Who Lives Here: Kimmer & Jari (Henry + Lulu kitties)
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 1,090 square feet
What is your one favorite element in your small, cool home? My favorite element in my home is the natural light, the openness, the sense of loftiness... the floor to ceiling windows and bright views.
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What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in furnishing your small home? Because it is a newly constructed building, I felt I needed to tone down some of the slick materials used, so that the details of the space felt more artfully worn in. To add some texture I painted over the original silver stock fixtures to soften and create a more industrial look.
There was also no closet or storage space (welcome to NYC!) To remedy this, I installed shoji screens which not only provided storage solutions but also brought in warmer more organic material. I installed shelves created from reclaimed timber I found dumpster diving and my coffee table is made from two massive construction timbers perched atop a base of two cinder blocks.
A few of my favorite pieces of furniture I literally found on the street, including an old double-wide children's school desk. Inexpensive shelf boxes from IKEA were used in my studio both for storage and creating unique displays of curios and found objects. These collections are tightly edited, bringing little stories to nooks without compromising the clean, uncluttered atmosphere.
The push-pull of old and new strikes a balance so the modern won't look pretentious and the worn doesn't feel shabby. This approach for me transforms a small space into a calm experience rather than overwhelming or chaotic. I think of my home as a grown up tree house (well actually more of a nest in a tree) in Brooklyn.
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Comments (84)
i am in love with your kitchen!
Color scheme, warm earth tones, natural light, fantastic kitchen, great bedroom...this is a winner!
This doesn't at all feel slick and modern. It feels cozy,warm and worn in.
Wonderful.
I first looked at this and thought it was another kind of sort-of okay loft space, but then I saw the details-- you've done a lovely job of softening and complicating the generic floorplan/lines of the space. I love the kind of organic surfaces and textures you have brought to this-- a beautiful job, subtle and expressive.
Alright, where's the sofa from? Spill it!
So beautiful. May I have some tea?
Lovely - agree with adetoth's comments above.
"Cozy, warm and worn in".
Very nice space and I do like how you married different styles together to not overwhelm the space with one style so together it's more of a cohesive space.
However the color pallette needs something bold and bright to add a little zing. Doesn't need to be a lot but something just the same for right now it's a lot of earth tones and grays and is a little too muted.
If I read the floor plan right, whoever thought to put the washer and dryer upstairs when it looks like your bedroom is downstairs makes no sense.
What looks like an otherwise generic "modern" condo has been given detail and life through what you have put in the space.
That sideboard with the weathered barn doors is EXACTLYwhat I have been looking for for years.
Beautiful!! Doubtless, one of my Top 3.
my favorite so far!
Love the sofa - where did you buy it?
My favorite too!
Its a loft townhouse yawn with predictable cherry veneer and black granite counters but you made is so earthy and great tonal with greige, washed grays and other earthy colors, textures and nice details. Excellent job.
See, I don't agree with all your decorating choices (those stools in the first photo? no thank you) but you actually have good taste and it's very ADULT.
I would move into your place.
Love the modern/rustic/Asian style here. This is the style I'm aiming for in much of my place. You do it vastly better! Will be checking back for ideas.
Nice job.
So gorgeous! It has a "retreat" vibe while still being totally NY. Hot.
Simply fantastic: modern / zen / funky / comfortable / not cluttered/ organic / approachable / lived in / clean / easy on the eye / fun vibe. I would definitely move in today.
one of the few places on AT I could live in
This is a beautiful space. I may have to steal the string-lights-on-ladder idea.
I think this is my favorite so far. I’m a huge advocate of small lamps in the kitchen. I am looking at what looks like a tall, slim bookshelf on a pedestal of sorts in your livingroom. Can you tell us more about it?
Good luck in the contest!
beauty ,warmth and function all balanced perfectly .. gorgeous !!!
love, love, love the scale and the other vintage/quirky touches
My Favourite. Old and new looking cool and hip! Love the space.
I would love to perch in this beautiful natural home!, perfect nest for two love birds. Becky from Seattle.
hi.... it's kimmers from 'old and new'
thanks for all the amazing feedback!!! makes it worth all the effort!!!
(rick roberts) the tall slim bookshelf is actually an old storage container for metal work so it has a cool patina but it's an easy copy... just have a friend/carpenter make it... 1/2" plywood made into a box that's 5'X8" and put 2 little shelves evenly spaced. I like this type of box floating so there are 3 2X4 pieces of wood attached to the back... just hang on the wall and fill it up!
(zaky oliviah) the sofa is a Room Board from 3 years ago but I removed the back cushions and added some pillows to mix it up.
I agree with all the non color comments... I really have a hard time with color. When add it my eye goes straight to it all day everyday and I have to move it... I will work on it!!! for now I just wear it!!!
cheers, kim
Those cherry cabinets are gorgeous!
Love it, Kimberly! :-)
This is by far my favorite. Thoughtfully edited and tasteful. I love the balance of weathered/Asian/modern and think the color palette is soothing and just right. I would happily live there in a minute. Come finish my place, please.
Easily my favorite in the not-so-small category.
Incredible mix of texture and patina in a modern and hard-surfaced space.
This is certainly my favorite, it feels so warm and comfortable - just the right amount of detail and texture without being cluttered. Bravissimo!!
This is also my favorite. Really liking the textures, the soothing colours and repurposed materials .
Good Luck to you in the contest.
two thumbs up. got a great vibe and mix of old and newer, clean and interesting, and color and neutral. you should source more stuff, all of your stuff looks so interesting.
and the photos are great - you can really see spaces rather than just close ups which seem to be popular on home tours. great job and good luck.
Love the textures and colors here.
Great space! I can see that you worked long and hard to get your apartment just right!
I think I might just have found my favourite.
Love the toned-down / weathered look that you've achieved. That hanging scale in the kitchen with the plant is a unique touch. Personally, I wouldn't add the splashes of bold color -- looks fantastic as is. Great sense of style!
absolutely booooooooo-tee-full Kimmy!
Love it, Steph!
I love the light, openess and warm feeling expressed in this apartment. I wish I lived there.
Great mix of natural, calming elements into a modern feeling. Love that it's not cluttered or kitschy.
love it. Where did you get the bedding?
Beautiful! Good Luck Kim!
love your HOME Kim!
Where are Henry and Lulu??? :)
~Beate
Good Luck!!!!
Great Fun! Good Lucj!
Sorry Kimmie - typing too fast meant Good Luck is isn't some crazy new language
Gorgeous apartment. . .good luck Kimmie!
Hope my battery holds out long enough to vote. . .it's not easy to cast your ballot on this site.
This place has good bones, but it could use - I don't know what exactly - maybe some antlers. The colors are right for that kind of thing and it seems to cry out for some sort of anatomical display. The unmade bed is a nice homey touch. The light is great.
There is good taste and there is delicious taste. (c;
rorirobson, this is indeed delicious.
Talent always rises to the top! Fabulous pictures, simple and elegant. You should be a decorator.
Squirt, I am not at all surprised. This is definitely elegant and picture perfect but at the same time homey. Luv it.
I am lucky to live close to kim yari and have seen this place with my eyes. I love every detail of this apartment. It is a cool loft but still makes you feel at home even though you have never been there before.
this is gorgeous! i absolutely LOVE the hanging scale with the lil plant on it. it makes me want to go home and move my furniture around...
This is my favorite so far. Where did your hanging lights come from? They are all beautiful.
the curio... the organic... the light... the found objects...
no comparison...
...the zoestramatic...
A little dull to my taste - but love the kitchen and the floor plan. I am one who enjoys the stimulation that colors bring about. Some color would of spiced up that fantastic floor plan. lady T
You've got mad talent Kiimers. Amazing what you do with apartments! I'm lucky to live in your x-apartment. I'll take your hand-me-downs any day. mwah!
Better in person... great space Kim!!!
Absolutely delicious... completely inspiring. Great use of material (glass, metal, wood, etc), it creates a delightful texture... Which is why I can believe it is even better in person.
I really just want your staircase.. and maybe that coffee table, and some touches from your kitchen, lol!
Very nice :)
12 fairwood: the bedding is all from EILEEN FISHER.
rkm: the hanging lights I made myself, just some cool wrought iron baskets and edison bulbs all jumbled together... happy you liked them!
thanks, kimmers
I think this is my favorite yet. I love your home.
Im a big fan of this one
So beautiful.
lovely. so you! really like the old/new vibe of this one, definitely my fave!
Sweet apartment!!
Awesome use of natural colors!!
Kim,
you got my Vote!
Good luck to you!!
Darren-
Where is the coffee table from?
I am considering building one but hadn't found the right design. When I saw this, I thought it was perfect!
Kim, Ya got it licked!!! I like Coors Light myself :) Teana
Good Luck Kimmers and Jari !
Incredible place ! Well done !
daniel håkansson
Wow, what a good space. Wow, what bland taste. Wow, I hope this place doesn't win. Pier 1 sucks.
ROCK ON CHAKA KHAN!!!!!! :)
Nice place! It looks very cozy :)
good luck! i want you to win sooooo bad!
Not a bad space or general use of it, but the color and general decoration is a bit bland. Just seems a little too impersonal to me.
LOVE IT!
Every little Detail!
Can I buy the 'key holder' from you?
Kimberly has an absolutely amazing and sophisticated design sensibility which is punctuated by unique elements of surprise.
Awesome space!
Bummer, this was the second best designed space in yesterday's voting between you and the Corset Factory.
Is there a prize for 'almost in the finals'?
Aquaman, it just goes to show that impeccable taste does not always win first place!
There can be only one.
My closet is two plant hooks with a long dowel for hanging pants and two large S hooks for hanging hangers flat against the wall instead of shoulder to the wall. Mine is open but you could definitely screen it off with curtains or something. It only comes out 6 inches from the wall. I also store clothes folded and bought a little steamer iron that has a water reservoir that hangs on the wall. If I want to wear something that isn't hanging, I can slap it on a hanger and have it steamed in about 2 minutes. I love my little wall closet and my steamer thingie!