“I’ve rented this condominium for 5 years,” says chef and cookbook creator Natasha Pickowicz of her 500-square-foot Brooklyn condominium. “At first, I resisted hanging artwork and making modifications as a result of a rental is non permanent. However finally I noticed: That is the place I stay now. Why not make it as comfy as I can?” Right here, Natasha offers us a tour…
ENTRYWAY
Rug: classic. Portrait: painted by Natasha’s mom. “I believe I’m eight on this one.”
On birthday traditions: Yearly, my mother, who’s an artist, painted a birthday portrait of me. My dad and mom nonetheless stay in my childhood residence in San Diego, and my bed room is stuffed with them. It nearly looks like a bizarre shrine to me! After I moved to New York, I introduced alongside just a few favorites.
KITCHEN AREA:
Crimson lamp: related.
On meal planning: Working in eating places taught me to plan meals round components, as a substitute of discovering a unique dinner recipe to prepare dinner each night. If I’m within the temper for rooster, I’ll purchase an entire rooster after which poach it, so I’ve a leftover batch of flavorful inventory. Then, I’ll eat that inventory each morning with rice and steamed greens.
Vase: Carolina Irving & Daughters. Reducing board: Nordstrom.
On pet-proofing: My cat, Tini, found out the right way to open the cupboard door and assist herself to meals and treats. My repair? Slant the door. It’s crooked, sure, however now she will’t open it.
Print: Plant Planet.
On scorching takes: Nectarines are my favourite fruit. They’ve softer pores and skin and extra acidity than peaches. They style good in salads with darkish greens, like spinach or escarole, they usually make wonderful jam.
Bookshelves: Ikea. Crimson lamps: related. Cat bowl: Smalls.
On cooking in a small condominium: I transformed the entrance corridor closet right into a pantry, and I’ve a compact fridge. Residing on this house has taught me the right way to prepare dinner leaner. As an alternative of doing massive grocery hauls, I’m going procuring each couple days and discuss to folks in my neighborhood.
LIVING AREA:
Rug: Schoolhouse. Couch: Pottery Barn.
On funds procuring: Whereas sofa-shopping at Pottery Barn, I discovered one I liked and was able to order. However then my boyfriend requested a salesman if I might simply purchase the ground mannequin. They stated sure and offered it to me at a giant low cost!
On household rituals: Rising up, my dad and mom and I ate dinner collectively each night time. Afterward, we’d stroll across the block. These evenings with them instilled in me a deep love for strolling. These days, strolling across the neighborhood after consuming a nourishing meal is an act of being at residence.
Print: Mike Paré. Desk: West Elm. Chairs: thrifted.
On life with out a TV: After I first moved to New York, I didn’t purchase a TV since my former condominium was smaller, and I didn’t need it to be the very first thing visitors observed. After a pair months, I noticed I didn’t miss it. Now, if I actually need to watch a film or present, I’ll watch it on my laptop computer. However as a common rule, I attempt to wind down by studying, drawing, or puttering across the backyard.
BEDROOM
Throw: Hubsch Inside. Sconces: Poplight. Aspect desk: related.
On playful lighting: My mother visited and stated, ‘Your lighting state of affairs right here is insufficient.’ So, she purchased me these sconces. They’re nice for leases as a result of they stick with your partitions with double-sided tape and are battery-operated.
On cozy corners: I wish to name my bed room my treehouse. It has stairs all the way down to the yard. Within the mornings, it looks like waking as much as a secret backyard.
On enjoyable crafts: My boyfriend, his son, and I made these dioramas within the yard — they’re impressed by tenting journeys we went on this 12 months. After I was a child, my mother turned our storage into her artwork studio, and I bear in mind seeing her art work everywhere in the home. Now it feels so fulfilling to have a house that conjures up my family members and me to create.
GARDEN
On restorative tasks: My cookbook, Everybody Scorching Pot, was revealed earlier this 12 months, and I did a two-month e book tour, road-tripping from California to the Midwest to Canada and again to the East Coast. Visiting so many cities and assembly readers was exhilarating. However after I obtained again to New York, the comedown from all that pleasure hit me onerous. So, I spent a variety of time fixing up the backyard and planting vegatables and fruits: purple okra, kale, husk cherries, cucumber, bitter melon, and many tomatoes.
On get together video games: I really like establishing blind style checks like in High Chef. I’ll put everybody in makeshift blindfolds, then pluck no matter herbs are rising within the backyard — Thai basil, lavender, lemongrass — and provides them tastes. Individuals get actually into it! They’ll really feel so assured that they know what they’re consuming, and seeing their faces when they’re mistaken is priceless.
On nostalgic fruits: Ardour fruit grows throughout San Diego, the place I grew up, so I planted two passionflower vines again right here. They’re so lovely and produce massive, bizarre flowers. Every time I see them, I’m reminded of residence.
On chaotic gardens: This 12 months, I actually wished to lean into as many vining vegetation as attainable. I like for issues to get massive and bushy, go to seed and bolt, and seem like a wild jungle. I really feel so good about what my boyfriend and I did again right here this 12 months, and I’m excited to see what we provide you with subsequent summer time.
Thanks a lot, Natasha! We love you.
P.S. A Brooklyn condominium stuffed with surprises, and a household’s downsized dream residence.
(Images by Veronica Olson for Cup of Jo.)
