(This is the third post from Regina!)
I moved to this small apartment in Brooklyn Heights about three months ago. My boyfriend and I are doing the (mainly cosmetic) renovation ourselves, besides some electrical and plumbing work we’ve hired out.
The building is 150 years old and has kept us moving at a snail’s pace. We estimate that we’re nearly 50% complete, with the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom left to tackle. Okay, so maybe we’re closer to 25% complete – but hey, who’s counting?
- Before
- Before
Anyway, we removed the monster of a “kitchen” built into the corner of the main space (you can see its remnants in one of the “before” photos). The green paint was something we hated from the start, given the dim space we’re working with. The ceilings are really high and the windows are large but we’re located under a bay window projection on the second floor that keeps the apartment interior from receiving much sunlight.
- After
Anyway, the “after” photos show our current state in the living room.
Next step: the kitchen unit we designed is about month behind schedule but is supposed to be delivered for installation any day now. Three months (and going) without a kitchen has been the largest obstacle to us both but we’re thoroughly enjoying roughing it for now!
- Regina
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Please tell me that the image over the mantle is in fact a painting of what lies behind the couch and not a mirror. Please please please. If so I have to say it's one of the most postmodern, tounge-in-cheek, fantastic things I've seen on AT.
Please
I'm pretty sure it is a mirror, Julian. Exactly what is the meaning of your post? She obviously lives in a Victorian-era brownstone!
"postmodern"
Gee, that's a word I don't get to hear enough.
Regina - you are off to a great start. And those wooden double doors are to die for. I just finished a complete kitchen redo, and I can understand what you are going through. Doing dishes in my bathroom sink got real old real fast.
Good luck with the rest of your reno!
Well, I think that she should take the image directly from the photograph above, and copy and paste that exact portion and have it blown up by Kinko's or something onto canvas and have it stretched and place above the mantle.
I'm with Julian in wishing it WAS that.
This looks great so far - clean and bright. The white paint makes it look so much lighter in the living room. At first I didn't get the "camping for now" reference but I'm assuming you are referring to living without a kitchen. That is a bit like camping! Good luck with your continued work.
Julian, I agree! It does look like a painting, and if it were, it would be a very novel idea, but unfortunately it is just a mirror.
I really like your apartment - the woodwork is beautiful. Where is your brown sofa/loveseat from? I like the shape very much.
The sofa looks like the Lenox from Room & Board.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RB4012&dept=RB158
Did you get that couch from Room & Board (the Mercer) http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RB4012&dept=RB158
I'm looking to buy that couch and was wondering how you liked it. Looks nice!
A delightful idea Julian!
I kinda liked the green paint with crisp white trim, but that's just me I guess.
It's a beautiful place. Congrats!
That *would* be a cool picture to hang, only I'd want to do it in a sleek modern environment, to really confuse people.
The apartment is lovely, and it's explained in a way where I *think* if it weren't to my personal tastes, I'd still learn something and think the work makes sense.
I also moved to Brooklyn Heights 3 months ago and looked at your place twice before I moved into mine!!
The place is looking Great! I love the Book shelves, new color, and large mirror.
I do remember the Bedroom being quite small- what a great idea with the flat files under the bed!
I know the Kitchen needed a lot of work- so good luck!
Congrats!
Before and after photos are really confusing when not taken from the same vantage point.
And you need a rug!!! :)
Hi. Thanks for the comments! Julian, the large mirror was really just another attempt to make the space seem lighter, which has been the main goal in this apartment. I do like the painting idea, esp. b/c the room reflected beyond is pre-renovation so afterward the painting would reflect what the room once was...
Matilda, re: the post's meaning - The NYC blogger position asked for 3 posts: a product, a shop, and a post of any subjet you wish. I chose to show my progress on a DIY renovation partly because I love the feedback and partly because I have hopes of posting progress updates in the future.
Faith and Sarah - The sofa is the Lenox from Room and Board in Charcoal Drama upholstry (standard). It's very comfortable! I think the Mercer, on the other hand, is terribly uncomfortable. Anyone else? FYI - they just started making the Lenox with removeable legs. Up until a month or so ago the legs were not removeable and the switch made it possible for me to fit it into my place. Whew!
What a pretty apt! Those floors! Those doors!
One idea is to paint the ceilings a diff color. The color vs white on the ceiling debate has been dividing god's children from the beginning of time, but I have the urge to paint faintest paper bag blue on your ceilings.
I looked through an art magazine once and thought I saw a window in the street. When I realized it was something else - I loved my misunderstanding and made a body of art work out of it.
It looks great. Where did you get those book shelves? I'm considering something like that for my new apartment and I'm a little overwhelmed by the options.
Where did you get that mirror. I love it. What are the measurements?
It looks lovely. But why is the sofa blocking that doorway? I think it would like nicer with it's back to the windows, then you can have more flow...
I second the mirror. I've been looking for something like this, but that is taller so it can lean from the floor to wall. Everything I can find has such gaudy or huge wood frames. Does anyone know of online retailers that sell these types of mirrors? Or is it a custom piece?
Any framer will (generally) make you a mirror with any molding, in any size.
katindc--
DWR has an possible option:
http://dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=4612
IKEA has a similar mirror, very plain, slim silver frame, 30 wide by 77 high and it's only $99.
I love this old building. The arch. details are wonderful. And I love that mirror. Looking for the same mirror for a client.
I hate it when magazines show the before and after shots and don't take it from the exact same angle. It's very confusing and leaves me cold.
Oz - I thought clicking on your name would bring us to the art you spoke of in your post. How disappointing to see it's just an ad for the TV show "Oz". Where's the body of work you speak of.
Can't wait to see the next phase. Great job!
ooh. i may have to run to DWR at lunch. thanks!
Could this apartment be possibly on Remsen street, on the first level?
If yes, I've seen you guys renovating/painting a few times, on my way from work, and I remember thinking to myself that I'd actually liked the green color having seen it a few times before on one of my strolls (and inspired my own green walls). AND I have the same Room and Board couch. This is scary.
Don't you just adore Brooklyn Heights? I'm on Pierrepont Place - just by the Promanade, but I feel like Remsen is the best.
Good luck renovating, and thanks for sharing! Lovely place.
I ALMOST MOVED INTO THIS APARTMENT TWO YEARS AGO!!!!!! How funny! We ended up taking a place on Hicks Street instead, but I would LOVE to see your finals photos!
Anne - if you want to see the photos (I am not a professional comtemporary artist by the way - I'm an illustrator) - my email address is - KathyOsborn@nyc.rr.com
I did the chair & dead wife last year for Meter Gallery.
my illustration website is www.kathyosborn.com