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Maxwell & Lulu’s Temporary Digs

Maxwell Ryan
Maxwell RyanCEO
Maxwell left teaching in 2001 to start Apartment Therapy as a design business helping people to make their homes more beautiful, organized AND healthy. The website started up in 2004 with the help of his brother, Oliver. Since then he has grown ApartmentTherapy.com, added TheKitchn.com, our home cooking site, and has authored four books on design. He now lives with his daughter in a lovely apartment in Brooklyn.
updated Feb 20, 2019
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Name: Maxwell Ryan and daughter, Ursula (aka Lulu)
Location: Soho, NYC
Size: 480 s/f
Years lived in: 1 year rented

Just over a year ago, when my marriage ended, I moved here. Despite being overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, it seemed like the right thing to do for both of us. I quickly found this apartment only a few blocks away, waited while it was finished and then set about making a new home for myself and our daughter, who is with me half of the time now. Doing this became a total joy, and it was unexpectedly great to build a new foundation. It helped me get back on my feet, and I came to love this place. It is, however, too small now, with only one bedroom, so we’re moving next week to a two bedroom a little farther away (if you want this apartment, it’s for rent with Michael Weil here). This is a final love letter to our temporary home in 2012.

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The reno and moving in

This apartment was newly renovated when I moved in last year, which was my first experience with new construction. New is nice. Everything was in excellent shape and worked. The sinks, doors and appliances were all brand new. The washer and dryer were awesome. It made me realize how important it is to keep your home in good shape right down to the bones. Making sure that floors and walls are fresh and clean ensures good energy, and everything is much more satisfying to clean when you’re maintaining a strong foundation.

This apartment is on the fifth floor, and has lovely windows that face south and west, providing it with tons of light all day. It is a walkup, but it’s worth it for the light. Along with everything being in great condition, the light was the other clincher here. It really makes the apartment warm and inviting all day long.

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Just after moving in last January 2012

Apartment Therapy Survey:

MY/OUR Style: Organic Modern that has slowly morphed into a little more of a European Vintage vibe.

Inspiration: Apartments I’ve seen on our site from France and Germany.

Favorite Element: The sofa and rug in the living room.

Biggest Challenge: Fitting everything in and not overcrowding the space.

What Friends Say: Small, but lovely.

Biggest Embarrassment: NONE

Proudest DIY: Building Ursula’s Gypsy bed last winter for her, which has all of her clothes underneath, but which she has totally outgrown by now.

Biggest Indulgence: The sofa.

Best Advice: “Make it comfortable for yourself.”

Dream Sources: Hickory Chair, The Rug Company

This Weekend!

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The view from the roof at night…. It’s a six story walkup, and the views are really nice.

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Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

    • China White flat on all walls
    • White Dove semi-gloss on all trim

LITTLE HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF BATHROOM

    • Table – Bobo reproduction
    • Big Mirror – Bobo antique
    • Runner – Madeline Weinrib, ABC Carpet
    • Cuckoo Clock – KIOSK

TINY ENTRY INSIDE FRONT DOOR

    • Coat Rack – Eames Hangall
    • Coco doormat – cocomatsnmore.com

ARTWORK AGAINST THE WALL


LIVING ROOM

    • Sofa – March Sofa by Marietta Heinz Gomez
    • Dippy Pink Rug – The Rug Store
    • Pillows – Judy Ross
    • Elephant Table – Bobo reproductions
    • Hanging Fixture – Bobo reproductions
    • Artwork – Maxwell
    • Bookshelves – Alvar Aalto for Artek
    • Vanilla Roller Shades – The Shade Store

DINING ROOM

    • Round table – Family hand me down
    • French Chairs – Antique chairs found on Bedford Street years ago
    • Big Wood Mirror – Bobo reproductions
    • Floor Lamp – AJ Lamp from DWR
    • Soft Saw and Hammer – David Stark

KITCHEN

    • Butcher Block Table – Boos Mini Block
    • Stove – Premier Pro-Series
    • Cabinets – Custom
    • Sink – Kohler

BEDROOM

    • Headboard – Warner from Restoration Hardware
    • Floorlamp – AJ Lamp from DWR
    • Curtains – Washed Belgian Linen Drapery Rod-Pocket in FOG
    • Rods – Antique Silver Ball Finial & Rod Set 1 ¼” diam.
    • Rug – Dippy Red from The Rug Company
    • Bedding – Matteo
    • Sheepskin Rug – Three Corner Field Farm
    • Pillows – Judy Ross
    • Throw Blanket – Anthropologie
    • Artwork – Mary Ryan
    • Slipper Upholstered Chair – Thomas O’Brien for Hickory Chair
    • Ursula’s Bed – handmade
    • Faux Fur Blanket – Restoration Hardware
    • Cotton Canopy – Amazon

(Images: Maxwell)

• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE: Check out past house tours here.
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
• Are you a designer/architect/decorator interested in sharing a residential project with Apartment Therapy readers? Contact the editors through our Professional Submission Form.

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