Inside One of the Last Bohemian Homes at the Chelsea Hotel

Artist and hairdresser Gerald DeCock has been living in the Hotel Chelsea for the past 25 years. He is one of about 50 remaining residents in this storied hotel, which, in its heyday, was home to cultural greats such as Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, and Jim Morrison.
Today, the hotel is undergoing its 8th year of renovations before it’s transformed into a luxury hotel. Photographer Colin Miller captured DeCock’s delirious loft (and those of other residents) for a new book, Hotel Chelsea. We met up with both of them for a tour of DeCock’s apartment and insight into what it’s like in the last haven standing for the city’s bohemian coterie.

[@sarahb5296]

This is the type of culture and vibrancy that made New york a place to be decades ago. The eclectic are so far and few now, and so is the charm and character of these places in NYC. It’s sad that people want to change the character of places when character is what people need the most right now. White walls, marble white counters and the same subway tiles as everyone else isn’t charming.

[@kitcoffey7194]

The rent is too damn high!!!

[@janisfroehlig7744]

Check out the last upload of The Art Assignment KZbin Channel. It's a window into the art of corporations.

[@ch3rrikiss]

The term is gentrification... The wealthy suburban kids move with their wealth and young families into the cosmopolitan areas that they loved to frequent, so choose to live there and change everything they loved to suit them, killing these vibrant area in the process

[@sandramalone3522]

I so agree. Greedy people out there want to break down beautiful old buildings with charm and character and put in it's place plane dreary ugly condos and the evil are succeeding. If I had the money I would be this hotel, and the area called 'TIn Pan Alley' was supposed to be torn down and people protested against it but I don't know what fate it had. Charming is replaced with ugly and I can't stand it.

[@CT1010101]

Same exact situation in San Francisco. From crazy, charming, eclectic, uniqueness to gentrified, rich, tech, same.

[@haret0n]

the apartment looks like the storage space for sets from several school plays.

[@ItenFanatic]

LMAO

[@jaydentownsend5402]

Idk if thats a rare insult or a crative compliment. hahaha

[@moondawg3693]

You're an idiot ! But you're kinda right...... Just kidding, maybe that's the point.

[@peterdavino4408]

OMG 😂 y u mean that place looks like Shari Louis & Lambchop are hiding out in the closet? It looks like the storage facility for Jim Henson's Workshop?

[@peterdavino4408]

What does bohemian actually mean?

[@iagreewithyoubub]

I didn't know there were still artsy residents! I thought everyone got booted out when manager Stanley Bard got pushed out by the conglomerates. I lived there in the early 90s and am so lucky to have had the experience. NYC still has the Westbeth artist community, but they're no longer accepting resident applications because the waiting list got to be something like fifteen years long. Bummer that artists can't afford the city or even anywhere near it anymore.

[@KateCarew]

I agree with you I agree with you Truly It’s the artists that made New York the stylish exciting place it is today (and yes immigrants and blabbity blah) so truly, excluding them via the practice of out pricing is SHAMEFUL. A city full of wealthy business minded people isn’t alluring in the slightest but that’s what we face. The states have utterly failed the arts in general, so many large swaths detonating the arts, nixing culture from the educational system and not recognizing it takes all kinds of people to make this life enjoyable, some of us are made to file taxes and others are made to write music that rips your soul out or take photos that immerse you in another way of living...it’s a travesty. The homogenization keeps resistance down when places like the Chelsea get turned into luxury hotels for dilettantes who want a great instagram photo out front :-/

[@CircaInfinity]

Some of the residents left, but many stayed behind and fought them in court, I know because I follow susanne Bartsch. Her apartment is also an eccentric beauty.

[@victormorgado5318]

same thing, I thought it was over when Stanley got booted out. I lived there in the early 80s taking care of Harloff's dog, and had friends still living there since the early 70s including my high school art teacher and my best friend artist Nicola L who remained there until 2016...

[@sherrysicle]

as a non american i can’t believe people live it hotels. isn’t it really un economically sound? are you very rich?

[@JasonFlorida]

And the crazy part is that the "artists" that lived in the Chelsea in the 70s, 80,s and 90s, is what kept the place in business and allowed it to thrive today.

[@strawberryseeding]

This is the New York culture that I would love to go and see think I'm 40 years too late. Love from Scotland x

[@briannumme9337]

NYC is sterile...and it has been for decades...very sad...

[@SRLovesPandas1]

NYC before the big 90s gentrification may have been grimy and dangerous, but the culture that came from it is legendary.

[@missVmilne]

Glorious - it's like a Klimt painting - so joyous. Thank you for taking us there. Live long and prosper Gerald. Hello from London ; -)

[@velocitygirl8551]

missVmilne it REALLY IS like a Klimt painting !!! ♥️🙏♥️

[@bachelorofstuff]

can't help but presume you must be insufferable in person

[@EK-cr5ht]

THAT'S what it reminded me of! But is he getting the boot? They don't tell you much.

[@chaoswitch1974]

That's it!

[@damondominique]

Why am I just now finding this series 😍

[@gunnerpeto6058]

Can you show me around Paris?

[@itsmeadowlark]

Omg welcome watch amy sedaris next

[@farisasmith7109]

I saw a documentary on the Chelsea Hotel and this guy made wigs for celebrities and rock stars back in the day. He had some amazing stories about the musicians that used to live there. I know they are trying to get him out. They consider him a squatter.

[@shannoncarr7338]

Such shit the way things are now, nothing is authentic.

[@MikeyMikeyMeow]

what is the name of the documentary?

[@ahumanaperson]

Yes please, what is this documentary?? sounds really interesting

[@pphedup]

Farisa, how sad that would be!

[@thereIsaidit123]

If he were poor ; people would say he is crazy - but bc he has money ; he is said to be eccentric

[@spoiltmilk6511]

you can be poor and have taste and class, the same as you can be rich and have bad taste and be trashy. this man is rich and has taste, just a coincidence. if he was rich and had bad taste his house would look crazy. if he was poor and had good taste, his house would still be beautiful.

[@lola_incarnate]

TRUTH

[@MK-hh1vo]

@@spoiltmilk6511 His house looks crazy.

[@SarahWelstead]

I am pretty sure he isn't rich at all - thanks to rent control in NYC, you definitely hear about pre-gentrification gems like this where people got locked in to some crazy-low rent like $400/month in the 80s or 90s and have managed to stay forever. (I feel like if he were 'rich' he might have a better-equipped kitchen.)

[@autumnortiz6782]

I know a trip isn't

[@LM-ti4nt]

This reminds me of a hotel I stayed at in New York during the '90s called Carlton Arms Hotel. Every surface was painted by artists, with each room having a different "look." Oh how I miss the freedom of my youth.

[@MarianaTitus1919]

I love this - I want to see more funky eclectic unpretentious tours of homes and gardens. (like this).

[@lululuna1224]

LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!!! That right there puts me back into the wonderful time of hippies, art and music. That to me would be a dream place to live I hope no one ever ever changes it that's a part of 60-70's history. Actually love all the apartments and the history of the hotel. Made my day seeing this.♥️ ☮️🙏💜

[@oaktadopbok665]

That place looks like a nightmare to keep clean.

[@dalecouch1995]

@Jeff Newtown That is it! It does not LOOK clean--of course, that has nothing to do with whether it IS clean. I live with lots of natural surfaces and they are lot cleaner (by my efforts) than the homes I go into that are patterned after medicinal clinics (as if paint color makes something clean) and industrial shiny products. Maybe it would be hard to dust, true enough. But even dusty and clean are somewhat different. All said, I respect it but do not like it, at least for myself.

[@carlycrays2831]

I guess you would just have to clean pretty consistently.

[@MasterofScrutiny]

Dusty plastic Mardi Gras beads and $1.99/yd sequin fabric. I love the colors though.

[@greatdaneacdc]

Milwaukee makes a 18 volt leaf blower ... get one ....they work great for your dusting problems!

[@annelizebrisley2109]

I wanted to say I won't live there if you pd cause.... ewwww

[@stephaniemedina1848]

Love this I remember in my early twenties renting a room for a month there what a blast 🌈🌹

[@Elenistar]

how much was that? I'm so curious :)

[@myzenlife1]

Absolutely loved this!! thank you. What a fantastic opportunity to peek inside his magical world in The Chelsea Hotel!!! Gerald you absolute spunk!

[@loveforeignaccents]

Love everything about this colorful, whimsical place - great job!!!!

[@FeatheryBird]

AS usual so busy showing all the objects, they never really show the space or explain how he got the apartment! Very frustrating, I was in NYC then and no way could you find that easily.

[@namedrop721]

FeatheryBird he’s lived in a somewhat run down building since 1994. It’s not like he popped in 4 years ago and said ‘yes, I’d like a huge space to myself and the 3 mil to cover it each year’s rent

[@MK-hh1vo]

Agreed! All they showed were beads, walls and windows!!! I kept hoping they'd show a floorplan of the actual space and let him tell how he got it and the rent then and now. Annoying much!!!

[@pfranks75]

Gerald I love your beautiful, unique and colorful home!

[@FeatheryBird]

He starts to tell his story, and they cut him off. FAIL damm it.

[@PHlophe]

its called the cut

[@XX-gy7ue]

THE APARTMENT IS MAGNIFICENT

[@MK-hh1vo]

How can you tell? All I saw were beads, walls and windows, I have no idea what the apartment looks like.

[@angiebelle9440]

I'm so glad to see this series continuing! Could watch these videos all days!

[@jaycee7683]

Oh, how I miss Gerald's phenomenal haircuts and those visits to his bright and decadent place on the 10th floor of the Chelsea. I'm ever so pleased to see this decades later. Truly a kind and talented man, that Gerald DeCock.

[@lost.paradise]

Watching things about the Chelsea always makes me feel awestruck, like I was definitely there in some past life fever dream

[@photographedemode]

Sad, the same thing is happening in Europe, all the bohemian hotels in Paris are gone the last one to be gentrified was the Hotel Médicis on Rue Saint Jacques, a real tragedy. All the originals and creative people are mostly homeless now or living in extreme precarity.

[@lisajohnson6351]

😔

[@Zincink]

We aren't living life. We are barely surviving.

[@lukazupie7220]

Not creative enough i guess, maybe they should try regular work?🤔😀

[@Zincink]

@@lukazupie7220 They aren't regular, they are unique.

[@ineedjesus7]

@@lukazupie7220 shut up and get back to work. keep being a tiny cog in the wheel at your 9-5 to keep our oh so wonderful earth spinning.

[@andreaegert6837]

You are a truly magical NYC phenom in your own right, Gerald - it's wonderful to see you here!!!

[@weeverob]

New York Magazine needs to do more of these apartment videos. They’re so civilized.

[@Vasa-gk1xr]

Beautiful!! Reminds me of depictions of apartments in children's books and animated films. Can see where illustrators get their inspiration from.

[@marrionc2458]

Beautiful bursts of colour and comfort in a sometimes dull place xx

[@orion8835]

I remember apartments like these in New York. The excessive decorated kitsch. Many were rent controlled . Nowadays the artists managed in the 2000’s to get a mortgage and do up an actual space that is theirs. The CH is a terrific and terrible river of stories. If those walls could talk is just the tip of that iceberg.

[@donniemoder1466]

This is a lovely piece. I walk by this place all the time. I love the history, especially Patti Smith.

[@aleciathomas5703]

I just love this what a very special man he is reminds me of how I would decorate given the chance !

[@KilledbyBigfoot]

“I remember you well, at the Chelsea Hotel”

[@JesusIsKingAndSavior]

Cohen wrote that about an "encounter" with Joplin.

[@nicolea.michaelis6746]

@@JesusIsKingAndSavior nope, Mitchell

[@JesusIsKingAndSavior]

@@nicolea.michaelis6746 Joni Mitchell? I still deter. (not that it matters). www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/how-leonard-cohen-met-janis-joplin-inside-legendary-chelsea-hotel-encounter-121067/

[@dianaram.c.1992]

Killed by Bigfoot yrss I was looking for another lana reference!!

[@vickiXP]

Diana Ramos Covarrubias the song was written by Leonard Cohen

[@AviZvi]

Like a hippy teenage girl's urban gypsy bedroom from the seventies.

[@giovanna722]

Avi Ben Z. Only done really really well.

[@KateCarew]

Or like a gay hairdresser from New York’s home? Edit: A man from New York named Gerald who is also a hairdresser’s home.

[@marioa9315]

kate carew Euu, don’t offend gay men like that. Most snap out of the teenage bedroom girl decor by the time we hit our mid 20s.

[@KateCarew]

Mario A I’m not talking about all gay men bozo I’m talking about the fact that this room is unique to this individual. It was casual, I guess I could add his name to specify. Didn’t think it was required.

[@marioa9315]

kate carew Thank you Kate 🌈

[@marlontinker2785]

Nice to see something that isn't mid century modern.

[@aislingcotter2814]

I’m 16 and I really hope i live somewhere like this someday this is my dream home

[@aleciathomas5703]

Me too I would kill to live here this guy Is like my soul mate of decor

[@fatoomgierdien2181]

Absolutely Amazing!!!

[@ms.m3n]

Wowza. That's charming and wild, so personal and gosh reminds me of a flair Grandma essence. Like the whole Mardi gras collection of beads done well 👌🏼 his creative touch is astounding, I use to collect those but never would have I known to tassel them around like That. And, I use to collage kinda similarly but felt awkward about letting it take over my space but this guy, geez, talk about going full tilt in a magnificent way 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼✨ Such a sweet video to stumble on my feed 🙏🏼

[@kateforsyth1371]

Very authentic and wonderful

[@annettecarney9693]

Very artsy! But if this was my home, I would at a kitty cat or two!!!!

[@inkland2003]

when I heard that some beautiful things in NYC have been destroyed over years, my heart is broken!

[@nicksurfs1]

I didn’t now this was my style but it definitely is! I didn’t even know you could do this! I love it!

[@lyadmilo]

You can do whatever you want! As long as you don't hurt anyone, do whatever you want!

[@amandaschmidt9528]

So amazing and inspiring.

[@WelfareChrist]

I wouldve liked to see more of the place, I felt like I just got a small glimpse of it.

[@ruthannamarteifio9069]

Wonderful, beautiful, vibrant apartment! I love it!!!

[@MissPerriwinkle]

fabulous and pure magik !

[@ragemodels]

I used to live on west 18th between 8th and & 9th Avenue. This was right around d the corner from my apt. I had a friend who came to NYC and she went straight to Chelsea Hotel !!! 90s were awesome in NYC !!! The hotel still had that super artistic Vibe then !!!

[@cliffordl.2943]

Well said! Go Gerald!

[@debtkansas624]

So fun! Full of life! Yes, color is the master!

[@youllplotzfilms5917]

Special greetings from waterford🍀🍀

[@annettecarney9693]

Very cool! I would really like to paint my fridge black and white squares!!!!!

[@missinglink9973]

artistic eclectic amazing!!!! love the hand chair with the scruffy blue colour.

[@savannahjourdan9916]

The blue velvet on the couch so heartbreaking beautiful

[@BrooklynWitchSociety]

He definitely is a king who won the lottery- that apartment is amazing. 🙌🏽

[@wonderwomanwhoelse862]

someone after my own heart, love it!

[@michellegil1609]

I need to live like Gerald!!!

[@kritikitti3868]

Has been said, "To each his own", also "Nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there". 😻

[@jennyhughes4474]

Yes, lovely colours and things but it's way too full & busy-looking for me to live in - happily we're all different!

[@michaelhenicker]

My idea of the Sublime. Just so incredible!!!!

[@sidilicious11]

I love the apartment. Color rocks.

[@cynthiacopland8634]

🌹 🌹 🌹 Interior Art is Edifying.

[@instahamx684]

That pink ceiling 🙌🌸

[@arthuredens]

Everyday art is going extinct. Only these old guys are keeping it alive.

[@ziggy33399]

Thank you.

[@goodboybuddy1]

Proud to say I’ve spent the weekend at the old girl!

[@lavishends8782]

Loved the piece ❤️ question though, once the renovations are done (or at least nearly done) will he and the other residents be able to stay or will they all be booted out?

[@vanimaduray5473]

Love the bold colour and texture... So unapologetically kitsch in a whitewashed world. I wouldn't even begin to know how to clean it, but it just makes me happy. I'm sure all the ghosts of the Chelsea Golden Age appreciate the effort!

[@wdbreezy]

Will the residents be able to stay when the restoration is complete ?

[@49lucky]

That's what I'm wondering???

[@wdbreezy]

Google User thanks for your comment

[@kitcoffey7194]

@Google User yep gentrification is a killer

[@sarahcox9284]

@Google User ,what a wonderful description,very well put.

[@Ursaminor31]

I think so, because they have been fighting to stay. I think they’ve come to an agreement

[@MichaelAuthorAllAges]

Ty. Wonderful. Liked, shared and subscribed. :-)

[@jewishwhitetiger]

Amazing!!LOVE Way Apartment looks!! Cool Artistic and great! My Apartment I had the Dream of Star of David and now in Jewish papers of Jewish boxer Dream of MEGAN David! This Apartment has inspired me to do more Art.

[@pphedup]

Mogan David

[@coffeetime3293]

It is like I am in the head of an old hippie right now! Amazing feeling...

[@divinagarcia1494]

So beautiful reminds me of my home💚🧡❤🤘🤘🤘

[@priscillawagner8520]

I would love to meet Gerald! 🌼♥️

[@agacekelim2845]

So colorful🤔I love zen and very simple things.it seems he doesn't like empty place,lots of things side by side..

[@kc3718]

reminds me of Afflecks Palace, Manchester, UK in the 90's

[@vladaimpaler]

0:04 all these amazing albums!

[@pamelamcfadden337]

I stayed for a week at the Chelsea Hotel in the early 80s..I had some adventures!!!!

[@tamiloucks8018]

This man sounds like a surfer from California 😂

[@CathyS_Bx]

Exactly. Or a Valley Boy. That ain't no New Yorker.

[@wujwama]

Annoying tone.

[@pphedup]

Living inside a Jackson Pollock on acid...OH, it's wonderful! Loved that kitchen!

[@toddphillips9005]

Very beautiful.

[@xz9376]

This flat would drive me crazy 😝

[@slavicpower7709]

Gorgeous apartment❤

[@sararichardson737]

Very satisfying.

[@anna-taniatransylove5762]

new york is a great city...chelsay a nice neighboorhood of many in manhattan...i feel so lucky to have lived in new york, in the 90tes

[@andreaphelps3357]

Love it 💖

[@vikkiweigel2504]

So great

[@chicgal3]

I stayed at the Chelsea Hotel with friends and remember just walking the Halls looking at the art and taking pictures which I have to find because I didn't know til Today that it was going through this now 10-year closure due to be construction and legal battles and I hate admit I didn't know about all the plethora of celebrities that have stayed there and those who have passed while residing there. Yet I will say like others have New York was so full of character and artsy bohemian culture that is sadly gone due to Greed and gentrification like many great City's however I hope that they will finally come to a resolution and finish construction and reopen as a (not so high priced hotel) and all the residents are able to stay and are happy

[@pmariec1]

I said, looks like a storage room for Mardi-Gras float parts, and then he talked about getting started with a bunch of Mardi-Gras beads. XD

[@Momma_AL]

IDK if I would call this beautiful but it’s definitely unique and interesting.

[@lollic307]

I love this

[@aaGirlification]

Beautiful

[@bosvigos9165]

Taste is so subjective. I adore colour and an eclectic style, things around me that mean something, have lived a life. Give me that over beige and magnolia any day.

[@steveriggs8421]

Hey im hip!

[@Charlie-pu9bx]

Me too. Like, if you want a biege house that's fine, but to me it's so boring and I would much prefer a place like the one in this video.

[@pphedup]

And gray, white & black. And Mid Century Modern...yawn.

[@swicheroo1]

You do you, boo! If he's satisfied with his little painted palace then don't mind the haters! I lived in a townhouse that I painted crazy and threw raves in. There were always people who didn't 'get' it. And that was fine!

[@sxysweetyungthang]

I'd live there! Hot pink ceiling?? Hell yeah!!

[@faroieh1561]

Woahh this iss... Soo adorable 💜

[@paulfisher5447]

Inspirational

[@aavaadams3941]

Hello

[@jgdays2439]

Is it my impression or does this guy have a valley girl accent ? Very unexpected 😊

[@TanakaJulian]

He's a hairdresser named DeCock.

[@carlytrammell2412]

What a dream!!

[@jenq436]

Very cool

[@jeliceinchains]

so cool

[@musicmary13tv]

We need to preserve This ny at all costs

[@marklingerfelt4965]

I hope they dont try to put or drive you out. Beautiful home.

[@laurastrobel718]

Magical💝🔮