I gave my friend's apartment a full makeover for about $2,500 with SICOTAS furniture
Finding the perfect New York City apartment is tough, but decorating it might be even more difficult.
With so many options on the market, it can feel overwhelming to sift through endless coffee tables and couches, especially if you're not looking to spend five figures furnishing your space.
Enter SICOTAS, an accessible, design-forward furniture company built on the principles of SImplicity, COmfort and TASte (it's right there in the name!). Founded in 2018, the brand offers elegant, versatile and environmentally conscious home décor — and I recently got to experience its pieces firsthand when my friend Brooke asked me for help giving her Brooklyn rental a much-needed facelift.
Together with interior designer Kat Salazar and SICOTAS Marketing Manager Charlene Yang, we decided to focus our efforts on the two spaces Brooke uses most. We started in the living room; with little besides a sectional sofa and a few scattered plants as a starting point, it was the perfect blank canvas to bring to life.
New York Post
New York Post
New York Post
New York Post
'The first thing I notice about this space is all of the beautiful natural elements — the exposed brick, the high ceilings with those beautiful wood beams, the natural light,' Kat says. 'I want to take those elements and complement them with more natural finishes to really create a comfortable, cozy feel.'
To play up the room's 'warm tones,' Charlene suggested a mix of pieces from SICOTAS' Savanna Collection, which is made with sustainably sourced rattan, and its waveform-paneled Cas Collection.
SICOTAS
One of Kat's top priorities was introducing some shelving, so she and Charlene sandwiched this console table between two of the matching bookshelves below — the perfect mix of hidden and open storage.
SICOTAS
'Depending on the time of the day, you'll get a different look as the sun beams on the furniture,' says Charlene, who picked the Cassiopeia constellation-inspired Cas Collection to take advantage of the room's oversized windows and ample sunlight.
SICOTAS
To fill in the center of the room, Charlene chose this rattan-topped coffee table from SICOTAS' Savanna Collection. For a bit of contrast on top, Kat placed a white alabaster bowl filled with moss spheres, along with a stack of ivory-colored books and a few smaller accent pieces to match.
'We definitely wanted to bring in a lot of those natural textures to complement the architecture of the space,' Kat says. 'We found a lot of those in the accessories, but it started with the finishes of the SICOTAS collection.'
The next stop was the bedroom, which was similarly low on storage space and didn't offer Brooke any sort of proper work-from-home setup.
'We really need to open this space up a little bit more,' Kat noted. 'The pieces we bring in should be a little bit more functional.'
New York Post
New York Post
Page Six
New York Post
New York Post
SICOTAS
While Brooke's old oak nightstands blended into the exposed brick wall in the bedroom, these ones from SICOTAS' Opus Collection create a nice contrast, making the whole room feel more finished.
'I love that this style can go with so many types of design,' Kat says of the nightstands, which feature a fluted finish inspired by a piano's keys.
SICOTAS
Charlene and Kat chose to swap out the small sofa at the foot of Brooke's bed, replacing it with two of these shoe benches.
'Functionally, these are really great. We wanted to put something at the end of the bed where you could sit and put your shoes on, and it also has lots of storage,' Kat says.
SICOTAS
On the opposite side of the room, Charlene and Kat brought in this rattan dresser to introduce some texture and color while also offering plenty of storage.
'You can use it to store your clothes, but also as a TV stand,' Charlene points out. Beats looking at a blank white wall!
SICOTAS
'You can use it as a vanity, as a workspace, however you want,' Kat says of this sleek computer desk. 'We put a little stool there for now, but she could always change it to a chair.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Homeless Man's Viral Three-Story Treehouse in Los Angeles Is Torn Down—but He Vows a Comeback
A homeless man's three-story treehouse crafted from scrap materials near downtown Los Angeles has been torn down by the city—but this setback has not deterred the enterprising architect. The elevated makeshift home—with a bedroom, a loft, and a zip line—went viral last month, when a TikTok video captured the structure in all its ramshackle glory, drawing more than 340,000 views. But the arboreal abode's moment in the spotlight proved short-lived: A week ago, city workers descended on the South L.A. neighborhood and dismantled the improvised living space, along with other shelters making up a nearby street-level homeless encampment. The aftermath was captured on video by Instagram creator @StephanieSapphire69 and shared on her account. The treehouse's builder and sole occupant, who identified himself only as Erick, said in an exclusive interview with the New York Post that the demolition came as no surprise. "It was gonna happen eventually. I knew they were gonna take it," the 34-year-old told the outlet Monday. The unhoused man currently lives in a scavenged shack at the foot of his beloved tree, surrounded by mounds of debris. Undaunted, Erick is already in the process of putting together a new treehouse—his fourth in 10 years. Erick said he plans several new features for his next above-ground home, including camouflage walls, a trampoline net, and a fire pole to enable quick getaways. The self-taught builder explained that living in a tree protects him from thefts and assaults widespread among the unhoused population in the area. He is also not interested in seeking refuge at one of Los Angeles' city shelters, which he dismissed as dangerous and dirty. Erick emphasized that he intends to continue living on the streets, or more, accurately, above them, because it's his lifestyle choice. "I'm not doing this to make it hard for [the city]," he said. "I'm going to be a burden no matter what. This just works for me. You gotta do whatever you do because it works for you." Locals are split on Erick's living arrangements, with one resident telling the publication that the homeless man's presence in the neighborhood does not bother her, while a business owner accused the treehouse architect of stealing from him. Erick denied being a thief, saying that he made a living by selling recyclables. L.A. homelessness is turning a corner Erick's story is emblematic of a persistent crisis that has long plagued Los Angeles and other major metros—although recently there have been signs of progress. According to a recent count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there were an estimated 26,972 unsheltered people living on the streets within city limits in February, down nearly 8% from a year ago. The combined populations of people living in shelters or on the streets in L.A. shrank year-over-year by 3.4%, to roughly 43,700. Countywide, homelessness edged down 4% compared with 2024, marking the second consecutive decline in 20 years, when the count began. Since 2023, unsheltered homelessness has dropped in Los Angeles by 17.5%. "Homelessness has gone down two years in a row because we chose to act with urgency and reject the broken status quo of leaving people on the street until housing was built," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. "These results aren't just data points—they represent thousands of human beings who are now inside, and neighborhoods that are beginning to heal." These downward trends come after the city and county invested billions of taxpayers dollars into clearing homeless encampments and offering unhoused individuals temporary and permanent housing. In May, California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged cities and counties to crack down on tent cities as he pledged more than $3 billion in grants for facilities to treat unhoused people and others for mental illness and substance abuse. "No more excuses," he said at the time. "It is time to take back the streets. It's time to take back the sidewalks. It's time to take these encampments and provide alternatives." Los Angeles' homelessness problem is especially stark against the backdrop of some of the most high-priced housing in the U.S. As of July, the median home list price in L.A. was $1.15 million, the second-highest in the U.S., trailing only San Jose, CA, according to the latest monthly housing trends report from L.A.'s rental market is no better, with the median asking rent for an apartment in the city reaching roughly $2,700 a month in June, according to the most recent rental report from At the same time, tens of thousands of people within L.A. city limits and in the surrounding county are living in tents, treehouses, or squalid shelters. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
Score over $300 off the Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum today on Amazon
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. It's been said that hardship, even in small doses, builds character. This is a common justification for the infliction of chore duty upon children by their parents. But you're an adult now (we'd hazard a guess). Haven't you built enough character over the years? Must you keep plowing on through every chore? There must be a point, certainly, when one's character has been developed enough. Enter the No. 1 bestselling Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum, capable of doing the bulk of your chores for you, and available for 50% off this week on Amazon. Advertisement This bagless, self-emptying Shark AI Robot vacuum's suction picks up dirt and debris on all floor types, tackling even the toughest of messes in your home, and you can pick yours up for $300 off on Amazon. Start sucking up savings now! Amazon The Shark AI Ultra offers voice-activated cleaning via Alexa or Google Assistant and features precise 360° LiDAR navigation with Matrix Clean grid-based coverage. It tackles pet hair with powerful suction and a self-cleaning brushroll, and the self-emptying base holds up to 60 days of debris. With up to 120 minutes of runtime and auto Recharge‑and‑Resume, it's highly automated and pet‑friendly. Best of all? It's available for 50% off for a limited time only. This article was written by P.J. McCormick, New York Post Commerce Deals Writer/Reporter. P.J. is an expert deal-finder, sifting through endless brands and retailers to deliver only the best savings opportunities on truly worthwhile products. P.J. finds Prime Day-worthy deals all year long on some of our favorite products we've tested and our readers' beloved best-sellers, from Wayfair furniture sales to the lowest prices on Apple AirPods. P.J. has been scouring sales for Post Wanted shoppers since 2022 and previously held positions at Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and Hyperallergic. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change. Looking for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping Post Wanted.
New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
EDGING CASTING 2-in-1 Cast Iron Dutch Oven and Skillet Lid is 45% off
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. There are deals, and then there are deals that make you question whether you've accidentally time-traveled to a frontier homestead where quality cookware didn't cost a small fortune. The EDGING CASTING 2-in-1 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot with Skillet Lid is currently 45% off on Amazon. This is the kind of cookware that doesn't flinch at a flame, scoffs at non-stick, and could probably outlive us all. Let's be real: durability is what matters, and most cast iron delivers. But what sets this one apart is its clever double duty. It's a Dutch oven and a skillet, meaning you can sear your meat in the lid and then braise it low-and-slow in the pot. It's the ultimate one-two punch for soups, stews, roasts, breads, cobblers, and anything else that benefits from slow heat. It's not flashy. It's not nonstick. It's not coaching you through calorie counts or promising to 'fit your modern aesthetic.' What it is, though, is a kitchen workhorse disguised as a deal so good it feels illicit. And if you've ever wanted to feel like you could cook over an open fire, or just nail a sourdough crust without spending $300 on a fancy brand name, this is your moment. Advertisement Amazon The EDGING CASTING 2-in-1 Dutch Oven and Skillet Lid combo is a pre-seasoned cast iron cooking set that combines the versatility of a 5-quart Dutch oven with the practicality of a matching skillet that doubles as its lid. Built for even heat distribution and long-term durability, this set works on all stovetops, in the oven, and over a fire. It's naturally nonstick (with proper seasoning) and ideal for baking, frying, roasting, and stewing — all without sacrificing valuable kitchen space. This article was written by Kendall Cornish, New York Post Commerce Editor & Reporter. Kendall, who moonlights as a private chef in the Hamptons for New York elites, lends her expertise to testing and recommending cooking products – for beginners and aspiring sous chefs alike. Simmering and seasoning her way through both jobs, Kendall dishes on everything from the best cookware for your kitchen to cooking classes that will level-up your skills to new dinnerware to upgrade your holiday hosting. Prior to joining the Post's shopping team in 2023, Kendall previously held positions at Apartment Therapy and at Dotdash Meredith's Travel + Leisure and Departures magazines.
