Interior Appeal – Spring-Summer 2019

There were a few challenges because
not everything could be changed. “The big-
gest thing was the plumbing especially in
trying to move the bathrooms. Our great
idea, since we couldn’t move the plumbing,
was to twist toilets around to reconfigure
where the bathroom was,” Abby says. To
conserve precious space they also elimi-
nated all the hallways and converted a
bedroom into a dedicated dining room.
“A lot of the furniture I had in my
house, but I repurposed it. The dining
table, for instance, had a big round top on
it. It originally had a smaller top that I got
rid of. But then I was able to find the origi-
nal top in a friend’s storage unit,” Hattie
explains. It now comfortably seats eight.
Everywhere there are clever little tricks
of the trade such as cutting doors in half
vertically, so they don’t open into furniture,
and creating a walk-in closet by going from
three bedrooms to two. And converting a
bedroom into a functioning office with a
pull-out sofa for the occasional guest.
Among Hattie’s favorite spaces is the
dramatic kitchen. “I love my kitchen. It
has refrigerator columns. We have a coffee
station. Everything is functional yet hid-
den. I have a lot of storage. I have a lot of
things from my mother that I just can’t
get rid of,” she says of her collection of
dishes and serving ware.
The couple enjoys eating on the outdoor
balcony and loves living in the building.
They see other people on a regular basis
which they think is good for them. They
have also taken advantage of the short
walk to Park Avenue.
Hattie even held her traditional
Thanksgiving dinner in the new place,
clearing out furniture and putting tables
together. “We had 28 adults and eight kids
this year,” she says. And Abby adds, “It
was the best Thanksgiving ever.”

As for making the transition from a

large house to a condo, the designers agree

it can be a good thing. “Some people want

to downsize but they are afraid. Even with

less it can feel like your home,” Abby says.

“A lot of people look at it as a negative thing,

but I look at it as a very positive thing,”

Hattie adds.

The light-filled bedroom utilizes

plenty of white with striking art

and accent pieces.

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