apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Great story, great place! I am really impressed with your resourcefulness.

This is quite beautiful from an architectural perspective, but the hiding of everything makes it feel clinical and not like a "home", for me. I like uncluttered, but not if that means no art on the walls and no cozy blanket for snuggling on the sofa.

I admire the efficiency with which the space is utilized, but it's too stark for my taste. The bedroom, for instance, reminds me of one of those enclosures at the zoo, or a cage for lab animals.

A funeral home seems more appealing. This is very cold.

I like this a lot- all the furniture is beautiful and the layout and usage of the limited space is great... although I'm not so sure about having the bathroom and bedroom in one.
I don't find it cold at all, just elegant and I love the dinette set and the floors and the coffee table. Well done!

I am impressed by your planning and hard work, your vision from what could be done when you first saw the place. And Georgia O'Keefe's idea is thought provoking.
I do wonder if you have some kind of industrial strength ventilator in the bathroom to prevent mold in it or the bedroom and storage there.

I agree in not finding it cold but elegant and well done.
Thanks for sharing.

Loved reading about all your hidden storage and having lived in small space with lots of functions I can understand the beauty that created by having everything so organized and steamlined.

I actually love the idea of the bathroom and bedroom being one, it reminds me of the W hotel in Montreal where the bathrooms are as large as the bedrooms and totally open to the room and the amazing views.

I am sort of surprised by the "cold" comments, but looking at it again I sort of see why people would say that. I think a large rug in the living room (maybe you have one for the colder months?) would add a lot of texture and warmth. But I see why you would keep it simple if you rent it out for production a lot, too...

I love the tiles and am looking for exactly that for my kitchen backsplash. Do you know the name/manufacturer of the tiles? I didn't find them on the Lowes's website.

Oh! I love this!
Can't fathom how you did all of this by yourself.

I don't think it is cold at all when you consider that what we are seeing is the starting point for all of the activities they described.

Minimalists!! You have done an excellent job. Pat on the back.

Thank you so much for all of your comments! I'd just like to explain a couple of the reasons for our stark aesthetic.

Since this is really a work space, the furniture moves around on a very constant basis, depending what we're working on- be it blowing up 400 logo-ed beach balls for a Target event or building a Tiki hut for a cocktail hour.

For my production work, we're often sawing wood, cutting Foamcore, and making masses of floral arrangements- very messy indeed! So having carpets and precious upholstrey just doesn't really make sense here. (Pleather is great!)

Also, since this is a photo studio (and sometimes film set) the less we have on the walls and the floors, the less we need to move it around. We believe in keeping it easy.

Again, thanks so much for your feedback!

Kristin

I love it.

I think that the kitchen needs something warmer

Love the coral colored chairs, beautiful. I agree, though, that the living area would benefit from a large rug, perhaps sisal. It would still read as neutral but the additional texture would be good for the space. Also, the coffee table would probably be better suited as an end table and something larger used (though I understand this set up makes it easier to move things around).

I think it looks great! I love the minimalist design.

The picture quality themselves though...maybe that's why people are saying it looks cold.

WOW, what an AMAZING space you created from a disaster!!!

I'm still trying to figure out how you took out all the kitchen cabinets from your previous home to put them in this one. I mean, that's a great way to save money, but what about the person who bought/rented your old place?

I have to say . . . I LOVE the bedroom. Someone mentioned it was like a cage, and strangely, that's why I like it. :) I love the feeling of being safe and surrounded . . almost like a cocoon. Very lovely place!!!!!!! Especially considering the work that goes on there. :)

Beautiful and classy! Refreshing and cheerful atmosphere. Your kitchen is my favorite...the countertops are amazing, especially having done them yourselves so inexpensively. I could live in a place like this very happily.

Beautiful! My favorite space is your bedroom!

I admire your creativity and resourcefulness. The kitchen countertops look great, as does the tilework in the bathroom. Kudos on your DIY skills!

It sometimes amazes me at the amount of money that people spend on rentals in NY, but it seems like the norm there, especially when one plans to stay put for years. Personally, I would rather sink that money into ownership where I would see some return on my investment. And I've always wondered if one has to return the space to its original condition when they've gone from commercial space to residential - there could be money loss there too if that were the case.

You have a unique home, and I can only imagine the pride you take in having created it. The photo commentary was really enjoyable as well.

sexy!

Thanks again for questions and comments!

Re: Tiles
Amy, we were lucky with the tiles at Lowe's! We got them at the Lowe's in Farmingdale, NY and we almost didn't see them at all! It turns out that they were doing a "test market" with them in that store only. We bought more than we needed just in case. Sometimes it is really worth physically looking around when you are bargain hunting. It's worth the trip though!

Re: Commercial rental spaces
I completely get that it's strange to spend all of that $ and to take your cabinets. ; ) It takes a certain type of person but the clincher is that your tax break is about three times that of simply an office in a residential space. Also if you have relatively cheap rent and a long lease, it helps. And if you do spend that $, I say take whatever you need, including the kitchen sink. We did!

Love it. Making a space work for you - Kudos

i really like this space--it's clean, bright, and functional and shows the minimalist aesthetic form follows function at its best.

I was in this apartment for costume fitting for a web series promo. It's an amazing space, and I'm so glad to see it featured; really lovely and tranquil. And if you could look into more of the hidden spaces, you'd be even more impressed.

Meh.

This is gorgeous. I love every bit of it. The tile is gorgeous. You have a very interesting living space and a very interesting life. Good for you. Enjoy!

This space is so beautiful. I especially love the silver vase with painted deep pink branches. I have a set of antique chairs that are that color and I have been looking for something to accent them. Please tell me, where did you find the vase and branches? Thank you!

I completely understand the bareness of the space. As a sculptor myself, I can attest that a large, clean, uniform background is essential for seeing your work. And white does that best.

Kudos, amazing undertaking and very well done!

Re: Vase branches

Thanks for the compliments! The branches are actually orange, like the chairs. I used acrylic paint (avail. in a tube by Liquitex brand, "basics") on natural branches and of course you can add white for a more coral-y feeling.

I bought the branches in the floral market on 28th bet. 6th and 7th. There are a few stores on the N. side of the street to choose from. I made these for a giant headdress for a fashion show (much bigger!) and didn't have the heart to get rid of them.

The vase was from a film shoot but the stylist got it from West Elm. Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Kristin

How did you do the countertops?

I am sure that when architectural photos are not being taken of your flat you are cuddling under blankets on the couch, cooking meals and drinking wine in your kitchen, flopping onto an unmade bed and otherwise "living" in your lovely light-filled space. Everyone must have at least one junk drawer, one junk closet, and if they can afford it... one junk room. You do, you just hide them well!

Would have liked to see more photos, especially of the bathroom. Nice loft, but it looks more like a commercial space than a home.

I love the floor in the kitchen and bathroom, saved the photo for future reference!

Love it! Lived in Sweden for several years and have grown to love minimalist living. As for taking the cabinets with you that is regularly done all over Europe. When you rent an apartment in Germany or France you rent an empty space. You have to purchase the cabinets and appliances and they're made to be moved with you. Oh and closets too. What you've done with this space is amazing!

Re: Countertops

We made a wooden top base for the countertop with a surround the depth that we wanted it, also made of wood. On the corner, we added in a piece if bendable metal to make a smooth curve as the transition between the two depths. Then we pored in the concrete, I believe in 3 stages, letting ea. layer become quite dry first. Toward the top, we had to keep smoothing the concrete out (w/ a tile float) in order to get it level. It turned out quite level but not perfectly smooth like the ones the pros do. Actually I really like a little texture. Then we used a clear sealant to keep it in tact. This needs to be done a few times a year. We let it go and now it has more patina- seasoned looking and quite nice.

BTW when the pros do concrete, they make the mold and then flip it so the top is perfectly smooth. We didn't even want to think about attempting this- especially as the counter is 14' long! ; )