This client had been living in the same rental apartment for ten years without redecorating.  After the last flat mates moved out several years ago, she had never gotten rid of all the odds and ends and furniture that weren't actually hers.  So we began this job by sorting through each and every item in her home– furniture, clothing, knick knacks, anything inside and outside of a drawer!

After the sorting process was over, and we knew what she wanted to keep, we began the design process.  My client wanted to incorporate her grandfather's paintings from the 1960's, as well as her wonderful wooden lamps, also from her grandparents.  She showed me her grandparents' summer home near Great Jones Beach, and I drew a lot of inspiration from there...we decided to go full on 1960's, with some restraint, of course.

The 1960s' were marked by a "return to nature" and all things "natural."  Earth tones became fashionable.  The muted peachy-brown we used in the living room was just neutral enough for our modern sensibilities, but is also a color you might see on the set of Mad Men.  I found the couch at RePop in Williamsburg.  It was a custom made cast off, designed to look like it was from that era, but totally new, and fabricated by a company who uses sustainable lumber, soy cushions and eco-friendly upholstery fabrics on their furniture.  The television console is also from RePop and is vintage.  I love the white metal knobs.  We painted her existing shelving units the color of the sun to match the kitchen cabinets.

Which brings us to the kitchen.  It was difficult to get a full shot of the cabinets, because it is such a narrow space, but I am so pleased with the results in this kitchen.  We did everything in this kitchen; we replaced the contractor-grade linoleum counter tops with tile, bought a new stove, refinished the floors, put in a new ceiling fixture, and painted everything.  I found vintage decorative tiles from the 60's, as well as a spice rack, some wall art and some cute kitschy curtains with mushrooms and flowers.  My client used to avoid her kitchen because it was so dreary.  Now it is a happy place!

Photos by Julia Gillard