apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I really love the softness of the living room. And would kill for those screens. It takes a special person to care for this type of art - it is so delicate and responds to humidity and sunlight greatly. It made me think about that space by the window. In Japanese homes and in traditional tea rooms there is a space called a 'tokonoma'. It is a humble space where you can display a scroll or simple flower arrangement or ceramic piece for contemplation. That area seems like it could successfully be converted to such a space. If you are ever interested I might be able to find a few examples in photos that might serve as appropriate inspiration...

As a Harlem ex-pat I am very excited to hear of someone enjoying that area. It really deserves more care than it has been given. I wish I could afford to be there again. I personally find the housing projects sad, not beautiful, but I think that comes from knowing people who were stuck in them. I hope a good balance can be met between the old and new in that neighborhood.

Thanks for the tour. The place is wonderful. I bet your cats are very happy.

Absolutely lovely and accomplishes exactly what you set out to do.

And I see even the cat is the Japanese kind.

I loved it....

By far, this one has been my favorite tour! I live the many asian influences along with a comfortable, modern feel. I particulary loved the mirror in the living room. Where can I get a similar mirror? Thanks!

The apartment is really lovely--so tranquil.

One question: the shelving that your books are stored on. Is it elfa from the Container Store or the Ikea one?

This strikes a lovely balance between Asian influence and acknowledging the place where you actually live. There's an airy feel to the whole space that's very restful.

As long as we're all asking you about sources...

The bedframe in the master bedroom is a platform frame? Where did you find it? How about the bedding?

I've been looking for a similar bedframe for a while now. A local futon store sells something similar, but the headboard feels disproportionately tall.

I love the sideboard in the living room, and have been looking for a similiar one forever. Where did you find it? Lovely home, btw.

That tie display is pure brilliance.
You are so lucky to have work so beautiful and that you aren't sick of looking at by project's end!

A lovely home, all around. Envious of the space you have to work with,but even so you have used elegant restraint.

Beautiful. It's so restive. The guest room feels like a chic UES hotel room.

I like the use of the colours in a similiar tonal range, it really expands the space.

Thanks for letting us see!!

(PS - what are the sheer window coverings in the den/dining room?)

It's nice a clean, but a little sterile. Kind of reminds me of corporate housing. :/ sorry.

It is beautiful, and I especially love the guest bedroom and will take the liberty of printing it.

Lovely home, esp. the bedrooms. Very tranquil and serene. The tie rack is really genius.

Question: Are the cloth room dividers attached to the wall/ceiling? Don't see a rod or any other kind of device and was wondering how you did that.

I don't think the place is sterile at all--it's very centering, very calming place. I love how the Asian elements are intergrated in a contemporary way. I love the artwork!

this apartment is exactly what i am afraid my apartment will eventually become. my roommate and i are both travelers, both former students of anthropolgy. He's South Asian, and my family lived in Cameroon for several years when I was a child. we both have a really 'global' aesthetic. which is nice and all (especially since it means our stuff matches and we rarely have design disputes). until EVERY design element in your house is Asian (or African, or whatever). I get the idea that Jahiki is Japanese, and I think it's great to bring things that are traditional for you into your space, use art that means something for you, in a cultural sense. But is there a need for the el cheapo bubbling zen fountain? Not really.

really calming and beautiful...makes me want to curl up with a pot of tea and a good book with the cats in lap. (they are quite photogenic!)

sorry, but where is the tray in picture 20 from?

thanks

m

Where do you keep the cat box?

This is a really lovely apartment. It looks as if you've achieved all of your stated goals beautifully.

This home has such a sense of light, color, form.........a work of Art, indeed ........It leaves me with a feeling of tranquility and pure joy..........Wow!

thanks for all the lovely comments. I'll try to answer all the sourcing questions. Jashiki may have additional information; I'm away on a business trip and haven't compared notes with him this evening.

The bed in the master bedroom is from bedroom-furniture-direct.com (there may be fewer hypens in the url, so play around if it isn't right the first time.) The green bedcover is from Target, believe it or not.

The bookshelves are IKEA, which no longer carries the brown finish. They are available in white or aluminum finish.

The "solar panels" in the livingroom and den came from americanblinds.com. However, a couple of weeks ago we tried to find them on the site for a friend. Seems like they're no longer available. IKEA sells something like them but they aren't nearly as nice and can't be customized. Google around and you may find them somewhere else. The texture was called shearweave, I think.

The livingroom side board was an ABC Carpet purchase. It is Chinese.

The "noren" are on thin rods hung on the walls.

The tray on the livingroom coffee table is from global something, the fantastic homewares store on Sullivan or Thompson. Maxwell blogged it last year.

I forgot to mention the kitty liter boxes. One for each cat in the bathrooms.

thanks, philip.

and again, thanks to both of you for sharing this space. I'm back in my westcoast hometown - Vancouver - and I see a lot of kitschy or overdone Asian-influenced design. It's Orientalist, really, in the Edward Said sense. So I admit I was suspicious at first. But, as I said, you've managed to achieve a rare and beautiful balance between the Asian pieces and acknowledging that you live North America.

Hi all.

Thank you so very much for your comments. I, Philip, Charlie – tabby in picture #22, and little Sheba – white cat who likes to be picture taken love our home in Harlem. Home looks calm but things are always moving inside and out side of our home with good energetic way.

Jashiki

MattPlantGuy:
Like this:
http://www.japanese-interiors.com/tokonoma.htm

There's a japanese Google image search link at the bottom to bring up plenty of examples (some of which came up via the image search at Metacrawler in English).

Jashiki and Philip, my favorite part has got to be the tie display. Could you please provide information on the types of display boxes used for this lovely display?

I'm very fond of using textiles as art, any textiles. I love the linear look, the way the display widens the room, and could provide a wonderful visual treat for those who would take the time to view and appreciate each item.

I've already picked out two favorites, the top row, 12th from the left, the harlequin ocher and ivory. And, top row, 18th from the left, that looks a bit like Art Deco?

It says you designed them all. How exciting that must be!

Does anyone know where the sectional sofa is from? I'm looking for something similar... thanks!
-Richard

Our living room sectional:
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=4096


As for the tie display, below are the sources:

Plastic box, 4”x4”x4” http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_5600.asp?keywords=plastic+box

Floating shelves
http://ww1.westelm.com/cat/pip.cfm?template=8grid&pkey=cwllshe&gids=p187&cid=wllshe&area=shp


Jashiki

What is the paint color of the walls in the living room? I am working on redoing my boyfriend's bedroom and we were thinking of a color like that.

for all paint questions, refer to the end of my post as I list all the paint colors. I think the living room is indian river.

What a stunning place! The textiles,the colors, the eclectic mix. I use Noren in my home, too, and I have always been fond of tie fabrics. Gosh, you even managed to soften granite counter tops. Great design!

This is a really exquisite design! It looks like a suite in a very luxurious hotel in Asia.

lovely & luscious!!

I really loved your apartment, the ambience of every room is peaceful, understated and aesthetically very pleasing. Would you let me know where you got some of your art pieces ?

Maya.

Beautiful place. So nice to see something so inspiring. The best part has to be the tie display. Seeing that made my day. Great job!

I just cannot believe such a beautiful place exists! You've given me great inspiration to redesign my space.

You apartment is lovely and very peaceful. I love how you display your ties. What are the boxes you used to contain them? I think I may try this in our home.

I admire all the hard work and time you put into designing and furnishing your apartment. Can you please let me know where you purchased those two lights (lamps) above the bed in the bedroom pictures 32-36? Thanks.

I love seeing the homes of people who've done the Cure, and this one is just lovely. I think it's got the right balance of colour and hard-soft surfaces, and a lovely flow. Thanks for sharing.

Absolutely, 100%, drop-dead gorgeous. Lots of inspiration to get rid of stuff as we plan our move back to NYC!

I like the water fountain, anyone have any recommendations on where to get one?

Jashiki,

I love your master bedroom! So nice... Would you mind telling me where you got the green bedspreads?

I love how you layered the colors!

I just love the way the colors flow together. Very sophisticated. Could you elaborate more on them? Do you have the names? Are they custom variations or colors that are current Benjamin Moore? Just beautiful...thanks for sharing!

The slideshow links are for another house tour.

The two bottom slideshow links I mean.

Lovely home. It's great to see such a place in Harlem, too.

I was wondering where you purchased the two sconces (that plug in) in your guest bedroom. I have been looking high and low for onces exactly like that, but haven't had any luck. I love them!

the ties kill me. functional and beautiful

I really enjoyed your house tour. I appreciate that most of the "thumbnails" had narratives - helps me know what it is I'm looking at and particular points of interest.

I love the "norens" and think it is a really cool, practical and beautiful way of decorating and separating spaces. I am seriously considering purchasing (or making!) some of my own!

Your kitties take a nice picture! Very sweet. You have a beautiful collection of textiles and display them throughout your home tastefully. I like the bedroom with the iron bed...very cozy and relaxing. All in all....very nice.

Beutiful home!