A Small Brooklyn Apartment Has Tons of Enviable Architectural Character

Name: Natasha Husein, and puppy, Maddie
Location: Brooklyn, New York City
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 750 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I was lucky enough to find a great deal on a parlor apartment in Brooklyn (Boerum Hill) during the height of the pandemic. The apartment has a lot of original pre-war character, including original moldings, two fireplaces, and beautiful hardwood floors. Situated on the second floor, the living room faces the tree-lined streets where I can take in the beauty of the changing seasons changing from the tall windows (with working shutters!).

I also love that it has an “entry” room, which I also double as a small dining room for when people come over. My bedroom is in the back of the apartment, which offers more privacy and quietness. It’s also adjacent to my kitchen, which makes getting up for midnight snack or water easy. I’ve loved decorating my very first NYC apartment, and living here with my pup. She loves to look out the windows at the variety of diverse New Yorkers passing by.

I am a Caribbean girl at heart! I grew up in the Cayman Islands, near the ocean, and the vibe and mood of being in a happy, relaxing environment have stayed with me through adulthood. I tried to create my “happy coastal bungalow” in the middle of Brooklyn with a color palette of mainly blues, whites, teals, and mixing it with a lot of rattan, jute, flowers, abstract art and photos of the ocean. It’s not a traditional California coastal, nor is it totally beach bohemian. It’s sort of an eclectic mix, but it’s totally me.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Happy Coastal Bungalow

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room is definitely the living room! Every morning after I take Maddie (my pup) for a walk, my routine is to brew a cup of coffee, open the front living room shutters, and sit on the couch while I either reflect, journal, pray, or sometimes watch the “Today Show!” It also doubles as my office, so I spend a lot of time in this cozy room, so it’s nice to have a place that transports me out of NYC into a peaceful zone when I have a crazy or hectic day.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Really understand the mood you’re going for before you begin buying anything. Take time to think about how you want to feel when you wake up, or come home from a long day, or have people over and then find photos that help you get that feeling. That can help when you decide on colors, textures, and art — all of which help create that feeling. Also do space planning and consult design blogs to help you figure out what size works best in your space. That goes a long way.

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

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