apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Yo! Yo, Dwell! Over here!

I moved to Harlem last year, too! My space (a 2 br co-op apt., more or less 900 sf) is much smaller than this gorgeous brownstone and like your banner says, Smaller is Smarter -- so it would give you *such* a wonderful opportunity to showcase your fine taste and lovely editorial/design choices in a compact locale. Right? C'mon down! or rather, up!

a green river of drool

I wouldn't kick Dwell out of bed, but I find this all a little less like decorating and more like shopping. Still, I'm sure the homeowners are thrilled.

MUST.HAVE.THE.BACKSPLASH.TILE.

Pure jealousy, will forever hate these people.

:)

Wow!!

Wish we could have gotten an arrangement like that!

Err, just dying to ask, who made the cabinets over the sinks in the masterbath?

i LOVE the railing and the gardens. just wonderful.

my first impression was... how nice that these people with money... got more money!
maybe i shouldn't be so quick to judge... I guess I'll go read about the whole thing over at dwell.

i love the kitchen and the master bed, but i'm looking forward even more to when their home feels more "lived in." right now it's more lovely parts than lived in & beautiful whole. nice start though!

While the place is lovely to look at, you couldn't pay me enough money to live here. There's something inherently creepy about brand sponsorship of the building of your home - your private space and cozy haven. In a world where every arena, mall, whatever is named after some corporate brand, your home is your last personal space left.

As a green showhouse the experiment is interesting, but actually I feel rather sorry for the inhabitants for the soul-less feel to the place. So my place was designed on a budget and probably looks like such ... and could perhaps benefit from some high-end pieces. Regardless, it's homey and says "me" more than some magazine editors and branded placards ever could.

And since when does a sprawling 2400sf brownstone qualify for the title "Smaller is Smarter"???

Because people who can afford a four-bedroom brownstone *really need* high-end corporate sponsorship.

{bathes in bitterness}

Why did everybody have to wear booties over their shoes? Does the flooring scratch easily or something?

Thanks for the tour and posting pics. I'm not sure about corporate sponsorship of home building, I don't know what I'd say if someone like Dwell approached me. Luckily, I will never have this problem. ;)

A request for future tours: could the tourmaster please rotate the pics they took that are sideways? Most graphics programs have a preset that is "rotate" or something along those lines.

{bathing neither in bitterness nor a green river of drool}

It's very pretty, but it's the typical Dwell aesthetic, imo--irreproachable and kind of boring. That said, I wouldn't turn down free whatever for my house--but given that all this stuff was donated, I was surprised that all the bathrooms looked alike.

Size wise it doesn't belong on this site but the style is a good fit since so many AT posters favor modern design.
I assume the booties are to keep people from tracking dirt in the house.
Soulless? I'm guessing that as soon as DWELL left they pulled out all their family photos and other personal possessions.
I enjoyed the gardens the most.

I'm completely jealous too. These people clearly have money but Dwell is hardly going to sponsor someone who lives in a one bedroom apt. Hold on a second, why not, if smaller truly is smarter? Dwell has become like many other mags, full of stories of expensive homes full of expensive things. I know expensive stuff tends to look better but I'm guessing the vast majority of the people who buy these mags live on more meager budgets so it would be refreshing to see some real innovation on a more modest scale.

I can relate to this situation totally, there are many times when I had wished for a book to explain some things during my first home buying experience. It can be quite overwhelming with your first experience, but none the less it's definately one that is manageable with a little time and preperation on your part. The house looks absolutely lovely. I have actually been working wth Bought and Sold a new show on HGTV where first time buyers are showed going through this exact same process time and time again. You can check it out on Wednesday nights at 10/9c. This will be an easy way for you to learn a little painlessly, and learn how to avoid any beginners mistakes. If that does not quench your informational thirst you can check out the website at http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hbas. Thanks for the pictures and the story best of luck. Sandra

I just want to know where I can get their rugs!

Does anyone know how I can find the Shade Company or any information on how they hung the bamboo shades to act as panels for their closet? I've googled Shade Company, but haven't found it,, didn't find it on their site.
Perhaps I have to rush out and buy Dwell?

Their set-up would be a great solution for our closet...

ok, so i get it, you've gotten a major magazine to buy your pots and pans, your rugs and blinds, to make a story out of...but come on, do you really want to lust after that? its good art direction but aside from that, whats left? are we really supossed to believe that your house looks like that after the camera crew leaves?

For this, I wouldn't have a problem with the corp. sponsorship thing at all... honestly, I would wear thier placard all around town if I had to.

love this place. so many elements of the design are attractive to me on both a personal/emotional and aesthetic levels.
i'm with HJ......can anyone provide more specific info on the shade company as credited as the source for the panels throughout?

They are both actors...perhaps that's why they were sponsored?

Why, cuz they are used to being in fake settings designed and provided by other people?

Yeah, I too thought it was weird to have a "Smaller is Better" banner extolling the virtues of 1000 sq ft homes outside a brownstone that is more than twice that. They must be buddies with the Dwell folks. Good for them.

The kitchen backspash is wonderful. I would love to see this featured as a real family home that human beings are living in after a while - I had trouble getting a sense of the layout/space from the photos.

I don't mind when medium-sized homes are featured on AT. I find that there are always design ideas to be found in a beautiful home, whatever the size. The great photo of the white wall, two white chairs, and green painting could have been taken in the tiniest home.

Free Gaggenau kitchen!!!!!!!!!! Holy &*^! That's like winning the lottery. A quick turnaround on ebay would probably fetch around $30,000.00 just for the appliances if they are ever short on cash. Oh well, the sponsored fixtures alone probably raised the value of the house a few hundred thousand dollars. Hopefully it won't be re-assessed soon.

Very pretty. I love the kohler purist vanity in the bathroom. Some day....some day.

I liked some of the details, but mostly this space is just a big, fat MEH for me. Bland and lacking personality and warmth.

the only thing that confused me was the 1,000 sq foot on the banner outside a 2,400 sq foot home - does anyone at AT know the story on this?

otherwise, i know nothing of the dwell process but i'm not sure how different it is than hiring an interior designer (other than the cost!)

nothing very surprising or interesting here. i agree that it feels stale and un-lived in for now. i'd like to see it after the kiddos have had the run of the place for a few months. but really, whats with showcasing such HUGE houses...? booo

I think the place is absolutely beautiful!

And if Dwell were to approach me, and my 1000 sq. foot rowhouse in Alexandria, VA, I'd welcome them, their products, and their advertising, with open arms.

Of course I'm jealous - who wouldn't be? They won the equivalent of a decorator's jackpot. What I don't understand is the vitriolic tone toward either this couple or their home.

Be happy for them (and, of course, jealous).

-David

Where can I get the green shoe covers? I want my boyfriend to wear them in the apt when he comes home after mountain biking. (*smirk*)

Interesting commentary. I very much like the place, the architecture, the structure. In my opinion though, it is not appropriate for this website. Just because it's cool, doesn't mean it belongs here. Dwell on the other hand does not claim to be just for ***apartments***. It's for living structures of all kinds. It also does not claim to try to save people money AND be stylish.

I love Dwell. And one day when I build my dream home under 1000 sq feet, complete with gray water system, green roof, and reclaimed wood floors, I will use Dwell as a resource. And heck, maybe they'll sponsor ME?!

Interesting, but too cluttered and disjointed for my tastes, with too many fussy fixtures and materials. Also, it doesn't seem to be a normal Dwell 'caliber' space --perhaps they 'decorated' to make it look lived in and appeal to a wider audience. Interesting that it still isn't enough to all the clutter-philes out there.

As for 'sponsored' discussion - I would assume, that like in many show homes the signs were up to show case the make and model of many of the fixtures and appliances during the open house and will not remain there once the home reverts to a private space. It really isn't any different that the 'Where to Buy' section of a magazine.

Agreed that while interesting, it isn't exactly a 'small' 'apartment'

My father and uncle build "spec" homes in the burbs and get all kinds of free and heavily discounted stuff. They've gotten a completely finished three car garage with storage and organization for free and whole series of Fisher Paykel and DCS appliances for 75% off. In return, representatives of the companies have to be able to hand out cards and talk about their products during open houses. It's a great way to deck out a home with high end stuff and be able to sell it (hopefully) for more money.

Those booties can be found at any medical supply place.

Incredible space, but you have to live in Harlem.

Really, who's tiles are used as the backsplash for the kitchen. I'm really liking it!

yawn....
lifeless and predictable, looks like one of the MANY pages of adverts on Dwell mag.... which is why we stopped subscribing to it....
now, if Living Etc called me up and said that THEY wanted to sponsor my house, well, THAT'S a different story!
;0)

this brownstone is beautiful, I walk through Harlem every so often, and see all the changes that are taking place, it was nice to see an example of the work that's been done, congrats on your new home

That white bed is to-die-for. Anyone know where it's from?

drooling and trying not to be green with envy.

2nd on wondering where that bed is from. Anyone?

Lovely -- especially the exposed brick.

Anyone know the source for the woven side chairs [slide #8]?

Thanks for the inspiration, AT.

I would be thrilled to have corporate sponsorship of my home renovation...free is a good thing! And for a free reno it doesn't look too bad. As for the companies' choices...poor representation across the board!

The area rugs are a pathetic attempt to infuse a little color! When it comes to environmentally sound design there is a rainbow of color to play with and I am surprised that even in the garden and children's rooms there is a sad void of color.

The master bed is beautiful, as are the bamboo floors, exposed brick walls and staircase. It would have been more interesting to use vintage pieces as night stands but this is the beauty of free...they can switch it up for themselves as they find things they love.

Personally I love the Ikea Sniglar crib and feel that it is just as sturdy as the Netto and Stokke cribs I looked at. It's silly how much they charge for "designer" baby furniture considering an Ikea crib cost under $100! As for the changing table, another missed opportunity to use a vintage piece which is far more sustainable and interesting than any other choice.

The upper cabinets in the kitchen are impractical...the lift up hinges are only good for cabinets within reach and shouldn't be used so high up. Who designed the kitchen? Again, not what I would want to represent my cabinet/appliance company. The sink is beautiful but I prefer a large undivided vessel...hopefully the homeowners like it.

The bathroom vanities are boring and that style is so overdone in NYC...as is slate tile and color phobia. Vessel sinks look great but I find them to be less practical in terms of cleaning and plumbing. The trough sink is cool but eliminates much needed counter space in a small bathroom. How much sink do you need to brush your teeth and wash your hands?

I suggest the following easy solutions for homeowners:

Explore color on the walls of your kids' bedrooms. Mythic Paint is an excellent product and is 100% toxic /VOC free and covers beautifully!

Switch out boring small area rugs for larger more colorful weaves...again, there are budget friendly beautiful pieces out there...Macy's clearance center (Long Island) has a few beautiful hand woven, vegetable dyed rugs priced reasonably low.

Textiles will make all the difference. Towels and linens and pillows with interesting plays of color and texture will liven and warm up the place. As will carefully edited personal belongings, artwork and a few vintage pieces. For organic textiles check out Gaiam Living's website. For great vintage furniture...NYC thrift stores and flea markets abound and there is always Ebay.

Plant a few colorful blooms in the garden according to season and availability. If you prefer a modern Asian aesthetic use plants with variegated leaves and interesting colors...purples, reds (a gorgeous Palm with a red trunk is striking but it would have to be potted and stored indoors during winter) and yellows.

I'd also invest in a good step ladder to reach those pesky upper kitchen cabinets ; )

I forgot to mention that I loved the ceiling fan fixture in the master bedroom and I hate ceiling fans! Who makes it?

http://www.theshadestore.com/

for those interested in the shades! It's Dwell's "Shade Store." Wonderful company and wonderful customer service.

WANT HEAD BOARD! Does anyone know where to get it? Maybe a cheaper version, i doubt that thing is w/i my budget.

2400 sq ft in NYC does not translate to mid-sized - it translates to McMansion

I think that kitchen backsplash would give me a migraine.

Does anyone know where the bed is from?! Please? :)

Another bed questions -- anyone know where the kids bed is from? or where to get one that is like that with sides up...not too expensive. Need to transfer my kid from crib but he's a crazy sleeper and still needs some boundaries!

Also, The Shade Store is fantasitc. We used them for all window treatments in our new place and now I know what it must feel like working with a designer - the products are very my style but also the customer service was awesome. Highly reccommend them....www.theshadestore.com

That white tufted bed is stunning.

And booties - people are often required to wear them when they walk through showhomes that people actually own. I go to several a year wear it is an absolute requirement if the home has already sold or if there are finishes that could be ruined by a large amount of foot traffic unusual for a regular home.

Can you tell me where the master bedroom bed is from and who makes it? I love the house! Amazing...