house envy: the makeunder

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All too often I stumble upon homes that have been polished and shined until they’re an unrecognizable version of their former selves. When John Derian took possession of this East Village apartment in New York City back in 1994, he made it his mission to “restore” it to its intended charm. A makeunder, if you will. Smoke stained ceilings (the former tenant, a sculptor, was a heavy smoker), chipped paint, original “patina” and all became part of the decor. A truly refreshing space that further solidifies the notion of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

(ps. I recommend the New York Times article about this particular property. It’s a good read!)