Name: Justin
Location: Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn
Size: 1500 square feet | 3 bedrooms
Years lived in: 2 years
Justin, owner of a music promotion company, Pigeon vs Statue, has a similar penchant for collecting as last week’s house tour owner, but Justin does it on a much smaller and more modest scale. He’s on the lookout for relics of an age when design was much more straightforward and built to last.
Justin’s collection differs as well in that all the elements are rather recent acquisitions. A few years ago, Justin arrived in New York City from Australia with a suitcase and a plan. Since then, he has slowly discovered antique stores and sidewalks on ‘big garbage day,’ amassing small pieces that he loves.
Even though he lives with roommates, he tries to maintain a standard of design that approaches how he would live on his own. Justin makes relatively understated interventions and respects the need for neutrality in a shared space.
Having accumulated relatively little over the years, Justin still enjoys the impact of the uncollected object as well as the pleasures of the collected object. In other words, the simplicity of minimalism is as appreciated as the nostalgia and stories embedded in his collection.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My style: Eclectic Vintage
Inspiration: Machine Age, 1930’s/ 40’s, New York
Favorite Element: Worn out wood, aged metal, chips and imperfections.
Biggest Challenge: Starting from scratch after moving from Australia.
What Friends Say: Where did you get that painting?!
Biggest Embarrassment: Not having the worn, black leather chesterfield (or any sofa for that matter) I’d like to own.
Proudest DIY: Drum side table salvaged from the sidewalk.
Biggest Indulgence: The 8ft tall Charlie Newton painting.
Best Advice: When shopping for vintage, pay what the item is worth to you. Nothing else matters. Also, “He who hesitates is lost”.
Dream Source: Alameda, CA. Flea Market
Resources
Red Plastic collapsible cup - Stewart/Stand
(Images: Jill Slater)
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another example of a look which i don't normally go for that is so well executed, that i have to appreciate it. good job!
view davidsl's profile
very cool! continued success to you in your vintage forays!
view formosagirl's profile
that drum as sidetable is brilliant and looks great but I wonder if it gets noisy.
view ec05's profile
Love the blocks and the mini-mailbox and the sweet little chair beside the door in the last pic (and above).
view mirandabee's profile
Right up my alley, but unfortunately - I don't have the "eye" or patience to get the right look.
Well executed!
view fluffypancakes's profile
So nice to see another example of stylish man's place!
~http://hopelesschest.blogspot.com
view HopelessChestBlog's profile
Can anyone (or maybe Justin himself) tell me where I can find the exercise ball chair in pictures 15 and 17?
view FrancoisTruFaux's profile
To FrancoisTruFaux:
I have seen the exercise ball chair at Gaim.com
view Beautyeverywhere's profile
Absolutely adore this. I would love to live there *sigh*
view dunklekatze's profile
Wonderful painting.....
view scootergirl's profile
Its all wonderful ! The architect of this house has a very unique and creative idea.
Dermitage Reviews
view juliethhussian's profile
Excellent! Room mates won't know what hit them when you eventually pack up and move on.
view EAM's profile
I like unusual finds....very fun!
view junklover's profile
I dig the drum
view marfanboy's profile
The floor tom side table is a great idea. I'm definitely going to steal it. That painting is awesome. He needs to hang it up, though.
view nohj's profile
Speaking of simple, functional design... love that steel-runner'd sleigh! Did you know that with 2 hockeysticks, 1 big bathtowel and a good stapler to make a sail, you can fly down a frozen lake at dangerous speeds on one of those? Wheee!
Really like this pared-down, functional, "Machine Age" style.
view DeborahMcP's profile
My favorite part of this, is Justin sitting on the yoga ball... =D
I also like the big trunk he uses as a coffee table, as well as using drum as a side table. Very creative through and through.
view pier723's profile
un-BELIEVABLY cool.
view harbourbridge's profile
okay, but seriously... who did that painting?
view marsadrian's profile
My favorite is the picture of the remote controls! Fabu!
Michelle
Cheese Lovers International
http://cheeseloversinternational.blogspot.com/
view michelleinbrooklyn's profile
I love some of the ideas, the drum used has support table, it's just the smartest idea I've seen lately, I also love the trunk used as coffee table.
nice weekend
http://pombamarela.blogspot.com
view pombamarela's profile
Love the creative use of found objects and the pleasing way in which they're used and displayed. Even the laundry supplies look fantastic arranged on the window sill. Love the following items enough to steal: the drum table, the old work light rigged up as floor lamp, the room length desks with metal sawhorse bases, and the exercise ball and chair (kicking myself for giving one away after seeing this). Can only WISH I had that wonderful painting (but nothings stopping me from painting my own massive canvas, and think I will). Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration.
view centrd's profile
The blocks and the sled are my favorite part. But overall, looks nice. Would love to see your collection in a few years. You have a great eye.
I do really like the large painting, but I agree with a previous post - it needs to be hung on the wall.
view niabassett's profile
Really?
view AMBERYVETTE's profile
umm....is it shallow to note that also this man is delicious looking? (swoon)
view juliaonhamilton's profile
It's basically a half step about bachelor pad. I'd use the sled as the coffee table.
view medusa12120's profile
about=above
view medusa12120's profile
@medusa12120--really? i think it's quite cool and thought out with a stylized aesthetics unlike the typical messy bachelor pad.
view timmy jr.'s profile
Where did you get the black sawhorses? I've only been able to find that style in yellow and orange...did you get those and then paint them?
view trygve's profile
The effort invested and the "continuity" of the style over the whole place can't go unnoticed, but I seriously wonder why would somebody like to recreate a space of some decades ago in such detail and live in it. But yes, that painting is awesome.
view tulpoeid's profile
This is really not even close to be an average bachelor pad. Based on experience, I'd say typical young single guys aren't into carefully-composed vignettes of perfectly-weathered vintage pieces, have an eye for interesting wall art, or show interest in modern design that isn't all shiny, chrome-and-leather stuff.
I think this place looks great (as does Justin).
view slowdown's profile
So much nicer than places where everything is bought from the same five "cool" stores.
view Jollyowner's profile
You should name those two chairs in the living room Mutt and Jeff.
view Sophia Papaya's profile
Hot apartment! Hot dude! The only thing I don't like about the tour is Justin showing me out the door at the end.
view jeffnyc's profile