From Central Harlem to Hell’s Kitchen: We wanted a real two bedroom in a busy and convenient area

This article highlights the Harlem townhouse at 1989 Madison Avenue, formerly owned by Nina Persson, lead singer of The Cardigans, and her husband, Nathan Larson. They purchased the six-bedroom, four-bath home in 2007 and resided there until 2015 before moving to Malmö, Sweden. The Cardigans' hit song "Lovefool" is noted for its enduring popularity, appearing in various films and TV shows. Known as The Harlem House, the brownstone has been meticulously updated and renovated, now functioning as a rental configured into two family units. It boasts over 4,200 square feet of interior space and an additional 700 square feet of private outdoor space. The five-level home's current layout is detailed across its various floors. The garden level features a modern open-plan kitchen and dining area, a rear bedroom, and a flagstone-paved enclosed back garden. The parlor level houses a large living room at the front and a primary bedroom suite with a private terrace at the rear. The third floor includes another bedroom and a spacious open-plan great room with dining, lounging areas, and a contemporary kitchen. The top floor offers a second primary suite, a smaller bedroom, and a media room. The basement provides a fitness area, laundry facilities, and three storage units. A notable characteristic of this townhouse, contrasting with many New York City townhomes, is its abundance of natural light, facilitated by oversized windows that illuminate the central spaces. Architectural and design elements throughout the home include three fireplaces with distinctive mantels, both exposed and painted brick walls, high ceilings, intricate moldings, extensive built-in storage, wide doorways, solid wood doors, custom kitchen cabinetry with opaque glass, and hardwood floors, some featuring an attractive herringbone pattern. The bathrooms are designed with style, incorporating clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, wainscoting, subway tiles, black-and-white tile floors, and exposed radiators. Unit 1 is a two-bedroom, two-bath duplex, easily convertible into a three-bedroom layout, with access to the basement and two private outdoor spaces. Its new kitchen is equipped with marble countertops, an island, and top-of-the-line appliances. Unit 2, accessible via its own private stoop entrance and a restored original staircase, offers three or potentially four bedrooms, an oversized primary en-suite, a washer/dryer, and a similarly renovated kitchen featuring an island, marble countertops, and premium appliances. The surrounding Harlem neighborhood has experienced significant development, now offering numerous restaurants and retail options, including a Whole Foods and a new Trader Joe’s. The home's location is convenient, being close to the 125th Street shopping corridor and equidistant from Marcus Garvey Park and Harlem River Park. Cultural attractions in the vicinity include the Apollo Theater and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. #HarlemTownhouse #LuxuryRental #HomeRenovation #HistoricHome #HarlemRealEstate #NinaPerssonHome #ArchitecturalDetails #NYCRealEstate #TownhouseLiving

Derek and Cliona Hosty embarked on a nearly decade-long journey to transform a modest 1930s two-bedroom Dublin home into a spacious dwelling suitable for their family of seven. The initial phase of their ambitious renovation project faced an unexpected obstacle when their first redesign proposal was rejected. Upon submitting an alternative plan, planning permission was further delayed due to objections from Irish Water regarding the relocation of a water pipe in their back garden. Despite adjacent properties receiving approval for similar alterations, Irish Water insisted on a six-meter access on both sides of the pipe, a requirement that could not be met due to space constraints. Cliona took direct action by visiting Irish Water's offices without an appointment. During an impromptu meeting with the officials handling their case, she presented their plans and explained their desire to divert the pipe along the back garden. This direct engagement proved successful, leading to Irish Water's agreement and the subsequent approval of their planning permission. This challenge with Irish Water was one of many encountered by the couple over three years from purchasing the house to finally moving in. However, their determination to create an ideal home for their family remained unwavering. Their commitment eventually paid off, culminating in a home three times the size of the original, earning them a spot in the top three of the "Home of the Year" final. The house is meticulously designed to cater to their family's needs, featuring abundant natural light, expansive living areas, smart storage solutions, and innovative design elements. This achievement is particularly notable given the turbulent Irish property market they navigated and their experiences living abroad in Norway. In Norway, Derek worked for Telenor, and the family appreciated the country's work-life balance and affordable childcare, which cost less than €300 per month. They observed a more equitable distribution of parental duties, with many fathers actively involved in school pickups. A memorable experience in Norway was the birth of their fifth child, Seimi, where hospital stays were remarkably affordable. Despite the advantages, the social integration with Norwegians proved challenging, and the harsh climate, with snow from October to May, eventually prompted their return to Ireland in January 2018. Back in Ireland, they secured a mortgage by leveraging Derek’s employment history to avoid probation issues. They soon found a two-bedroom house in Ballinteer, an area they admired for its amenities and walkability, which they saw as a blank canvas for their renovation aspirations. Initially, their plans were deemed "overbearing" by planners, necessitating a reduction of 25 square meters from their proposed floor plan. This setback prompted them to rethink their design, focusing on creating a kitchen island large enough for seven people and incorporating ample storage and sleeping arrangements for their growing family and occasional guests. They also decided to lower the ground floor level to achieve higher ceilings. While awaiting final planning approval, they proactively undertook demolition work, removing the old kitchen and bathroom extensions, and stripping the house of its ceilings and floors. The renovation journey was financially demanding, as they simultaneously paid rent on their temporary accommodation and a mortgage on the house undergoing renovation. This led them to temporarily relocate to Galway, staying with Derek’s parents, until construction commenced in December 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic further disrupted the project, halting construction in March 2020. Once work resumed, Cliona and Derek personally managed the build, traveling frequently between Galway and Dublin to oversee progress while juggling work and childcare responsibilities. They finally moved into their dream home in July 2021, three years after its purchase. The old house underwent a complete overhaul, with replastering, insulation, underfloor heating, and full redecoration. Significant structural changes included relocating the front door to the side of the house and replacing the original entrance with a window, creating two living rooms downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. The new extension features a large open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area with a spacious island, innovative lighting, and customized features like symmetrically placed ovens. The house also includes a new downstairs bathroom and an upstairs en-suite bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe. Another bedroom boasts a unique sleeping unit accessible by a ladder, designed to accommodate multiple children or guests. Cliona's minimalist aesthetic, influenced by her time in Norway, is evident throughout the decor. Her passion for interior design, sparked by decorating one of her children's bedrooms, led her to develop a significant social media following. She meticulously researched suppliers, opting for cost-effective solutions like laminate flooring from Tipperary and concrete lights from New Style Lights. The couple views their challenging three-year renovation as worthwhile, having resulted in a family-centric, practical, and aesthetically pleasing home filled with fun and unique touches. #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #InteriorDesign #DublinProperty #DIYRenovation #HomeOfTheYear #IrishWater #NorwayLiving

In the competitive London property market, while square footage has traditionally been a primary concern for buyers, there's a growing trend towards valuing cubic feet, specifically double or triple-height ceilings. Property experts note that ceiling height has become a crucial factor, with "How high are the ceilings?" now a common initial question from prospective buyers, indicating that a standard 2.6m ceiling is no longer considered sufficient. This shift is particularly evident in London, where properties often lack the expansive views found in cities like New York or Hong Kong, making high ceilings essential for creating an illusion of light and space. Beyond aesthetics, there are practical advantages to these voluminous spaces. Matthew Creed of Khalil & Kane highlights that many high-end buyers are art collectors who require ample vertical space to display large art pieces effectively. He also points out that the ground floor of traditional stucco-fronted London homes commands a premium of 30 to 50 percent due to their extra height. The article showcases several London properties that exemplify this trend. Hewer Street, North Kensington, features a triple-height living area and kitchen in a former Victorian dairy, designed by Theo Otten, which enhances light and drama. In Covent Garden, a four-bedroom townhouse modernized by Form Architecture includes a soaring, double-height seating area within a 30ft kitchen, extending to a terrace. A two-bedroom home in Battersea Park Road boasts a double-height living area and a skylight for abundant natural light. An apartment in Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, transformed by architect Paul Fineberg, offers a double-height ceiling and windows on all sides. Furthermore, a vast loft for rent on Shoreditch High Street, located in a former warehouse, is designed with "zero bedrooms" and two "sleeping decks" to maximize the open, high-ceilinged space. The appeal of double-height spaces extends beyond art collectors. Creative professionals, such as photographers and musicians, are drawn to these properties, particularly in areas like Shoreditch and Bermondsey, for their ample light and space, which accommodates their work and lifestyle. Stephanie Lieu from Urban Spaces, an agency specializing in industrial conversions, notes that these buyers seek something beyond typical two-story homes and often resist adding mezzanines or extra floors that would diminish the prized height. Even in older properties undergoing basement excavations, developers are recognizing the importance of increased ceiling heights. Matthew Morton-Smith from Savills explains that a voluminous and well-lit basement creates a more impressive and less claustrophobic feel. Ultimately, while double-height spaces might offer less traditional living area, their primary advantage lies in the dramatic visual impact and enhanced sense of grandeur they provide. #DoubleHeightSpaces #LondonProperty #ArchitecturalTrends #LuxuryRealEstate #InteriorDesign #UrbanLiving #PropertyVision #CreativeSpaces

Sheila Boddington, along with her husband Noel, decided to downsize from their four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in New Zealand to a tiny house, influenced by their daughter Shaye's successful venture into tiny home living. The family emigrated from Zimbabwe to New Zealand in 2001, where they initially built traditional houses. However, they didn't achieve the financial success they anticipated. Shaye, their daughter, built her first tiny house, "Lucy," in their driveway seven years prior. Sheila initially doubted the practicality of tiny homes and their composting toilets but was eventually won over by the charm and functionality of "Lucy." Shaye's tiny house gained recognition after being featured on the *Living Big in a Tiny House* YouTube channel, and she subsequently built more tiny homes, including "Doris Jean" and "Andrea." Sheila attributes Shaye's interest in building to her own background in designing houses in Zimbabwe and New Zealand. While Sheila's designs remained conventional, Shaye's designs progressively miniaturized. Sheila has assisted Shaye from the beginning, and together they have designed and built approximately 70 tiny houses. Their company, Shaye's Tiny Homes, specializes in customizable tiny houses on wheels, emphasizing practicality and creativity in their designs. After Shaye's marriage ended, Sheila helped her design another tiny house called "Hazel," named after Shaye's daughter, which went viral in 2020. "Hazel" features a spacious kitchen and lounge downstairs, with sliding doors opening onto a large deck. It includes a bathroom with a shower, toilet, and double basin, and a playroom pod for Hazel. Upstairs, a walkway connects a main bedroom and a second room, a design innovation that allows residents to walk upright, which Sheila specifically requested due to her age. Spending time in "Hazel" convinced Sheila and Noel that tiny house living was a viable and stress-free alternative. They experienced reduced concerns about mortgage rates and electricity bills. Consequently, Sheila resigned from her 19-year teaching career in late 2019 to work full-time for Shaye's Tiny Homes. Noel, who had worked for a plumbing company for nearly 20 years, joined them in mid-2020, further convinced by the habitability of the tiny houses. The Boddingtons sold their large "boomer" house, which they had lived in for seven years. The house had an unconventional layout with the main living areas upstairs and three unused bedrooms downstairs, which even their grandchildren found intimidating. Their own tiny house build began with the recent arrival of their trailer. They anticipate the structure can be completed within two months. Their plans depend on acquiring land their daughter Lara is purchasing with her partner Andrew, which would allow for a specific design including a downstairs bedroom pod, a large lounge with a high ceiling, a spacious kitchen, a laundry area, and two upstairs bedrooms for grandchildren and guests. If the land purchase falls through, they plan to rent land and revert to a simpler tiny house design from 2021, named "Sophie." "Sophie" includes a cozy lounge with ample windows, a large kitchen, a spacious bathroom, and an upstairs walkway connecting two rooms. Sheila expresses no concerns about downsizing, intending to donate many of their belongings. Despite Noel's initial nervousness about transitioning to a tiny home at 70, he has embraced the lifestyle. Sheila, 64, believes in flexible thinking and looks forward to enjoying their golden years exploring New Zealand in their new tiny home. #TinyHouse #Downsizing #NewZealand #FamilyBusiness #SustainableLiving #AlternativeHousing #RetirementLifestyle

The demand for open floor plans in New York City apartments has been a long-standing trend, favored for their spacious feel and suitability for entertaining. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in time spent at home have introduced new considerations for buyers. While many still appreciate the expansive nature of open layouts, there is a growing emphasis on flexibility and the ability to create defined spaces within these open concepts. Real estate brokers note that open floor plans remain popular, particularly among clients without small children. Families, however, are seeking adaptable solutions, desiring layouts that allow for privacy when working from home or for children's online schooling. This has led to an increased interest in apartments where open spaces can be temporarily or semi-permanently partitioned, such as through hidden pocket doors or the strategic use of furniture. Buyers are also looking to utilize previously overlooked spaces, like small nooks or corners, by converting them into functional, semi-private workstations, often incorporating multipurpose furniture. The ability to divide an open floor plan without extensive structural modifications is a significant factor for some buyers. For example, some seek apartments with dining areas adjacent to the kitchen that can be easily enclosed to form a home office. There's also a preference for bathrooms not being en suite in single-bathroom units, to minimize disruptions during work-from-home scenarios. Additionally, families with young children are looking for layouts that can accommodate multiple dedicated areas for work, learning, and play, highlighting a desire to maintain order and reduce stress in shared living spaces. This renewed focus on distinct rooms has even led to a greater appreciation for pre-war apartments, which often feature more sectioned-off rooms and hallways. Despite the immediate need for more private spaces, many buyers are taking a long-term view, anticipating a return to office work post-pandemic. They see the current market as an opportunity to acquire larger, open-plan apartments, confident that any necessary partitioning can be easily implemented. This sentiment is partly driven by positive developments in vaccine research. Brokers observe that some buyers of open lofts, for instance, are even considering removing existing walls to restore the open-concept feel, indicating a belief in the enduring appeal of such layouts. The perception of open floor plans providing a more expansive feel, especially with open kitchens, continues to attract buyers. This design choice is still seen as beneficial for entertaining, even in a pandemic context, as it allows for social interaction while maintaining a sense of space. Some buyers are specifically seeking open kitchens in pied-à-terre units to facilitate safer social gatherings at home, viewing closed-off kitchens as potentially claustrophobic. However, some brokers also note a dissonance in buyer expectations; while many desire open plans, they later express challenges with noise and lack of privacy for activities like phone calls, suggesting that the practicalities of open-concept living may not always align with idealized perceptions. #OpenFloorPlans #NYCBuyers #RealEstateTrends #WorkFromHome #ApartmentLayouts #PandemicImpact #HomeOffice #NYCRealEstate #InteriorDesign