Who Lives Here: Arzee
Location: Hell's Kitchen, New York City
Size: 295 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? It’s hard to choose an item that I like more than the rest but I do believe my two large paintings add a lot of character to the apartment. I spent a week just making the frames and stretching the canvas (having never done it before) and the painting itself took almost a year. They are both inspired by the seasonal changes in Central Park which is a few short blocks away. The one above the George Nelson sofa was done last summer and the one opposite the bed, done in the winter (though it is not quite finished yet). These were plain white canvases when I first hung them in the apartment and which each layer of paint they have changed the feel of the surrounding space. I also love the watercolor painting above the orange chair and the hand embroidered bed throw as they bring back memories of home.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? I moved to Manhattan because it is a dense urban jungle saturated with signs, images, graphics, tons and tons of visual noise and I absolutely love that but I also wish to escape it. I wanted a space that was simple and minimal, pure forms and shapes, white and the occasional bold bright color. It is difficult to achieve that clutter free space in such a small apartment. I got rid of things I didn’t really need and invested in some clever storage solutions. I wanted to keep an open airy feel to the apartment without having to conceal the essentials… like my bed. I think of it as extra comfy casual seating on those occasions when I have friends over for drinks or a movie.
Like most contestants on here, budget was an issue. I have purchased a lot of items from ebay, craigslist and ikea but I am also a big fan of CB2, West Elm and White. Other items, like the chest opposite the bed, I found in a junkyard and thoroughly enjoyed refurbishing it. It beautifully simple and offers tons of storage.
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Comments (38)
I wish I had the courage let go of some of the stuff I own....I love what you did wt your apt but it also makes me think I can never be a minimalist..
Your place is very calming.
Lovely little home! where do you keep your office and "things," paperwork?
I like it! Is there a kitchen in your apartment? If so, I wish you would post pix as it would be great to see how your kitchen would work in a small space. Over all, ncie work!
Love the fact that you added character and interest in your apt using paintings rather than stuff. I commend you for having such an edited collection of pieces (I know I could never do it).
Really like the large winter painting across the bed. Where do you store the paint brushes?
the green painting is beautiful, positioned perfectly under that light... and what a great spot for the red rabbit
Your place warms my minimalist heart. Clean, calm and uncluttered but still lovely and very livable. Congrats on a job very well done.
Lovely. I know you're going for minimalist but I think the windows could use some more interesting dressing (not that you asked me but, whatever). Still, it's a great space.
Where do you sit to eat?
Very calm and pretty place.
Arzee...Love you're space! Where did you find the rabbit or hare that's in the bathroom?
I think it's perfect! Great job.
Great job - I like the way you added color without having to paint the walls.
So clean and calm, but with colour!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. To answer some of your questions…
I got the red hare from an artist while visiting Germany. It’s based on a painting by Albrecht Durer.
Yes there is a kitchen in the apartment (if you look at the plan you will find it between the living room and the bathroom). As we were only allowed 5 pictures, it got edited when I was choosing the best ones.
I normally have dinner while I am watching tv or on the computer. On those occasions when I want something more formal, I have a small foldable table in the kitchen that I bring to the living area. Though I have friends over for cocktails, we always go out for dinner.
The paint brushes along with all my other supplies are stored in the cupboard above my closet space.
i'm such a sucker for a clean white space- so serene :) the red hare sculpture is great. do you love your white marshmallow as much as craig & i love ours?? :P
How do you hide stuff? I know there's got to be more in there somewhere... Awesome. Very chic, very minimalist, very modern. Love it, especially the mirror and acrylic side (or coffee) table.
lovely editing and great use of scale in a small place.
love the white cowhide rug. Gives some organic shape to an otherwise square box of a room, plus lightens up the floor - hows the maintenance on it? I'm considering a very similar cowhide but want to know if it gets filthy with lots of foot traffic.
I'm typically a harsh critic and have criticized others for having a George Nelson sofa. BUT I have to admit, it works wonderfully in this space. My favorite entry. Tasteful. It's hard to furnish a place on a small budget. In fact, this place looks high end. Great use of large pieces (lamp, sculpture on storage, bed, paintings). Most people steer away. Also you did a wonderful job of positioning pieces at different eye levels within the space (thin sculptures, lamp, paintings) to accommodate what appears to be a very high ceiling. Well done. Well edited. Classy.
I bought the cowhide rug on ebay and i love it. It not only lightens the floor but it also adds some warmth to the space. Unbelievably easy to keep clean but it does have to be done regularly.
BillyRes, I just read your comment. Many thanks for your compliments. Much appreciated.
i absolutely love your apartment.... i love the white sofa, and the paintings and the red rabbit and EVERYTHING. Its all great. A job well done.
I love the sculpture next to the sofa. It looks like a figure of a falling man? Where can I find it?
i love the man in free fall. where is that from?
i love this! i am about to move into a tiny place and i'm planning on using LARGE paintings im doing in it too. Its good to know that it will look amazing in place! great job! i love the spread on your bed too! I lived in africa for a while and it looks so homey to me!! LOVE IT!!!
Thank you guys!
I got the sclpture from a gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The artist is called Bill Strake and I understand he exhibits his work on the west coast only. The scuplture is of a man diving and is called 'free fall' and I had to buy it the minute I saw it.
I love it. My apartment has a very similar floor plan. I am totally planning on stealing some of your ideas. Its slick, minimalist but homey at the same time. the winter painting is beautiful and I love the lamp infront of it. great work!
Gorgeous!
i loveee that bed
Beautifully done. Just the right amount of stuff. Love your art collection. So much more stunning to have a few large pieces than a cluster of small peices. Great work.
beautiful space! love the combination of large colour bursts, striking sculpture and only-essential furniture pieces.
would love to see pictures of the kitchen and the foyer.
love the red rabbit....where did u get it??
You have the great advantage of the eye of an artist. Your place isn't just about great decorating....it's a work of art. Every color piece is well chosen and perfect.
Amazing. You're done so much with such a generic space. Unfortunately, I'm too late to give you a thumbs up.
The vote is closed but I love your place. It's very well edited and I'm especially impressed by your paintings.
ok where do u paint? i see no where, although u have paint brushes stored away i miss not seeing what u are doing or working on .. its a lovely place.
I really like the apartment... everything is beautiful, particularly the paintings you did yourself! Great job! The ONLY thing I personally do not like is the sofa/couch?? Probably others will disagree ..... just my 2 cents!
I find it offensive that you called it "JUNGLE OASIS" because you have a few African items in your home.... Very interesting.
With such a minimalist home, I don't think jungle here is referring to "crowded and chaotic, filled with plant life".
to Runissa above- I believe the title is meant to be interpreted as "oasis from the urban jungle". That said, get over yourself.
im super late. but i absolutely loveeee yur studio.beautiful.my floor plan is exactly the same.u gave me inspiration. when i first moved in without any furniture. i literally started crying at how tiny & lifeless my home was (1st apartment) ..but this site & particularly YOUR apartment gave me hOpe . It made me realise i can Make it work & on a budget & make it ME =) seriously. thank yu. i now LOVE my studio .all i need is sum paintings , curtain and a big mirror & ill b finished =)