apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The results are lovely. Did Josh use an architect, and/or a contractor?

Great job, Josh! I admire SO much the clean, minimalist look, which is so serene & sophisticated...

In photo #10 you show a vertical pull out shelf. How much room do you need to put one of those in? I asked this question a couple of weeks ago but nobody had an answer.

What color/brand is the blue paint you used? It's gorgeous!! I really like the floors you put in in the bathroom and living room. Really great colors.

I don't mean to sound negative, but this is very late 90s/early 00 generic design to me. Marble countertops, stainless steel appliances - this is all going to look dated in 10 years. I would prefer something more timeless. But that's just my opinion.

As far as constructive criticism goes - the living room could use a nice rug to make it more cozy. The bed in the bedroom seems like it is too high. Maybe get rid of the box spring. Overall, the impression is very bachelor pad. Maybe the space needs some time to get more personal touches.

Well done Josh, having just done something similar in my flat, I can understand the pressure this would have caused, esp in NYC. Question: I noticed what looks like a Microwave-rangehood-in-one-unit over your stove, this is a fantasic idea, is this a common appliance in the US, I've never heard of them being together in one unit before. I also love the smaller height of the unit. Living on the otherside of the pacific (Melb) I obviously couldn't purchase one but am interested none the less.

Love AT, hope you all enjoyed your turkeys.

whats with the bed thingy? come on, you can do better than that..kitchen and bath redo, again just like everybody elses..sorry to be negative, but lets think outside the box.

What gives? I'm trying to figure out why I'm looking at this on AT. Aren't there anymore cool apartments in NYC?

I'm also trying to figure out what you guys call a "hard-core immersion in the world of home renovation"? Did Josh rip down to the studs while we weren't looking, or was he limited to "months picking out colors, materials and styles" (that's a joke, right?).

C'mon AT, I depend on you guys to satisfy my need for NYC apartment porn and this doesn't even come close!

-Bob

Well, it looks like it was an enormous project, and it must be a great relief to have it all done, with everything clean and shiny and the way Josh wants it!

If we're worrying about cutting-edge design, I'd have to agree with Anon Cow. My kitchen cabinets in the 1980s condo I rented for a while in Minneapolis looked just like those (though probably of lower quality). Maybe I'm jaded from TLC's Moving Up Marathon.

Although I don't want to hurt Josh's feelings, I also wonder why this apartment was chosen...I don't see much 'personal style' in it. I too love the clean lines and lack of clutter, but there's also a lack of "Josh" too.

Any first-time renovation is kind of scary. Sorting through options of dark vs. light; traditional vs. modern; generic vs. peculiar are hard to wade through, as one deals with contractors (even good ones) and co-op boards, etc.

I think that the fact that it is at least pretty means he's done a good job so far. Didn't you see where it says he's an accountant? And a straight one at that? If the choices made here seem kind of safe, he is to be "forgiven"!

I think that the fun of this site is in the fact that it's for all kinds of people living in apartments making their homes better, and from the before and afters, his is clearly better. If he sells it, even if the next person is very, very arty, they might not next to do more than choice a new paint color and new furniture.

Very well done, Josh.

...uh..."choose" a new paint color, I mean.

"Didn't you see where it says he's an accountant? And a straight one at that?"

LOL. Good point about resale value, though. Not only is the renovation a huge improvement on what was there, but it *is* generically tasteful enough that a stylish buyer could walk in and drop a hefty chunk of change for that unit.

I admit it -- the apartments I like are the ones that are so quirky that it would take 8 coats of white paint to make them saleable!

josh was proud of his reno. and in the end, he got the girl. so let's not be so hard on him. it's a totally fine job, and likely went over budget. he's an accountant! (it would have been interesting to know the detail$$)
my first pejorative comment, perhaps a mama's boy. not that there is anything wrong with that. his mom must be a horrible decorator not to have intervened and prevented the mundane results. (these are not noble comments, sorry josh, but it comes with the territory)
the only thing that caught my eye was the combo of stainless steel sink and traditional Carrara marble in the bath. it's stunning and surely cost close to 2K installed w/fixtures.
once again, AT has got to face the music, and criticism. this apartment is a nightmare. you continue to stray from your original concept. please get back on track. it's all about renovating smallish nyc apartments into uniquely personal, stylish and innovative functional/comfortable spaces.
let me repeat a previous plea. please desist from posting anything from the New York Times. and i know you have been trying, yet have relapsed. it's like being served yesterday's mashed potatoes, cold, by the time it shows up on AT.
meanwhile, i will keep on looking at AT and use your often insightful resources in renovating my little place. might send in photos for comments when done. i promise not to be wearing shorts/sandals as i open the door. sorry josh, you are brave, but i already have an great accountant. ha.
jc

Nothing objectionable in this apartment, but it is quite bland. I agree with Curtis that the "after" is an improvement on the "before", but it will look even before when Josh adds some personal touches: art, plants, antiques, special collections, little pieces of Josh's personality. Those are the little things that make a house (or apartment) a home.

i thought i told you. . . NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!

You are never a failure for trying it is only in doing nothing that you become a loser.

Great Job Josh! If it makes you happy that is all that matters. But, don't forget the new lady as I notice she has some space on your shelf, in the new bathroom. I love that glass shelf.

Great job for someone working a job and a giant project that has been completed.

Lynda

I have to agree. This apartment has zero personality, and needs some more yin and yang balance. The living room is so stereotypical, the leather sectional, the halogen lamp and the glass tables. Josh should look into some less modern pieces to mix it up, maybe an art deco bar cart or credenza or something or some sort of wall unit from DWR?

Anne, if my eyes don't mistake me the pullout cabinet is from Ikea (I was thinking of getting one myself, and one of my friends has one and loves it). Here's a link to tell you the dimensions: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15576&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=36151&langId=-1&categoryId=15727&chosenPartNumber=S09811868 and remember you need to have enough room to pull the shelf out all the way too.

I do give Josh points for a solid renovation that, as many have pointed out, is sure to pay off in resale value. I think it could have been made much less generic with different furnishings however.

I think someone must be playing a joke on all of us here. Cynthia

I have to agree that this place does look very early 90s Met Home wannabe. Very bland, generic and soulless, and this is coming from a serious neat freak/minimalist. Inject some personality into the place, it can only be an improvement!

The reno looks like quality work, and is certainly a big improvement over the orginal. Props for that.

But... meh. It really gives me the feeling that this is all surface and done for resale - the lack of personal touches, the wire hangers, the sparse rooms and messy explosion of a closet... This apartment needs a little more TLC to warm it up and make it feel inviting.

the one thing that really bothered me about this reno is that he took a (i'm assuming) perfectly functional, and, imho, still attractive stove that was already black glass and chrome and replaced it with--a stainless steel and black stove (that he's not even going to use!!)

if it still showed, i think he could have faced the white side of the stove with some woodwork to match the cabinets and one less stove would be on its way to the dump.

This whole sparkle-granite (or the taupe pebble-y granite) and all-stainless appliance look is so big in the burbs. I've found that my design-savvy friends are shying away from this look in their renos. It's funny that in such a short time this look has become so dated. It screams late 90's. Of course it will continue to be all the rage for the next couple of years at Lowe's and Home Depot since their average customer is a bit behind the curve when it comes to style and interior design.

Ummm...typical bachelor pad. Can most single men think of any other furniture besides black leather couch and glass or marble coffee tables? See that, done that at a thousand other apartments.

I am getting married in Feb. and the first thing I am doing is getting read of the brown leather sofa my fiancé has. Josh you seems to be a sweet guy in the picture you can go with something else besides leather. The renovation is great thought. I would suggest you to use color on the living room walls, add some fabric touches like pillows maybe? Get lighting in the bedroom, like wall sconces for instance. And try to find a way to hide those wires. That is what I think Josh. You can do it. People don’t be so harsh on Josh. He is an accountant not a designer.

No problem with kitchin, floor, wall, bath for me. The "after" is a very practical empty canvas.
Please just get rid of those horrible lamps.
The living room needs substantially sized lamp shades, solid color rug, and a nice piece of artwork. It will add warmth.

Becca, what appliances are your friends using besides stainless? I feel as though it is played out, but there are really no attractive alternatives (I personally don't like black, and the white finishes tend to look cheap.)

As for Josh, I feel like this is an apartment to his taste, and that's how it should be. Sounds like he likes things spare. I was a little taken aback by the new stove when he doesn't cook, but I'm hoping he donated (or sold) the old stove.

I think Josh's renovations go a long way toward making his apartment a more pleasant place to live.

The only big issue I have with the decor (other than yeah, it could be warmed up a bit) is the leather couch. All single men adore their leather couches, it seems. It's a design cliche though, and very dated. Definitely get rid of it!

Fiona - one friend has a burgundy Viking range. It's stunning, but I don't even want to know how much it costs! Her refrigerator and dishwasher are stainless. I agree with you that while stainless feels played out, there don't seem to be enough other options (beyond your common white or black appliances). In some combinations, I don't even mind stainless - like when it is mixed with white cabinetry. That has a more timeless feel to me than the stainless + pebble granite + maple cabinet look.
If money were no object at all, I love kitchens where the appliances have facing that matches the other cabinets so they blend in seemlessly. Probably quite pricey, but an attractive option.

I had an "oh no!" moment when I saw you tore out what looks like original white tiles on the bathroom floor and replaced them with large blue tiles. Maybe I'm wrong, since it's hard to tell in the photo, but the white tiles look like they could be from the original construction, depending on the age of the building.

Our place was built in 1925 and the bathroom still had the original white hex tiles on the floor. We updated the bathroom fixtures to minimalist modern but kept the tiles. We feel like they are part of the "soul" of the place and give it more depth and character.

Any crappy updates like your former bathroom sink, counter, shower you're right to tear out. But leaving in original features, assuming they're still functional, can help give a place some of the character and personality everyone says yours is missing. Don't be afraid next time to mix old and new.

fiona-
not too long ago domino did a bit on the new white glass appliances that are the new thing. they looked really cool -- not flashy like the stainless steel ones but not cheap as most white appliances look. i'll see if i can dig up the info.

I've long had a fascination with those plywood-parquet floors (slide #22, a "before" shot) -- they seem so honest and to-the-point. But I thought they were used exclusively by the Mitchell-Lama affordable-housing program in NYC. Does anyone know what they're called, where to get them, and whether they're as inexpensive as they look?

Fiona, Becca - I agree about the shortage of colour options in appliances. I'm in the UK where there are probably more alternatives, but it's still difficult finding reasonably priced alternatives to s/s, black and white. Britannia now do great stoves in pretty much any colour you like, and Smeg of course have their retro fridges (and a beautiful Architect fridge). I'd like to see contemporary appliances done in enamel finishes (like the Aga), which has a more 'solid' feel than a glass finish.

boring boring boring, not to hate on the Josh, but wtf?
black granite and some lower end stainless appliances add up to a dated and pedestrian look, sorry i'm bored, really bored

yes Beastie, enamel finishes would be divine!

Talk about the quintessential bachelor pad...... complete with the black leather sofa! to each their own, but it looks like a contractor special!

I'm a bachelor who just redid a kitchen that looks a little like Josh's. But here's what I did differently: Honed granite, which looks like soapstone. Cork floor, a little easier on the feet. In my eyes, that moves it away from the "model apartment" look.

Is this a third re-post (a lot of the comments are from a year after the OP)??

Re-reading the comments, it didn't seem like anyone really got any good design ideas or inspiration from it.

Is Josh still living there?

It seems like people have pretty much covered how I feel about the newly renovated space (huge improvement, but not quite AT ready); so I'll just say this: I'm sure you're a really cool guy, but please get new shoes (even if you only wear them at home). :)

I believe that Josh will add personal touches as he lives in the space.

Good looking renovation first, personal touches to come.

Thanks for sharing your renovation Josh.

There are always ideas to be gotten from everyone's apts.

woah, while i agree this place isn't my style, some of you were way too harsh on this guy. think about it - he's reading these comments. and probably feeling pretty hurt by the insensitivity. i'm sorry, josh.

I think it looks great. I am looking at a similar sized and designed place just outside of the city and you have given me lots of good ideas for space issues. Did the kitchen have the bar before you moved in or was it originally a wall? Ar all appliances on the one side of the kitchen. They place I am looking at has a galley kitchen which makes me nervous. However, I could put in the bar and yours looks great.

i have to agree with the others...it makes no sense to me as to why this apt was shown on a.t. i like the sink in the bathroom against the marble top and i like the blue chosen for the bedroom. however, focus on hiding that stuffed animal (in the bedroom), instead of getting every dust particle. and that couch...i know everybody has different tastes, but that couch does not look good. maybe a.t. should start a section just for quintessential bachelor pads??

Just zero passion or love was invested in this apartment.

I'm surprised a girlfriend hasn't added anything to the place to soften it a bit.

I do think it's a huge improvement from before, though, so Josh and gf can keep adding to it to give it more personality and truly make it their own!

I agree with Monroe, you should keep the original floor tile.

Other than that good improvement, good start.

It certainly is an improvement, and I absolutely know (first hand) how much went into the space, but it just doesn't feel very inspired. The kitchen feels very "Home-Depot-y" It is about what I would expect from a typical "luxury" rehab from a developer. Sorry.

I'm sure Josh enjoyed all your constructive criticism after pouring over...what?..50k plus into his apt.

And I'm sure more people will be happy to post their renovations so, they can get negative feedback as well.

For someone who's never renovated before, probably doesn't have a subscription to dwell and isn't a designer, he made some nice, clean, handsome design decisions. He'll love living there and will enjoy adding personal touches to it as he does.

I guess the old adage is true, "If you don't have anything nice to say...say it anonymously on the internet." I believe that's the saying:)

I applaud all of the effort that Josh put in to his house. I wish my boyfriend was this dedicated (well... maybe not, then I wouldn't be able to decorate however I wanted). As for personal touches, I saw a fun pillow on the couch, a hula girl and fake fruit on the counter, and the stuffed dog in the bedroom. This isn't a lot, but it might be all he has (or wants), most guys I know don't have a lot of things.

Hey Kachuri - Lay off him about the dog, I'm sure it wouldn't be out unless it was special to him, it doesn't look like he collects stuffed animals or anything.

JC & Gretchen - This is an exhibition of his house, not his fashion sense, let's give him a break.

Why don't we all try to do what our moms told us and "not say anything unless we can say something nice"

Smile, and enjoy your homes everyone :)

No cleverness, no charm, no inventiveness.
Full of clichés and very questionable taste (furniture, lighting, use of space, colors).
Sorry, but I do not see the point of showing this on AT.

Design's not dead !

Why was this tour featured on here? The leather sectional alone should have disqualified it. Its horrid and bad and awful and terrible. From the kitchen to the stainless steal sink with marble countertop in the bathroom. Why doesn't AT have some sort of standards?

edina-rose, woah. you are out of control!

nice job. I like the stainless sink a lot. Looks very "just completed" - I'd recommend some art for those blank walls.