apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

the counter and backsplash are really unique. innovative way to put a personal touch in your apartment!

I love the bassinet. The space is gorgeous.

I just have to shake my head whenever I see situations like this- 3 people shoehorned into a tiny studio. I mean, is it THAT important that you live in Greenwich Village?

the smaller the space, the less to clean.

Where's that couch from?

Designers always have the coolest spaces.

I love that display cabinet with the concealed storage on the bottom.

why not live in a small place if you can?
ive been spending more than half my time at home in my bedroom.. so I might as well start looking into a studio.

that's a very cool bassinet. very cool countertops.

I love the look and especially the bassinet!

N.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com

Nice home, but I couldn't get past the way the article seemed to go out if its way to embarrass the husband's parents. Why were those details even necessary?

Wow, this is sweet!! I love the bassinet, too!

I really wouldn't call this "shoehorned" at all. It's small, but no one looks constricted, there are no telltale signs of having no space to move, no space to live. Actually, it looks like a perfect size for two people and a teensy baby. When the baby ain't so teensy, then it'll be shoehorned!

I love it, but wondered: did they come to this place with their hands empty? Did the buy everything for this space? Where are grandma's mixing bowls? Dad's desk? End tables and rug from your husband's childhood home in St Louis? Where are the 2000 books?

Sigh.. sometimes I am tempted to get rid of it all and start from scratch. But, is that home?

Not sure if that's the same couch because there are similar ones out there... But it may have been from White on White furniture... you should find it on their website...

The space looks great, but I know that I wouldn't be able to live in an area so small. I have enough art supplies to probably fill their bedroom stashed in various places around our apartment.

considering most people in the world live in "small spaces" and not sprawling mcmansions or huge suburban monster homes, i think it's nice to see how people make it work in a society that to it's detriment (and to everyone else's, unfortunately) values size above all else. quality of life does depend on a little more than the square footage you occupy.

I just finished reading the article. The only thing I wonder is since they put so much time, love, and effort into making their home. What happens as the child grows? The article says if they have a second child they'll move. I know the child won't need "personal" space for a little while still but what happens as they grow up without having a space of their own?

The "artwork" above the couch -- what is that ? looks like massive corkboard --looks fresh. How can i get this done or where can i get it ?

echo sentiments about the unnecessarily lurid details about the parents, who cares?

I agree about the guy's parents. That wasn't very nice: "The bride's dad is rich, and gave them a boatload of money. The husband comes from poor folk, and gave them $300 bucks each". Sheesh.

It's not a "home" unless it contains grandma's mixing bowls or dad's desk or end tables and rugs from one's childhood home?!

You have got to be kidding.

Other than a very small collection of photos in photo albums, there isn't anything else I desire from my parents' house to be included as part of the decor in my own home. Certainly not their furniture or their wall art.

Does that make my house less a "home" because I don't
have hand-me-down or inherited home furnishings? I don't think so.

Of course they don't look shoehorned! It was staged for a photo shoot in the Times! There are no closets to speak of. There aren't even many kitchen cabinets. Where on earth do they store their food? Their pots, pans, plates, bowls, baby supplies? Where the heck is the refrigerator?? There are no bookshelves, no overhead storage... I suppose this is fine for a family in the tropics that doesn't cook, doesn't need heavy blankets, doesn't read books and wears nothing but thongs, loincloths and flip flops all of the time. But this is sweltering hot or bitter cold NYC! I'm all for green living, living simply and living with a small footprint, etc. But this just seems like an unnecessary hardship. I seriously wonder how they pull it off; I think they should write a book about this!

I like the use of glass walls to help give the place a more open feel.

the space looks nice for 2 adults. I truly don't understand the no rug look. I mean, the ground is hard and you have a soon-to-be-toddler. Does it ruin the aesthetic so much to have some rugs???? Second, that bassinet amy look cool but it will be the pits once that kid can sit up on his own. babies hate not being able to do something they're trying to master, and this "bassinet" will certainly cause a struggle.

I promise not to be critical of how anyone lives, but I have lived in a number of apartments where I had no choice but to push one long side of the bed up against the wall. Therefore someone always had to climb over the person in the middle of the night, or in the morning due to staggered wake-up times. I have now vowed to NEVER live anywhere that I have to push my bed up against the wall in that way again.

I applaud their efficient planning and use of space! Their kitchen has a smaller square footage than mine, but more (and more efficient) storage. Looks like they have a fairly hefty wardrobe or maybe a chest in their bedroom, too, next to that awesome baby hammock. That's in addition to the two large cabinets in the main room. Again and as always, great inspiration for someone like me who easily and willingly shares her 500-square foot condo with her Hun and her dog! At one point, the article states my goal:

“To me, what’s lovely about this space is that [they] created a space that feels very Japanese, that reflects the Japanese ability to live in small spaces gracefully,” Mr. Abelson said. “Each space — for sleeping, cooking, eating, and socializing — is separate, and yet it flows together seamlessly in what anybody else would call a very small space.”

I wonder if that's an under-counter fridge in their kitchen.

Some of you are so critical! It's a beautiful space and it clearly works for them. They're not complaining so why should you. I think by mentioning the monetary gifts they were simply trying to illustrate how everyone pitched in as much as they could; not trying to embarrass the grooms parents for not giving more. I'm sure when the space no longer suits their lifestyle, they'll be able to sell it and make a nice return on their investment.

Sounds like the guy is originally from Bombay (Mumbai) - It is very common for 3 (or many times more) people to share a 400-500 sq foot place.

i agree with sherry2. a happy family life does not mean living in a single family home with a large yard. I think the most important thing is love in a home.

if a family wants to live in a one bedroom with a few items, then good for them. So many times I have heard people with large homes get criticized for having too much space...now this little family is criticized for having too little space. You can never make everyone happy...so do what makes you happy and your family happy.

I appreciate the family opening up their home and sharing how they live with the world.

Two words: offsite storage.

I'd love to live that way, but as an artist, I've got scraps and piles and brushes and computers and sewing machines, and...

I love it. Simple. Clean. Clutter free.

"I just have to shake my head whenever I see situations like this- 3 people shoehorned into a tiny studio. I mean, is it THAT important that you live in Greenwich Village?"

Families in many other countries live in spaces like these just fine - Not everyone needs 1000 sq/ft per person (and their junk) like most Americans think.

I am not for huge houses but that is too small for me to envision living there. It takes courage for a young family to live in such a tiny apartment. The style of the place is interesting. But I feel they wasted valuable space by not having a few upper cabinets in the kitchen. It is also strange that they did not take advantage of the vertical space anywhere.

I am supposing that the apartment is more sparse than usual; the same way as we clean up more when important guests are visiting us. But looking at my friends, I wonder where do they put the baby essentials - what about a changing table?

I agree with jmorey. The real issue is not if they got a second child. The problem arises when the first kid stopped being an infant. Where to fit his small bed and a desk to do his craft project / homework?

How did they print that damask stencil on the countertop? Does anyone know of the durabilty of a project like this?

Seeing apt layouts like this is great for keeping my complaining in check. My two-level detached house doesn't seem so small anymore.

ADizzle.. From the small amout I read.. it sounds like the husband is an idea-man, and it stated something about him creating furniture with photo prints on them. I think for the counters it could have been something like that.

in theory.. you could stencil/screen a design on something like wood or cement (not totally smooth) and then lay on a coat of poly-eurethane (i dont have spellcheck).. basically- it could be done. the hard part would be sealing the surface to protect the design.

David, I wish I could be like you.

So far I haven't been able to walk into my dead mom's (ro mother-in-law's or grandmother's) house and say, Sell it all! Or, I have and then I say, oh, but not those ... or those ... or those.

Wish I could. Apparently others can. It's the nostalgia that gets me.

The kitchen counter is porcelain, per the photo caption.

Also, I think square-footage of off-site storage space (rented, friend's basement, etc.) should be factored in their "living footprint."

This is a beautiful home.

The couple used to live in a different 1-br apt with the husband's mom, who moved in after she divorced. I bet living with an infant in a small space is easy-peasy to them.

about the absence of rugs: I grow up without rugs and carpets and it wasn't a problem, especially since we had floor panels heating, maybe that's the case of this flat? (I cannot see radiators in the pictures)

Love the artwork above the sofa???....where can I find something similar for my bare walls???

Anyone???

Gosh people. It's not impossible for a couple with a baby to live in a small space.

We have comfortably lived in our 550sq. feet with our son who is 19 months old and it's not nearly as chic as this place. We moved our bed out to the living room to give us our own space. Plus, I have my art supplies here, my sewing machine and fabric etc. as well as a habit of collecting furniture. Not saying we're so cool, but that if I can do it almost anyone can do it.

We are moving to a two bedroom soon, but that's only due to an internship and baby #2 who is on the way.

I'd be curious to see a photo of inside of the large cabinets - are they clothes storage, kitchen storage, baby item storage? I'd also like to see the bedroom area...

I would have liked to see more pics - the bath, etc. Believe it or not the pics got me kind of lost in this space - lost my bearings. Very nice elements throughout. What's the word on the art work above the sofa? I think the comment about the value placed on living in Greenwhich Villiage was more about the location in nyc vs another part of the city. Living in nyc myself I've often chuckled at the cost disparity of living space in the trendy part of towns vs the parts that are more culturally diverse if you will. That being said I admire those that can comfortably live w/ less space.

I agree, it is possible to raise a child in a small space. Think about the things that people list as baby 'essentials.' Are they really all that essential?

Changing table = change on the bed
Baby's bed = co-sleep with parents as toddler, sleep on pull-out couch when school-aged
A desk to do craft project/homework = coffee table or kitchen table
A space 'of the baby's own' = shared communal space with loving parents

This is how my husband's family (2 adults, 2 kids) grew up in a 1-bedroom apt in Los Angeles. He does not look back on it as a hardship, and they are certainly a very close-knit family!

Suchitra and I are simply excited to have this article in the NYTimes and to see that it got posted on AT as well. It is nice to see how many people have taken the time to write a – mostly positive – response.

Thank you!

However, I am not used to this kind of exposure and feel the need to answer/clarify a few things.

Yes, the apartment is small but it works for us... right now.
We don't think it will be a solution forever. Until then we very much enjoy it as well as the location.
We were VERY lucky to find something here that we could afford.

My father is far from hugely wealthy and that makes his generous gift even more special. All parents get along well.

The expenses/gifts show that it takes some creativity and support to have what we have now, even with a small budget. Hence the title of the article.

Most of our furniture/things are either made by Suchitra, found, hand-me-downs or bartered. The sofa and cabinet doors were bought.
The chairs are inherited from my grand father.
The artwork are oil paintings made by Suchitra's father.
All cabinets are made by Suchitra.
The sling is an antique from India given to us.

We have no off-site storage... yet (not taking gift really helps). Suchitra has a small work studio where we keep books.

The refrigerator and freezer are under the small counter.

Of course the place was cleaned up for the photo.
Anyone with a baby knows that life isn't like that : )

Check out Suchitra's website for a picture of the bathroom
www.van-ny.com.

Sincerely,
Nette Gaastra

Thanks for your opening your beautiful home, Nette, and thanks too for your gracious comments.

is anyone else disturbed by the baby thing? it doesn't seem safe. i hope they have a crib or something for the baby to sleep in.

What I would like to know is, how did they get the design on the counter?
Does it standup to household cleaners?

Does anyone know what under the counter refrigerator/freezer they used?

I've been looking at two separate under the counter Summits units--one refrigerator and one freezer--unit to get the equivalent of a full-sized refrigerator/freezer.

Thank you Nette for opening your home to the NYT and the Internet beyond. You have provided inspiration for many people, myself included.

I too would love to know which under counter refrigerator/freezer was used. Wish the NYT had specified that, along with the brands of tile and the range (which looks gorgeous and functional!)

Hi PDX Gal,

The counter is not a tile but a print that we made ourselves
but the stove is Delonghi.
It truly is a great range.
The fridge and freezer are from Summit.

Good luck.

Nette

Nette, please explain the process for creating the counter top and what is the durability to cleaning -scrubbing-