House Tours: A 625 Sq Ft Prewar Apartment in Brooklyn, New York

[@apartmenttherapy]

Check out Jenn & Phil’s apartment, equipped with a mix of old and new features, accent colors, and all the areas great for “activities.” What’s your favorite part of their tour? Let us know in the comments.

[@raquelpenzo6299]

I'm looking at this apartment in horror... yes, they've made cute design choices, etc, but I'm pretty sure for it to be a LEGAL bedroom in NYC, you need a window/means of egress. I don't know, maybe I missed it, but the only window I saw was in the living room. This CLEARLY used to be ONE apartment chopped down into three, all for greed. I'm from Brooklyn but I hate hate hate how homes and apartments have been parceled out, and I really wish folks who come here would stop settling for this. YOU DESERVE WINDOWS! You deserve your own kitchen and bathroom. 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@alexnovakcz]

@spirals 73 in bulgaria you can have that for 350, in uganda for 100$. Even north of france can cost 400$, the cheapest regions of spain or portugal. Of even small cities in usa. You can be even more happy if the price is the point. Its cheaper, coz if worse. So easy. You dont have opportunities and cultural and social life like people in ny... i dont get these comments

[@Thatsinteresting363]

Lovely home with nice design details. Those who don’t get it, just won’t get it, but you don’t need your own kitchen and bathroom to be “happy”. Certain personalities like to live in certain ways. And certain sacrifices are worth the NY lifestyle you get in return. This shows you truly can make a home out of a very unique space.

[@JacquelineBrown-zm3xu]

Technically it isn't a bedroom. They're just using it as a bedroom. If you look closely they don't even have a physical door to the room. Just a wide archway. It's probably listed as a studio apartment with an office, not a 1 bedroom apartment.

[@sherrycohen1824]

I totally agree with you. Every apartment, even a studio, should have a kitchen and a bathroom, however small. I certainly wouldn't want to share a bathroom with two other tenants. What do they do? Parcel out time for showers? Crazy!

[@metsl1870]

Yes!! I cringed when they stated, they had to share a kitchen and bathroom 😮😢🤦🏽‍♀️‼️

[@Gunsnwhiskey]

I can’t imagine sharing 1 bathroom and kitchen with 2 other apartments!! I’ve had a hard enough time sharing laundry with other apartments. Or one bathroom with a partner. I can’t imagine adding 2 other units to the mix.

[@sharilynn3024]

I feel the same way too!!

[@karmicsheila63]

One bathroom spaces are very much a reality in NYC apartments. You figure it out.

[@1mourningdove54]

Yep, I wouldn't do it.......but to each his own.

[@tainapura4766]

💯💯🎯🎯.. they lost me at we share 😆

[@maryannkom299]

I wonder about this too. I have issues with my stomach, It’s hard to think a person might not have access to a bathroom at certain times.

[@sharilynn3024]

I could never share a kitchen or bathroom with total strangers. I like my privacy!

[@serenakoleno9338]

They rent out 2 bedrooms. Probably friends or family. Maybe even Airbnb. Great way to save money. TFS

[@MothGirl007]

Same!

[@outloudkat]

Presumably they get to know each other and are no longer strangers.

[@anmorgan3129]

It's like living in a college dorm, except you can't go home on the weekends

[@julieleininger707]

Very nicely decorated but Deal breaker with the shared bathroom

[@annjohnson8437]

I had to laugh when she said they got a velvet couch to prevent scratching by their future pets. I read the same thing a few years back, splurged on a gorgeous velvet chair, and watched as my cats scratched the heck out of it. No fabric is safe (LOL)! 😿

[@LIZZIE-lizzie]

@ Ann Johnson NO fabric is safe. I actually thought my cat didn't do that after spending $700 reupholstering two huge ball in claw chairs with beautiful tapestry material - in the late 1970s. One day, I'm facing in a particular direction and see the entire side of the chair - the tapestry shredded. Oh well. People say they get get scratching poles, covered with material or carpet and that doesn't keep them off the furniture, either. But I think it's also because they smell us there and you know, they love us 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@thoughts3897]

Haha. True. I have four cats. Keeping their nails trimmed helps a lot though. Sisal rugs are great, too. (they scratch at it, but no damage is done!)

[@annjohnson8437]

@@thoughts3897 two great ideas!

[@heidibee501]

Truth. But it's worth it. Years ago we had our first cat declawed. Strangely he had far better manual strength than our other cats over the years.. We had a huge Pakman puppet that he hated. Just for fun my husband would put the puppet on his hand and Bucky would growl. One day Bucky ran over to my husband and whacked the puppet off of his hand. It landed on the other side of the room. That puppet was heavy.

[@HMQ333]

@@heidibee501 do not declaw cats or adopt dogs.

[@YouCanCallMeChrys]

I don't like the shared kitchen and bathroom with 2 other apartments. Hopefully their NY rent reflects that. You can tell they like each others company which is nice to see.

[@nope2075]

With the cracked mirror, I would put hot glue on the crack then paint the glue gold or black or something cool. Lean in to the imperfections.

[@Sublimefireflyy]

The wabi sabi way

[@professoramirasims]

yes, i love that idea and it reminds me of a principle in Japanese wabi sabi

[@nevergiveup9321]

Never forget the power of an old fashioned wheeled tv cart for those who don't want 2 compromise their space.

[@laurae2489]

Wow the apartment looks so much larger. I love it.

[@maryannkom299]

Having a mini fridge and an electric Kettle would be a must for me in this space.

[@jennifersutton3115]

I know sometimes we hv to make things work out. Until we can hv our own. If that's the goal. I stayed in shelter's before. I live in a small studio today. What matters having a roof over our head's. Your home is comfy. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@dianebaker5243]

They have made a beautiful home together. What a behind the fireplace. 👍🥰🥰

[@CB-js9kz]

I enjoyed the tour. Everyone is different but I personally don’t want to share a kitchen or bath past college dorm years. Glad it works for you.

[@maryannkom299]

That’s totally understandable, but I guess if you want to live in New York City, sometimes you have to make allowances. It’s nice they have a mini fridge and a water bottle with a pour spout. I’d have to have those things and probably an electric kettle too.

[@Sunflowers9191]

Sharing a kitchen I could deal with even though it’s far from ideal, but I couldn’t comprise on not having my own bathroom. I just want access to it at all times and not sharing it with a bunch of strangers.

[@aiai-j7i]

@@maryannkom299 This is not common or typical in NYC apartments at all--in fact, I have never even heard of this set up here.

[@l.a.3479]

​@@Sunflowers9191*compromise

[@awesometaxes]

The collapsible dish rack is always handy. I have a house and have one too.

[@eveline1725]

They're great designers! Their apartment has a very homey and creative feel.

[@barbarawillis5187]

Jenn and Phil created a lovely and comfy home for themselves. Great episode.

[@tinamarie8699]

I love these videos. Great space. Fantastic colors and use of space. Go Bills.

[@devikalakhote351]

Very real apartment!! Happy to see a lived-in space

[@m_r---123]

A great couple - and a wonderful apartment!!

[@shawndavis9221]

Lovely decor and DIY things. I would think that the "Superintendent" of the building would have a full apartment; bathroom and kitchen included. Hope the rent deal is a win-win.

[@sunnydaysatl]

I doubt it n NYC

[@Johanna.EG.]

​@@sunnydaysatl In all the NYC buildings I've lived in, the super is full time and has a real apartment. Don't know how much super work he does if he has another full time job?

[@paulineniles370]

Great layout, paint job, pictures and furniture. You really made good decisions together. Your home really looks fantastic. I also like your sofa.

[@loridamico3368]

Nice apartment! It looks much larger than the square footage would suggest. Love Phil's hat!

[@marylbullock]

I enjoyed the tour. They are a fun couple.

[@HappyGoLuckyMe]

Nice apartment however I can not imagine sharing a kitchen and bathroom with other tenants. And Phil’s breakfast fantasy…how exactly would that work?? Definitely not enough privacy for my comfort level.

[@maureenk1635]

Beautiful job. Lots of great ideas.

[@kimprice1864]

Love the dining table and chairs and the terracotta wall.

[@Lb-df4xi]

I think I could share a kitchen, as long as I had some small appliances in my apartment to cook quick meals. But sharing a bathroom I don't know about that

[@briandietz3735]

Yes, please post details re the blue paint on the fireplace wall!

[@westcoastorbust2462]

The book shelves made the space look bigger and the dining table and chairs are beautiful

[@debrap947]

Cool apartment, adorable couple.

[@oceanai1924]

Lovely apartment and lovely couple🥰

[@Vinnie-cv5qv]

Wow, I Ilve in Williamsburg Brooklyn and was raised in a railroad apartment and I would take any tiny apartment over one where you share a kitchen and bathroom. This reminds me of the turn of the century tenemant apartments where different families shared kitchens and bathrooms. Since the 1960s, my mother still lives in the railroad apartment and it has the original bathtub in the kitchen. I grew up there. I would take a bathtub in the kitchen over sharing anything with strangers, let alone a bathroom. My mother's rent controlled $142/month apartment will pass down to my son as he lives and takes care of her. The landlord could have created apartments with kitchens and bathrooms, but seemed to be too cheap to do it. This apartment seems to be one large apartment that is rented to different people that have their own rooms and share the kitchen and bathroom. This is nothing short of roommates. Being a super, you also get a discount or free rent and most times a salary. Who would strip metal kitchen cabinets if this was not their own c-op/condo if they were not getting paid for it?

[@aiai-j7i]

I used to live in a place in the East Village where I had the tub in my kitchen...I loved it!!

[@dasia5479]

I don't usually defend landlords but at that rent I wouldn't call the landlord cheap.

[@ConceptsInHealth]

Great space! But I can’t imagine sharing a kitchen with two other households. I literally spend probably 80% of my waking “ home hours” in my kitchen! And the shared bathroom? No way!! Glad to leave that arrangement back in the college years😂 However, from the very personal way they talk about the kitchen/bath design choices and the fact he’s the super, it’s clearly more like they have two tenants renting rooms from them--and probably get a much discounted rent for taking it all on! Obvious they “own” the entire space in their own minds😁

[@thoughts3897]

True. It clearly sounded that way. The kitchen would be okay, I think. One bath for up to six people (if two other couples) could be tough.

[@Kate09251]

Omg yes BILLS! Love that he’s probably from Buffalo. Bummer we are out of the playoffs but love to see the 716 representation 😍

[@krisa4029]

I love the idea of the screen as an accent wall

[@ninjanana102]

What a sweet, funny couple. I love them and the home they created!

[@Nbattlecry20]

He jokes about that dish rack but I totally need that in my new space..😅

[@albertine2169]

Loved them and their apartment. I live in Scotland and they fit just what I imagine a NY artsy couple would be like😊

[@NYouTubeFan4ever123]

I’m glad you made this space work for both of you, especially in NYC where it’s hard to find a decent living space. Sometimes you can’t get windows in all rooms!

[@Qrtuop]

The amount of this Americans put up with is unbelievable. No workers rights, no vacations, no healthcare and now no windows. What a ridiculous country

[@Qrtuop]

Shit, I meant the amount of shit.

[@flashflame4952]

This is the 5th video of yours that I've watched and what amazes me is so many people are RENTERS! They do so much work in their apartments and put in some mighty big bucks and they don't own it?? I am just kinda surprised at that...

[@NS-jr8nk]

They share the bathroom and the kitchen with two other apartments? Please tell me this is not legal... 😨

[@jaymay5815]

It was very hard for my brain to process that piece of information

[@RahYisrael99]

Just like old school boarding housing. My parents did it in the 60s. Thankfully I wasn't born yet.

[@chegu613]

this was very common in many places, even up to the 70s. big cities like Berlin had whole neighborhoods with housing like this.

[@lucialopez7153]

Y’all did an excellent job with the apartment!! With the coin tile in the kitchen try using white vinegar and baking soda to scrub it

[@cakebythelake]

Bills hat! Lovely apartment, clever solutions.

[@sacgeekgirl]

I'm wondering if maybe the paint used just wasn't good? 🤔 And the lights under the cabinets is a super easy try out with the peel & stick led strips. Like $10-15 and you can even adjust the tone to warm or cool with some to figure out what you like best

[@Sunflowers9191]

What a rip of, $2500 rent and not even having your own kitchen and bathroom? That’s insane!

[@northern179]

Yep, most def…NO Way

[@starnejme6902]

Wonderful space.

[@Miracle-333]

I mean they seem to have more of an issue with the kitchen than the bathroom so kudos to them but wow NY really makes us survivors. I’m sure when they don’t have to share those spaces their going to be super great full

[@erigeeka]

What a great apartment and such a sweet couple! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Pretty brilliant use of the space. Really love the vibe.

[@ACCOMPLISHEDSHEIS]

Lovely home. Nice refurbished, luxury look. They looked great.

[@ratsumatra3003]

It's adorable...but you lost me at the share a bathroom. Call me spoiled but no thanks. Happy living!

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

I am facilitated by this channel people’s creativity is just amazing whenever I get a notification from apartment therapy I get the cinnamon vanilla coffee and my I pad ready😄☕️❤️

[@raymondf3670]

They lost me when they sad 3 other apt share the kitchen and the bathroom...

[@sylviashanabrough6515]

I love your apartment. It is so sweet how the two of you make it all work. Soooo, what color is the blue wall?

[@gra-emed3617]

Im struggling to tell with the lighting but I think the blue wall is either inchyra blue or Hague blue by farrow and ball. It looks different in each shot, and I have both colours in my flat and I still can’t tell which it is lol. Either way I Love this apartment ❤

[@mariansfieldnotes]

Love this! for the bedroom, you could also use wallpaper that simulates the sky or a landscape, that way the open French doors look like a window :)

[@l.a.3479]

Good idea!

[@rebeccacartier153]

This is very cool and eclectic space.. but idk if I could live with a neighbors door literally in my bedroom and no kitchen. I can deal with a shared bathroom, but I need a kitchen.

[@lynda6801]

They have their own kitchen and bath. The kitchen is outside of the main apartment and down the hall (some apartments in Brooklyn brownstones are like this). As another commenter mentioned, The kitchen tour begins at 14:37 and the bathroom tour begins 17:54. They're beautifully renovated.

[@blurryinterests]

@@lynda6801 I think those are shared spaces, they said that they keep things in the dining room to avoid going to the kitchen as much

[@lynda6801]

@@blurryinterests Hmmm, the only reason I don’t think so is because I had an apartment like this in Clinton Hill, and the kitchen and bath were down the hall so I understood when they said they didn’t want to have to go outside the main apartment to go down the hall. But I could be wrong 😂.

[@MothGirl007]

@@lynda6801 Both the kitchen and the bathroom are shared - deal breaker for me, personally.

[@raewebb6365]

It was a joy to watch this couple.

[@sailingcate1838]

I love the no door in the shape of a house.

[@maryd3779]

Great apt, all except the bathroom/ kitchen situation…

[@tierneycreates]

What a fun and creative couple! They look like they’d be fun to hang out with and they’ve done an awesome job with their space. I love that both sets their parents came and helped them intensely when they moved in.

[@justanotherrichkid1053]

Cute apartment. Cute couple.

[@christopherpolanco1126]

The things people give up to live in NYC..........it just boggles the mind. Sharing a kitchen and a bathroom between 3 apartments???!! No thank you. They literally have like one window for the whole place. Just nuts.

[@laurahale9309]

Nice couple!

[@nosredna2]

Love this place! I'm not keen about Tenant #1 and #2 sharing your kitchen and bathroom, though. Can they wander into your main living space?

[@l.a.3479]

They have a door between the couch and shoe bins. Hopefully, it locks.

[@myopinion4600]

“milk and beer and that kinda stuff”……..a girl after my own heart 🤣😂

[@algae0]

I spotted one of my all time favorite books on the shelf- A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara. Now that's quality.

[@angelbaby1811]

He certainly does get his way, doesn’t he? It’s a beautiful apartment though.

[@aiai-j7i]

Yes, he is a little too precious for my personal taste but she seems to adore him. I love how after she pointed out the posters of show she worked on he had to point out his album, lol!!

[@margaretgreene1929]

They did a great job in their small space. The kitchen looks great. However, I am very curious to know what the other tenants have done to renovate the space. What happens when they want to cook and entertain? Where is their stuff? Same with the bathroom. Do you leave your products there? What if someone is holed up in there and you are desperate to go? For a bathroom is practical and I do not spend hours in there. For some it is like a spa and somewhere to 'chill out' - whatever that means

[@deekydan]

Great apt. Im not a fan of the new AT format tho. I prefer the old format with music added and showing us the apt within 5-8 minutes.

[@kristen7623]

Love what they’ve done! This arrangement absolutely criminal though…I quake to think of what it costs

[@aanon5716]

u made a lovely home & ur apt is pure nyc BUT i cant imagine sharing a kitchen & bath w/ strangers. who cleans the rooms? what if one is a slob? what if ur cooking & the other wants to cook. what if ur taking a shower & the other needs the bathroom ASAP??!. do u disinfect everything esp bathroom b4 using? do you share the pots & pans? who takes out the garbage?! so many questions. im all agog! ive read about the old tenements in lower manh when they finally made it a law that the landlord had to provide ONE toilet for every 20 tenants (i believe) before that, they all shared outhouses & used chamber pots! useless historical tidbits for anyone. now, i wouldnt even move into a place w/o a washer/dryer! LOL. spoiled in tribeca. but i did live in a studio in harlem for 3 years before i was able to buy. (laundry was in the spookiest basement...god i hated laundry day. i refused to go at night.). but i actually liked my cozy little studio.

[@aaddwwaann]

I have exactly the same dining table as them, it is from West Elm made of Mango wood, they are the best dining table ever!!!! The video doesn't justify the color at all! It is filled with different varieties of red tones, which makes it extremely different from any normal oka or walnut.

[@maddscientist3170]

Great bones in the apartment too bad they split the building up like that with the "share factor". It is kind of a weird set up ...the owner greed is unbelievable in NYC

[@awesometaxes]

Phil did an Awesome job with that place. She's is lucky to have him bcuz his ideas are great.

[@thespacemelody]

“…picturing a third person. Umm…” Phil’s my favorite. ❤️‍🔥

[@lenaskoblov4029]

what is the color of the wall ? blue is so hard to get right , and you did it , help us all please

[@kellypatterson4412]

3 apartments share 1 kitchen and bathroom?! That's just gross. The 2 dirtiest rooms in the house. I wouldn't want to deal with other people's messes in those most intimate of spaces. What if one family never washes their dishes?! Or somebody pees all over the bathroom and never cleans up?! Just gross!

[@graceaxisa4213]

Phil's feelings about the closed up fireplace and upper cabinet were humorous. But his hiding behind the bedroom screen, as a third person looking on, was a little creepy 😂

[@westcoastorbust2462]

He’s different

[@mamgirl89]

Phil had me cracking up. "The best thing is our collapsible dishrack, I know everyone's tuning in to see stuff like this" "It's creepy because it's like staring at the bed, I'm picturing a third person.... but, um, yeah, you can store stuff!"

[@hadeev]

I have that same dish rack. My current apartment doesn't have a dishwasher, sink sprayer or enough countertop space, like my previous apartment did. Even though I've been in this apartment for almost 3 years, I'm holding onto it, to use in my next place. 😁

[@nosredna2]

@@hadeev That's a dishpan, not rack. It's for washing dishes with hot, soapy water.

[@iainsanders4775]

If you thoroughly clean all surfaces esp such as cabinet doors, with cleaner & paper towels there will be a useful increase of reflected light - though at first this may seem excessive cleaning! Ceilings too..

[@smrtrthnu1571]

They seem like a nice couple. Hopefully they can still be friends after he comes out 😂

[@sharonkeller7397]

I enjoyed seeing your apartment. You two are so cute together. Your ideas worked out very well to make your spaces comfortable and pleasing to look at. 😊

[@rhaundelporter]

Did they buy this as one house and convert it into several apartments? Initially I thought they were renters and someone else did the conversion, but then they said they changed the spaced spaces so I was confused. Just curious because that would be a great way to make a house affordable and be able to own while also providing housing for more people and keeping your footprint small(ed)

[@lsamoa]

If you can't afford to provide your tenants with decent premises, then you shouldn't be landlords

[@thematthewmo]

"I'm a Broadway stage manager!" The brooklyn hipster: "I'm a ***musician*** but I also....work...in....tech...."

[@aiai-j7i]

That was my favorite part of the whole video, lol! Also he pettily pointing out his album after she showed her achievements, lol!

[@dredayful]

That dining area would have been a great little kitchen. 😅

[@l.a.3479]

Or bathroom. 😱

[@leonorehling8045]

Cute couple!

[@tammiejo]

I mistook my Wayfair loveseat for this allmodern sofa- looks exactly the same- also not comfy so good to know I wouldn’t have been any happier spending $600 more.

[@-wilson5908]

their apartment is so cozy and gorgeous... fabulous job! I wouldn't be able to share a bathroom w three apartments.... maybe a kitchen, but dealbreaker not having a bathroom

[@JamesB02]

I like double sinks too which I have in my home 🏡 😉

[@wayasaunooke3424]

They've done a beautiful job. Personally I couldn't share a bathroom or kitchen, I would rather have a tiny house with all I need than share a larger space, but if it works for them, then I'm happy for them!

[@TheBigBaryshnikov]

love this so much. so new york in only the best possible ways. amazing

[@elaineadams9132]

Can you tell me the color of the accent wall in the dining room?

[@nicoletapia4715]

Ok does anyone know the name of the living room paint color lol I love it!

[@JamesB02]

Their apartment looks larger than 625 square feet imo 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

[@Soul-cry1]

Totally, mine is 700 and looks way smaller 😮‍💨

[@aoguchi]

Lens that elongates the space is used. Look and compare any piece of furniture or home feature taken from different angles. You can see how much they're stretched out (ie: couch @1:35 vs @4:14). Unfortunately this is used in these kinds of videos and by realtors to make smaller spaces look more impressive.

[@AdrienneMint]

Yes, it does. I’m not believing this. I lived in a 600 square foot apartment for 18 years, it looked like it was half the size of their apartment.

[@JamesB02]

@AdrienneMint , I too years ago lived in a 600 foot apartment that looked and felt like 400 when I was stationed in Norfolk, VA while on active duty in the Navy 🤣

[@linedezainde]

I guess the space size does not include the kitchen and the bathroom that are shared?

[@chabridgettumusiime8994]

Interesting couple ❤️💕❤️ wish you would repaint your bedroom with an accent wall warm color so avoid it being too white

[@l.a.3479]

They probably keep it white because there's no window and inadequate lighting for the room.

[@debbiehuffman3379]

Your space is beautiful but for the amount of money your probably spending sharing a bathroom and kitchen seems like a big deal breaker. Were do you do laundry? Who cleans the bath and kitchen? And you have to share the fridge with three apt,s ?

[@dressmaking]

1. Where do you do laundry? Drop your laundry off at the wash and fold down the block 2. Who cleans the bath and kitchen? Tenants clean up after themselves and collectively hire a cleaner to come by once a week. New York has a lot of places to eat out so not every tenant will use the kitchen that often. 3. One main fridge in the shared kitchen with separate mini-fridges in the private rooms, if desired.

[@jas8672]

Lost me at sharing a kitchen/bathroom 😭

[@MothGirl007]

Totally.

[@Eli-dx1om]

beautiful

[@tristanrodenhauser5267]

Soo what about the other 2 tenants in the shoe boxes? Do they rent those out on Airbnb? They didnt really show how they all access that space. Looks like everyone walks through the bathroom to the kitchen