories about us.

And right now, I have the opportunity to be particularly intentional about the story mine tells.

I’m not trying to recreate the home I had before.

I’m not interested in making 620 square feet look like 2,000.

Instead, I’m considering what this space can become on its own terms.

A home filled with beautiful things, thoughtfully arranged. Somewhere my children and I can enjoy our everyday rituals, where my collections have a place, and where my personality is evident in every room.

There is something wonderfully freeing about making decisions simply because they feel right to you.

Want wallpaper on that wall? Wonderful.

Prefer a buffet filled with handbags? Absolutely.

Want to arrange an afternoon around finding the perfect antique piece rather than ordering something generic online? Even better.

Of course, there are practical considerations. There always are.

But practicality and personality needn’t be enemies.

If anything, working within a smaller footprint has made me more creative about how they coexist.

This Is Only the Beginning

There is still so much I want to do.

More wallpaper to consider. Furniture to discover. Art to hang. Objects to rearrange. Corners that haven’t quite found their purpose.

And I am perfectly comfortable with that.

This apartment is a work in progress, and I don’t believe it needs to be finished before I can enjoy living in it.

Some of the most interesting homes I’ve visited have evolved over years, even decades. Their beauty comes not from being decorated all at once, but from the layers of experiences, discoveries, and memories accumulated along the way.

That’s the kind of home I want to create.

A space that continues to evolve as I do, with room for beautiful finds, unexpected ideas, and the occasional decorating experiment.

So welcome to The Maximalist Apartment Diaries.

I’ll be sharing the furnishings, artwork, wallpaper, organizational solutions, and little luxuries that make this apartment feel increasingly like home.

There will be shopping links, design discoveries, practical considerations, and quite possibly a few questionable decisions that eventually turn out beautifully.

And while my square footage may have changed considerably, my appreciation for living beautifully certainly hasn’t.

A smaller home doesn’t require a smaller imagination.

Ciao for now 💋

Jessie Frances