- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Actress Amelie Zilber's 900-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Looks Like a 1920s Parisian Salon
The 24-year-old Columbia student's home is a treasure trove of vintage objects.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:45pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A vintage rotary phone, a symbol of Amelie Zilber's Parisian-inspired apartment, is transformed into a bold pop art statement.NYC TodayAmelie Zilber, a 24-year-old actress and Columbia University student, has transformed her 900-square-foot New York City apartment into a charming Parisian-inspired oasis. Despite being a rental, Zilber has put significant effort into making the space feel like a personal sanctuary, incorporating vintage furniture, artwork, and decor that align with her romantic, old-fashioned aesthetic.
Why it matters
Zilber's apartment showcases how a young renter can create a unique and personalized living space, even with the constraints of a rental property. Her attention to detail and willingness to invest in quality pieces that reflect her style demonstrate the power of thoughtful design, even in a small urban apartment.
The details
Zilber, a Los Angeles native, fell in love with the charm of her pre-war apartment building and the surrounding downtown neighborhood. She made several changes to the space, including painting, installing wallpaper, and swapping out the kitchen floor, while ensuring any modifications could be easily reverted when she eventually moves out. Zilber's design strategy focused on splurging on pieces she loves, such as a large-scale painting she created, vintage stools, and a faux-tile kitchen floor. She also incorporated many vintage and antique items, including a tapestry from her mother, a dollhouse-sized dresser, and an array of artwork and decor found at flea markets and online.
- Zilber moved into the apartment after falling in love with the charm of the pre-war building and the surrounding downtown neighborhood.
The players
Amelie Zilber
A 24-year-old actress and Columbia University student who has transformed her 900-square-foot New York City apartment into a charming Parisian-inspired oasis.
Zilber's mother
Helped Zilber redesign the kitchen, sourcing and adding most of the decor, as she is skilled in interior design.
What they’re saying
“Everything was new to me. Before this, I had only ever lived in my childhood home, so this was my first real experience decorating a space from scratch.”
— Amelie Zilber, Actress and Columbia University student
“I'd always rather spend more on something that makes me happy every time I look at it, functions well, and makes the space feel like home.”
— Amelie Zilber, Actress and Columbia University student
“I wanted to make this space feel as Parisian as possible, with reason and rental constraints in mind.”
— Amelie Zilber, Actress and Columbia University student
The takeaway
Zilber's apartment showcases how a young renter can create a unique and personalized living space, even with the constraints of a rental property. Her attention to detail and willingness to invest in quality pieces that reflect her style demonstrate the power of thoughtful design, even in a small urban apartment.
