“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 short-term. However ultimately I noticed: That is the place I dwell now. Why not make it as snug as I can?” Right here, Natasha provides 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 dwell in my childhood house in San Diego, and my bed room is filled with them. It nearly appears like a bizarre shrine to me! After I moved to New York, I introduced alongside a couple of favorites.
KITCHEN AREA:
Pink lamp: similar.
On meal planning: Working in eating places taught me to plan meals round components, as an alternative of discovering a special dinner recipe to cook dinner each night. If I’m within the temper for hen, I’ll purchase a complete hen after which poach it, so I’ve a leftover batch of flavorful inventory. Then, I’ll to eat that inventory each morning with rice and steamed greens.
Vase: Carolina Irving & Daughters. Reducing board: Nordstrom.
On pet-proofing: My cat, Teenie, found out how you can 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 superb jam.
Bookshelves: Ikea. Pink lamps: similar. 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 area has taught me how you can cook dinner leaner. As a substitute of doing massive grocery hauls, I’m going buying each couple days and discuss to individuals in my neighborhood.
LIVING AREA:
Rug: Schoolhouse. Couch: Pottery Barn. Lamp: similar.
On finances buying: Whereas sofa-shopping at Pottery Barn, I discovered one I cherished and was able to order. However then my boyfriend requested a salesman if I might simply purchase the ground mannequin. They mentioned sure and offered it to me at an enormous 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 house.
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 seen. After a pair months, I noticed I didn’t miss it. Now, if I actually wish 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 Interior. Sconces: Poplight. Facet desk: similar.
On playful lighting: My mother visited and mentioned, ‘Your lighting scenario right here is insufficient.’ So, she purchased me these sconces. They’re nice for leases as a result of they follow your partitions with double-sided tape and are battery-operated.
On cozy corners: I prefer to name my bed room my treehouse. It has stairs all the way down to the yard. Within the mornings, it appears 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 keep in mind seeing her art work all around the home. Now it feels so fulfilling to have a house that evokes my family members and me to create.
GARDEN
On restorative tasks: My cookbook, Everyone Hot Pot, was revealed earlier this 12 months, and I did a two-month guide 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 once I acquired again to New York, the comedown from all that pleasure hit me onerous. So, I spent plenty of time fixing up the backyard and planting vegatables and fruits: purple okra, kale, husk cherries, cucumber, bitter melon, and plenty of tomatoes.
On get together video games: I really like establishing blind style assessments like in Top 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 unsuitable 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 stunning and produce massive, bizarre flowers. Each time I see them, I’m reminded of house.
On chaotic gardens: This 12 months, I actually needed to lean into as many vining vegetation as potential. 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 give you subsequent summer season.
Thanks a lot, Natasha! We love you.
P.S. A Brooklyn apartment full of surprises, and a family’s downsized dream home.
(Pictures by Veronica Olson for Cup of Jo.)
