I’m Incredibly Jealous of This NYC Apartment’s Original Pre-War Picture Molding

Adrienne Breaux
·7 min read
Brown leather sofa flanked by brass floor lamps in living room.
Red velvet accent chair in minimalist living room.
"My favorite room would be the living room, as we certainly spend a good portion of our lives there, from dinners and get-togethers, to listening to music and watching shows," Alicia begins. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Artwork next to accent chair in living room.
"It's filled with a bit of everything we love: art, ceramics, books, vintage pieces, plants, and flowers." Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Dried hydrangea and branches in vases on wooden credenza.
"Experimenting over the years has helped me refine my voice aesthetically," Alicia describes.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Books on coffee table.
"Finding inspiration in various images and studying what elements I'm drawn to, uncovering patterns — its been an exciting path of self-discovery!" Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Dog smelling flowers on coffee table.
"I love the look of flowers, so I made an arrangement of preserved white roses for my coffee table with product purchased from Etsy," Alicia writes. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Multi-colored wall decal in dining room.
"I've also added a bit of color with a small mural using Samplize swatches on my wall after being inspired by a list to the Donald Judd Foundation in Soho," Alicia writes. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Decorative items on open shelf.
"I've always loved ceramics and have a little collection of vintage pieces that I fill with flowers, greenery, and feathers." Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Decorative items on coffee table.
Dog near window in neutral painted kitchen.
"Natural accents are woven throughout our home, bringing a bit of grounding, softness, and texture to balance the new," Alicia writes. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Artwork and decor on credenza.
"Our specific unit is shaped like a 'T' with an original picture molding-lined hallway leading to our two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, and living room." Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Artwork above credenza.
"As I've always gravitated towards earth and water tones, Sherwin Williams' 'Sea Salt' is like a calm current that flows into the warmer-toned rooms painted in SW 'Agreeable Gray.'" Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Wavy headboard in bedroom with neatly made bed.
The headboard in the bedroom is from Urban Outfitters, the bedside tables are from West Elm, the duvet cover is Quince, and the rug is from the Arvin Olano Collection with Rugs USA.

Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Decorative items on bedside table.
"Editing also became a key component for me," Alicia begins. "It invites you to stay flexible, contemplate multiple perspectives, be adventurous, have patience, or not be afraid to start over. All good practices to apply throughout life!" Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Tapestry hung above vintage dresser.
"Learning to slow my eagerness and focus on the process has helped me to avoid mistakes. I'll take ideas or wish lists and sit with them awhile, which then reveals what has staying power for me." Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Framed prints on beige painted wall.
Toy collection neatly organized in living room.
"My boyfriend's favorite room would be his office. His vast collection of comic collectibles is always a highlight of parties. He loves to sit in his giant leather chair, listen to music, and draw," Alicia explains. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Peel and stick wallpaper on bathroom walls.
The wallpaper is peel-and-stick from Target. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee
Apartment floorplan.
Thanks, Alicia! Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York

STYLE: Organic Modern

BEDROOMS: 2

SQUARE FEET: 970

“The warmth of community might not be what comes to mind when most people first think of New York City, but I love that our apartment building shows you don’t have to go without that support when you’ve uprooted yourself to live here,” begins Alicia Magee about the 970-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment she shares with her partner, comic book artist Brad Walker, and their rescue hound, Molly.

Toy collection in curio.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

Alicia moved to NYC from Savannah, Georgia, after dating Brad long-distance, and says she wasn’t expecting to “replicate a small-town vibe here in the city. However, during our apartment search, I instinctively knew I’d found something special — a microcosm of what I’d left behind. Call it my Southern hospitality Spidey-Sense that told me this was home. What we’d fortunately stumbled upon was a building that is organically community-centric. There’s always a neighbor ready to hold a door open for you, share a smile and wave, or help out in a pinch.”

Framed artwork next to plant.
"Our home is a collection of works from artist friends or pieces found, books that inspire us, vintage pieces passed down from our families, or keepsakes we've discovered in little shops on the road less traveled," Alicia writes. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

The Upper East Side rental apartment is located between Central Park, the Guggenheim, and East River Park. “We have pretty much everything we need — world-renowned art, beautifully landscaped green spaces, great cafes, and bakeries all off this one street!” Alicia describes.

“We’ve cultivated relationships with neighbors from different backgrounds and career paths that have added so much beauty, insight, and dimension to our lives. Collectively celebrating holidays, births, birthdays, engagements, and just the ordinary day-to-day has broadened our definition of home to encompass not just our apartment, but the whole building.”

Decorative items on coffee table.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

“It’s not unusual to have your doorbell ring and find a neighbor delivering fresh baked goods or even a sweet potato casserole. The owners have an annual tradition of bringing in local musicians to play concerts and organize movie nights in the exterior courtyard, complete with a big screen and popcorn. We even have our own New Year’s Eve ball drop that went viral on Instagram (Cardi B shared a repost in her stories),” Alicia writes.

“It’s a building storied with history, and we’re happy to be a part of this chapter. Each apartment’s layout has a nice flow; every room is generously sized, with a window allowing plenty of natural light.”

Ceramic vessels on wooden table.
"Having met through Savannah College of Art and Design, our lives have always involved creative inspiration. We would choose character and charm over modern amenities every time," Alicia describes. Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

“While others might need the bells and whistles of a newly renovated apartment or not be able to look past the fact that our floors and walls aren’t perfectly smooth or level, the heart and soul (both inside and out) of this building and community keep our lives interesting and make us love it all the more!”

Resources

Brown leather sofa flanked by brass floor lamps in living room.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

LIVING ROOM

  • Meg White Photography — Michael Simon Photography

  • Screen Print — Alessandra Williams

  • Limited Edition Giclee Vase Print — Sophie Wake

  • Wood Bowl — World Market

  • Bouclé Pillows — House of Leon

  • Striped Pillow — Lulu and Georgia

  • Linen Pillows — The Citizenry

  • Lamps — Restoration Hardware

  • Rust Chair — Crate and Barrel via Kaiyo

  • Side Tables — Crate and Barrel via Craigslist

  • Vases, Candlesticks, Mirrors, and Planter — Etsy

Multi-colored wall decal in dining room.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

DINING ROOM

  • Bookcase — Pier One Imports

  • Linen Tablecloth — Etsy

  • Candlesticks —Family

  • Chairs — Amazon

  • Vases — Etsy

  • Bowl — Artist Eloeil

  • Pendant — Zara

Task lamp wall sconces next to neatly made bed.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

BEDROOM

  • Headboard — Urban Outfitters

  • Bed Sheets — Anthropologie

  • Bedside Tables — West Elm

  • Duvet Cover — Quince

  • Rug — Arvin Olano Collection with Rugs USA

  • Frames — Zara & Etsy

  • Art — Sarah Short with Tacit

  • Wall Sconce — Lamps Plus

  • Tapestry — Etsy

Plants in sunny window of galley kitchen.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

KITCHEN

  • Rug — Etsy

  • Art — Sophie Wake

Striped shower curtain in bathroom with metallic and black wallpaper.
Credit: Alicia Magee Credit: Alicia Magee

BATHROOM

  • Wallpaper — Peel & Stick from Target

  • Art — Oak Gallery (I sadly can’t recall the name of the artist. I found her on IG during Covid.)

  • Hand Towels — Crate and Barrel

  • Shower Curtain — Crate and Barrel

Thanks, Alicia!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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