Want to See My Tiny New York Apartment?
Come home with me. Peek inside my bedroom, kitchen / dining area, bathroom and living room. It’s tiny, right? I could get a larger place for cheaper rent in the Bronx or Jersey. But, I’m a single woman who goes out a lot and often doesn’t stumble home until well after 1:00am. Manhattan feels convenient and safe. Of course, the choice to live here comes at a cost — literally and figuratively speaking.
My humble abode is approximately 459 square feet. A walkup, I march up what feels like 2,147 stairs to get there. And, it’s a super quiet building, so everyone hears everything. (I pump the volume on my iTunes when I masturbate so my neighbors won’t know. I also tiptoe when I come home late at night because I don’t want to wake anyone.) Because there are no interior walls, when I’m not sleeping, from my bed I have a clear view of my couch, toilet, kitchen chairs and stove. Having said all of that, for me, I still think the place is actually worth the high rent. It’s clean, safe and smack in the middle of a really cute, tree-lined neighborhood. Plus, I’m only inches away from Central Park. What’s more? I’m filling my counters, drawers and open spaces with a few of my favorite things. Like an original Beatles Album I scored ages ago and fun stuff that reminds me of home. New York, similar to life in general, is about compromise. Liking where I live is about learning to be at peace with what I have and what I don’t. Actually, I highly recommend Apartment Therapy as a really helpful resource in this respect. Their mission:
We believe a calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness and success in the world. Creating this home doesn’t require large amounts of money or space. It requires inspiration, connection to resources and motivation to do something about it. The basic elements of good home design can be learned and achieved by all. Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive.
Great, right? Speaking of New York apartments and stuff, I just plopped down $25 to go to a “Live the Life You Love” panel at Saks Fifth Avenue tonight. (I can walk there! Yet another reason I love my place.) I heard about tonight’s event because it’s sponsored by the group that hooked me up with that hiking trip, Single Edition. The panel discussion will supposedly tell me how to maintain a financially secure household as a single person. I can always use more information about that! I’ll let you know how it goes.
By the way, the pictures above and others on Flickr are “before” images taken three months ago. I’ve made quite a bit of progress, so I’ll post “after” pictures in the weeks and months ahead. I’m still working on my place. So, if you know any other resources for setting up small apartments, please use the comments section below to share!! :)
September 15th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
That is really small. It reminds me of dorm life in college. I’d probably balk at the price, since I don’t live anywhere near a place as highly populated and expensive as New York. But, paying high price for convenience is what we do as Americans. ^_^
September 15th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
That looks like NY size, indeedy!
September 15th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Just wanted to say your new place is great. Looks like it gets great light. The location sounds amazing and seems perfect for a New York singleton like yourself. I think Apartment Therapy is the best resource for ideas on decorating small spaces. Can’t wait to see pics after your decorating is complete. Also, wanted to mention the wrought iron table and chairs are great finds.
September 16th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Wow. Guess you’re not about to go out and get a St. Bernard.
I hope the “after” pics show some decorations. It’s so… sterile in that pic, like a hospital! Not how I’d picture you living.
So here’s what you do: paint the stairs to look like rocks. Then every day will be an adventure!
September 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Sherry: You’re right about the convenience stuff.
A: :)
Raquel: THANK YOU!! I love those chairs. I think I want a light, airy glass table to go with them since the chairs are very metal heavy and dark.
Baba Doodlius: How did you know? I have a German Shepard! ;) And, you’re right about the “sterile” stuff. I need color, texture and “fun” in my environment. I have stacks of books piled everywhere, random collectible, a pair of freaky candlestick holders I got when I was in London and stuff like that. Minimalism isn’t really my thing :)
September 17th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
the place looks sooooo cool.. it’s nice to have an empty canvas to fill in.. and as it evolves …
so shall you…. and since you have a puppy ( yeah, to me all dogs are puppies and I have
an Great Dane named Tiny… ) you gotta mold the place with the puppy in mind too….
and it’s cool to have a spot where you are always reminded of where you’ve come from and
where you’re going….
lamesabassman…. that will always keep you grounded…..
September 18th, 2009 at 9:18 am
lamesabassman: I look forward to painting my canvas!
September 20th, 2009 at 9:42 am
And yet, I look at those pics…and am totally jealous because I know the neighborhood well…Can’t wait to see the after pics…congratulations…as a NYer I can appreciate the awesome find! Enjoy!
September 20th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Thanks :) You should sooo come over for dinner when Kathrin comes back in town! :)
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Love your apartment, FBC… One of my girlfriend’s from atlanta was kind of giving me a hard time because my apartment (while decent-sized for NYC) is not as large as a 1-bedroom in the ATL. My response? Your backyard is 2 feet of grass; mine is Central Park! I tell you, there’s no place like New York!
September 26th, 2009 at 8:56 am
So true :)