This 1930s Brooklyn Apartment Has a Jealousy-Inducing Backyard

When Lawrence Leung and Mei Bruns (plus Fern, their Shiba-Inu) moved from Seattle, Washington, to New York City, they initially moved into a 500-square-foot apartment with modern amenities (think: doorman, gym, rooftop, and entertainment room). 

And while those inclusions are usually a New Yorker’s dream, they were finding the space a bit cramped — especially with their pup. However, each year, they couldn’t find exactly what they were looking for and resigned their lease. “We wanted to move into a bigger space, and we had always dreamed about living in a classic Brooklyn walk-up apartment,” the couple says. 

The lease renewals continued until last year when they spotted a two-bedroom rental apartment in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. The building was constructed in the 1930s, and the apartment, located on the parlor (or second) floor, was bursting with not only space but also charm.

“Upon walking in, we were greeted with 12-foot high ceilings, an arched wall in the kitchen, and floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room …,” the couple explains. “We immediately knew this was the apartment we’ve been searching for, and we submitted our application with no hesitation.”

While it was their dream to live in a classic, walk-up apartment in New York City, their new space also achieved basically every New Yorker’s dream: a private backyard. Even the way down to the outdoor area has charm (you open a window as a door and take the steps down). Now, they have ample space to spread out and have created a beautiful home.

• Story Bookcase — Design Within Reach 
• Eket Cabinet — IKEA

• Form Sectional — Floyd
• Mango Wood Coffee Table — H&M Home
• Docksta Table — IKEA
• Jimmy Cooper Leather Chair — Industry West

• Platform Bed and Nightstands — Thuma
• Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman — Design Within Reach
• Eames Molded Plastic Chair — Design Within Reach
• Ande Side Table — Nooma
• JWDA Table Lamp — Audo Copenhagen
• Kobble Task Lamp — Gantri

Thanks, Lawrence & Mei!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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