Welp. We’re doing it.
We haven’t taken exact measurements, but our new space hovers somewhere near 400 square feet and sits four flights up in the space above the cornice of a brownstone just a block away from our old place. We’ve basically moved into Sara Crewe’s garret room, minus—we’re hoping—the rats and gruel and plus a tiny view of the Manhattan skyline. It’s gonna be just right for a tiny Junebug.
We began making our slow move this weekend. We mopped the floor, then mopped again. We scrubbed on hands and knees and scraped paint off of filthy bathroom tiles and dingy grout from door jambs. We removed rotting closet shelves and replaced them with fresh boards that we’ve painted sparkly white. We’ve begun plotting larger improvements and made decisions about what things we’re going to leave well enough alone. We’ve brewed a pot of coffee and lit candles and hauled plants up 4 flights to start making the place look lived in. My sweet parents strapped our beloved vintage headboard to the roof of their car, threw a pot of lentil soup in the trunk, and trekked to the city to deliver both kinds of housewarming.
Thanks so much to all of you for your persistent good cheer as we’ve searched for a new tiny space to call our own. They’ll be lots more to report on as we settle in, but for now, we’ve found a space big enough for a baby to grow in, which is the most important thing.
49 Comments
Soooo exciting! Have fun!
Congratulations! I can't wait to see more pictures of the new place!
well with no ship stairs to climb for you & baby it should be just right – still kind of tiny but I'm sure you will figure it out 🙂 it is interesting to read of your tiny space.
Congratulations! I know you're a pro at all things tiny, but we have a similarly sized space that we moved into in July (a month before our little one was born). Friends and family were so concerned about the "space issue" with a baby on the way– and my partner and I can fully vouch for the fact that a small space allows your family to grow closer together in those critical first few months. Enjoy every moment with your soon-to-arrive junebug!
Best of luck! I love the little sneaks peeks in the pictures you posted. Cute tile, too! I used to live on a fourth floor walk-up in Astoria. Good way to get a workout in even when you aren't trying! Looking forward to seeing more of the new place once you are all settled.
Can't wait to see more. Also, who is that sand dune beach painting by? My friend's dad is an artist and he painted one so similar. You never know.
It's a drawing by Stow Wengenroth–a wedding gift from my cousin!
Cozy. I've always loved small spaces. I can't wait to see more.
Very exciting! Be sure to share more pictures as you whip it into shape 🙂
So lovely. Can't wait to see more.
Congratulations! Wow, four flights of stairs will get you back in shape after the baby is born — but may be tough during those final months of pregnancy. I love the think planks of those hardwood floors. The tile floor in the bathroom brings back memories. We had something similar in our house in upstate NY, and the wall tile was pink. My mom bought brown towels which, with the pink tile, always reminded me of a piece of Russell Stover creme candy.
Best of luck with your move. I hope you love living there.
Claudia
Wahoo! Can't wait to see how you turn it into a home! And may the cleaning gods be with you 🙂
I am absolutely thrilled for you both. My husband and I lived in a 330 sq ft apt on the 5th floor of a walkup on the UES…. I worked outside the home until 2 days before my delivery (which means I descended and climbed those steps (16 per flight – yes, I counted) each day, which made it relatively easy during labor and returning from the hospital. I was probably in amazing shape at that time LOL.
Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing your apartment transform into your home – you are going to make it beautiful and your baby will have everything that a baby needs ! All the best.
Closets with shelves! How exciting!
I'm so glad you found something you liked! Congratulations and best luck with the baby!
Congrats on finding an apartment. I used to have the exact same bathroom tiles in an apartment in Montreal! And they took forever to scrub clean before I moved in too. I used some grout renew on that bathroom and it was transformative. Happy nesting.
http://www.younghouselove.com/2014/01/how-you-like-me-now-grout/
the place won't seem tiny to a family who WANTS to live there… I feel like the larger the apartment, the more junk you collect (baby stuff included! your child probably won't be "that child" with a room stuffed to the brim with stuffed animals because you'll have a real excuse to say no (you don't have room!)
cheers. can't wait to see more of this place!
My goodness this is great! A new places and a new start with a new little one. It looks beautiful and can't wait to hear and see more about it!
Congrats!
good for you, erin! looks lovely. x
Congratulations!!!
Hurray–it's looking great already! (ps: if you get time/are interested, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts about what you're going to put on your registry for the Junebug. We're also having a Baby Bear in a small space and I'm wildly overwhelmed by all the stuff "needed". I know it's your first, but I'd still love to know what's on your list if you want to share!)
congratulations! i can't wait to see what you do with the space—and to meet junebug, too.
i'm so happy that you found a new (bigger) home!
I already like this apartment!
I'm happy that you find out a new house!
Everything looks great!
🙂
yay, that's great news! i was rootin' for ya. and i saved both your apartment hunting portfolio & apartment viewing checklist posts for future reference. 🙂
Hooray! So glad you found a cozy place.
It looks gorgeous 🙂 love that last shot, too.
So glad to hear the good news 🙂 Looking forward to your coming posts settling in the new place!
Congrats! Moving is so exciting for me – I love the fresh start! 🙂
How wonderful! I can't wait to see more!
So exciting!! Can't wait to see more photos 🙂
I only very recently discovered your blog (I'm not sure how, now), but have now read back through all of your posts and am SO pleased and excited for you that you seem to have found a lovely new home for you and your baby. Look forward to seeing more of the apartment!
Congratulations on your new home. I prefer small living and have lived in studios for many years. I am also moving soon into a 400 square. Ft. Studio. I look forward to your future posts on the home. I just found your blog and enjoy it very much.
Congratulations! Glad you made it through the trials of New York apartment hunting.
Really excited for you! Hope you are continuing to feel well. Smooth and easy move – and how great is it that you get to stay in your beloved neighborhood?
Wow, just found your blog recently. So lovely. I love small living. Three months after the arrival of our little one we moved from a mid 500 sq. foot studio to a small home. Despite our best efforts to live small with our baby, we are much happier with a bit more space. I will look forward to reading about how you navigate parenthood in a small apartment! It requires lots of flexibility and ingenuity, both of which you seem to have. Best of luck!
Aaah can't wait to see more pictures! Congratulations to you all 🙂
Sophie x
http://your-girl-is-lovely.blogspot.co.uk
sooooo exciting!!! Although the 4 floor walk up thing doesn't make me excited lol. I loved when I had a 3rd floor apt with an elevator. I only used it when I had to lug up groceries or was extremely exhausted. Only took the elevator down when I had to go to the basement to do laundry or to carry out heavy objects. Was a real pleasing moving in and out that is for sure.
But I would give anything to live back in Portland, Maine in that tiny one bedroom!!!
Dontcha' just love moving into a new place….so pretty! 🙂
Yay! So glad to hear and so excited to see your improvements and projects!
Congratulations Erin! Sounds like you've found just the right space to make your own. Hope all goes well with the new place and your pregnancy! 🙂
Congratulations! It looks like the new place is going to be a splendid home 🙂
congratulations!! cant wait to see what you do with your new space!
Congrats! I remember scrubbing the corners of one kitchen floor with toothbrushes trying to get rid of old crud.
Even partially moved in your place is designed better than mine will ever be. Can't wait to see the rest of your new home. Your blog is so refreshing.
Congratulations! Looks beautiful so far!
Congrats on the new place. I look forward to hearing the small-space adventures. I choose to live in a smaller place and LOVE it!
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I absolutely love the wash basin and the scrub brush. Where’s a good place to buy them?
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