One-Bedroom in Historic Cobble Hill Towers Asks $3,500 a Month

This article highlights an open house event for a historic 1910 beach bungalow located on the Venice Canals, which is currently listed for $2.65 million. The property, situated at 416 Sherman Canal, was open for viewing on Sunday, December 6, between 1 PM and 4 PM. The bungalow offers 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with a total floor area of 1,326 square feet. Additionally, there is a den that could potentially serve as a third bedroom, adding to the home's versatility. The listing describes the residence as a "nautical paradise" that prioritizes an indoor/outdoor living experience. This is facilitated by expansive outdoor patios and a rooftop deck, providing ample space for relaxation and entertaining while offering front-row views of the canals. Inside, the home features wood-paneled ceilings and numerous windows, ensuring that the bedrooms are sun-drenched and bright. The design incorporates subway tiling in the bathrooms and kitchen, which contributes to a clean and contemporary aesthetic. Key interior elements include Heath tiled hearths and Malm fireplaces, present in both the master bedroom and the living room, adding warmth and a cozy atmosphere. The kitchen blends vintage charm with modern functionality, featuring a refurbished O'Keefe and Merritt stove alongside contemporary stainless steel appliances. Galley-style cabinetry is utilized to maximize smart storage solutions within the kitchen space. The living room is characterized by exposed beams and a skylighted ceiling, enhancing its airy feel, and is equipped with French doors that open directly onto a large front deck. The article notes that the cottage has undergone significant beautification since its last market appearance in 2010. One particular improvement highlighted is the addition of candle-esque light fixtures that top the ceiling beams, contributing to the home's unique ambiance. This renovation and enhancement have also been reflected in the property's updated price tag, which now stands approximately $1.1 million higher than its previous sale amount, indicating a substantial increase in its market value. The property's official site, 416 Sherman Canal, is provided for further details. This property exemplifies a blend of historic architecture with modern updates, designed to leverage its picturesque canal-front location. #VeniceCanals #LosAngelesRealEstate #HistoricBungalow #HomeForSale #OpenHouse #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes

The article details a stay in Rapunzel's Cottage, a 220-square-foot tiny home located at Charmed Resorts in Crowsnest Pass, Canada. This resort features about a dozen fairy-tale-inspired tiny homes, including themes like Peter Pan and Belle. The author and her fiancé experienced a magical stay in the cottage, which, despite its small size, felt surprisingly spacious due to its design. The cost of the stay was $100 on a media rate, with the full rate being approximately $242. From the exterior, Rapunzel's Cottage presents a whimsical appearance, resembling a small castle. Notable details include a braid of hair hanging from an upper turret and a functional swing in the front yard. The first-floor shutters are operational, adding to the cottage's charm. Upon entering, guests are greeted by a kitchen area equipped with an aqua microwave and a large, retro-style refrigerator. The kitchen, however, lacks a sink. A small, almost immediately filled, trash can and a recycling bin are discreetly placed under a ladder. Near the entrance, hooks, a broom, and a dustpan are available. The ground floor features a queen-size bed flanked by two chairs that serve as both additional seating and makeshift nightstands. A small, round bed is tucked into a nook, suitable for a child, though an adult could fit. The first floor also includes a generously sized bathroom with a full shower. The online description mentioned a "purple sink and toilet"; while the toilet was not purple, the sink was, adding a unique touch. Access to the second floor is via a sturdy ladder with hand holes and intricate designs. The main turret on the second floor houses a circle bed, described as breathtaking and bathed in sunlight. This area is adorned with floral paintings on the panels and a small shelf circling the turret. The high ceiling with beautifully arranged wood beams contributes significantly to the feeling of spaciousness, preventing any sense of claustrophobia. The author spent considerable time on this bed, enjoying the natural light and coziness. Another ladder leads to a separate second-floor area with slanted wood ceilings and two twin-size beds placed directly on the floor without frames, designed to maximize headroom. One bed has a small bookshelf above it, featuring faux branches connecting floating shelves and colorful books. Each bed on the second floors is equipped with an outlet for charging electronics. The other twin bed is positioned directly under a circular window, offering a great view and equipped with curtains for light control. The overall view from the second floor highlights the cathedral-like ceilings and bright wood, ensuring the house is well-lit. Outside, the cottage offers a sturdy swing, enjoyable for adults, and each cottage on the property includes a wood-fired hot tub. An employee assisted with preparing the hot tub by chopping wood and starting a fire, which heated the tub within a few hours and comfortably accommodated two adults. The author found Rapunzel's Cottage to be one of the most beautiful accommodations experienced. While it sleeps six, it is noted that the first-floor circle bed might be less comfortable at full capacity. The circular beds and the outdoor swing were highlighted as favorite features. #TinyHome #FairyTaleThemed #CharmedResorts #RapunzelsCottage #TravelAccommodation #UniqueStay #InteriorDesign #SmallSpaceLiving #WhimsicalDecor

Architectural professional Desmond Ong transformed a four-room flat into an $80,000 open-concept living space, prioritizing brightness and airiness to create an environment suitable for his two young daughters. Leveraging his architectural background, Ong focused on maximizing the natural views of lush greenery surrounding the home, opting for minimalist interior furnishings to keep the space uncluttered and visually expansive. The design centers around an open-plan layout, particularly highlighting the seamless integration of the living and dining areas. The dining table, sourced from Origin Asia, was specifically extended to achieve better proportionality within the room, ensuring it comfortably accommodates six people. A key design element is the open-concept kitchen, which flows directly into the dining room. This strategic placement makes the kitchen the immediate focal point for visitors entering the home, enhancing the sense of openness and connectivity within the main living spaces. The design intent was to minimize visual barriers, contributing to the overall bright and airy atmosphere. Furthermore, Ong's personal workspace, featuring a workbench, is positioned to offer relaxing views, emphasizing the integration of functionality with aesthetic pleasure. A notable piece of furniture in this area is the elbow chair by Hans Wegner, highlighted as a valuable investment, alongside a stationery holder from Grafunkt. Attention to detail extends to the private areas, with the common toilet featuring a custom-made concrete sink, adding a unique, modern touch. The total cost breakdown for this transformation includes $70,000 for renovation work and an additional $10,000 allocated for furnishing. This project demonstrates a thoughtful approach to interior design, where an open concept is not merely a stylistic choice but a functional decision aimed at enhancing family living, maximizing natural light and views, and creating a harmonious and spacious home environment within a specified budget. #OpenConcept #FourRoomFlat #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #FamilyHome #BudgetFriendly

This article highlights a unique real estate opportunity in New York City: the simultaneous availability of two distinct apartments within a former Gilded Age mansion at 17 East 63rd Street. Built in 1901, the five-story limestone mansion initially housed prominent New York families before being converted into apartments after World War II. These units, characterized by their high, coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors leading to Juliet balconies, rarely come onto the market. By an unusual coincidence, the second-floor apartment and a combined third-and-fourth-floor duplex were listed for sale within five days of each other, each with a different broker. The second-floor unit, apartment 2, has been owned for the past 35 years by Shirley Maytag King, widow of the grandson of the Maytag appliance company founder. This apartment boasts 15-foot ceilings, a remnant of its past as the mansion's ballroom, and is listed at $4.2 million. It includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private elevator, a formal dining room, and two working fireplaces. Broker Paul Kolbusz notes that its price reflects the potential need for kitchen and bathroom updates, despite its historical significance and prime location near Central Park and the Frick Collection. The duplex, apartment 3/4, has been continuously owned for over 20 years and spans 4,200 square feet, significantly larger than the second-floor unit. Listed at $16.995 million, it features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, five fireplaces, and a primary bedroom that is 22 by 26 feet, larger than many living rooms, with two separate en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, one with its own fireplace. The apartment, designed by Thomas Britt, also showcases an enormous great room with coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French-door-style windows. Broker Elana Schoppmann emphasizes its 'grand scale' and 'royalty-like' living experience. The current owners combined the third and fourth floors in the early 1990s when the upstairs neighbors moved out. Both brokers involved are open to the idea of a buyer combining these two apartments into a single, three-story residence spanning approximately 6,300 square feet. Such a combination, however, would likely require board approval, as the building operates as a co-op. The mansion is also noted for being a rare 30-foot-wide limestone townhouse, sometimes referred to as the H. Bramhall Gilbert Mansion after its first owner. Neil Diamond is mentioned as the owner of the duplex penthouse on the fifth floor, a fact that dates back to a previous article from over 20 years ago. This simultaneous listing presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire a significant portion of a historic Gilded Age mansion, offering expansive living spaces with original architectural details and the potential for a grand, custom-combined residence in a highly desirable New York City location. #GildedAge #LuxuryRealEstate #NewYorkCity #MansionApartments #RealEstateListing #UpperEastSide #HistoricHomes #CoOpLiving #ArchitecturalDesign

This article details a tour of three one-bedroom luxury apartments in Portland, Maine, undertaken by a New York City resident to compare living options outside of NYC. The author, who currently lives with two roommates in Brooklyn, sought to explore if other cities could offer better value and amenities. The apartments visited were The Armature, The Casco, and Nightingale, all representing different price points and features in Portland's rental market. The first apartment building, The Armature, is located in Portland's Bayside neighborhood. Opened in mid-2023, it features 171 units and a modern exterior with wood and stone accents. The area, though industrial, offers shops and is a short walk from the Old Port. Notable amenities include an arcade room, a gym, designated mail area, an outdoor courtyard with lawn games, and extensive fitness facilities including an indoor/outdoor gym, yoga room, grills, fire pits, and a lap pool. The rooftop deck provides city views. The one-bedroom unit, measuring 719 square feet, featured hardwood floors, large windows, a modern kitchen with wood cabinets and black countertops, and a sleek bathroom with a rain shower. Essential in-unit amenities like a washer, dryer, and dishwasher, which are often absent in NYC apartments, were a significant draw. The monthly rent for this unit started at $2,625. The second building, The Casco, is situated closer to downtown, at the top of the Old Port neighborhood, offering proximity to the water, shops, and restaurants. Completed in 2023, this 18-story building is Maine's tallest non-steeple structure with 261 units. Its entrance features a grand staircase and polished concrete floors, giving it a luxurious hotel-like feel. Amenities include a fully equipped gym, multiple coworking spaces, and an enclosed sky lounge with panoramic views of the city, Old Port, pier, and Casco Bay. The one-bedroom apartment toured, at 523 square feet and starting at $2,520 a month, was staged, providing a clear vision of the space. It featured a galley-style kitchen with simple white cabinetry, an oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. The bedroom and living room offered water views, a significant advantage over many urban rentals. The bathroom was functional with a tub and shower combo, though less modern than The Armature's. The final building, Nightingale, is a unique conversion of a 1940s-era Mercy Hospital. Maintaining much of its original architectural integrity, the building houses 165 units and several commercial spaces in a quiet, residential neighborhood. The interior preserves historic details like an original crest on the floor and a stained-glass window. Luxury amenities include a gym, a library, and a pet spa. The building particularly caters to remote workers with numerous coworking spaces and options for built-in home offices. A rooftop deck with a full kitchen and seating areas provides views of the West End neighborhood. The one-bedroom apartment, 649 square feet and priced at $2,550 a month, featured 9-foot ceilings and a modern kitchen. While the bedroom had a single small window and linoleum floors, it included a large walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom, though without a tub. The presence of in-unit laundry was a notable advantage. The author concluded that The Casco's cozy interiors, water views, and location resonated most with personal style, despite The Armature's more extensive amenities. Ultimately, the comparison highlighted the significant advantages of Portland's luxury apartment market over New York City in terms of space, amenities, and price, leading to contemplation of a lifestyle change. #PortlandMaine #ApartmentHunting #LuxuryApartments #RealEstate #CityComparison #RentalMarket #Amenities #NewYorkCity