apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Homemade chicken coop for their 5 chickens!!

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Three years ago, Dara moved from a 900sqft Park Slope apartment to a 3500 sqft 4 bedroom house in Vermont. Needless to say, all aspects of the transition were significant. Aware that their furniture from Brooklyn would fill one room in the new house, Dara and her partner rented a storage space in Brooklyn and started shopping. Two months later, when it came time to move, they had the truck drive up to the storage unit, and fill it up.

In discussing the mix of resources, Dara acknowledged, "If it wasn't for IKEA, I'd be sitting on the floor right now."

They decided to fill the post and beam 1980's construction home with contemporary pieces--some high end and some low and to buy everything in New York before the move. Then, when they arrived in Vermont, they realized that while there weren't many furniture stores in which to shop, there were plenty of great design resources, literally at their doorstep. While exploring the land behind the house and by the lake, or while driving down a country road, Dara kept discovering great pieces of pine, or rail ties, or old farm signage that could easily be incorporated into a piece of furniture or used as to accessorize their new home. And so they did.

The result is an evolving home that accommodates two dogs, Bernardo and Flo, two kids and two adults while maintaining great style and comfort.

AT Survey:

Style: Contemporary

Inspiration: Nature & mid-century modern designers

Favorite Element: Post n’ beam construction & the floor to ceiling windows

Biggest Challenge: Deciding where to place my furniture while taking advantage of the views outside

What Friends Say: Oohh, you scored!

Biggest Embarrassment: My small, outdated bathrooms

Proudest DIY: Refinishing a pair of mid-century modern patio chairs and painting my kids bedrooms

Biggest Indulgence: Anichini bedding and a custom built bed

Best Advice: Don’t be afraid of color!

Dream Source: AT, Dwell Magazine, Notcot.com, Designpublic.com, DWR

All photos by Dara Foster

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