gabrielle fratangelo: apartment full of style

Meet Gabrielle Fratangelo, a New York City-based publicist.

Location: Upper East Side, NYC Occupation: Account Executive at Atrium PR Size: 375-square-feet

Who are you?

I’m the complete opposite of a minimalist, in every sense of the word. I like to think of myself as a “momentous hoarder”, of sorts. I love to layer everything together, one on top of another, and make it my own. I’m definitely a gypsy, born in the wrong era.

What inspires you?

It changes all the time! Lately, I’ve been drawn to Paris in the 1970s, and this very easy, messy idea of glamour. I’m consistently drawn to the 90s and the carefree teen culture of that decade.

On a recent trip home for the holidays, I went through a box of photos of my parents on vacation. My mom with powder blue eye shadow and gold bracelets, and my Italian dad in a Hawaiian shirt, holding a coconut cocktail the early ’80s. I find this displacement inspiring, along with seeking the magical in the mundane.

4 things that make me happy…

Roaming flea markets and thrift stores on the weekends. I’m a firm believer that those one-of-a-kind treasures are meant to be with one person, and there’s nothing better than when that person is you. A fringe leather jacket from Grand Street Bakery in Williamsburg, I get the most joy from wearing it! A good meal with good people. Nothing fancy – hello, ramen! Food just tastes better when shared in the company of close friends. The thrill I get when finding the perfect bold lip color. I’m a beauty junkie and hoarder, I have over 25 tubes of red lipstick alone!

How does your home make you feel?

My apartment is like a second skin. I feel more comfortable there than anywhere else. It’s important to have a place where you can go to unwind and escape, at the end of a long day.

What is one thing every small space should have?

A bare wall is often considered a commodity in small spaces, and I try to preserve that by leaving them exposed. I love to layer a variety of elements together against my brick wall by stacking prints on top of paintings and large scale pieces.

What is your most prized possession?

I have so many pieces of heirloom jewelry, handed down from my great-grandmother and great-aunt, a huge cocktail ring with a smokey topaz stone and a diamond-shaped watch necklace with a hanging tassel. They’re both so special to me! When I was 16, I got a cameo ring in Florence, and it hasn’t come off my finger since. It reminds me of the things that matter most in life – family, travel, and good food!

“i love the vintage mirror that sits on the mantel. it’s almost like a little shrine for my favorite things.”

What is your favorite spot in your home?

I’m lucky enough to have a fireplace with a mantel, and although it’s nonfunctioning, it makes for a more cozy space with added depth.

a defunct fireplace doubles as extra storage space!

How do you decorate in a small space without compromising style?

My space is definitely an extension of myself, and that is something I take pride in. It’s important to fill a space with pieces that you love, rather than those whose sole purpose is for functionality. This is something I’ve found to be especially true in small spaces, there’s nowhere to hide something you aren’t absolutely over the moon for.