When Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox (“Orange Is the New Black”) bought her first home—a 634-square-foot studio in Manhattan she first toured while filming “Inventing Anna”—she knew she wanted a space that could feel as expansive and intentional as her life.
source.image: Kirsten Dirksen
Inspired by architect Robert Garneau’s Pivot Apartment (featured on our channel), she partnered with him to redesign the compact layout into a smart, shape-shifting home tailored to her daily rhythms.
source.image: Kirsten Dirksen
Rotating wall panels allow the space to transform on demand. A motorized Murphy bed folds down to create a cozy sleeping nook, while those same panels close to form what Cox calls her “Murphy glam room”—a private dressing space centered around a hidden vanity tucked behind a mirrored wall. Garneau’s signature design includes a fold-down dining table, concealed kitchen countertops, and full-height closets lining nearly every wall.
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Wrapped in moody tones and finished with brass inlays and tactile materials, the apartment reflects what Cox calls “minimalist cozy luxury.” She later named it the “Boudoir Apartment”—not for its size, but for its calming, personal nature, like a traditional boudoir meant for rest and self-care. Architect Garneau calls the final result “a jewel box”—a multifunctional space that balances performance and personality.
By opening her doors—and sharing the full renovation process—Cox hopes to inspire others to rethink what’s possible in a small space: to live with style, intention, and without compromise.
