Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: I would describe my style as clean but cozy. I like modern lines and architecture, but also textiles that make the home inviting and warm. Everything in our home is pretty casual. We have two little girls, and I like things to look smart but also be durable.

Inspiration: I was in Italy when I first saw the listing for the house, and the home is actually an Italianate townhouse; so I referenced pictures I took on that trip, the color palette of rich colors offset by a black and white backdrop.

Favorite Element: We designed the built-ins in the living room, and I really think that they look like they have always been part of the home.  It created such a beautiful space to display treasures from travel, books we love, and also closed storage for the girls.

Biggest Challenge: It’s a very old home, like 1876 old, which means the original details are so incredible but can also be challenging to find tradespeople to help solve issues as they arise. The home is also historical, which meant checking with the city before tackling certain projects.

Proudest DIY: I wallpapered my daughter Uma’s room when I was 7 months pregnant, and I loved how it turned out. It was so worth the somewhat precarious step ladder and large belly combination.

Biggest Indulgence: When we bought the house, the backyard was completely overgrown and pretty unusable; we ended up tearing everything out and starting fresh. This was well before COVID hit, and we were SO glad that we had that during the month of lockdown. Having outdoor space to take in some fresh air safely was a sanity saver!

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? The house has almost no closets! I am not sure if this was just something people didn’t need in the late 1800s, but storage is very minimal, which has made us be very thoughtful about what we bring into and keep at our home. I take boxes to Goodwill about once a quarter!

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? I bought four drawings when I was in Portugal with my brother that I really love. I bought them in the gallery in Porto after I had left NYC and didn’t even have this home yet, but they really go so well in the space — simple but tell a great story.

Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: We have very high ceilings, so I have learned to really use them! In the very few closets we have, we have shelving going up to the ceilings and invested in step stools.

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Find things that tell your story, artifacts and details that are uniquely you. Homes that feel special are the ones that you remember — take risks in places that feel like an unexpected surprise.

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

Living room —  Farrow & Ball’s “Oval Room Blue”

Dining room — Benjamin Moore’s “Whirlpool”

Hallways/Entry — Behr’s “Burnish Clay”

ENTRY

Porto Tile Wallpaper — Chasing Paper

STAIRWELL

Vase (discontinued)— West elm

Hub Wall Mirror — Umbra

Art — Vintage

Lamp — Gantri

LIVING ROOM

Shelter Sofa — West Elm

Stockholm Rattan Coffee Table (discontinued) — IKEA

Boulevard Cafe Collection Lounge Chair — Sauder

Throw Blanket — Hawkins New York

Alto Compass Opal Light — Cedar + Moss

Pillows — The Work Room

Jute Chenille Herringbone Rug — West Elm

Firewood Holder/ Fireplace Tools — Inherited/hand-me-downs

Built-in Vases — Inherited/hand-me-downs

DINING ROOM

Table — Antique

Wishbone Chair — Rove Concepts

Morten Lamp — West Elm

Lucas Sideboard — Rove Concepts

Mobile Chandelier — West Elm

Wall Hanging — Block Shop Textiles

Tableware — World Market – discontinued

Fulltalig candlestick set of 3 — IKEA

KITCHEN

Terrazzo Wallpaper — Chasing Paper

Rug – World Market — Discontinued

Tres Shade Pendant Lamp Light Fixture — Safavieh

BEDROOM

Roar and Rabbit Pleated Bed — West Elm

Dresser — Vintage

Soderhamn Chaise — IKEA

Pillows — The Work Room

Linens — Parachute Home

Simon Adjustable Sconce — Urban Outfitters

New York City Print — 42Pressed

Art Print — Louise Gray

Project 62 Mirror — Target

Dresser Lamp (discontinued) — Urban Outfitters

And the Light Took Us Tapestry — Form Fine Goods

Triangle Side Table — Urban Outfitters

BATHROOM

Starburst Tile Wallpaper — Chasing Paper

NURSERY

Spotted Wallpaper — Chasing Paper

Kids Hampshire 6-Drawer Dresser — Crate+Kids

Dresser Lamp (discontinued) — CB2

Feelings Flag Pennant — Secret Holiday

Hampshire Crib — Crate+Kids

Hoppy Tails Baby Quilt — Crate+Kids

Glider — Crate+Kids

Cosmos Floor Lamp — Crate+Kids

Wanderer Throw Pillow — Crate+Kids

Jenny Lind Daybed — Crate+Kids

Additional Art Prints — Artfully Walls

OFFICE

Desk — Discontinued

Art Print — Louise Gray

Aloft Dining Armchair — Modway

Outdoor Yasmin Rug — nuLOOM

Natasha Retro Mid Century Wood Etagere — Safavieh

OUTDOORS

Colby Large Outdoor Sectional Set — Yardbird

Rug (discontinued) — Frontgate

Pillows — Crate & Barrel

Lacquer Wood Drink Tray — West Elm

Dottie Ottoman — Crate & Barrel

Thanks Elizabeth!

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

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