The Painted-On Molding in This Renter’s Apartment Makes It Feel Like a Drawing
Cullen OrmondAssociate Home Editor
Cullen OrmondAssociate Home Editor
I write about house tours (but I love a good kitchen and kids' room article). My work can be found across AT Media, including The Kitchn and Cubby. I’ve been writing about home-related topics for nearly five years and love seeing how people make their homes unique.
published Dec 18, 2023

The Painted-On Molding in This Renter’s Apartment Makes It Feel Like a Drawing

Cullen OrmondAssociate Home Editor
Cullen OrmondAssociate Home Editor
I write about house tours (but I love a good kitchen and kids' room article). My work can be found across AT Media, including The Kitchn and Cubby. I’ve been writing about home-related topics for nearly five years and love seeing how people make their homes unique.
published Dec 18, 2023
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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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Credit: Erin Derby

“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. 

Credit: Erin Derby

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. 

Credit: Erin Derby

“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.”

Credit: Erin Derby

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

Credit: Erin Derby

PAINT & COLORS

  • Base Color — Chosen by Landlord
  • Paneling — True Value “Formosa Pink”
Credit: Erin Derby

ENTRY

  • Vintage Art — Antique Stores and John Derian
Credit: Erin Derby

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
Credit: Erin Derby

KITCHEN

  • Island — One Kings Lane
  • Cabinet — Vintage
  • Rug — Rifle Paper Co
Credit: Erin Derby

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.