Name: Julie
Location: NYC
Our Cherokee Apartment is probably less than 500 square feet. The owners are historic preservation lawyer/architects and keeping the original historic elements is extremely important to them. There are several pieces of furniture that are original to the 1909 build-date that we must use as our own and keep in the great shape they are in.
Those things include a "pie safe" and a "dry sink." There is also an early 1900's oven that is intimidating at first and has no temperature guages. Just knobs and fire!
My husband and I are both tall people and the bedroom is barely wider than 6' so we can't stretch out fully in the bed. We are in denial of this element of suffering because we love this apartment so much.
I strive to blend modern with the historic nature of this very special space. I am one of those people who likes for every item in their home to have a story or personal history behind it and I think this cozy little apartment would make an excellent, eclectic Apartment Therapy house tour.
I should also add that I was a featured crafter on the Martha Stewart show a few years ago and I'm living an organized Martha Stewart lifestyle and I think that shows in the apartment. The Martha Stewart "Homekeeping Handbook" is my Bible.
Thanks, Julie!
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Comments (15)
I lived in this building for four years - loved living there despite the small space! Sadly, I got priced out and had to move, but it's such a wonderful spot.
There is a certain charm to the apartment...but how do you function in the bedroom? Do you have to walk over the bed to get to the other side all the time? Just curious! I really like the kitchen-too cute.
How fun.
I am curious about the bedroom function, too.
i want to see more, please. i'm a preservation advocate.
go to her flickr stream. they've rehabbed it from truly skeevy.
@newyorklady1
I do believe I see a doorway on the right of the hanging clothes. Looks like the bathroom.
Yep, we have to walk around the bed or walk on top of it. My clothes are the ones in the exposed wardrobe and I stand on the bed to get dressed. Then, after I'm dressed, I get shoes out from under the bed.
My shoes are mostly in a shallow Rubbermaid container under the bed and it slides in & out. (We absolutely have a well-utilized Manhattan Mini-Storage unit for our off-season clothes.)
I have more extensive photos on Flickr. One set is the before we moved in and after and the other was from last Sunday when I did the pics. for submission.
Before & Afters: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eiluj/sets/72157617831527265/
And more cute pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eiluj/sets/72157624219754882/
preserving is one thing... expecting someone to live there and pay for it is another... not sure how you guys feel but i'd never be able to live there. it's just too inconveniently old!
it has its charm, but that doesnt make a livable place.
I actually love the inconvenient charm of it all. I've lived in many houses and apartments that lacked the modern floorplan architecture and layout in lieu of the unique charm of inconvenience. Like the toilet that was positioned under a sloped ceiling. Good for me for being short.
I especially love the kitchen! Antique stoves/dry sinks! Amazing. You seem to have made the best of a tight squeeze!
Sounds like an aerobic work out just getting dressed in the morning - not for me!
i love old stoves! we have one in our current rental as well! we have a built-in slow-cooker the pot is below the top surface of the stove and a bread warming drawer. love it!
I enjoy apartments like this, but I can't help but think there has to be a better solution for your clothes and bed situation. It has the feel of a dorm room. And very dark.
But agree that it's wonderful that you've done a nice job preserving, esp the kitchen.
Maybe this fall I can afford to have Laura Cattano come over and tell me what to do with my clothes. In the meantime however, this apartment has 1 linen closet and 1 tiny clothes closet which barely holds my husbands wardrobe. My wardrobe is massive! I worked for Patricia Field the fashion stylist for a couple years. I have all of our off-season things in storage. I probably have 20 coats and tons of party dresses.
I think if we turned our bed, the walk-way next to it wouldn't be wide enough for our dog to walk through. Twin-size bunk beds would be best for this space but my husband and I like each other. :)
I love the TB tenement and what you have done to it with all your hard work!
Seeing the tour led me on a Google adventure through forgotten NY architecture- Thank you!
Don't be discouraged by people who can't imagine living with tiny rooms and few closets. If you love it, that's all that counts.
I do have a suggestion for the kitchen. The dry sink is cute but hard to use as a working counter. If you put a sturdy top over the whole thing (use rubber dots to avoid dents to the dry sink) you could use it like a normal counter. Soapstone would be perfect, although heavy.
One last thing- I still have the first piece of furniture I ever bought- the same bamboo sewing stand you have. I think it's haunted. I have given it away several times but it always comes back. Thanks again for the tour! Sallybjo
Ooh I love my bamboo "sewing stand" I've never known what it officially is. The covering is becoming dry-rotted and I'm considering painting it, but I know there will be no turning back. I will never ever get rid of it! I love it so much. We got married in Hawaii and it kind of reminds me of Hawaiiana.