3rd&Brown's Profile

Please don't use a room divider. It's such a cliche way to divide up a studio.

You should open up the space by tearing out the closets in the center of the floor plan. You can recoup some of that space by deeping (to be flush with the bathroom door slot and the wall bump out on the north side of the closet) and consolidating the closets on the west wall. You can also add built ins on the east wall in the recessed area or extend the width of that closet, since it's useless space anyway.

Once it's opened up, I would put a table near the kitchen where the space is now open, and a bed tucked into the corner of the northeast corner; perhaps with a low profile headboard so as to not obstruct the windows. Use a double bed to minimize floor print and consider something like a parsons bed, with both a foot and headboard of essentially equivalent height. This would provide the illusion of a daybed, with extra seating if needed, without the cute-siness. You can use a low slung double width wardrobe as a sidetable under the north window to provide storage and a nice big surface. I would float your couch in the middle of the room facing the blank west wall, where you can mount a flat screen tv and use low profile bookcases underneath to provide more storage. You could probably even fit a small chair caddy corner to the couch to create a conversation space.

It sounds like a lot, but you can make it work. I think it's really important in studios to create distinct spaces. The last thing you should do is push all of the furniture to the periphery of the space and treat it like a glorified dorm room. That never works.

These old prewar NYC apts are often cut up into a million different subspaces. Wherever possible, pull down the point less walls (get rid of the door on the kitchen, make the bathroom door a pocket door, if possible), consolidate storage space (walk in closets), and float your furniture.

Also use a nice neutral but modern color to enliven the space. Either a warm white or a nice soothing gray. I love apartments with these challenges.

Alright folks. Just a quick lesson on Philadelphia Trinities (also less often referred to as 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost Houses'). #1. This house was not "cut up" into such small spaces. It was built that way. In 1830. The only room that has been "cut up" is the floor with the bathroom, which was likely done after the house got indoor plumbing. #2. This is a typical example of a trinity. They are quite common in Philadelphia's oldest and most historic neighborhoods (think Queen Village, Society Hill, Washington Square West (probably has the biggest inventory), Northern Liberties, Fitler Square, Bella Vista, Rittenhouse, Kensington, and Fishtown), and almost non-existent elsewhere in the city. #3. They were initially built as tenement housing for immigrant workers who were coming to Philadelphia en masse during the Industrial Revolution. These are very compact homes, and many could be built in a small area to keep workers close to their factories. Early in it's history, Philadelphia also taxed property based on the width of it's street frontage, so that probably played a role in the small size as well. (This fact explains why the row house is the dominant building typology in Philadelphia). #4. They have 4 rooms. Basement = kitchen. First floor = Living Room. 2nd floor = Bathroom and at times, a small office/den/bedroom, depending on the floorplate of the trinity. 3rd floor = Master Bedroom. Fireplaces are common, usually stacked, and at times in all 4 rooms, though usually just in 2 or 3.

In outlying neighborhoods, many were demolished over the years as the city fell into decline, but in other more central, historic neighborhoods, they were preserved. They're clearly not for everyone, but they're beloved by their owners, and embraced by Philadelphians as a unique and quirky. And now that the city is growing, in many cases, because these are in what are among the most central and affluent of Philadelphia's residential neighborhoods, they are actually somewhat popular (especially for first time homebuyers and investors). The floor plates really do vary. I've seen some as small as about 9X9 in Queen Village, and others as big as 14X14 or 15X15 in Northern Liberties and Fitler Square. The rooms in the later actually feel somewhat generous given the total SF, though obviously, the rooms are still stacked. Finally, many have been "extended" over the years. I live in one such trinity. At some point, and addition was added to the back of my home, and the kitchen was brought up from the basement. My first floor is living room, separate kitchen. Second floor is master bedroom (above the kitchen in the new part of the house), bathroom (old part). Third floor is 2nd bedroom and in my case, sliders to a roof-deck over the addition. It's a great house.

Finally, the best gossip for the busy bodies. What do these crazy houses cost? In the best neighborhoods (Rittenhouse, Fitler, Wash West), trinities can sell for as much as $300,000, though $200,000 is more typical. In the old neighborhoods that are newest to the regentrification game (Fishtown, Kensington), a trinity can be had for $100,000 or less. Extended trinities sell for 30ish to 50ish% more, depending on the size of the addition.

Here are a few examples currently on the market.

Extended, Northern Liberties: http://www.everyhome.com/pa/ph/cd/t6003633.htm
Washington Square West: http://www.everyhome.com/pa/ph/ah/t6024368.htm
Extended, Washington Square West: http://www.everyhome.com/pa/ph/ah/t6023454.htm

Saturated colors will make this kitchen look even darker (and smaller) than it already is, not the other way around. I would put a neutral(ish) color on the wall...light gray, taupe, something with a hint of green, maybe, and reserve the saturated colors for your accessories. A Roman Shade with an awning stripe in the same color as your accessories could make it really pop.

One more thing, just noticed the kitchen is literally at the entrance. I still think the narrow island/bar top table could be nice for additional prep space and to stow things as you come through the front door. Depending on what the other side of the hallway looks like, you could have it on wheels and just push it aside too, if it gets in the way.

Ah. Buenos Aires! My (2nd) favorite city in the world. I moved to Buenos Aires for 3 months earlier this year when I lost my job. There are two lunch/brunch/dessert spots that are near and dear to my heart. Check them out: Farinelli in Palermo Chico and Baraka in Palermo Soho. Oh, and the milonga off Corrientes near Medrano...god, I forget what it's called.

Disfrutes su tiempo en Buenos Aires. Es un lugar muy hermoso. Y tambien...espero que entiendes la forma "vos" (en actualidad, la forma es muy facil que aprender)...jaja. Chau!!!

Glad to see Terrain on the list. Its facility is breath-taking...also in a good location to combine with a trip to Longwood Gardens, west of Philadelphia.

You can find a substantial, high rectangular planter (roughly the depth and height of the stoop) to saddle up to the left side of the stair and fill it with color. I wouldn't put anything on the handrails. That would make them too cutesy. Also consider removing BOTH rails altogether (good suggestion from Alyse), removing the broken stones/concrete from the right side to better define the edge, and taking off the storm door altogether. The screened/storm door is unnecessary if the other windows on that facade open (which it looks like they do). It will also show off the front door more, which you can paint in a bold, eye catching color. Of note, most towns have code about when handrails are necessary, but it is usually dependent upon number of steps. Where I live, it's 3 or more. You might be fine without them. If you need one, keep only the right side.