My Houzz: Chic Updates to a 350-Square-Foot NYC Apartment
Thoughtful planning maximizes space and adds vintage modern character to a couple’s compact home
Sarah Seung-McFarland
29 September 2016
After several years of practicing clinical psychology, I felt the need to shift into a more creative career. So I started a design and fashion psychology blog, worked as a freelance writer, and dedicated my time to learning all about interiors, styling, and photography. My blog has since evolved into an interior (and wardrobe) consulting company with a full design service (trulery.com) that uses psychology to help clients create meaningful spaces.
After several years of practicing clinical psychology, I felt the need to shift into... More
Natasha and Rob Habermann’s 350-square-foot apartment in New York’s East Village is appropriately described by Natasha as a “cozy little jewel box.” Its existing white brick walls and high ceilings charmed the couple when they saw it, and they were able to look past the poorly planned layout and cramped space. While the kitchen was newly renovated, “it was just wrong,” says Natasha, an interior designer. There were 30-inch-deep counters that came out too far, a dorm room mini fridge and a burner instead of an oven.
Several years and a major renovation later (which included a kitchen overhaul), their space is personalized with vintage modern style. They also made functionality key to make the most out of their small space. “There are only a few floating pieces of furniture in the apartment. The couch, the coffee table, the chairs and the plant stand. Everything else is built in,” Natasha says.
Several years and a major renovation later (which included a kitchen overhaul), their space is personalized with vintage modern style. They also made functionality key to make the most out of their small space. “There are only a few floating pieces of furniture in the apartment. The couch, the coffee table, the chairs and the plant stand. Everything else is built in,” Natasha says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Rob and Natasha Habermann, and their cats, Penny and Pepper
Location: East Village, New York City
Size: 350 square feet (33 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Since the couple spend most of their time in the living room, Natasha wanted to ensure that it suited their needs for comfort and beauty. “We love our home because of its open floor plan,” she says. “The goal was to make our space feel comfortable and modern at the same time. I focused on making the living room feel like a cozy library, while I kept the kitchen modern and streamlined.”
Natasha also feels that she learned a bit more about her decorating style throughout the design process. “I realize I’m really drawn to primary colors,” she says.
The bookcase is one of Natasha’s favorite features. Originally there had been just a wall, so she had the bookcase built. “It’s great for storage,” she says about the piece, which houses Rob’s extensive book collection, electronics and crafts. “Everything in this apartment has a place.”
The bookcase was unfinished, so Natasha painted it. “I knew I would paint it dark,” she says. “A lot of people are scared of dark colors in small spaces but it expands the space.”
Custom bookcase: Gothic Cabinet Crafts; bookcase paint: Gentleman’s Gray, Benjamin Moore; small red vase: Kate Spade
Who lives here: Rob and Natasha Habermann, and their cats, Penny and Pepper
Location: East Village, New York City
Size: 350 square feet (33 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom
Since the couple spend most of their time in the living room, Natasha wanted to ensure that it suited their needs for comfort and beauty. “We love our home because of its open floor plan,” she says. “The goal was to make our space feel comfortable and modern at the same time. I focused on making the living room feel like a cozy library, while I kept the kitchen modern and streamlined.”
Natasha also feels that she learned a bit more about her decorating style throughout the design process. “I realize I’m really drawn to primary colors,” she says.
The bookcase is one of Natasha’s favorite features. Originally there had been just a wall, so she had the bookcase built. “It’s great for storage,” she says about the piece, which houses Rob’s extensive book collection, electronics and crafts. “Everything in this apartment has a place.”
The bookcase was unfinished, so Natasha painted it. “I knew I would paint it dark,” she says. “A lot of people are scared of dark colors in small spaces but it expands the space.”
Custom bookcase: Gothic Cabinet Crafts; bookcase paint: Gentleman’s Gray, Benjamin Moore; small red vase: Kate Spade
Many of the decorative items displayed in the bookcase are wedding gifts. “I had an Etsy wedding registry because I wanted unique vintage items,” Natasha says. She is very selective about what she displays in the bookcase due to limited space.
While Natasha’s work as an interior designer typically requires that she formulate a complete vision for a space upfront, her decorating approach to her apartment was much more organic and guided by one or two key pieces of furniture. “I found the fireplace early on, and it dictated the space,” Natasha says.
The $200 vintage mantel she found on Craigslist fits in so well, it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t always there. “I think the mantel is the piece that adds the most character to the space. It also serves as the perfect shelf to display my many vintage objects and plants,” she says.
The $200 vintage mantel she found on Craigslist fits in so well, it’s hard to imagine that it wasn’t always there. “I think the mantel is the piece that adds the most character to the space. It also serves as the perfect shelf to display my many vintage objects and plants,” she says.
The deep blue couch brings a moody vibe. “I knew I wanted a velvet couch. It’s great for our cats because they don’t love scratching it, and velvet always looks luxe,” Natasha says.
The window trim, installed by Natasha’s father, gives the windows a stately feel.
Prescott apartment sofa: Cobble Hill collection, ABC Carpet & Home; Mid-Century wooden rods: West Elm; Emery linen-cotton grommet drapes: in Oatmeal, Pottery Barn
The window trim, installed by Natasha’s father, gives the windows a stately feel.
Prescott apartment sofa: Cobble Hill collection, ABC Carpet & Home; Mid-Century wooden rods: West Elm; Emery linen-cotton grommet drapes: in Oatmeal, Pottery Barn
Some furniture pieces, while they weren’t her first choice, grew into the space over time and contributed to the overall look. This is the case with the vintage white chair Natasha bought from a local thrift store. “It does the job and fits,” she says.
Natasha has collected the artwork, much of it vintage, over time, starting with her favorite artist, Miró. “It was my first piece and made me want to start adding art,” she says.
Natasha has collected the artwork, much of it vintage, over time, starting with her favorite artist, Miró. “It was my first piece and made me want to start adding art,” she says.
The $500 vintage coffee table is a fun and innovative piece that is perfect for small-space living. It expands into a dining table, and Natasha also uses it as a desk. “I knew I wanted a coffee table that could function as a dining table,” she says. “There aren’t a ton of options out there. But I was fortunate enough to find this one that transforms into a full-size table in seconds.”
The large vintage area rug complements the runner and grounds the living room area.
Rug and vintage Castro convertible coffee table: eBay
The large vintage area rug complements the runner and grounds the living room area.
Rug and vintage Castro convertible coffee table: eBay
When transformed into a dining table, the versatile table is the perfect match for vintage table settings and chairs.
The open floor plan lets this main living area be used as a multipurpose space.
Natasha likes to add special touches, such as these candlesticks, when hosting guests.
Sometimes good design happens by accident, as proved by the floral-patterned runner, given to Natasha by Rob’s mother. Natasha uses it as extra floor protection for the cats, who love to chase each other throughout the apartment. “It just worked,” she says.
Natasha refers to houseplants as her “newfound obsession” and uses them to fill the space, giving it a warm bohemian vibe.
Vintage objects and design books offer clues to Natasha’s passion for art and interiors.
The couple worked with MyHome Design + Remodeling to redo the kitchen. While they initially planned on doing a minor kitchen update, they couldn’t salvage enough of it and had to gut the entire thing. They are, as Natasha puts it, “beyond happy” with the results. “I love the kitchen. It’s super streamlined,” she says.
24-inch gas range: Bertazzoni via AJ Madison; 24-inch refrigerator: Summit
24-inch gas range: Bertazzoni via AJ Madison; 24-inch refrigerator: Summit
The white cabinets give the space its modern edge, and their quality details add an upscale touch. “I love how much storage there is in our cabinets,” Natasha says. “I am a convert to soft-closing cabinets forever.”
The handmade-style backsplash tile is a modern version of the original white brick throughout the apartment.
At the far end of the kitchen is the coat closet, which also hides the washer-dryer combo and utilities.
Custom cabinets: MyHome Design + Remodeling; countertops, Frosty Carrina countertops: Caesarstone
The handmade-style backsplash tile is a modern version of the original white brick throughout the apartment.
At the far end of the kitchen is the coat closet, which also hides the washer-dryer combo and utilities.
Custom cabinets: MyHome Design + Remodeling; countertops, Frosty Carrina countertops: Caesarstone
One of Natasha’s favorite Craigslist finds is this giant potted cactus, which she scored for $55. It sits in the corner of the kitchen.
When Natasha and Rob bought their apartment, a wall separated the bedroom from the hallway and kitchen. And while there was some storage under the bed, they had to lift the mattress to get to it. Some upgrades were in order, so with the help of MyHome, the couple added more bedroom storage and made it easier to access the rest of the space.
The couple installed sliding doors to add light and an open feel to the compact apartment. They also installed accordion doors under the bed to maximize storage. “It’s where we keep suitcases and laundry,” Natasha says.
Sliding doors: The Sliding Door Co.
The couple installed sliding doors to add light and an open feel to the compact apartment. They also installed accordion doors under the bed to maximize storage. “It’s where we keep suitcases and laundry,” Natasha says.
Sliding doors: The Sliding Door Co.
The ceiling-high wood-slat headboard was there when the couple moved in. They installed the built-in shelf to the left of the bed for added storage.
Architect lights: eBay; collaged Majida pillow: Anthropologie
Architect lights: eBay; collaged Majida pillow: Anthropologie
The couple installed sleek modern drawers under the bed, squeezing every inch out of their square footage.
Haller system drawers: USM Modular Furniture
Haller system drawers: USM Modular Furniture
The bathroom is the least renovated area in the home, but it feels bright and modern with floor-to-ceiling white tiles, a clear glass shower door and open built-in shelves.
Natasha’s father installed a custom litter box inside the cabinets close to the window, where it is kept out of sight but easy for the cats to get to.
Natasha’s father installed a custom litter box inside the cabinets close to the window, where it is kept out of sight but easy for the cats to get to.
With its irreverent take on the cultural landscape of the city, the Manhattan poster adds a little fun to the space.
“Manhattan: Neighborhood Culture Map”: Urbane Map Store
“Manhattan: Neighborhood Culture Map”: Urbane Map Store
The tall, dark closet doors lend visual drama and are a nice counterpoint to the bright and airy bathroom. For a glamorous feel, Natasha trimmed the closet doors with gold film tape.
Gold film tape: CS Hyde Co. via Amazon; closet paint: Trout Gray, Benjamin Moore
Gold film tape: CS Hyde Co. via Amazon; closet paint: Trout Gray, Benjamin Moore
Natasha loves the location of their apartment. “It’s a quiet neighborhood, and there isn’t much street traffic, but there are great restaurants and bars,” she says.
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See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Brilliant use of space
Vibrant! ...a place to live:)
Love the bathroom counter shape with the narrow mirror