topic Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT in Home

475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Oznell — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 23:57:41 GMT

It's a condo, actually, in a wonderful old building. It does have a separate small kitchen, but is called a studio apartment. Would love to hear from anyone here who lives in a studio, or has lived in one. I have, in my youth, and enjoyed it.

The light colors in the apartment are Farrow and Ball's "Skimming Stone" and Farrow and Ball's "Strong White".

Jason Saft bought this to live in with his 6 year old daughter, who is not a full-time resident, but who is there a few days each week. He has not renovated, other than painting. Here's the raw space before he moved in:

And before we get into the condo itself, look below at the neat common area in the building, and the grand staircase leading to his apartment. ( He does say that there is an elevator as well) :

The whole structure has that grand, 19th century feeling.

If you are wondering how a parent and young child can live in essentially, one large room, the floor plan below will help. The grownup bed fits in a kind of corner alcove, and around the corner, is his daughter's bed, up against the wall that closes off the kitchen, providing a bit of privacy.

Here you can see better-- his bed alcove, and her little rattan bed tucked around the corner--

He chose his luxuriant olive velvet couch, to be a counterpoint to the deep red surround of the vintage fireplace. Typical of New York spaces, the bookshelves have to be quite full. Every inch counts. The square rattan baskets stored strategically near the bottom, have his daughters' toys.

He's carefully curated classic, quality modern pieces, fitting with his contemporary style-- the couch, sculptural chairs, the Lulu and Georgia hand-knotted Indian rug, the Calacatta Viola marble coffee table.

His bedroom space feels airy, yet tailored, which is important since it's visible from the living room.

He even has a walk-in closet!

His daughter's "room". She has a little craft table at the end of her bed.

Until he can renovate, he went for a cozy, jewel-box feeling in the wee galley kitchen, with a deep grasscloth. There is a window, not visible here, so it's not as dark as you'd think. Trim is in Benjamin Moore's reliable stand-by, "Kendall Charcoal" --

The bathroom is surprisingly spacious--

More fun vintage features in here, including the large, arched window. While he hasn't been able to renovate yet, he said that he cleaned it up, painted, and made the most of this old-world bath.

The dining area sports a CB2 marble table, to which he pulls up other chairs. It's his desk too.

A huge mirror is such a good idea to amplify light in a small space. Love the stately architecture of the room's doorways, the huge windows, and the high ceilings, which also give a more spacious feeling.

It has to be a challenge, but good for him for buying what he could afford in New York's super-heated real estate market. He said that as a child, he and his brother had to shift around, and never knew whether they'd have a roof over their heads. Now he feels so content, in his own home, sittiing on his soft living room rug in front of the fire. It was touching-- there's no place like home!

And what a beautiful outdoor space he has to enjoy too:

Edited to add-- a much better tour of the apartment, giving a better feel of the size and layout, are obtained by googling Jason Saft Apartment Therapy youtube.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

geezerette — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 18:45:47 GMT

I love it! Sign me up!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Kachina624 — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 19:26:09 GMT

The condo is very neat and he has impeccable taste, but I don't like the bed in the living area and, of course, the storage is so limited.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Franklinbell — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 21:12:46 GMT

WOW! I am super impressed. I am in the process of making some changes in my home. I got work todo!

The bookcases are amazing. I would really need to purge before I could make it work but I get it. I had a aunt that lived in Manhattan and she had a tiny kitchen. She called it her "turn around" kitchen. If you turned around you would bump into something. It was I loved it there. Very cosy. That's life in New York!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Ronettes — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 22:15:30 GMT

I LOVE it! That old world style is just gorgeous, the arched doorways are beautiful, everything is just lovely, and even a garden!

I lived in a small place somewhat like this when I was younger, and it was my favorite - beautiful and less to clean and heat as well.

Good Luck to them, it looks like paradise!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

GingerHead — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 22:23:41 GMT

Amazing transformation and use of space. It's a very beautiful space and so homey.

The building and garden are also beautiful and so full of character.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

bmorechick — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 22:29:09 GMT

I could live there just as it is. While I prefer the lighter coastal style, this too draws me in because of the coziness. Just love it.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

kindred cats — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 23:47:04 GMT

How gorgeous and functional one can make a small space!

I am in awe of his talent and dedication to his little girl.

I think it is stunning and perhaps in my future would love to live in a small home, apartment, or whatever comes my way. That is, if I could bear to leave our home at all.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Ronettes — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:55:06 GMT

Wow - I just took a look at his video on youtube, and it is just amazing what he did with that apartment!

Though I would have kept all the dark wood the way it was, it's much cozier and richer that way.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

faeriemoon — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 04:16:02 GMT

The apartment is very well done, but the magic of the camera is making it look larger than it is. I think it would be very difficult to live in 475 square feet.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Oznell — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:10:23 GMT

Me too, @kindred cats , I love that he's made a welcoming home for his daughter in this small space...

@Ronettes , so true, the appeal of old wood, with its rich, irreplaceable patina! I wobble on the issue, but, in this case, I would have painted, I think. Sometimes, the dominance of even old, beautiful dark woodwork can, for me, be too contrasting and dramatic for a space I'm going to live in day-by-day. He can still enjoy the lustrous, brooding woodwork in the common space, luckily.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:00:45 GMT

I love it and think they have made some great use of the small space that they have.....It would be tough to live in such a small space if you are used to a big house with huge closets, but they are making it work!!!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Judaline — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:08:23 GMT

Clever how he placed her "bedroom".

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

DREAMON — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:26:58 GMT

My Bedroom is 400 sq ft not including the Master Bath and the large Walk In closet so living is such a small space would really be difficult for me let alone living with another person.

Good use of space but I would want my bedroom private and closed off from the Living Room. I immediately think..how would I change clothes or do anything privately if a guest was sitting on the sofa.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Judaline — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:29:40 GMT

@DREAMON wrote:
My Bedroom is 400 sq ft not including the Master Bath and the large Walk In closet so living is such a small space would really be difficult for me let alone living with another person.
Good use of space but I would want my bedroom private and closed off from the Living Room. I immediately think..how would I change clothes or do anything privately if a guest was sitting on the sofa.

But she's only six! He'll know when it's time to move to larger quarters!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

wagirl — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:44:22 GMT

Just way too small for me!! I have alot of stuff still and am not willing to give it up---DD and I live in a 2 bed apt now , that is 930 sq ft and are ready to go find a bigger place---our kitchen is 7 x8 --I think the one in this space looks biger to me!!

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 15:52:10 GMT

A lot of his choices for the furnishings wouldn't be for me and I also prefer the beautiful wood moldings and doors of the before. I'm sure he was attempting to lighten it up to appear larger but in that size room....it is what it is.

I give him a lot of credit for being a minimalist.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

just bee — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:45:32 GMT

@Oznell

There's a lot to like here.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

wilma — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:08:42 GMT

I could live in a small space like this. I lived in small apartments in my single days.

I like both the original dark wood and the lighter remodel. I'm not a fan of some of his furniture and accessory choices. A bit too much clutter for me, especially in the bathroom, but in a small space I guess you have to display your "treasures" somewhere. The outdoor space is nice.

Re: 475 SQUARE FOOT BROOKLYN HEIGHTS STUDIO APARTMENT

Sooner — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:18:39 GMT

He lives there because it is what he can afford and he has made something beautiful for his family. I greatly admire that.