Hello! You guys, these holidays are nuts, right? I can barely keep it together. We made it to Lou's morning Christmas concert by a hair yesterday, and our planned trip to see Santa today might be considered cutting it close. We're busy partly because we are pulling double hosting duty this year, having had Bret's parents, sisters and grandmother up for a really fun and merry get together last weekend, and with my family coming on Thursday. (I think. Mom, call me). If you're thinking I can't possibly squeeze 14 people into my apartment sleepover-style, you're right!
Luckily, our great friends Scott and Caitlin needed a cat sitter while they did their own holiday circuit, so we are staying here. I have always loved their gorgeous apartment, with its light wood floors, sun-drenched rooms, and views of Fort Greene Park. And now I get to stay here! I asked S and C if I could share their space, because I'm a little bit obsessed. Their apartment is just perfectly them, and though it has a lot of stuff, and feels very lived in (in a good way), it also feels spacious and clean. I'm sitting here right now and it's so clean and calm I'm never leaving. I'm just going to throw a bunch of photos at you, and we'll talk at the end of each batch, m'kay?
The Main Space
View from near the front door, facing out from the kitchen.
The kitchen/dining/living area is a big open space with windows on all sides. Yes. ON ALL SIDES. That's by design: Scott and Caitlin prefer to live in place with windows all around, and with windows that don't just face a brick wall. That's a tall order in city living, but they've nailed it, and it sure does pay dividends in terms of light and the feeling of spaciousness. They cleverly placed two Ikea kitchen Islands in an L shape to delineate the space, and even more cleverly, Caitlin hung curtains on little little dowels to block the view of the kitchen equipment from the living and dining rooms. Doing that really minimizes the feel of clutter, and is also just charming. Another thing I love: Scott and Caitlin have said to hell with apartment-sized anything. Full-sized dining and couch sets, and even, yep, a giant Grandfather clock (which they thankfully said we didn't have to wind while they were gone, because that could have well ended in disaster).
The Boys' Room
My favorite room is the boys' room. In a room about the size of West's room, these two little guys share such an amazing space. There's a ton of stuff in here, but it feels fun, not overwhelming, and every thing about it is so thoughtful, from the amazing Ikea bunk bed hack with bark Caitlin ordered from Maine, to the license plates that reflect their once and future homes. And those rooster sheets on the bottom bunk? I. Must. Have. Those.
The Office
Scott and Caitlin turned the third room into Caitlin's office, which she uses as a freelance editor. I was of course immediately charmed by the Virginia Woolf poster, though, as Caitlin points out, it's a bit ironic, since it's hung over themini desk the boys use in here when they're feeling crafty. In an age where every home work space seems to necessitate some washi-taped labeling, Caitlin's room is a refreshing nod to personalized inspiration and function.
Storage
For storage, Scott and Caitlin use an armoire and some bike hooks in the wide back hallway, and also annexed the tub in their second bathroom with built-in shelves. Super clever, and the toilet is still available, though this bathroom is also home to Otto the kitty's litter box, so I think it's only used in an emergency. I have other friends in NYC who use their second bathrooms as storage spaces, and though I personally dream of the day when my shower isn't interrupted by a little person who has to - of course - take a poo, I get it, and I think it's a good use of space.
The Master Bedroom
Finally, Scott and Caitlin's room embodies the same feel as the rest of the apartment: a relaxed coziness that speaks uniquely to their sense of style and home. I love the quilt, the cheery brightness of the linens, the fact that nothing in here appears to have hailed from Target. You guys know I love me some Tar-jay, but this home is such a nice counterpoint to the shiny newness that seems ubiquitous now-a-days.
So that's my obsession with Scott and Caitlin's apartment! It actually played a role in our decision to move to New York; we visited while we lived in DC and learned that this amazing place cost about the same to rent as our place in DC. At which point we were like, see ya suckers! I've also been driving their little car while they're gone, mostly in endless circles around the neighborhood looking for parking, and I love it, too. What I'm saying, S and C, is that I want your life. In the least creepy way possible. What's your favorite part of their apartment? Any sourcing questions? I'll try to grill Caitlin for the source of those sheets and anything else. Thanks for reading, and fingers crossed, I'll see ya tomorrow!