Good news first: Saturday's episode of Home By Novogratz was so packed with Apartment Therapy-relevant content that we're going to have tons to talk about. Bad news: there will be less opportunity in this post for me to talk about myself. Oh well. On to the design!
First, it's a one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn that got a whopping big makeover. The homeowners were having some issues in their newly constructed building with dividing the space into functional areas. So Bob and Cortney laid out a great room plan that included a dining area near that big, gorgeous window, a living room in the middle, and an office nook under the stairs. Smart. I would've stuck the desk in the window, and then stared out the window when I'm supposed to be working.
Second, their carpenter added some wood to the drywall column things to give the room some warmth and texture. Wood does that, you know. It keeps a modern space from looking too Scarface slick.
Next, in the master bedroom, Cortney had her crew wallpaper a wall and the sloped ceiling and then added rich pops of plum along the wood trim. "Ben can handle it", she said of the client, and she was right. Ben loved it. The bed the Novos selected was low and layered to look both modern and vintage. And you can lie on that bed and look at that gorgeous wallpaper, which I wish I could do since my ceilings are always boring and white.
Cortney scattered amazing, vintage, non-matching light fixtures around the apartment because it adds so much character and sparkle and because, like I've said before, amazing vintage light fixtures follow Cortney home like stray cats.
Bob took the homeowners to photographer Catherine Hall to have a portrait made. And the result was awesome. Look at that photo. It's like something from Elle Decor, like Mrs. Head of the Foundation and her international financier hedge fund husband. So funny. If this couple ever does a house tour, the lead photo should be them standing in front of this photo in the exact same pose as in the photo.
(Images: Matthew Williams)
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
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LOVE the colors and textures and that desk is to die for - however does anyone else feel like that couch needs to move back a couple feet?
OH, and that sea foam green task light is amazing - any ideas of a source? Or something similar?
LBRO: Yes, agree the sofa seems to close to the TV
I think having the dining table next to the window is lovely however I don't like the idea of drapping food back and forth between the livingroom.
Saying that, I do like the lay out ALLOT!. I think I just would have laid it out differently.
Ok, I just want to start off by saying I ADORE the Novogratz team and family! I miss 9 by Design! I guess they are going to stay put for a while in their new home-- telltale sign that the market is not what it used to be.
I really like the work station, but it's not realistic for my needs (as if I were living there). It would get cluttered really quickly. I'm sure the couple will add storage as need.
And I love the photography! This photographer does some really good portraits, especially of the children.
As much as I envy New Yorkers that can live in beautiful spaces like this, I'm still not envious of the lack of space. Heavens forbid they get a "new addition." They only have one room....the space isn't liveable for long-term-- unless they plan on it just being them for the rest of their lives. If so, that's perfect.
Does anyone know what you call that kind of blanket that is on the bed in picture #3?
@kingtiny, wholeheartedly agree.
Kingtiny,
I'm nobody. That's the joke. Nobody comes to AT to read about me. We come here to read about you. So you should make sure to leave lots of comments telling us about what your opinions are. I'm really interested in how you feel about bookshelves.
Kingtiny, I couldn't agree with you more! Amateurish writeup of a place that looks more like a "Good Questions" post, with the residents asking how to add more color and style to their apartment.
By the way, not only is the sofa too close to the TV, the piece of furniture theTV is sitting on dwarfs the sofa, putting the TV at an awkward angle for viewing. And the dining table needs to be turned sidways, because the way it is now, it looks like it's crowding the sitting area.
The portrait is a hoot - love it!
i watched the episode and really liked what they did with the place. there aren't any "before" pics here. the owners were out of ideas. the novogratz's focused the concept and executed it. in addition to the trim and wood panels, the walls were painted a pale blue which took the light down just a notch.
splendid job.
I think this is a very well written article~ not boring at all and with enough information for the writer to convey the design of the home in an entertaining way.
I also really like this home. I too wonder why the TV and couch are so close together but maybe everyone that lives here are extremely near sighted?
I'm not really sure who the designers are but since having seen their work here on AT, I really like their style.
And that is a beautiful couch.
what's wrong with the writing? i believe the author's statement was meant to be...how do you say?...ah, yes, sarcastic.
sheesh. some people.
I love the wood paneling over the soffit.
It doesn't look recycled or reclaimed though. Hope you guys think about using some re- in the future. Wood for that type of paneling is easily found.
I also am in love with that green lamp in the last picture.
LBro, I checked with the Novo's assistant, and she said the lamp is from ABC Home.