Shadowing Practice: 室內設計師開箱紐約18坪迷你雙人套房！小空間也能住出高格局、一房多用善用收納、分區｜迷你空間｜Vogue Taiwan - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
1
I really enjoy living in this small space.
2
I feel like it's very practical.
3
It kind of has everything I need and feels very intimate.
4
I wish I had a bigger house.
5
I'm joking.
6
I'm Christy Ward.
7
Welcome to my 650 square foot apartment in New York City.
8
When I was studying at Parsons, I met my now business partner, Staber Gray, and we then started Warden Gray about four years ago,
9
focusing on boutique hotels.
10
I love designing hotels.
11
I like how they can be experiential and fun, and you can take a bit more of a risk with them.
12
When designing this apartment, I really thought of it as a hotel.
13
The space is about the same for a large hotel room, so I thought in the same way, how do I create rooms within a room?
14
It is a studio apartment, but I wanted to have a dining space, a living space, a workspace, and creating all those little nooks was something very important to me.
15
The first time we walked through the apartment, every single wall was a different color.
16
So there were avocado green walls in the living room, pink and purple walls in the bathroom in the kitchen and I was excited because I saw all this opportunity here.
17
So I started drawing all these options for the floor plans.
18
The idea was to bring as much function as possible into it.
19
This is our living room.
20
When we first saw this apartment, one of our favorite things was that we were just across from two parks actually.
21
So you get a lot of greenery in the space
22
and you kind of get a break from the city so I wanted to bring that color through into the fabrics here.
23
I had photoshopped this room with a really deep navy first
24
but then when I got here
25
and started putting color on the walls as as test runs I saw
26
that the lighter color just really opened up the space more and that's kind of what we needed here.
27
For our chandelier we had it made with a glass master
28
and I pulled that same green that you see from the park
29
and on the wall sconces into the chandelier with the light blue that's also in our kitchen.
30
So it just kind of helped to tie that room together.
31
The sofa has been with us through our whole time in New York, and when we moved in here we thought, why not keep it?
32
So we decided to reupholster it in these really fun and lively colors.
33
And then we have this cordenza on this side, which is just kind of the focal point of the room and it kind of showcases the art.
34
These are fish I found.
35
They're little ceramic ones.
36
Every summer we like to go to Priano
37
and in their alleyways they stick ceramic fish into the stucco walls
38
and I always thought that was such a beautiful idea and
39
so I've been collecting them kind of thinking of doing that for a future project or house.
40
I love this lamp in the corner as well.
41
It's really fun because you can kind of tilt it if you're reading here just hanging out.
42
I thought what was nice is
43
that it just kind of makes the room feel a bit
44
taller being installed higher it just creates a lot of height
45
in the space this room used to be a lot bigger
46
because it was an open floor plan before for the bed
47
and the living space we did decide to cut it off
48
and make it two spaces so that we had more privacy into the bedroom
49
and i think
50
that helped to create a more intimate space here to us
51
i think making it smaller actually made it a bit more
52
functional this is our bedroom so we're just off the living room
53
which we separated by this glass
54
and metal divider we knew we wanted to have some sort of separation between the living room
55
and the bedroom and so i came up with the idea to do a glass
56
and metal divider something i did previously in a project for Soho House.
57
We were trying to separate there the bedroom and the bathroom but here I thought that was a great solution for privacy.
58
We were really deciding between a ribbed glass or a clear glass
59
and ultimately I really wanted to get that natural light when I woke up in the morning.
60
Sometimes I like to just hang out in bed, have a cup of coffee on the weekends
61
and I wanted to feel like it was morning
62
and I could see what was happening in the city without feeling too disconnected
63
so that's why we ultimately decided to go with the clear glass.
64
This bed I designed with a factory actually in Portugal
65
and the fabric we custom designed for the bed
66
so we've pulled out that green that's in the wall sconces and used the same color to create this hand block stripe.
67
My favorite detail of this bed is the fringe at the base which is really fun and playful.
68
The position of the bed was important.
69
at one point i had moved it over to the side
70
and played around with a little bedside table
71
but ultimately you really wanted the space on either side of
72
the bed to just free up the space feel a little lighter
73
and not like you're smashed up into a corner the challenge
74
i think with living in a small space is having self
75
-control not to buy everything you see in an antique shop
76
or when you travel you just have to know what you need
77
and not over purchase but it is nice to collect
78
this is our kitchen when we first saw this space the previous owner had cabinets
79
that were on either side of us
80
and we felt like we wanted to open it up with
81
this space we really wanted it to function as a kitchen
82
but also as a workspace
83
so we actually cut this countertop in here to create this little nook
84
and we added the bar stools
85
and this is actually what we use as a little workspace
86
and then we added these upper shelves here so we can just put our little objects
87
and then in the cabinets we actually used this clear glass on top
88
so that it felt more open
89
and we also had beadboard done at the back of the cabinet just to add that nice little detail.
90
The biggest challenge with this space is it's very narrow
91
so we had to be really thoughtful about what we were
92
putting in here we knew we had to have a full -size range
93
and fridge but the idea to hide the fridge away in this panel really helped
94
so it doesn't feel like a ton of equipment it just kind of looks like nice thoughtful cabinetry
95
and then here we did this marble shelf that's open
96
and we just store little objects on here and things we collect
97
but i think it makes the space kind of feel less like a kitchen
98
and and more like another room of the house
99
There's this painting here by the amazing Frankie Thorpe and we commissioned her to do it based off Priano, a place we go every summer.
100
Frankie actually included this glass from our Moncada home collection Spike and we named him after our favorite character from Notting Hill.
101
We went with Ferron Ball Light Blue for the cabinetry in here
102
and we felt like that gave it a very calm feel.
103
It just feels kind of soft and nice.
104
And then we use a Hone Carrera marble for the countertops and that just lightened everything up even more.
105
We're really lucky to have this window here
106
that looks out to a beautiful park so that brings in a lot of light.
107
We used a nice linen sheer and I think that just creates this ambient glow.
108
What I love about this space is it's really multifunctional so
109
when I'm here cooking or chopping my husband can kind of perch on these barstools
110
and hang out
111
and it's just nice in such a small space to be able to both be in here
112
and be doing two things at once but it still works.
113
If I could change something about this space I might add a door
114
because we do get some light leakage into the bedroom mostly because these are sheer curtains
115
but I think it's worth it for the nice arch we got coming into the space.
116
This is our dining nook.
117
Previously, this was one big wide corridor.
118
The old owner had a big cabinet here and it was kind of overwhelming the space.
119
It felt very tight.
120
This was one of the things I wasn't sure if I was going to invest in.
121
On the floor plan, it felt like maybe it wanted to stay a wide passageway into the living room and bedroom,
122
but I'm actually really happy I did this because it created a whole new room within this room.
123
and it's one of the most used spaces in our house.
124
We decided to eat into this wall to create this built -in millwork piece.
125
We did it in the same light blue since it's right across from the kitchen
126
and then added the same beadboard details that's behind the kitchen cabinets and this just created a ton of storage for us.
127
So on the right and left side we have wardrobes here and then below the little nook bench we also have storage.
128
When we have people over, our friends can kind of hang out here, perch on these chairs and then I'm in the kitchen
129
but it's very social because there's no door and so everyone just kind of gets to mingle.
130
So with small spaces I feel like storage is always the biggest issue
131
so for us adding this whole corridor of closets was really impactful for us.
132
These were formed by our contractor and he was using this kind of bendy plywood
133
that took the corner and then he hand plastered over.
134
This is actually an art deco building.
135
It was built in the thirties and the plaster was original to the building.
136
So we wanted to make sure we used that here as well.
137
This is our bathroom.
138
When we first started doing the layouts for the space, we toyed with the idea of making the bathroom bigger.
139
But ultimately, I thought storage was more important for clothes and things like that.
140
I think it was the right decision in the end.
141
We have so much and trying to pack it all into a studio can be tough.
142
So I think the storage was a better use of space.
143
The bathroom is quite tight.
144
So we use this light blue color to open it up and make it feel a little bit larger.
145
I couldn't find a 24 inch wide vanity off the shelf
146
so I really had to custom make this one it's a very tight space
147
so easing the corners of the backsplash really helped
148
and I think makes it feel less angular
149
and gives a nice kind of flow the mirror has these eased edges it's actually a polished nickel
150
but I thought I just spoke to the rest of the apartment with the curves
151
I used the same sconce that I used throughout the house with that green just to tie in the colors.
152
The whole process took us about a year
153
but I feel like it wasn't that grand moment
154
when you walk into a space and it was finished
155
because I little by little was finding furniture and lights and it's still never really done.
156
This was the first apartment I have designed for myself.
157
I think having done it once, now I just want to keep doing it again and again.
158
The important thing I think in a studio apartment is just making sure everything is functional and has a purpose.
159
I think we've managed to fit a lot in here.
160
We have our little dining space, a bedroom, living room, workspace.
161
I think that's quite unique in a studio and also I guess our things make it unique.
162
They feel uniquely us.
✨ Recommend Video
B21
330 sentences
How He Made a Basic 600 Sq Ft Toronto Condo Feel Like a Luxury Hotel – FULL TOUR
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
24 sentences
Inside Anaïs Bouchard's Parisian apartment | Une Fille, Un Style | Vogue Paris
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B11
188 sentences
Inside an Architect Couple’s Small Family Home, Milan 41sqm/441sqft
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
228 sentences
Architect Breaks Down 5 of the Most Common New York Apartments | Architectural Digest
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B2155 sentences
80% of Interior Design Basics in 10 minutes
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
409 sentences
CHRISTMAS SHOP TOUR | Inside The Six Bells, A New Old Country Store
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B25
218 sentences
No Boss, No Money: The Raw Reality of China’s Gen-Z Freelancers
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B22
92 sentences
Day in my life as an interior designer in London
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
110 sentences
Architect Steven Harris’ 5 Non-Negotiables When Designing His Own Home (Design Masterclass)
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B12
179 sentences
Woman Living in a Perfect Tiny House with BEAUTIFUL Interior Design – Cost & Full Tour
Business EnglishDaily ConversationUniversity Students
B21
112 sentences
5 Things Under $20 Every ARCHITECT Needs
Business EnglishUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
![Hotels ByDesign: Season 4 | Episode 5 [FULL EPISODE]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/x88227bDEaU/mqdefault.jpg)
B21
483 sentences
Hotels ByDesign: Season 4 | Episode 5 [FULL EPISODE]
Business EnglishTravel EnglishUniversity Students
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “室內設計師開箱紐約18坪迷你雙人套房！小空間也能住出高格局、一房多用善用收納、分區｜迷你空間｜Vogue Taiwan”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: space, kitchen, apartment, glass, color. This video has 162 sentences and 2075 words to shadow. The speech runs for 11:39. The speaker talks at a natural 178 words per minute, close to everyday conversation. 84% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nook noun | /nʊk/ | A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove. |
| workspace noun | /ˈwɝkˌspeɪs/ | An area allocated for someone to work in, especially in an office. |
| dine verb | /daɪn/ | To eat; to eat dinner or supper. |
| sconce noun | /skɑns/ | A fixture for a light, which holds it and provides a screen against wind or against a naked flame or lightbulb. |
| shelf noun | /ʃɛlf/ | A flat, rigid structure, fixed at right angles to a wall or forming a part of a cabinet, desk, etc., and used to display, store, or support objects. |
| beadboard noun | Wooden boards with a bead or ridge running their length used for paneling walls or ceilings. | |
| cabinetry noun | Synonym of cabinetmaking (“fine woodworking to produce cabinets”). | |
| chandelier noun | /ˌʃæn.dəˈlɪɚ/ | A branched, often ornate, light fixture suspended from a ceiling. |
| countertop noun | The top surface of a counter, for preparation of food, etc. | |
| divider noun | /dɪˈvaɪdə(ɹ)/ | One who or that which divides or separates. |
| perch noun | /pɝt͡ʃ/ | Any of the three species of spiny-finned freshwater fish in the genus Perca. |
| plaster noun | /ˈplæstɚ/ | A paste applied to the skin for healing or cosmetic purposes. |
| ceramic noun | /səˈɹæmɪk/ | A hard, brittle, inorganic, nonmetallic material, made by firing a material such as clay at a high temperature. |
| thoughtful adjective | /ˈθɔːtfəl/ | Demonstrating thought or careful consideration. |
| corridor noun | /ˈkɒɹɪdɔː/ | A narrow hall or passage with rooms leading off it, as in a building or in a railway carriage. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| come up with verb | To manage to produce, deliver, or present (something) by inventing, creating, thinking of, or obtaining it. |
| open up verb | To open. |
| pull out verb | To withdraw; especially of military forces; to retreat. |
| walk through verb | To explain (something) to (someone), step by step. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | has been · we've pulled · have designed |
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | being installed · were formed · was built |
| Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing | side, which is · base which is |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 17 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, wasn't, we're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: shelf /ʃɛlf/, chandelier /ˌʃæn.dəˈlɪɚ/, sheer /ʃɪɚ/, backsplash /ˈbækˌsplæʃ/, experiential /ɪkˌspɪɹiˈɛnʃəl/
- Long words — get the stress right: avocado /ˌɑvəˈkɑdoʊ/, experiential /ɪkˌspɪɹiˈɛnʃəl/, separation /ˌsɛp.əˈɹeɪ.ʃən/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like nook, workspace, dine.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.