topic Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT in Home

UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

Oznell — Mon, 26 May 2025 00:06:58 GMT

Author Chelsey Brown is a former TV producer who specializes in transforming rental apartments into individualized abodes. But she has finally been able to buy her own apartment in NYC which she has been modifying to suit.

Another controversial one, no doubt. She has a fascinating style, "arty", and in some ways, almost surreal.

She had to replace the damaged floor, scrape the popcorn ceiling, and replace it, and then she limewashed the walls to give them that slightly textured glow. She brought in her own beautiful, classic fireplace mantel.

The serpentine, sculptural couch is vintage, 70's-esque. She pairs modern elements like that, her steel floor lamp, and frame TV on an easel, with the handsome old paneled secretary desk....

The surrealism comes in, with the "melted" disco ball on the mantel, the multi-shaped mirrors, the wavy chest of drawers in the dining area.... Salvador Dali, surrealist supreme, would be right at home....

Here's a shot with a little better light exposure. (Even with its northern exposure, the living room isn't as dark as most of the pictures show.) I like the way the screen picture she picked for her frame TV, coordinates with her real paintings, ha.

Love her oil paintings, stunningly framed, that she has collected over time--

She deliberately has "layered" some of them, by using different length nails. She hangs some from simple chains too, and leans some, mixing with her pottery.

In purchasing this apartment, she had to sacrifice brightness, in a sense, b/c the living room has just north facing windows. But, a good hack is that she has added a string of tiny hidden lights around the sill--

And she treasures the small balcony, complete with flourishing plants, comfortable seating, and a grill.

Right around the corner from the living room, is the office/ guest room, which used to be a separate dining room.

But she has installed a Murphy bed for guests, as well as a desk and shelves for her office. Another little melted disco ball....I don't know why I find them so cute...

Even the Murphy bed has a tiny gallery!

Chelsey chose a rosy palette for the bathroom. She thought she could never afford a marble sink, but found a Turkish craftsman on Etsy, who made it and shipped it to her. What a stunner!

Partly because the kitchen has west-facing windows that send some light into the living area, she had the door separating them enlarged, and outlined the arch in gorgeous marble. (There are elements of this apt. that remind me of an Italian palazzo. There's that terrific paneled secretary again.)

The kitchen, like the master bedroom, is a work in progress. But she did paint the cabinets, install peel and stick flooring, and even a faux countertop, for now.

She also incorporated her old, marble-topped bedroom dresser, a handsome addition to her counter space--

This is one of the more fun videos to watch. But her doggie, Seymour, moved too much for me to catch a good shot. So here he is from some still pictures on social media-- he is so cute, and such a good boy--

He really coordinates well with her palette!

She's put so much work into her home. Again, while not my particular style, I love seeing people who have a sure sense of their own preferred environment, and have the taste and the patience to bring it about.

Things I like-- her ability to mix eras deftly, her inventiveness, her love of art, her mixing of both gold and silver metallics, her feel for textures, and mostly, her non-cookie cutter approach, in this age of endlessly similar pinterest-generated rooms.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

DSD2 — Mon, 26 May 2025 01:12:54 GMT

Thank you for these great shots @Oznell

So many pretty elements, the mantle, chandelier, secretary and the beautiful marble sink and archway.

Putting the TV on the easel was inspired.

Seymour is a sweetheart.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

willomenia — Mon, 26 May 2025 01:42:06 GMT

Way to much clutter. There is no place for the eyes to focus, never would I live there

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

Luvitorleaveit1 — Mon, 26 May 2025 02:27:01 GMT

Too cluttered for me too. I only like the lighter colors it brights the room.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

shoekitty — Mon, 26 May 2025 04:01:57 GMT

I imagine that little apartment in NYC cost her 10 arms and legs!! Many apts in NYC are small, but expensive and one is lucky to get one or own one! I do love her sense of artsy, quirky style. I can see myself in some of the pieces she has selected. She is just cute and fun looking herself. There is just way too much stuff in such a small area to really enjoy each piece. For me anyway! I do understand the lack of space, obviously trying to get some of her pieces and belongings in, plus things she needs. Maybe the couch came from a larger place she had before this one.

i do like the couch, chairs and art pieces and thie pup!! I just feel stifled. Too closed in. One thing I myself do not care for is the way she grouped th epaintings. Piled on each other doesn't give one an appreciation the art itself. Those paintings with the heavy frames add to the dark heaviness of the room and take up air IMO.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

on the bay — Mon, 26 May 2025 09:31:56 GMT

I don't like the view for one thing. Looks like a lot of industrial buildings, at the bottom. No way I could ever go out on that balcony.

@Oznell,I admire your ability to appreciate different styles and that you like that she has made it her own.

I just don't think it would be a place I could live or even enjoy visiting. It does just look like too much clutter and I like that she likes it but I don't understand her esthetic. It just all looks creepy to me.

The dog is so sweet.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

I am still oxox — Mon, 26 May 2025 10:38:45 GMT

@willomenia wrote:
Way to much clutter. There is no place for the eyes to focus, never would I live there

@willomenia My thoughts exactly

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

50Mickey — Mon, 26 May 2025 13:20:09 GMT

To me it looks like she just filled up the space with a bunch of stuff and clutter. The sofa and chair look way too large for the space as does the awful lamp. I don't know how one would walk around all of that stuff let alone clean the place. I usually love seeing pictures of the NYC apartments but this one is a hot mess.

If she loves it that all that matters.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

DrakesMomma — Mon, 26 May 2025 13:41:55 GMT

I love, love, love the layered artwork!!

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

conlt — Mon, 26 May 2025 13:53:44 GMT

There is way too much stuff in that apartment or me.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

Marsha2003 — Mon, 26 May 2025 14:59:42 GMT

Nope. She doesn't have a particularly good eye for design.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

bikerbabe — Mon, 26 May 2025 17:03:41 GMT

It’s not my style and definitely too much beige, but she has some elements that are quite clever and interesting. I like her picture arrangement and I agree those melting disco balls are very cool.

That she even has a balcony is a big deal in NYC.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

just bee — Mon, 26 May 2025 17:50:47 GMT

Hey, as long as Seymour's happy...

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

stevieb — Mon, 26 May 2025 18:19:09 GMT

Meh... A few nice pieces and choices but the amalgamation is just a not very pleasing mash-up as far as I'm concerned.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

jannabelle1 — Mon, 26 May 2025 21:00:38 GMT

Very interesting to see all of the unique changes and enhancements to her apartment. Some things I really like and other things I nott so much, but it's still very interesting to see how someone with a talent for it pulls a home together. Thanks, @Oznell

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:24:48 GMT

I don't care for most of her furniture and decor choices and her style (if you can even call it that) is all over the place. That coupled with the fact that there's far too much of it makes it a hard pass for me.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

manny2 — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:47:39 GMT

It has a heavy dreary look to it. I’m not a fan of all the plants either.

The eye can’t focus and then flow. There is too much clutter.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

DREAMON — Tue, 27 May 2025 13:56:56 GMT

I would really like this space if 25% of the STUFF was removed.

All that art is suffocating to me. I guess I just really don't appreciate it

It is what she loves so it obviously is extremely pleasing to look at for her.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

faeriemoon — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:50:30 GMT

Very unique space; I love it.

Re: UNUSUAL NEW YORK APARTMENT

Oznell — Wed, 28 May 2025 11:41:29 GMT

@DrakesMomma , I'm partial to the layered paintings too! In this case, it's a rich look that "punches up" their importance in the room.