apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


#39 - New York Guy's Serene Oasis

Name: New York Guy
Location: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, NY
Size & Type: 600 sf One Bedroom Coop Apartment

Favorite resource: My friends' opinions

Pitch: I transformed my small apartment into a welcoming and serene oasis from the hectic city. Upon first seeing it in the middle of winter I instantly fell in love with its southern exposure and with how deep the sunlight penetrated it, but its main drawback and my biggest challenge was how to deal with a kitchen smack in the middle of my entrance and a decrepid one at that.

 
 

5-4-ny2.jpg

Pitch Cont'd: I first took time furnishing my Living and Dining area while planning and designing a gut kitchen renovation that also provided a welcoming entrance to my apartment and I think it works!

5-3-ny1.jpg

Your favorite element: The breakfast nook with the large lazy suzan below it.

5-4-nyfloor.jpg

Tags

Small Cool 2007 - entries

Related Links

Share

Comments (36)

Well done you. I like.

posted by bobbin on 2007-05-04 12:38:27
view bobbin's profile

Great apartment. I love the green in the living room. What color/brand paint did you use?

posted by cbinnyc on 2007-05-04 12:43:16
view cbinnyc's profile

Looks great. I am particularly impressed by your kitchen. Which fridge is that? It looks like it is counter depth, is it?

posted by oliviadc on 2007-05-04 12:44:17
view oliviadc's profile

It's perfectly fine (the kitchen's lovely), but not knocking my socks off at all. I'd love to see a shot of the bedroom.

posted by surplusj on 2007-05-04 12:44:40
view surplusj's profile

it's nice.
but your friends should tell you to get rid of the torchiere light fixture.

posted by christinanyc on 2007-05-04 12:54:40
view christinanyc's profile

Looks like every suburban home. Isn't this the reason people move into the city.

posted by bonline on 2007-05-04 12:55:26
view bonline's profile

when do you move in?

posted by erin n on 2007-05-04 12:58:22
view erin n's profile

did i miss #39?

posted by k in ditmas on 2007-05-04 13:00:24
view k in ditmas's profile

I think you need something above your couch. Maybe a big painting, or a mirror.

posted by Kah on 2007-05-04 13:07:20
view Kah's profile

are you allowed to paint? i think the creme/yellow color is too close to your furniture and it makes the space look washed out and drab... i love your pieces i just think theyre getting lost.

i light crisp aqua would look great in the kitchen or maybe a light grey/blue in the living room

great canvas though!

posted by JenJen on 2007-05-04 13:11:29
view JenJen's profile

I don't usually like spaces this sparse, but yours is pleasant and inviting.

posted by Joan A. on 2007-05-04 13:19:18
view Joan A.'s profile

k - hmmm, the mystery of the missing 39...I bet it was a winner, too!

I like this place. Entry through kitchen gives a homey feeling - like when you were a kid and the back door (ours was inthe kitchen) was the only way in after a great day playing outside.

I like the stripe of green inthe archway.

posted by One Eyed Daruma on 2007-05-04 13:20:37
view One Eyed Daruma's profile

Where did the bookcase/entertainment stand come from?

I like your place.

posted by gttim on 2007-05-04 13:30:59
view gttim's profile

The kitchen is perfectly, but it doesn't solve the problem of it being the first thing you see upon entering. I would have opted for doors or shutters, perhaps on just one side, to create the illusion of closets.

Overall quite handsome, but it needs art and/or other touches of individuality.

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2007-05-04 13:35:58
view Mid-C Frank's profile

...kitchen is perfectly fine, but it doesn't...


I ought to try proofreading before submiting!

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2007-05-04 13:36:58
view Mid-C Frank's profile

I think its a typo - on the contest page, "New York Guy's Serene Oasis" is listed as #39....

posted by sarahw on 2007-05-04 14:00:49
view sarahw's profile

this looks like a catalog for prefurnished condo - no character.

posted by chobot on 2007-05-04 14:14:26
view chobot's profile

This is a good example of how to create a sparsely furnished space without it feeling sterile. Very well done!

posted by Modfan on 2007-05-04 14:16:01
view Modfan's profile

your apartment is crying for some art!!

i like the subway tiles in the kitchen and the Wassily chairs...otheriwse, its sorta..."safe".

posted by goodnightdean on 2007-05-04 14:21:20
view goodnightdean's profile

Well done considering you did a gut remodel. Did you do the demo and reno yourself? I'd love to see pictures of the construction phase if you have any.

"Insta-finalist".

posted by boomer on 2007-05-04 14:35:44
view boomer's profile

Definitely has potential. I like the clean lines and lack of clutter, but it needs some art above the couch and the dining area to add some depth and character.

posted by phaedrus on 2007-05-04 14:36:36
view phaedrus's profile

I think you handled your kitchen situation beautifully, and I always like to see places in my very own nabe! Second all the votes above for some artwork above the couch. Would generally love to know how you manage such an uncluttered life... perhaps because you don't have as many shoes as i do?

posted by sara on 2007-05-04 15:01:54
view sara's profile

This has a neat kitchen (esp. given its double duty), and an interesting interplay of woods, but it's a little jarring to me how tight the dining set is on the back of the Wassily chairs in the living room - and the fact that the Wassily chairs and sofa don't actually overlap the living room rug at all - not to mention the aforementioned lack of art on the walls.

Maybe it's just me, too, but the stainless fridge just seems so huge (and out of scale) for 1-2 person apartment, and again, really kind of jars against the cohesivness of the cabinets. The placement of the subway tile on that wall, and slate floor vs. the wood in the living room, also just don't seem to "hum" together like they could.

Not to be huge negative nelly or anything - but those were my honest reactions to the otherwise full-of-potential space you've created. Maybe I just need a glass or wine or two or something :)

Sincerely, thanks for sharing.

posted by helloat on 2007-05-04 15:48:09
view helloat's profile

Good start.

Expose yourself to art. Pick out a few favorite pieces (need a large one over the couch) and add them to your walls to personalize and enliven your home.

Touches of texture (rugs,throws, wooden sculpture, etc.) would also add warmth and interest.

I realize you need to keep the kitchen spotless because it's right at the entry and is the first thing visitors see. Keeping it bare is one solution, but how about adding just one touch: vase of colorful fresh flowers on the counter. Try it; you'll love it.

Thanks for inviting us in.

posted by gekko on 2007-05-04 21:19:10
view gekko's profile

love the book case in the living area

posted by LaDonnaNichole on 2007-05-04 21:36:10
view LaDonnaNichole's profile

It just seems very average. I like the barstools though.

posted by charlenemcbride on 2007-05-04 21:57:23
view charlenemcbride's profile

Hi all,
thanks for everyone's comments!
Accent wall paint is Ben.Moore olive branch, fridge is fisher peykell,
I did a bit of the demo but did hire a contractor for the kitchen.
I definitely agree with the comments re. adding art on walls and "personalizing" space...but after going thru the gut entry kitchen reno last summer, I needed a break from thinking about anything beyond what I now have in the space...and accessorizing and artwork takes me forever to decide on, guess shouldve waited another year to enter!..
framed mirror above couch is on the way:)
oh- the bookcase is from workbench which I think went out of business last year, it was a good place to buy moderately priced modern furniture.

posted by nyguy on 2007-05-05 08:07:24
view nyguy's profile

Olivia-
the fridge is close to counter depth but not quite- front of door sticks 1 inch in front counter and handle another couple of inches. I especially liked as it has a nicely textured side panel as opposed to the textured black that most other ss fridges have. and I didnt want a wood side panel covering it.
nyguy

posted by nyguy on 2007-05-05 08:15:00
view nyguy's profile

Too plain and sparse for my personal taste, although the materials, lighting & color are all very nice. I feel as if it lacks the personality of the dweller. I think this place needs a lot more art on the walls. These photos make them look almost completely bare, and if there were art I think it would warm the place up with a bit.

posted by Charlotte on 2007-05-05 11:41:41
view Charlotte's profile

Hey nyguy, where is the two-toned pillow on the sofa from? Those are gorgeous colors together.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2007-05-05 12:31:52
view patrick (the other one)'s profile

Patrick,
The two toned rust red & olive green ultrasuede pillows are custom along with the camel sofa. It's a larry laslo design made for "directional". I ordered it a few yrs back from the ground flr showroom at 200 lexington the name of which escaples me .... The other greenish pillow with the floral fabric I picked up from bed bath & beyond...also ultrasuede. a great fabric- washable!

posted by nyguy on 2007-05-06 21:33:34
view nyguy's profile

I like the bookcase tv stand so much I spent half the evening trying to find one like it. --oh well.

posted by Tollie on 2007-05-07 04:49:44
view Tollie's profile

I like the colors a lot (warm & inviting)!
The kitchen is just magnificent.

posted by Bo on 2007-05-07 12:21:37
view Bo's profile

Your place is peaceful and serene as it is.
The choice of colors is consistent with the theme of serenity.
I like the clean, no clutter space, (in such a small area), a contrast to the caotic city outside.
I would not clutter your walls , keep it as sparse as possible,
you achieved a quite slice in a noisy city,

ENJOY IT ............

Cora

posted by Cora on 2007-05-08 08:36:22
view Cora's profile

Small, peaceful, soothing colors, great place to be after a hectic day @ work,
Love it
Corinne

posted by Cora on 2007-05-08 09:06:29
view Cora's profile

soft colors and clutter free space makes this place very comfortable,
Like it very much

Nino

posted by Nino on 2007-05-09 20:52:28
view Nino's profile