The Next Phase

Lately I've been hearing a lot about people who are either:

a) pregnant with baby #2   

b) moving out of the city 

c) both of the above

It's a bittersweet combo. I'm so happy for these people who are making The Great Transition into the next phase, whatever it may be. I'm (fleetingly) jealous of those little protruding baby bumps and the contented excitement that they bring. I'm sad (and maybe a little bitter!) that they are leaving a place where we have started to put some roots down. Although Brooklyn does have a neighborhood vibe, the quickly rising rents and property prices are understandably driving families out, causing the neighborhood to start feeling more transient. I long for a place where we really truly feel settled and secure, where we can be in it for the long haul (although I'd probably still have to redecorate a few times!)

I'm a big jumbled ball of confused emotions. I feel a tinge of envy when I hear of those moving Into the Great Wide Open. Space! The final frontier... Their babes and pups can frolic, running barefoot through the rolling grassy meadows of their 1/2 acre fenced in property in the 'burbs. Moms (and Dads!) can sip their coffees or mommy juices as they pour over the NYT and glance up at intervals just to make sure their littles haven't run into the cul de sac or set their swing set on fire. 

I totally get it. Don't think we haven't thought about it - and still think about it - on a daily basis. There are times when I'll look around the petit a.p.t and feel like I'm in the depths of a fiery hell. I throw my hands up in disgust and exclaim "I can't take it anymore! There's shit everywhere!!!" I sound like a possessed madwoman. Ask Eric how many times he has heard this phrase and has often responded by hiding under the bed with Bear. 

This "out of body" is usually followed up by a frantic, frenzied cleaning up and putting away of all items in sight, which often spirals into an organizational overhaul, trying to exorcise the demons. If you're an organizational enthusiast like me, I'm sure you've been there. But herein lies the problem. A few months (or days!) later, the piles are back, the items are out of place. The cleansing was temporary. The accumulation returns. The work is never complete.

Enter this beautiful, compact little bible:

I just finished reading, and I'm pretty sure that Marie Kondo is my spirit animal. (Actually it's a hummingbird, but you know what I mean. Find out what yours is by taking this quiz here.)

I didn't know about this book until one of my awesome clients recommended I check it out. You really have to read it for yourself, but the basic principal is as follows: "Keep only what sparks joy." This may sound unrealistic and almost bizarre, but I can tell you that we're halfway through the process at le petit a.p.t. and I'm already feeling lighter in so many ways.

Jess Lively, one of my favorite podcasters, created a condensed checklist which is basically the CliffsNotes version of the book. I'm happy to share it with you here. Definitely check out Jess's site and listen to her podcast. It's based largely on positivity, essentialism and living your life with intention.

So, what's your next phase? Baby #2? Moving? Staying put? Re-desiging a space? Regardless, I'm sure you have had some winter accumulation that is bogging you down and need to do some spring soul-cleansing. What better way to start than with something that is life changing? I'm hoping that this is the final cleanse and will lead me into my next phase, so I can spend less time on the frenzied clean up funk and more time on doing what makes me happy - like spending quality time with Miss Avery Etta, teaching her how to take a selfie while choosing the right paint color, natch.

After reading this book, I truly feel that as tiny space dwellers we no longer have reason to complain (okay, okay, we can still vent a little). It provides a tiny sliver of hope that by following this simple method we could potentially stay in our petit a.p.t. in Brooklyn even though baby #2's arrival (nothing in the oven just yet people!) I have no idea where our path will lead us, but I at least know that now whatever it is, I can handle it by living a minimal, simple, organized life surrounded by joy.

And if our newly organized life is going to look anything like my newly organized sock drawer, then we're off to a good start...

~L.S.

a.p.t. reveal: a petite duplex on the park

A few posts back, I wrote about my fabulous sister-in-law Sandy Saccullo and her innovative shoe company OneClique. (If you missed that post, you can read it here). Today, I'm so excited to share this petite gem of an apartment I designed for her. 

I often consult Sandy as my personal stylist, so I was more than happy to dive in when she enlisted me to decorate this glorious three bedroom, two bath duplex just off Central Park West. Sandy and her two kids (my adorable niece and nephew!) had previously been living in a modern high-rise (featured in the West Side Color Story portion of my portfolio). When her lease was up, she decided she wanted something with charm and character that felt more like a true home. Great networker that she is, she found all that and then some!

Situated on the fifth floor of a prewar building (with an elevator!), this duplex gets tons of natural light. It doesn't face the street, so it's a quiet and serene oasis in the heart of the ever-bustling Upper West. Just a few steps down the block is Central Park. But who needs the park when you have two (yes people, I said TWO), outdoor spaces. Stay tuned, as that is the next phase of our project- creating a cozy outdoor haven on the massive outdoor roof space just in time for summer.

With just a few small requests from Sandy, mainly to divide the living space into two areas - work and relax, to keep most of her favorite pieces of furniture and art, and make the space feel "cozy yet clean", I set to work. My goal was to maximize storage space throughout without sacrificing on aesthetic. This proved somewhat challenging, as the rooms are on the smaller side and have tricky layouts with the placement of radiators, closets and windows. However as you know, I love me a good small space challenge! Good things come in small packages. (More on that here.) I embraced these characteristics into my design as the charming architectural details that they are. 

The result? A personable, cozy, livable space, with just a touch of glam shining through. So, come clique off your heels, relax and enjoy the tour!

~L.S.

How cute is this petite staircase? It was originally a bad wood finish. I had it painted grey-white, and we added a grey textured stair runner. Great small space idea: turn the space under your stairs into a tiny mudroom with a rug, shoe bench, baskets and hooks for coats and hats.

Small Space Division: I made the living room the ultimate workhorse by dividing it with the sofa. It's counterintuitive, but breaking up the room with furniture often makes it feel larger by giving it more depth and multiple functions. 

To the left of the sofa is the "office" and to the right is the "living room". The mirror in between the two windows reflects light and makes the space appear larger.

A small rustic bistro pedestal table acts as a side table to the sofa and the dove grey Thonet style chairs also make it a functional dining table.

Subtle Sparkle...

Whenever possible, a desk by the window is always the way to go!

A mirrored wardrobe and bedside table provide storage and reflect light in the master bedroom.

The bed boasts additional storage - woo hoo!

The all-white bed and bedding really pops against the dark charcoal walls. Small space tip: using dark colors in small rooms often makes them appear larger - and in this case, glamorous!

The all-white but textured bedding provides interest and the bedside sconces are not only functional and space-saving but also add a touch of shine.

The best part of having a staircase? It's the ultimate excuse for a gallery wall! 

The use of black, white, silver and gold frames in different shapes and sizes provides an eclectic yet polished look.

Little Picasso's: The kid's artwork framed and dispersed into the gallery wall is adorable and adds just the right splash of color.

I kept the second floor hallway simple with an indoor/outdoor area rug for high traffic. The iron ceiling fixture ties in with the beautiful iron scrollwork on the door. What lies beyond: one of the most amazing private rooftops - stay tuned!

The kids wanted to share a room (how cute is that?) and use the third bedroom as a playroom instead.

A Toy (Storage) Story - toys are organized in wire mesh baskets that fit perfectly under the bunk bed.

Never underestimate the power of a pretty storage basket. Ever.

The blue for boy/pink for girl bedding is unified by the same pattern with the same gender-neutral duvet covers and shams.

What little sportsnuts, huh? These kids clearly love their basketball! Hence the playroom theme. The two floor cushions pushed together act as a little love seat in the nook and can either fold or extend. Perfect for watching the game!

Play ball! Balls, bats, baskets and bins galore.

Go Celtics! I mean Nets, I mean Knicks! Er, sorry kids!

Entry organization - the key to my heart. 

So, what cliques, I mean tricks, do you use in your small space?