New Apartment Pics

It's been challenging to say the least to work on decorating my apartment while keeping up with all my other work projects.  That's definitely why only one side is finished or maybe I should say mostly finished.  I am sure I will make more changes and move things around as I continue around the room.

I am so happy that I purchased the John Widdicomb dresser or commode depending on how fancy you want to sound. I love that the word commode comes from the French word for "convenient" and the drawers on this piece are very convenient.  I like having place for your eye to rest when hanging art which is why there is a bare spot above the lamp but that might change as I add more artwork to my collection.

I also tried to make the television blend into the art installation so it is less prominent. The piece in the black frame might be swapped out after I get another piece of art in my collection framed.

I bought this painting from Belgium on eBay and it is one of my favorites. The little brown leather box with the gold embossed lion contains two sets of playing cards from Piatnik and were made in Austria.  I'm going to have to pull them out and photograph them because the face cards feature royalty including Marie Antoinette, Louis XIV, Maria Theresia, and even Count Axel von Fersen.

Kelly Wearstler's book Hue is also a favorite.

I couldn't think of a better place to hang my Marie Antoinette etching than above my favorite blue chair.  Technically it's from Belgium (via Jayson Home & Garden) but looks French enough.  There seemed to be too much space between the chair and picture so I hung one of my new red Willow plates that I bought while visiting home recently.

As I mentioned, the drawers in the John Widdicomb dresser are very convenient and the second drawer now holds all my stationery, paper products, and ribbon.

I tried using this chair at my desk but it's a bit fragile which is fine.  I think it's more fun to look at it than sit on it anyway.

In my move, I finally found my calligraphy pen and ink.  I also can't wait to use my new orange Smythson notebook that was a lovely gift from the company. 

The bench fits perfectly in front of the bookshelves as I knew it would when I picked it up at the flea market this weekend.

I bought this little painting on eBay as well and wish I could find the artist again.  I just love looking at it.  I just read an article that mentioned scientific research that concluded that "looking at art induces the same feelings of pleasure as being in love."

My bookshelves again.  I'm waiting for a pair for the other side of the room so I can finally unpack the rest of my books.

My prized pile of old Domino magazines.  Yes, I have doubles of some issues and no, you can't have them.

There is a funny story about this painting of a house on the other side of the room.  My parents own this same painting and when I asked if I could have it, they said no.  But my mother commissioned the artist to paint me my own version.  As an only child, this means I will have two of the exact same painting someday which always makes me laugh.

I bought the painting on the left also on eBay for probably not more than $30.  It reminds me of Van Gogh and also makes me happy when I look at it, or maybe it's love if that recent research is to be believed.  The back has a stamp from the Thompson Art Gallery c/o Thompson & Basile, 20 Cornelia St. NYC. It also has tape on it from the Tribune Subway Gallery with the phone number Wisconsin 7-4899.  Very old school and dates the painting to around the mid 1940's.  The other is just a post card in a vintage frame.

I love the sound of my Bose iPod dock.

More books.

My current inspiration board near my desk.  I need to work on that area next and have the skirt made.

I think the chicest thing you could buy for yourself or as a gift are monogrammed matchboxes from ForYourParty.  I love giving them out at events and using them in my apartment. The absolute best thing about my new apartment though is the south facing front windows.  They certainly make up for the one that faces the brick wall in the microscopic kitchen. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

New Apartment Inspiration

In between changing my address everywhere and fighting with Time Warner Cable about why as an existing customer I don't qualify for Triple Play, I am mentally redecorating my new apartment. What's funny is that I think the owner chose me to rent the place the minute I told him that I was an interior designer.  He owns a company that works on high end commercial projects and we have a lot in common.  He has already joked that he thinks that I am going to make it so nice that he's going to want it back.  I hope he's joking. Note to self: do not invite him over after it's finished.

I'm still inspired by Tori Mellott's apartment that was featured in Domino magazine.  While I don't think I want to paper the walls, I do love the color scheme.  I plan to keep my new apartment neutral with some pops of color such as my blue French chair and patterned pillows.  I also can't wait to rearrange my art and create a new gallery wall above my sofa.  Packing it up made me realize just how much I own.

I'll have a lot more wall space for art and look forward to creating new compositions.  I still love this Jonathan Adler designed room and might be inspired to hang art lower in my new apartment.

I currently have a small wood coffee table but I really want a glass and brass to replace it.  They seem to be harder to find than I thought, at least in my price range, so maybe I push two smaller tables together like Grant K. Gibson.  I keep hearing that Fig trees don't do well in New York but I definitely want to add some greenery.

I'm moving from a long and narrow one bedroom apartment into a wider studio.  In all the years I've lived in New York, I've never lived in a studio so concealing or at least taking the focus off the bed will be an interesting challenge.  Tori Mellott separated her old studio with an Ikea bookcase.  I'll have to see if I have room for one after I get everything arranged.

Lizzie Baily also separated her living and sleeping areas with a bookcase as seen in Lonny magazine. What I also like is that she skirted her desk.  I have been thinking about doing the same after I move.  I will then be able to hide my printer and files.

Lonny editor in chief Michelle Adams also had a skirted desk in one of her old apartment.

Grant K. Gibson devoted an entire post to the skirted work table in his apartment.  Since my mother sews, I'm hoping I can talk her into making one for me while I'm visiting next week.

Grant hides a lot under his skirted table including a printer on a rolling stand. 

I've already been scoping out bar carts online too.  I love Deborah Needleman's and hope there is room for one since my kitchen is a little too small for mixing drinks.  

I already bought a tortoise shell ice bucket that I found at Aero which will look great on a bar cart.

Since my kitchen is small and close to the entrance, I will have to decorate it as well.  I have been wanting to mirror a backsplash for a while and this might be the perfect place.  I've always loved this one that I saw in House Beautiful. The mirrors definitely expand the space.

Here is another mirrored backsplash as seen in Lonny magazine.  I also own those bamboo folding chairs that will come in handy for guests.  Since I barely cook anymore, I want to cover the kitchen floor with a sisal rug.

In the other shot of Tori Mellott's living room, you can see that she has her television sitting on a dresser.  My television armoire served me well for years but I decided it was time to also find a chic dresser for my television.

I have a rule of not buying new things for a new apartment until you move your existing pieces.  I've gone overboard with excitement before and ended up with too much furniture but I did buy one piece.  I've been wanting a marble top dresser for television display and found a fabulous John Widdicomb one online for $250.  I couldn't even find a new dresser for that price and can't wait to see it.

What sold me on it was the top drawer with separate compartments that will be perfect for jewelry since it locks with a key.  Or I could always organize all my office supplies. 

The one thing that I will miss about my old apartment in my bedroom.  It was a lovely robin's egg blue color that that was so relaxing after a crazy day in New York.  I'm hoping that my entire new apartment will now be a relaxing retreat instead.  I can't wait to get in there to start decorating for real!

I Found a Home!

I want to again thank everyone who crossed their fingers and prayed for me to find an apartment.  After dealing with shady brokers and walking up more flights of stairs than I care to remember, I am happy to say that I found a home!  It's on the top floor of a co-op elevator building with south facing windows and laundry in the basement.  Woo hoo!  Bad news is that I can't move in until July 11th so my stuff will be headed to storage while I visit my family and camp out with my friends. 

One reader asked why I was moving and I was beginning to wonder why I was moving myself.  My current apartment got to be very expensive for its size and location plus after five years, I thought it was time for a change.  Of course, my apartment began to look more like a mansion compared to some of the places I saw this week. I'm still excited to move though.  We New Yorkers tend to squirrel away stuff under the bed in the back of the closet and I'm looking forward to cleaning house and getting organized.  I'm also excited for a change of scenery.  When you walk the same path everyday, you stop seeing things.  I've read that you should change the route you walk everyday so you stretch your brain and become more mindful.  I'm hoping that a move to a new area will do the same. 

And most importantly, there is the redecorating!  I'm definitely looking forward to sharing my new apartment with you all and hopefully it will help make up for my lack of posts this week.  I really appreciate your support, encouragement and patience and promise to get back to our regular posting schedule tomorrow.  In the meantime, anyone want to help me pack?