USA Houzz: New York Shoemaker's Apartment Shows Off Handmade Style
A warm live-work space in Brooklyn is just the place to get creative with DIY
It’s no surprise that Isobel Schofield, the creative mind behind Bryr clogs, lives in an apartment just as charming as her handmade shoes. Located in the quiet neighbourhood of Cobble Hill, Brookyln, Schofield’s just under 70-square-metres joint apartment and office shows off her commitment to handmade details. An eclectic mix of budget-friendly furnishings, DIY projects and a mini-shoe showroom makes for a warm and creative atmosphere.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Isobel Schofield and her dog, Billie
Location: Cobble Hill neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: Just under 70 square-metres; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and an office
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Isobel Schofield and her dog, Billie
Location: Cobble Hill neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: Just under 70 square-metres; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and an office
Schofield paid close attention to the main living space inside the entrance – what she calls the “landing strip.” An outer vestibule helps keep clutter outside.
“Keeping one little area uncluttered [adds] to the sense of order and cleanliness for the entire space – it really sets the tone,” she says.
“Keeping one little area uncluttered [adds] to the sense of order and cleanliness for the entire space – it really sets the tone,” she says.
This mini showroom makes use of a nook in between the living room and the kitchen. A chalkboard-painted wall, spray painted Home Depot brackets and stained wood pieces display Schofield's seasonal collections.
Painting: flea market
Painting: flea market
Sofa: Axis, Crate & Barrel; table: vintage; rug: West Elm; pendant light: Midsummer for Artecnica, Studio Tord Boontje; shelves: Home Depot
Schofield hosts Sunday dinners with her friends twice a month. The open flow between the kitchen and the rest of the apartment makes entertaining easy.
"Even though the kitchen has a bit of a 1970s feel, it's so open, so it's great when people come over," she says.
"Even though the kitchen has a bit of a 1970s feel, it's so open, so it's great when people come over," she says.
Schofield uses this chalkboard wall between the bedroom and the home office as a giant calendar. "It's much better to be able to see the entire three months and assess what is done and in the past, while spacing out what I still need to do," she says.
She uses the apartment’s original second bedroom as a home office and studio for Bryr (which means “to care” in Swedish). Folding tables attached to the wall add extra working space if needed. Bryr shoes are handmade to order in Minnesota.
Desk: IKEA; shelves: Home Depot; pendant light: IKEA
Desk: IKEA; shelves: Home Depot; pendant light: IKEA
Schofield originally painted the bedroom yellow and immediately regretted it. Now, this calm and soothing white and blue retreat is her favourite spot in the apartment.
“Luckily my landlady is great and said I could do most anything here so long as I returned it back to white when I decide to leave,” says Schofield. She found the dining table and chairs from an architectural salvage yard in Los Angeles.
Shelves: Home Depot; red chair: Bliss Chair-and-a-Half, West Elm