The Painted-On Molding in This Renter’s Apartment Makes It Feel Like a Drawing
Two years ago, when artist Scott Csoke’s college best friend, Kathryn Vaughn, was looking for a new roommate, they jumped at the chance. For one, Csoke understands that the New York real estate market isn’t for the faint of heart.
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“New York doesn’t always allow you infinite options for apartments, so when something falls in your lap, you have to take it,” they say. And secondly, the two-bedroom Williamsburg apartment checked a lot of aesthetic boxes.
Not only does the apartment have gorgeous natural light, but it’s also super spacious, with two identical-sized bedrooms on either end. Csoke has found homes for the “million things” that they’ve collected throughout the years. But also, it was a lived-in, blank canvas for them to make their own.
“I could never live somewhere so sterile. I find it incredibly intimidating,” Csoke says. “Starting tabula rasa seems like a good idea until everything turns gray and white. I have to have color. I love having things around me that constantly make me happy and are bright.”
Csoke painted moldings on their walls, which made them feel like they “drew” their home. “It’s funny and wonky, just like me. Something that looks real, but isn’t. I love that that is something a lot of people who decorate equally enjoy,” they explain. “I have to have color and humor. It’s so important to me and how I start and end my day.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Base Color — Chosen by Landlord
- Paneling — True Value “Formosa Pink”
ENTRY
- Vintage Art — Antique Stores and John Derian
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa — Vintage
- Pillows — Carleton Varney
- Red Chair — Vintage
- Pillow — John Derian
- Coral Lamp — Safavieh
- Lampshade — Scott Csoke
- Art — Vintage, Some by Me
- X-Bench — The Inside
- Dining Table — Vintage
- Rug — Safavieh
- Pink Bamboo Table — One Kings Lane
- Staffordshire Lamps — Vintage
- Library Lamp — Vintage
- Side Table — Amazon
- Side Table — Vintage
- Side Table — IKEA
- Bench — Target
KITCHEN
- Island — One Kings Lane
- Cabinet — Vintage
- Rug — Rifle Paper Co
BEDROOM
- Dresser — Vintage
- Pink table — One Kings Lane
- Table — Devol Kitchen
- X-Bench — The Inside
- Side Table — Vintage
- Rug — Wayfair
Thanks Scott!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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