apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wait. Did you say that's a PIED-A-TERRE?!?!?! Which means it's empty most of the time? A travesty!

I'm clearly not in the right line of business!

Not too shabby.

ha, every day i run past this building en route to the running path along the river. from the sidewalk one can see the ceiling of the front room on the second floor which has these great light fixtures that are the same as the ones that can be seen in the photograph of the kitchen. i've always wanted to know who makes/designed the light in order to try to buy one. any ideas? thanks!

gulp, that place is gorgeous! check out the pool! i really must win the lottery.. if i ever played it, that is ;)

aaauuuggghhhh, this causes actual physical pain...the LAP POOL, gad......

MGR, is this a hint that a move is imminent?

Why would you write off Long Island City?

So, is it okay to have a massive monstrosity of a home if it’s stylishly designed and decorated?

Maxwell,

Hey, I thought we were keeping the new AT blog headquarters a secret!

My goodness. Being rich sure has it's advantages, I guess.

Blog headquarters? And here I figured AT was going to gather its entire NYC readership and start an (extremely well-decorated) commune.

So, is it okay to have a massive monstrosity of a home if it’s stylishly designed and decorated?

Lifeiswithpeople, I'm always puzzled by AT's moments of Mega-Home Envy. I mean, if "smaller is better," than smaller is better, right? Mission statement... editorial policy... differentiates from every other shelter source out there...

(Personally, I have nothing against people buying whatever space they like and can afford, as long as the local housing stock includes something compact yet "nice" for me. But I don't read AT to see the same kinds of houses I'd see in Phoenix Home & Garden.)

BUT HEY, is there a timeline to buy? Or will we eventually be hearing about the joys of sharing 250 sf with a teenager? (Gotta build her a loft. Really.)

That place would make a nice inn.

2-3 nicely appointed rooms.

Small dining room with organic produce from one or all of the gardens.

Spa.

The zoning would have to be changed though. Makes more sense as a mansion.

12,000 sq feet?

I couldn't imagine living in such a place. I'd get lost. I'd wander from room to room wondering what on Earth I was there for. I can't even remember why I go into my kitchen, or my living room sometimes. I have to go back and retrace my steps. Though getting in a good swim and walking and walking and walking all day would probably be good for me.

It's very spacious and all, but I actually think the design is sterile and boring. large windows, a bunch of vines and some blocky neutral couches? big deal. I would expect a lot more for 17 million bucks.

Well since you guys are used to 250 s/f, that means we'll all be moving in with you. Right? Guys? Guys?

I don't think there's anything wrong with oogling huge gorgeous houses while also patting onesself on the back for living in a small place, even if the real reason for the small space is that living space is preposterously expensive in New York.

Yeah, it's like the difference between having a spouse and still looking at porn.

If this was a McMansion in suburbia with the same square footage, y'all would be SCREAMING bloody murder.

...and talking about how it's irresponsible living.

I think lifeiswithpeople nailed it.

Lifeiswithpeople, I'm always puzzled by AT's moments of Mega-Home Envy. I mean, if "smaller is better," than smaller is better, right? Mission statement... editorial policy... differentiates from every other shelter source out there...

Seriously...there's so much consumerism and large space oogling on this site which runs counter to it's stated ideals...

Like that rich guy who spent $500,000 ALONE on the water features for his gorgeous backyard. Yeah, great. Of COURSE it's beautiful. Why wouldn't it be, for that kind of money?

Or is the "therapy" looking at what the average or even above-average person can never have and fantasizing about it?

Wow, give it up people, I'm pretty sure the post is meant in a joking tone. That being said, what exactly is wrong with looking at big expensive homes and stealing/hacking those ideas for small sustainable living?

It's not a generic McMansion, it's a beautiful, expensive, well-designed and ridiculously large "apartment". He's just showing pictures, not advocating buying one. I for one am delighted to get my inspiration from anywhere so please keep posting all great design/decor, small and large.

e3, I've seen those fixtures at Liz's Antique Hardware in LA...

http://www.lahardware.com

This is all very nice, but I wish this site wouldn't post articles about the supposed joys of living in smaller spaces as though it is preferable outside of financial considerations...

Yeah, this is nice, but she doesn't qualify for the smallest coolest, so boo sucks to her.

Me, I would love to live there if I could afford to heat and cool it properly, principles be dammed!

After seeing this home, I need real therapy to talk about my extreme envy.

I like box spaces. I switched out my larger bedroom for a smaller bedroom and I can reach all four walls without getting off my bed. I am glad Maxwell posted this house because it is entertaining to look at the photos. Keep posting whatever catches your fancy.

Maybe i'm wired funny, but i appreciate seeing these kinds of spaces precisely because it shows just how wasteful it is to live in 12000 sq ft. (I mean, who needs four couches AND three outdoor garden areas?) Seeing the ridiculous excess makes me feel quite content with my small space, where I know I use everything I own.

Wow, so this is what creating ugly paintings will buy! I've never been a fan of her work. Can't say I'm much more of a fan of her style either. Somehow I expected to see more plaid and not so neutral colors.

Color me green (kelly green please) with envy. This place would make me a shut-in, I'd never leave home.

I think its ok to have a massive monstrosity of a home if you fill it with family and friends. If I lived there, I'd invite all of you over to sit on the sofas and swim in the pool.

I don't see anything wrong with oogling this gorgeous home. I live in a one bedroom apartment that I love but I'd give it up for a bigger space in a heartbeat if I had the money.

Just because this is "Apartment Therapy" doesn't mean that it's the only way to go. Most of us will probably be in apartments until we purchase something bigger. Apartment therapy is about enjoying your small space while you are there and making it comforatble and beautiful.

debtex -- thanks!

Honestly, with the budget I have, decorating my home with furnishings from DWR is just as out-of-reach as ever having a home like this. But it doesn't mean I avoid every post with their furniture. I come here for ideas, big and small.

this is so chic and devine! i would do anything for that pool!

Any ideas about what those kitchen countertops are made of?

Does it count as being a shut in if you live in 12,000 sq ft.?

What's the difference between looking at a place like this and drooling over a $15,000 light fixture?

To be honest, this place looks a little bland, though I do covet the bookshelves and garden space. It would be great if you want to be able to swim laps or roller skate without leaving home.

1) I said this last week: I have nothing against big ol' bourgeois-style houses with matching living room furniture, which is why I flip through Architectural Digest in my doctor's waiting room. It's not why I read AT.

2) I hate to be pedantic, but this is one of my pet peeves: It's OGLING, not "OOGLING."

The interiors are nothing I haven't seen in a million other nesting magazines, but those exteriors...breathtaking!!!

I am going to write the government about people living in spaces this big, having more than two bathrooms, and more than one garage. Some of those houses even have a garden shed to store the ride-on mower and leaf blower. They should be ashamed when folks like us live in 500-1000 sq.ft. Now I'm off to see my therapist about home envy.

dmstudio, i was about to tell you how juealousy make you look ugly. but then i looked at her paintings. you are right.

about the house. well if i could afford it, i'd live there. i can appreciate tiny flats and huge homes. But the decor is abit boring for my taste.

I've been inside. For a book party years ago. The room with the pool has an open fire. Sweet.

Probably a late comment, but try School House Electric for those fixtures...

The decor is beautiful- but in my personal opinion- good DESIGN involves efficient space planning. I can honestly say I would never want to live in a place that consumes so much space, energy, and "stuff". Unfortunately I know a lot people think differently.

wow, I just looked up her paintings, and I think they are beautiful. But then again, being in art school develops a very open mind. I think that the space is huge, maybe too huge, but I am so inspired by the gardens and all the light coming in through those amazing windows.

It's quite lovely....but I am really looking for something a little bigger!

And here I just assumed that ooglling was a new internet term that I never heard of, meaning to ogle while googling.

Despite all the negativity towards the size, i have to say: this place makes me drool. It just might be my dream home. Having that much SPACE and LIGHT and GREEN while still being in the city is a dream...

Why do we spend so much effort making our small spaces "feel spacious" and then look down our noses at actual spaciousness?

I would love the space (but don't really need 12,000 square feet; half that would do nicely) the green, the light but frankly, the furninshings are kind of boring .

ok, it's huge and lovely. but i've been coming to this site for 1 1/2 years for ideas on our small, rented apartment and I'm getting less and less intrigued. i could get the same ideas from elle decor, metro home, and any book in a book store (you have a few tours that still apply - but i have to search now). i thought the idea was to get creative solutions to our space challenged, no yard humble abodes.....guess not. AT - please listen - you were my one reliable and usable source. thanks.

i love the space but the interior design looks a library.

oh my god i can not expalne this pain i feel when i see this house i love love love love it .
I would do 12,000 feet any day in new york city this house is a dream !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Holy Moly! They have got a pool, several gardens, and a gigantic kitchen! Everything I need to stay alive. Excepting the money part...

I am splitting time between a 800 sq. ft apartment in southern France (two small for me, as I have two kids and tow, and various and sundry visitors) and a 2000 sq. ft house in the US 9 (too big- I don't want to buy furniture just to 'fill it')' Honestly, for a family of four, about 1500 sq feet is a very comfortable size...though I'll take the extra room with a lap pool, if anyone wants to know what I'd like for my birthday.

Oh my god thank you so much AT! I have been just dying for ideas for MY 3 multi-level gardens! And FINALLY innovative suggestions for those of us with that pesky 12,000 sf interior problem! SO HELPFUL.

With 12,000 sq ft. it would be a delightful family sized home. I mean, I'm thinking as apartments for my parents, my grown siblings, and my husband and I. And a couple home businesses. I mean, that's not impractical at all, it's about 1500 sq. ft. per nuclear family with easy access to all sorts of city conveniences. Perfectly logical and pragmatic.

Right?

I'm alone in this, aren't I?

And I would decorate with more color, really play up the whole garden-paradise-in-the-city aspect. The color scheme of taupe and white and the plain green plantings kind of leave me cold.