870 square foot, one bedroom flat

This was the first home I ever owned—an 870 square foot, one bedroom condominium flat. It was purchased as a “fixer upper” that, quite frankly, was totally gutted. Everything had been done wrong within its walls in the years passed: multiple layers of disintegrated linoleum floor installed atop each other; mismatched cabinetry with oversized and ancient appliances in a tiny galley kitchen; moldy bathroom tub tiles with a toilet paper dispenser installed instead of a soap dish; windows painted shut; multiple layers of wallpaper not removed, but painted over; electrical nightmares throughout; etc. etc. etc. Not to mention the place reeked whenever my neighbors cooked or (gag!) smoked inside, yappy terriers lived on the ground floor, and the building was “managed” by a horror story HOA. You name it, and it was wrong/bad in this place. But, at the time it was the best that I could afford in one of the city’s finest neighborhoods. So, you know, you do what you can.

God bless my parents who helped me fix this place up, and on a BUDGET. Hardwood-style laminate was laid throughout the kitchen and living spaces, the cabinets were sanded and painted turquoise (a dream realized—my own turquoise kitchen!), walls were painted the palest of gray to make the space appear more open. I ended up turning the living area into a studio-like space, with my bed on the opposite side of the room divider screen, and the bedroom used as an art/creative space. After two years, though, it was time to bid the little flat farewell. The new owners got my sofa, bed, and NYC canvas print as parting gifts.

Photographs taken by TNHomeTour.com.