Shock As Millennial Themes Entire Apartment on Classic ’9…

In a city known for its bold self-expression, one New York City woman has taken themed living to new heights by turning her Manhattan apartment into a stunning homage to Titanic, the 1997 Hollywood film set on the RMS Titanic ship.

A video capturing a glimpse of the transformation has gone viral on TikTok, where model and real estate agent Sarah Boll shares her evolving home under the username @titanicapartment.

The 38-year-old, originally from Michigan, has rented the apartment for the past eight months. Located in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood, the space has become an immersive tribute to the famed film and British ocean liner that sank in 1912.

Boll told Newsweek that the transformation was sparked by a casual idea that quickly took on a life of its own.

She moved into the place back in December and started working on it at the end of March. “It initially started for a [Titanic-themed] party,” she explained. “I had no plan—just decided things day by day basically.”

Boll’s Titanic apartment joins a broader trend of personalized home design, as more Americans turn their living spaces into creative canvases.

According to a 2024 survey by home design site Houzz, median spending on home renovations has jumped 60 percent in recent years—from $15,000 in 2020 to $24,000 in 2023.

“Turning my NYC apartment into the Titanic one night at a time,” reads the text overlaid on the viral TikTok video posted on August 14. The clip has since racked up over 698,000 views.

The video offers a sweeping tour of the apartment’s ship-inspired interior—from portholes affixed to doors and walls to ornate gold trim, ambient candlelight, and even a brass ship bell.

The apartment’s transforming look is captured across dozens of videos shared on Boll’s TikTok account, offering viewers a close-up look at the detailed artistry of the Titanic theme. According to Boll, she changed “almost everything” in the apartment to evoke the early 1900s design.

Her videos showcase everything from pillows bearing the faces of Jack and Rose, the film’s lead characters played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, to other elaborate decor features.

The work is ongoing. Just the other night, she said: “I was up painting things for the useable bathroom.” Still, she described the Titanic aesthetic as “definitely temporary,” revealing that her next home makeover will be inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

“I’m excited to have the main room in my apartment look somewhat normal again,” Boll said.

‘So Unhinged’

TikTok users flooded the comments with admiration, questions, and humor.

“This is nuts but I love it,” wrote one user, @landmark55, while Aiala Zacharin added: “This is so unhinged, I love it.”

The whimsical nature of the renovation struck a chord with viewers, many of whom praised Boll’s dedication to the niche theme.

“I love people with niche interests that just go for it. Being like everyone else is boring,” wrote user @brandisaurusrex.

Some commenters found deeper inspiration in the project. “Everyone is asking ‘why?’ instead of ‘why not?'” noted Daniel Wang. Laurin added: “Idk [I don’t know] why I’m so invested in this.”

Others had questions. “What are all the portholes!!! Those are so cool. How’d you do those?” asked user Stephanie Forsythe. Meanwhile, user8887938457435 noted: “The water halfway up the port holes.”

Kayla Rushing simply called it an “intriguing use of free will.”

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