This NYC Apartment’s Original Prewar Picture Molding Is Just One Part of Its Charm

published Sep 24, 2024

This NYC Apartment’s Original Prewar Picture Molding Is Just One Part of Its Charm

published Sep 24, 2024
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Bedrooms
Square feet

970

Sq ft

970

“The warmth of community might not be what comes to mind when most people first think of New York City, but I love that our apartment building shows you don’t have to go without that support when you’ve uprooted yourself to live here,” begins Alicia Magee about the 970-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner, comic book artist Brad Walker, and their rescue hound, Molly.

Credit: Alicia Magee

Alicia moved to NYC from Savannah, Georgia, after dating Brad long-distance, and says she wasn’t expecting to “replicate a small-town vibe here in the city. However, during our apartment search, I instinctively knew I’d found something special — a microcosm of what I’d left behind. Call it my Southern hospitality Spidey-Sense that told me this was home. What we’d fortunately stumbled upon was a building that is organically community-centric. There’s always a neighbor ready to hold a door open for you, share a smile and wave, or help out in a pinch.”

Credit: Alicia Magee
"Our home is a collection of works from artist friends or pieces found, books that inspire us, vintage pieces passed down from our families, or keepsakes we've discovered in little shops on the road less traveled," Alicia writes.

The Upper East Side rental apartment is located between Central Park, the Guggenheim, and East River Park. “We have pretty much everything we need — world-renowned art, beautifully landscaped green spaces, great cafes, and bakeries all off this one street!” Alicia describes.

“We’ve cultivated relationships with neighbors from different backgrounds and career paths that have added so much beauty, insight, and dimension to our lives. Collectively celebrating holidays, births, birthdays, engagements, and just the ordinary day-to-day has broadened our definition of home to encompass not just our apartment, but the whole building.”

Credit: Alicia Magee

“It’s not unusual to have your doorbell ring and find a neighbor delivering fresh baked goods or even a sweet potato casserole. The owners have an annual tradition of bringing in local musicians to play concerts and organize movie nights in the exterior courtyard, complete with a big screen and popcorn. We even have our own New Year’s Eve ball drop that went viral on Instagram (Cardi B shared a repost in her stories),” Alicia writes.

“It’s a building storied with history, and we’re happy to be a part of this chapter. Each apartment’s layout has a nice flow; every room is generously sized, with a window allowing plenty of natural light.”

Credit: Alicia Magee
"Having met through Savannah College of Art and Design, our lives have always involved creative inspiration. We would choose character and charm over modern amenities every time," Alicia describes.

“While others might need the bells and whistles of a newly renovated apartment or not be able to look past the fact that our floors and walls aren’t perfectly smooth or level, the heart and soul (both inside and out) of this building and community keep our lives interesting and make us love it all the more!”

Resources

Credit: Alicia Magee

LIVING ROOM

  • Meg White Photography — Michael Simon Photography
  • Screen Print — Alessandra Williams
  • Limited Edition Giclee Vase Print — Sophie Wake
  • Wood Bowl — World Market
  • Bouclé Pillows — House of Leon
  • Striped Pillow — Lulu and Georgia
  • Linen Pillows — The Citizenry
  • Lamps — Restoration Hardware
  • Rust Chair — Crate and Barrel via Kaiyo
  • Side Tables — Crate and Barrel via Craigslist
  • Vases, Candlesticks, Mirrors, and Planter — Etsy
Credit: Alicia Magee

DINING ROOM

  • Bookcase — Pier One Imports
  • Linen Tablecloth — Etsy
  • Candlesticks —Family
  • Chairs — Amazon
  • Vases — Etsy
  • Bowl — Artist Eloeil
  • Pendant — Zara
Credit: Alicia Magee

BEDROOM

  • Headboard — Urban Outfitters
  • Bed Sheets — Anthropologie
  • Bedside Tables — West Elm
  • Duvet Cover — Quince
  • Rug — Arvin Olano Collection with Rugs USA
  • Frames — Zara & Etsy
  • Art — Sarah Short with Tacit
  • Wall Sconce — Lamps Plus
  • Tapestry — Etsy
Credit: Alicia Magee

KITCHEN

  • Rug — Etsy
  • Art — Sophie Wake
Credit: Alicia Magee

BATHROOM

  • Wallpaper — Peel & Stick from Target
  • Art — Oak Gallery (I sadly can’t recall the name of the artist. I found her on IG during Covid.)
  • Hand Towels — Crate and Barrel
  • Shower Curtain — Crate and Barrel

Thanks, Alicia!

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