THAT CHILD IN THE CASE IS A HORROR! Why in the name of anything good in this universe would you want a child in what looks like a Victorian coffin. BAD MOJO, very bad mojo. Just looking at it turns my stomach. I couldn't care less about the rest of this pad no matter how gorgeous it might be.

well, if you take away all the bizarre s#!t that this gal has, the apartment itself is quite fantastic.

I think it's funkadelic!
That bed just makes me want to curl up and read a fairytale!

I second house of deva! It ruined what should have been an innovative and inspiring post.

A bit too avant-garde for my tastes!

Well, it's different.

The table is an art installation of hers. It's probably meant to be upsetting, so mission accomplished. I actually found that little staircase more disturbing. That's an ER visit in the making!

Love that sunny palm room -- minus the body in a glass box.

"it takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world. Yes it does. It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world. "

LOVE IT!

I think it's fabulous!

Haha, love it! Bizarre and interesting.

I'm highly disturbed by the little girl in the glass case... but everything else is AMAZING!!!!

Cool. Creative. Unique. 3 of my favorite things! I'd love to have a conversation with this chic.

LoveLoveLove it. This is the best thing I’ve seen in ages!

And really, children in vitrines are the best kind of children.

Love the living room without that horrific child. The rest is too much of the same.

Registered after months of silent looking to say, "YES."

I Like the whimsy, all fairytales are a bit morbid, so its fitting for the theme. I would be scared witless every time I walked by the encased child LOL otherwise well done :)

well, the plants are nice...???

The living room sculpture is lovely to look at, but I'm finding myself concerned for the mice. Is silicone a good material for them to be "nibbling" on? Are they adored pets or simply a part of the piece? Hm. Live animals as artwork: ok, I guess, as long as they're well treated.

i love this! very creative! always fun to see something different.

I love it... for my quirky friend... not me!

I love it too...weird child in the table and all :D

I love the whimsy of her place! I think a child would find it heavenly to live in a place with secret rooms and secret stairs. Absolutely brilliant!

Pretty awesome and very fun to look at. Yes, the sculpture is quite disturbing to me, too (as his its placement under a sex toy-esque sculpture). I might also be terrified of being trapped in that secret alcove, especially since the door to the stairway up is camouflaged! Nevertheless I bet this place is quite a trip to explore!

as is*

I like it but it screams "code violations" to me.

I'd like to be cool and tongue-in-cheek regarding the childlike doll in a glass case (@ arroyo: hahaha yes, real children are difficult, why do people still bother to have them instead of just keeping cute dolls in vitrines). But there's a "sex-toy inspired sculpture" sitting on that glass case (a silicone dildo bouquet if you will), and live mice inside the case. What is the narrative suggested by these elements? The article says the installation is "autobiographically inspired": okay, to each their own. But in light of the dildos and the faceless blonde in black lace stockings, the childlike elements are sexualized. In that light, to me the whole dwelling's dolls and secret closets take on the same necro/pedophillic air. Sure, it's a unique space with great architecture and design details, surreal, avant-garde, whatever. But no thanks.

I'd really like to see more of this! While I don't necessarily love all the individual touches, I love how the main living space seems to be layed out, and the color palette is beautiful!

I love it. The 8 photos in the original article are not enough, and I really wish they were bigger. I think the installation with the child is amazing. I wonder if the mice live in there full time though, I'm sure they would eventually ruin the silicone doll, which would be a shame.

Secret room - LOVEOMGLOVE. Miss Thang in the Box...erm...maybe she just brings it out for cocktail parties? How in God's name does she keep it clean...?

Maybe the mice are for the cat? If that's a real cat...?

Those stairs and that secret room... too claustrophobic. Panic inducing. Can't breathe...

It doesn't bother me at all, cause, I was, like, at Woodstock!

I didn't read the article (because I just don't want to) but my guess is that this is a gallery as well as being her home. I'm sure all of her art is for sale and good for her. ...and living with one's art is not unusual. It's what artists do kiddies.

whoa. calm down house of deva. breath into a paper bag or something. i seriously doubt that it's a real child, and not everything appeals to everyone. this is a little too contrived for my tastes, but it certainly is an attention grabber!

I LOVE IT! I want it. It would be like living in a museum.

is that a child in the case??
I thought was a wax sculpture of an emaciated model that suffered of anorexia.... (°_°)

On a brighter side, how you manage do do the bed? putting it vertical against a wall every time?

Love that little room. Thought of Alice in Wonderland before I saw the reference.

I always enjoy looking at these showcases/pieces but they always leave me wondering how people manage to live in them? I mean, when you come home from work and want to throw your shoes off, lounge around and eat a bowl of pasta in front of the TV... how do you do that in such a delicately-placed environment?

Fantastic! So creative and inspiring. Love the interior and fascinating art - including the disturbing child under glass.

I love NYmag, they find the coolest people. I would live here in a heartbeat. A little macabre is good for you! Life needs both death and humor.

Very creative, great design overall. I love the duplex/kitchen, it's amazing. I could not live with the child/mice sculpture though, I would find it endlessly creepy, plus I hate rodents. The rest of the house is fabulous, though. Seems like somewhere Lady Gaga might live.

This apartment is a work of art and a work of personal expression. Bravo to the owner to be able to express her dream home in real life. Thanks for sharing.

You wouldnt have a child without something to do with sex...
I dunno if I could live with the doll-in-a-box, or the mice, mostly bc caged things & things that arent alive but could be when my back is turned are scary, but very cool.
& thought provoking

Artists, or at least good artists, generally want to convey sophisticated emotional messages. The silicone child in the box is unsettling, perhaps even a little macabre, but it challenges the (intelligent) viewer to analyse what it is about this lump of silicone in a glass case that generates a certain emotional state. What subtlties of posture, dress and social conventions are involved?

And once we've examined those issues, we can ask what metaphors does it create for concepts of protection versus danger, luxury versus freedom? Or is it about the blurred line between pets and children, especially in urban lives (as often displayed in AT comment threads)?

If you stop and think about it, rather than just blurting "Ooh, icky!", it's a profoundly interesting piece.

I love it. Unreservedly. Its got the wonderful mix of Victorian + candy colours that I am unable to resist.

The mice/cat combo would make me nervous but its an amazing space.

I wish I had the architecture to pull off this effect.

Wow, trippy!

I kinda hate it. But I think that's the point.
I met a girl from NY at a party in Dubai and she referred to herself and other artists as 'creatives' saying, "It can be really hard for us creatives when..."
It made me roll my eyes. Like this space does. It's trying pretty hard to do/be something and in doing so, seems to fall flat.
I'm not usually this mean. But it felt a little pretentious and really turned me off.

I absolutely love it! I think it's wonderful that the artist was able to create her "dream home" in such a creative way.

Will everyone hate me if I use those corbel shelves to display things under glass? Because I really love those.

I would kill for those ceiling heights but I can at least buy corbels.

Love it. Yes sir, I love it a lot.

i feel bad for her son...

I think the mixed reaction is what she is going for...."kid repeller" chic. Parental consent required.

"Artists, or at least good artists, generally want to convey sophisticated emotional messages. The silicone child in the box is unsettling, perhaps even a little macabre, but it challenges the (intelligent) viewer to analyse what it is about this lump of silicone in a glass case that generates a certain emotional state. "

Um... I'm pretty intelligent. (Scored 99th percentile on all those elementary-school IQ tests 40 years ago, in case you need proof.)

There's no mystery at all about why the "installation" generates a certain emotional state. The thing looks like a dead child on display. And possibly a child who'd been starved a bit before ending up dead. I would hope that generates an emotional state.

That doesn't feel sophisticated to me. It feels blatant and manipulative. Dead children scare people. The idea of mice nibbling on our corpses scares people. The notion of a little girl lying under a pile of sex toys creeps people out, for good and obvious reasons. That's not cool or chic or subtle or sophisticated. It's all in-your-face shock value. Meh.

Beyond that, as someone who owned gerbils in her uber-smart elementary days... mice in there? Really? The droppings? The smell? The inability to easily clean the bottom of the thing? ::Shudder::

(Sorry if this offends the artist - who by all means must mine her emotional depths to find her themes. But it does get tiring, to those of us living outside chic little artists' circles, to be told that the reason we don't appreciate certain work is that we're unintelligent or unsophisticated.)

I like the apartment, though. Cool little alcoves. I'd never climb that staircase (not sure if I'd fit)... but the tiny bedroom is an interesting place to spend time, I'm sure. The decor, the grid of display shelves, the giant column, the great old doors - wonderful use of fun and funky elements. So - good job on the decorating.

That living room is splendid, but let's just say the shock jock piece didn't enhance my understanding of anything.

Going through that doorway everyday would become such a pain. It looks very nice ( other than her art installation), but I would never be able to live there.

I really like it (although I wouldn't want to live there), but the live mice sort of disturbed me. I hope someone feeds them.

Reminds me of the apartment of a rather creepy old great aunt I visited as a child. But all in all I do admire the extent of art and color. Very interesting.

I could move right in. the trippy little room up the hidden stair = fantastic way to end a first date. I always wanted to have a 'real love' doll simply for the creepy factor; now, looking at her vitrine of mice, I know exactly what to do with it when I make the purchase. I want to see like 60 images of this place please!

I run screaming in the night...

No. Never.

I really love the first little room, the second room, meh. The pearl clutching is much more amusing to me. I went to art school, and nothing much shocks me anymore, including accusations of pretension and statements about how art is a waste of time and money. I've heard (and seen) it all.

I love it and as an artist, I would love to be as brave as she is in showing her heart!

I love the colors! The tiny little bedroom is magical, But I agree the artificial girl in the box has to go!

I take pride in how "goth" my sensibilities are but this place creeps me out. Something about dead children, dolls and pastels is just ghaslty.

Well, as long as she doesn't care about resale value.

The little girl in the box is beyond freaky...

Ok.
I'm a "creative." I'm quirky, and "off" at times. I get it, kinda. But she's got a 9 yr old kiddo at home, for cryin' out loud. I've got a 10 yr old. A semi-supine skirted lass in a glass box? With rodents skipping up and down her young lady-ness? what is ok about that in a family setting? I get the shock value, I do, but I got to question this deal.

Oh, I've seen that "Lovesac" sculpture before. It's a bunch of glass sex toys in a glass Hermes Birkin. I wouldn't worry so much about the kids. I would assume they didn't know what they were.

I don't think the bower is particularly creepy. The little girl doesn't look dead. Her eyes are open, she's looking at the swan in her hand. I just thought of finding a cool, magical place to play. It reminds me of a miniature scene, like from the Thorne Room, just blown up to life size. Practically speaking, it just seems like a giant mouse cage with a doll in it. I don't think it would be too hard to take care of (I hope the mice don't really eat the silicone).

I like the apartment, especially its doors. I wish it were mine.

Pass on the child being chewed by mice under the sex toy sculpture. @FWD, I think that's a tea cup in her hand.

It's an interesting and bold house though. Kudos to her for being fearless.

Welp.... It certainly is different. I, however, try my best to be open to others ideas of art, but the dead, skinny child in the case is a bit off for me and my tastes. The case itself is wonderful though. Alice in Wonderland with shruumz...

The girl in the case cracks me up! Hilarious! Love the sense of humor in this apartment.

I dreamt about this apartment last night. I plan to haunt it when I die. I don't think AT can get better than this. This is the single best post ever.

I had nightmares about this apt. terrible layout. Full of junk, cheap finishes, garish colors. Add Boody's pompous comments and its a mad world alright!
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a sculptor myself and it pains me to see who gets attention. Little talent but clearly some cash coming from somewhere other than her art sales or design work. Emperors New Clothes Time.

Hm. Dead child. Live mice. Basket of dildos. Secret rooms.

No thanks.

Fabulous!

uhh, "weirdo" is the only thing that pops into my head.

What happens if someone shuts the stairs door? How do you reach the knob.

I'm with ya lolafabiola re: sexualized child motif (Are you an academic? I swear we're in the same field!). I also find the space to be contrived and shameless in its attempt at shock value. I understand wanting to live with your art, but why do you have to try so hard in your own home?!

CSI called, they want their child victim back.

wow... do i praise, or gawk..i dont know..

I dig it.

I see a lot of criticism and stereotyping of artsy types, and I want to play devil's advocate. While some in the art community can be pretentious and create for the sake of shock value, there are just as many (or perhaps more) who are compelled to create regardless of the reaction of any person but themselves. The very creation of them brings them peace and/or satisfaction. And then, why not share it with others -- because what is this life if you have no one else to share it with? Anyone who appreciates pop music can appreciate the value of expressing emotions through extreme language. Visual art does much of the same.

My favorite posts on AT are spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but look like a real, live, feeling person lives there, who has created a home that has heart, not just designer duds and a color-of-the-year.

To me, a native Best Coaster, this apartment showcases the broad spectrum of great NYC living. There are so many beautiful, unique and interesting spaces that have history and character. Seeing a home that is so joyous, honest and gritty makes me love the human race a little bit more.

The whole loft is like an installation piece but without the pretense.

That made me laugh. Dead child kitsch is pretentious, special pleading or not.

I guess the "girl" (uhhh, it's a doll) in the glass case might be seem creepy, but I find it a beautiful and incredibly compelling piece of art. (There are also live mice inside and I'm much more creeped out by that!) In the end, it's art and if Ms. Boody can live with it ...

That tiny room is so beautiful. The colors are subtle and pleasing together ... ditto the blanket and rug (though as an adult I would feel claustraphobic in there, and a little scared).

I love this place. As an artist's home, it's both artistic and homey.

Medusa: your post assumes that there are "artists" and then there are the "rest of us."
That's one of the things that drives me crazy about considerations of art.

Everyone creates in his or her life, whether it is to earn a living doing art "installations" or to tweak a recipe or to repurpose a chest of drawers to fit a new function. All creation comes from the same place.

It has always annoyed the heck out of me when people tell me "I'm an artist," as if they are differentiating themselves from poor, everyday me. (Lord, if someone told me, "I'm a creative," I think I would turn around and walk the other way, for fear of smacking them in the face.)

I'm an artist, he's an artist, she's an artist. We're all artists. Some people dive in an decide to earn their pay that way - the rest of us go about the perpetually creative task of being human.

I find this space quite interesting and theatrical. It is a little reminiscent of Tony Duquette. I agree the girl in box must go but the rest is quite wonderful. You must be a certain sort of person to live here(I am a minimalist at heart so not for me)but I would sure love to hang around awhile and find all the interesting little touches.

I LOVE THIS! this is exactly my style and it's tragically hip. Haters gonna Hate

@ Mary B C- I am an artist. And I am creative. I know some people might find it pretentious for me to say so... but the fact is that I've diligently studied and continue to practice many kinds of visual arts: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture. I feel it's just as appropriate for me to to call myself an artist as it is for someone who's gotten a medical degree to call themselves a Doctor. And yes, it does differentiate me from some other humans... the way all categories and labels do. But, that doesn't stop me from identifying myself as a female in her twenties, because (like being an artist) those things are true about me too.

Obviously there is a looser definition to the word "artist" than to some other terms, like doctor, lawyer, or school teacher. The latter titles are earned through completing the proper education and fieldwork. But defining the parameters for becoming an artist is trickier. I generally feel that if one identifies strongly with the word artist, than it is appropriate for them to describe themselves as such.

When I tell someone I'm an artist, it's not because I'm bragging or trying to be superior. It's because it is genuinely a big part of my life and I'm excited to share that about myself!

I saw a similar glass case with Jesus and rose petals at some kitschy store in Montreal. While I love the idea, I would not want it in my apartment. I like functional furniture, but this is all a matter of personal taste.