They’ve been renting this apartment for almost seven years now, and the way they’ve decorated their home has been very intentional — and a way to let the charming historic elements shine. Rachel is the author of the new book Slowing: Discover Wonder, Beauty, and Creativity through Slow Living, in which she explores how slowing down can positively affect all aspects of one’s life and offers guided practices to help spark introspection.

Slow living and decorating are on display in her home. “[W]e like to take things at our own pace. Making a house a home requires time and space (and funds)!,” she writes.

The couple share their home with their precious lionhead rabbit, Pepper, and use the two main rooms in a flexible way. “John and I both work from home, so our dining room has become our go-to living/workroom as of late (though we do have a tiny home office that I believe was previously used as a nursery),” Rachel begins.

“Based on the original photos of the apartment, what we use as a our bedroom appears to have been the living area, but we both prefer waking up in natural light, so it made the most sense to transform this part of the space into an oasis made for rest and rejuvenation. Our bedroom also contains a considerable part of our personal library, and we’ve created a little reading nook near the (nonworking, but still lovely!) fireplace, which is lovely.”

• Paintings — Sharon Schwartzmann
• Ladder Leaning Shelf — West Elm
• Mid-Century Expandable Dining Table — West Elm
• Classic Café Dining Chair Cushion — West Elm
• Leather Loveseat — West Elm (Not Pictured)
• Velvet Arm Chair — CB2
• Silas Table Lamp — SOHO HOME
• Small/Tall Marble — SOHO HOME
• Medium/Mid Height Marble — SOHO HOME
• Vases — Hawkins New York
• Vases — Afloral
• Bacchus Book Ends — Virginia Sin
• Twist Trivet — Virginia Sin
• Double Loop Knot — Virginia Sin
• Ollis Art Object — Virginia Sin
• XL Double Loop Knot — Virginia Sin
• Candle Stick — Virginia Sin
• Candles — Maison Louis Marie
• Plants — The Sill

• Paintings — Sharon Schwartzmann
• Acorn Platform Bed — West Elm
• Mid-Century Side Table — West Elm
• Mid-Century 8-Drawer Dresser — West Elm
• Eames Molded Plastic Armchair — Herman Miller
• Reeve Coffee Table — West Elm
• Vase — Afloral
• Overhand Knot — Virginia Sin
• Infinity Knot — Virginia Sin
• Dolin Vase — Virginia Sin
• The Shelfie — Rachel Saunders Ceramics
• Ladder Leaning Shelf — West Elm
• Original Pillow — Casper
• Washed Linen Bedding — Brooklinen
• Lumbra Book Stand — Virginia Sin

Thanks, Rachel and John!

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

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