topic Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT in Home

SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Oznell — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:36:16 GMT

It has the great luxury of space! Belongs to a clever young furniture designer, Leah Cumming, of her own company, "Maison Madeleine". It's a mix of modern -- some of her own furniture designs-- and vintage and antique.

The navy-walled entry opens to a huge living room with tall windows. Beautiful floors.

Check it out-- all the trim has a slim pinstripe outline of gold. Love that little detail.

The walls were sky blue when she moved in, and she surprised herself by keeping them. Even though the rest of her palette is rather earthy. They lend a "nest in the sky" feeling.... The cozy wool vintage chairs are midcentury Danish.

Charming antique daybed in one corner. Her windows open like doors, onto the wraparound terrace. It was a foggy day on the tour day, and the views are haunting--

Those windows in this pre-war building open up on classic industrial landscapes, that I find fascinating. This is in the Chelsea neighborhood of NY, but to me, the outlook could be in any richly atmospheric industrial city on the Great Lakes, for example, like Toronto, or a midwest gem like Chicago....

Her style here tends to be "leaner" than some over-dressed New York apartments. But she has almost a scientific, "cabinet of curiosities" style, with old charts, books, suitcases, and other artifacts on her bookshelves, and fab antique trunk. I like that it's not a "cutesy" look.

For example, her collection of vintage bottles from an old pharmacy in France....

I think she said they were from a Paris flea market, and she brought them home in a suitcase. Grouped, they have an intriguing shimmer...

An actual wood-burning fireplace, in a charcoal marble, that you certainly don't find in every New York apartment...

Now, roving around the loft-like space, check out some of her own furniture designs from her company "Maison Madeleine", like this sweet demilune table--

Or the handsome dark reeded and serpentine ( wavy) front cabinet she designed.

Above it, an exquisitely intricate, all-glass antique Italian mirror, one of her weaknesses--

The kitchen is simple, also lit by tall windows.

On a wall, the pretty plates she found in Portugal--

The dining area has a charming, Gothic inspired cabinet for her good glassware, and a show-stopping vintage sideboard--

She's one furniture designer who appreciates the fine work of others, especially the two-tone beauty of this one--

The endearing nightstand in the spare bedroom is more of Leah's designs-- her "Midnight" nightstand. The cutie on the rug is Pogo.

She also designed the wavy-fronted dresser in this room, out of old salvaged wood--

Leah's own master bedroom has a similar simplicity, with its quietly dressed bed. Pillow fabric is "Tree of Life" pattern.

In here she went antique, with her own lovely inlaid wood dresser with honed marble top, and another glimmering Venetian glass mirror--

Hope you can see this-- every corner of the ethereal mirror is adorned with its own glass rosette

The details might be refined, but again, the room is not over-dressed. She has a single silver trumpet vase on a handsome stone pedestal--

That stone and brick patio does beckon from every window--

Could never tire of the timeless view of these gorgeous arched openings in the old building across the way....

It seems mundane to speculate, but I can't even imagine how much a place like this would cost in a place like NYC!

It's so serene and seems to float above the city, sigh.

The tour, which has so much more to offer than these hastily grabbed still photos, is at: The Potted Boxwood, and is entitled "Beyond the Curb Home Tour with Maison Madeleine".

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

KittySoftPaws — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:52:06 GMT

Extremely ecclectic, yet seems cozy at the same time. Yet, you couldn't pay me to live in that city.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

DSD2 — Fri, 01 May 2026 23:55:00 GMT

I love the living room and hall; gleaming floors and beautiful blue paint. Her taste in mirrors is exquisite. Your "nest in the sky" description is perfect.

I like the bedroom but cannot tell if it is taking up most of the room or if it is just the angle of the photo.

I'm less fond of the kitchen

I prefer green grass and trees and/or a water view, but this is quite charming ovedrall and Pogo is a love.

Thank you for another wonderful post @Oznell

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Q-Checker — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:58:05 GMT

Love, love, love this apartment and the taste of its owner. The elements all seem to be in harmony with each other with none of its parts competing for attention or distracting with too much "stuff" (or "tschotskies") sitting all over the place. The patio and the view top it off and add to the feeling of "I would really like to live here.".
.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Mz iMac — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:43:26 GMT

@Oznell Love everything in that apartment especially the patio. 👍🏾

The apt is not over stuffed w/stuff/antiques, dust collectors & junk.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

luvzchiz — Sat, 02 May 2026 03:19:49 GMT

@Oznell You had me at Pogo! What a cutie.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

DREAMON — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:22:04 GMT

This apartment is very appealing. I am not a city person but if I were wealthy I would love as a weekend getaway.

I would only change one thing.....the heavy orange drapes.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

wagirl — Sat, 02 May 2026 13:19:38 GMT

Very nice and so spacious. Am sure this place would cost a few million to buy and many thousands a month to rent. Love the bric-a-brac displayed.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

CarolinaGirl88 — Sat, 02 May 2026 14:13:01 GMT

This is a very interesting place! My favorite features- the gorgeous entryway floor and hanging light fixture (looks a bit like a Moravian star), the gold pinstripes, all of the built-in shelves, the beautiful marble topped dresser in the bedroom, and Pogo, of course!

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

just bee — Sat, 02 May 2026 15:11:54 GMT

Her style here tends to be 'leaner' than some over-dressed New York apartments. But she has almost a scientific, 'cabinet of curiosities' style...

First, I love your commentary @Oznell.

Second, I'm drawn to the various wood pieces here.

Third, I can breathe.

I appreciate the restraint. It's open, subtle, and there's a lot to keep one interested.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Sat, 02 May 2026 15:24:40 GMT

She must do very well to have such a spacious place. Good for her. I also give her props for not overdoing the furniture and decorative pieces.

Overall, it just doesn't speak to me and there's far too many curves and scalloped edges. There are a few wood pieces that are unique that I really like.

Re:V SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

spiderw — Sat, 02 May 2026 16:50:40 GMT

Very impressive, spacious, lovely apartment! The dressers are all unique and eye catching as are the Danish chairs. The day bed looks warm and comfortable and the decor touches throughout the apartment enhance the rooms. I enjoyed the house tour in photos of one of my favorite locations!

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

LavernLuvsShoes — Sat, 02 May 2026 18:18:38 GMT

@CarolinaGirl88 wrote:
My favorite features: The gorgeous entryway floor and hanging light fixture (looks a bit like a Moravian star)...

I agree - That entryway light fixture is incredible!

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Oznell — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:05:47 GMT

@CarolinaGirl88 , and @LavernLuvsShoes , they do call them "Moravian Star" lights, and I completely agree-- they are wonderful.

A few years ago I posted here the late Joni Webb's Houston apartment, and she had them gracing her long hallway. They're charmers wherever they're put:

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Mz iMac — Sat, 02 May 2026 19:32:00 GMT

@Oznell Regarding your last pic......

My NY relatives all own & live in Brownstones which were handed down to them (3 or 4 generations). That looooooong hallway between the kitchen & living room is in all of them.

There is also a built-in China closet in the hall way.

The dining room is right off the kitchen.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

Oznell — Sun, 03 May 2026 12:31:28 GMT

@Mz iMac , those brownstones in your family are such a treasure-- the history that they represent. Love all the architectural built-ins that our previous generations took for granted, and now are still so useful and good looking.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

AuntG — Sun, 03 May 2026 19:53:00 GMT

My one and only apartment was above a house. It had that long hall leading to a kitchen in the back. Maybe it's just me, but whenever I think of a NYC brownstone, I think of Rosemary's Baby.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

just bee — Sun, 03 May 2026 20:36:06 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
My one and only apartment was above a house. It had that long hall leading to a kitchen in the back. Maybe it's just me, but whenever I think of a NYC brownstone, I think of Rosemary's Baby.

@AuntG

Rosemary and Guy lived in the Dakota.

So did John and Yoko.

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:09:08 GMT

I really like this apartment, and I like that it is not overstuffed with lots of furniture and stuff....

It seems a bit more open and airy and I love the balcony!!! Very nice size too, I am sure very very expensive!!

Re: SURPRISING NEW YORK APARTMENT

QVCisFun — Wed, 13 May 2026 01:19:16 GMT

@Oznell wrote:

Like the gargoyle. Nice apartment, terrace, views.