This makeup artist had moved into an apartment on New York City’s Lower East Side that she’d inherited from her mother a few years ago. But she hadn’t arranged the space in a way that truly worked for her and her boyfriend. A friend recommended interior designer Sarah Kruse, and they hit it off from the start. “She had an amazing art collection,” Kruse says. “I appreciate and love when a client has artwork and eclectic collections to work with. And I could tell she was very creative and would be willing to be unconventional.”

Working closely with her client, the designer was able to create a hardworking office alcove, smart storage for all of the couple’s belongings and supplies and a pleasing layout. She used her client’s extensive art collection and other existing pieces as inspiration, and even found a great way to display her boyfriend’s beloved action figures.