minimal4me's Profile

Hi Pinrat, that is the Leibherr refrigerator, and it was key to the kitchen design working. It takes up only a 25x25 footprint. The fridge had to go in that spot or it would have blocked the site line to the french doors. Yet, we needed the sink in the corner or the kitchen would have obliterated the "dining area" and I was firm about wanting sit-down seating and not a countertop, which I find uncomfortable. Anyway, Leibherr is carried by Krups on 17th if you are in Manhattan and want to check one out. It has really nice hardware and a soft close. It's quiet. The space inside is good for two. I think it would be a stretch for a family.

HAR, correction... the shelves are 8" deep. We had wanted 11" deep but it would have partially obscured the bedroom door. It works for most books. The big art books have to be turned on their side and we keep them on the bottom shelves.

HAR, the hall was 42" wide before the built-ins. The shelves are 11" deep. Even though 11" is standard depth for many lines of freestanding bookcases, I would have liked them deeper, but that would have covered the doorway to the bedroom -- and blocked natural light. After the built-ins the width of the hall is about 30".

The red runner for those who asked is FLOR.

Charlotte, I love the breakfast bar separating the kitchen from the rest of the room. But more than that, I love the eclectic collection of cool, interesting, beautiful things. --Sally

Thank you! Thank you! I am thrilled beyond belief at the lovely comments about my apartment. I'll try to answer any questions:

Susan, it is a combo unit -- it's an LG and it has proved to be a great choice. You don't have to vent it to the outdoors. So, no getting co-op approval to cut a hole in the outer wall.

Lyonstill, It does take four hours to do a full wash/dry cycle. I just turn it on before sleep. It's very quiet, and the clothes are dry when I wake up in the morning. It is a full capacity.

Thanks to everyone who loves the french doors and iron work. I can't take credit for them. The former owner was an architect and she salvaged them from job sites.

I designed the kitchen, and my contractor Henry Almeda (the best!) was a true collaborator and trouble-shooter. His team are CLEAN. Every night the job site was swept and tools put away and trash hauled out. He came in right as he'd budgeted.

Henry also did all the built-ins -- the library shelves and the walk-in closet. The painting over the sofa is Maggie Hinders of Hoboken. Check out her site. Awesome and affordable real art.

Carolyn, my god you have a good eye. Yes, it's the Min bed! With an Ikea mattress. I am a high/low like that!

Thank you all!

How do you need the space to function? If storage is the main thing, I'd do as others have suggested and rip out the countertop and put in a chest of drawers, wardrobe, or shelves with storage boxes. If it were my space, I'd put in a desk and floating shelves -- because it would meet a need in my life. I'd start with function first. Ask yourself, what do I need this space to provide for me? The rest will follow.

Ikea has a metal base for $39:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50074550

Product dimensions
Length: 38 1/4 "
Width: 23 5/8 "
Height: 10 5/8 "

Paint the walls bright yellow. Replace the rug with a gray and yellow one with a mod design. Someone said slipcover the chairs. I agree.

Slipcovers are not hard to make but they take a lot of time. I lay craft paper out and cut my own pattern (some people sew a muslin first). There's welting that comes with a little edge. That makes connecting sections really easy. I once covered a sofa and a love seat with cotton canvas piped in navy. It looked awesome when it was finished. But all told it was about a month's work. As time often = money you may be better off buying.

I've found some really cool fabrics at Ikea.

It is hard to visualize what a pattern will look like once it's covering a large area like a couch. The best way to get to know upholstery fabrics is to look at hundreds of sofas and take note of what you love.