Melanie Demi is known online for her travel, lifestyle and pet content — and for rarely going anywhere without her three dogs. But when she isn’t exploring the world, she puts just as much care into making her home feel welcoming for her whole crew. Demi shares her Bushwick, Brooklyn apartment with her husband, Albert, two Great Danes and a small dachshund mix, meaning the space is always bustling.
She recently invited Dodo Digs and Isabel Klee (@simonsits) inside for a look at how she’s made a New York City apartment work for such a large family — no downsizing of dog size required.
When Demi first moved into the two-bedroom railroad-style unit, it felt cold and overly white, almost clinical. So she transformed it: bold rugs, bright art, and plants in every window warmed the rooms instantly. Now she describes her aesthetic as “eclectic — with a hint of Great Dane drool.”
The biggest splurge? A massive, $5,000 sofa that spans the entire living room. Demi chose it specifically for her Danes — it’s waterproof, pet-proof, deep enough for everyone to pile onto, and outfitted with white removable covers that can easily be tossed in the wash. Behind the couch is a gallery wall filled with memories and mementos from trips she’s taken with her dogs.
Because the couch takes up so much room, everything else is intentionally slim and minimal. The entry table and console are both narrow so the pups have plenty of space to zoom around without knocking things over. “We really had to be thoughtful about what we brought in,” Demi said. The space between the furniture fits perfectly — “about two Danes deep,” she joked.
Past the living room and kitchen sit the bedroom and office, both of which open onto the apartment’s rare gem: a backyard. That outdoor space was the couple’s main selling point. It’s where the dogs can sunbathe, play, and stretch their legs — and where the humans like to work on warm days. “I never imagined I’d have a yard in NYC,” Demi said. “It’s our little escape.”
At night, everyone — two adults and three dogs — ends up in the king-sized bed. It may sound impossible, but Demi says the Danes curl up into surprisingly small balls when they sleep. “Sometimes I wake up twisted like I did midnight yoga,” she laughed.
A few home amenities help keep life running smoothly, including an in-unit washer and dryer and the Scandinavian sleep system — each person has their own duvet, which means no fighting over blankets when the dogs shift around.
In the end, Demi embraces the chaos. With big dogs in an NYC apartment, perfection isn’t the goal — comfort is. “It’s about creating a home where my whole family fits,” she said. “A place that reflects who we are — our travels, our colors, our memories — and where it’s OK if the bed stays unmade. We’re living our best life, and that’s what matters.”