Houzz Tour: A New York Blogger's Cozy Family Nest
A Manhattan apartment for a young family with a toddler charms with creative arrangements, flea market scores and personal touches
After living in 300 square feet, even a slight upgrade in space feels like a mansion. Natalie Holbrook — also known as Nat the Fat Rat — and her husband, Brandon, loved their mini home right on the edge of Central Park in Manhattan. But when Natalie became pregnant, they knew the space wouldn't work with their new "plus one."
After an exhaustive search, they found a new apartment on the Upper West Side with just enough space for their growing family. Although the new space lacked the prewar quirks of their old building, Natalie's vintage finds, DIY touchess and knack for dressing up Ikea furniture has turned it into a charming and cozy family home.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: New York City
Who lives here: Natalie and Brandon Holbrook and their son, Henry
Size: 810 square feet
After an exhaustive search, they found a new apartment on the Upper West Side with just enough space for their growing family. Although the new space lacked the prewar quirks of their old building, Natalie's vintage finds, DIY touchess and knack for dressing up Ikea furniture has turned it into a charming and cozy family home.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: New York City
Who lives here: Natalie and Brandon Holbrook and their son, Henry
Size: 810 square feet
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When Natalie and her husband first moved into this apartment, she immediately envisioned covering this kitchen wall in a gorgeous wallpaper. The problem was that wallpaper is expensive — and potentially messy to install. Instead, she came up with this impromptu collage, a combination of Polaroids, Instagram prints and other photos. Including photo tape, the whole thing cost less than $35.
A zebra head from Anthropologie is the perfect finishing touch. "Isn't he great?" says Natalie. "His name is Lawrence of Arabia. We call him Larry."
A zebra head from Anthropologie is the perfect finishing touch. "Isn't he great?" says Natalie. "His name is Lawrence of Arabia. We call him Larry."
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| "Coming from such a tiny, but terribly lovely and quaint little prewar building right on the park — the perfect location! — and then moving to this rougher, more industrial part of the neighborhood was an adjustment," says Natalie. "But it was one I was glad to make when I first toured the unit and saw a washer/dryer in the apartment. I nearly died." |
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The dining table rug is a vintage camp blanket from the 1950s Natalie found at a flea market. While she loves the look, she's currently on the hunt for something similar that's much more durable.
An Ikea Maskros pendant adds an eye-catching burst of light to the space. The dining table is a recent purchase from World Market.
An Ikea Maskros pendant adds an eye-catching burst of light to the space. The dining table is a recent purchase from World Market.
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Although a lot of the furniture is from Ikea, this gifted couch adds a nice contrast to the living room. The antique deer trophy is one of Natalie's favorite possessions — she found it at a store in Moscow, Idaho, where she and her husband used to live.
The Holbrooks' building is a brand-new construction, so it doesn't have the same quirks that they're used to. Of course, there are plenty of upsides to that too. And Natalie loves how close they are to Lincoln Center. "Having those gorgeous arches as our front yard is pretty amazing," she says. "I love the idea that from now on, whenever I see a photo of the Met Opera House I'll think, 'That's home.'"
Couch: Macy's; giraffe pillow: CB2; furry pillow: Target; yellow pillow: vintage; blue ottoman: Urban Outfitters
The Holbrooks' building is a brand-new construction, so it doesn't have the same quirks that they're used to. Of course, there are plenty of upsides to that too. And Natalie loves how close they are to Lincoln Center. "Having those gorgeous arches as our front yard is pretty amazing," she says. "I love the idea that from now on, whenever I see a photo of the Met Opera House I'll think, 'That's home.'"
Couch: Macy's; giraffe pillow: CB2; furry pillow: Target; yellow pillow: vintage; blue ottoman: Urban Outfitters
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| "Our living room is kind of an odd shape, like a hot dog," says Natalie. "We have not been able to agree on a rug. Luckily we're in the middle of the toddler years with our son, Huck, and having the bare hardwoods has been really nice for when food is inevitably flung to the floor." Armchair and TV stand: Ikea |
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The nautical flag in the entryway was found at the Brooklyn Flea. "Its name is Charlie, and you fly it when you wish to communicate 'yes' or 'change in course,'" explains Natalie. "We bought it because we had just moved back to the city, were about to have our first baby and we felt like it could be our family mascot."
Blue cooler console and basket: Home Goods
Blue cooler console and basket: Home Goods
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A gray Ikea dresser sits across the hallway to help keep entry clutter under control. A wooden model of New York City from Muji sits on top.
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| While the apartment is technically a one-bedroom, two of the closets are big enough for makeshift bedrooms — which is where Henry (Huck) sleeps. The cozy nook is just the right size for his crib and toys. |
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Natalie bought the Alma Bloom Mini crib to fit snugly into Huck's sweet little room. Art from Uncommon Goods, bedding from Ikea and Freshly Picked and a mobile from The Little Tiny round out the space. The darling piano was found on Amazon.
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Natalie and Brandon's bedroom is soft and soothing in white. Lacy white curtains, patterned bedding and layered rugs add texture and warmth.
Armoire, curtains; Ikea
Armoire, curtains; Ikea
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| "My best resource is garbage day," says Natalie. "It's amazing the things you'll find discarded on the street! Just make sure it passes the sniff test and to clean it within an inch of its life once you get it home." Mirrored nightstand: Target; lamp: Home Depot; bedding: West Elm |
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Like the map print in the living room, Natalie made this "To the Moon and Back" print herself with stencils and printed poster paper.
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| "We feel incredibly blessed to have found this place, and we are just so happy with it, from top to bottom," says Natalie. "Though I wouldn't mind if the water in the shower got just a little hotter ... " |
Comments
Woven Decor I love how this couple transformed their tiny treasure. It is very personal, reflects their passions and loves and above all, it says, "home."
11 months ago · Like
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Sarah Greenman This family shows what fun you can have in 800 some-odd square feet! Such joy.
11 months ago · Like
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karenikarn How is the UWS - next to Lincoln Center, no less - a "rougher, more industrial" neighborhood?
11 months ago · Like
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susatuom Their apartment oozes charm, personality and style on a limited budget. Genius & fun ideas. Adorable home & family!! Enjoyed these ideas very much.
11 months ago · Like
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anna What fun seeing taking this tour! Love how innovative the owners were in this space. Their home has pizzazz and shows much love!
11 months ago · Like
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ceil IMMEDIATELY LIKE THIS COUPLE AND HUCK....I LOVE HER INGENIOUS IDEAS.... BRAVO TO THEM..! I SAVED THE "WALLPAPER" IN THE KITCHEN!! CEIL
11 months ago · Like
franki7 THAT is the type of "ingenuity" I champion...work WITH it!! franki
11 months ago · Like
mermaiden Great little nest. Photo wall is neat, may do a modified version......great idea. Huck is such a cutie pie, love those chubby little cheeks.
11 months ago · Like
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mysteree I'd love to see this couple on a reality show! Good-bye Kardashian's
11 months ago · Like
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lynnforoni Love the cozy atmosphere and clever use of space
11 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER The photo wall in the kitchen is great!
11 months ago · Like
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Susan Menchel Interiors She/they have done a magnificient job with this lovely, cozy apt. I have lived in NYC apartments so I know how daunting a challenge it is. Good luck to these 3 cuties as they continue having fun with decorating and enjoying every minute of it. :)
11 months ago · Like
siskiyoucookie So very creative & tasteful ~ nmn
11 months ago · Like
cathj Manufacturer of the range?
11 months ago · Like
Laurel Ennis Nice digs in a great neighborhood.
11 months ago · Like
1016joan I am the owner of a 35 year old commercial design firm, your small NYC apartment delights my creative sense. Thank you for sharing your creative efforts with us. Enjoy each day with your family!
11 months ago · Like
dublin1948 Thanks so much for sharing your cute, homey space. Love the collage of photos on your kitchen wall. I'm considering on doing something similar on a wall in my small apartment. Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!
11 months ago · Like
teufel Does anyone know the make and model of the frig? Thanks
3 months ago · Like
mollyornati1 Very talented in the charming use of the space and that baby is the cutest honey-pie -- treasure him!
7 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on June 20, 2012.
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