Houzz Tours
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
"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."
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.
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
"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
Armchair and TV stand: Ikea
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
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.
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.
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.
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
"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
Mirrored nightstand: Target; lamp: Home Depot; bedding: West Elm
Like the map print in the living room, Natalie made this "To the Moon and Back" print herself with stencils and printed poster paper.
"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 ... "
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."