My Houzz: Eclectic Studio in the Heart of New York City
A comfortable 520-square-foot apartment basks in the glow of its iconic neighbor, the Empire State Building
Interior designer Molly Torres and her fiancé, Harry Portnof, a record label owner and certified public accountant, found the perfect apartment in the heart of New York City. It’s located near the Fashion Institute of Technology, her former school, as well as Portnof’s office, and friends live in the same building. It also happens to be next to the Empire State Building, a landmark that Torres has had a self-proclaimed obsession with since childhood. She recalls hosting her 10th-birthday party on the observation deck, and has since amassed a collection of vintage Empire State Building postcards. “It almost seemed like fate that our next-door neighbor would be such an iconic, extraordinary building,” Torres says.
Torres has an affinity for midcentury modern and boho-chic design styles, which work together to create a mix of sophistication and whimsy. “I wanted to keep it young, so I used fun, interesting pieces,” she says.
Torres was meticulous about measuring before ordering furniture, but the ideal size for her must-have living room rug unfortunately was sold out. She bought the smaller size. “It was a classic beauty-over-function faux pas,” Torres says. “The rug was way too small for the space.”
Instead of ditching the rug, Torres layered it with a larger rug underneath and was thrilled with the cozy look. “It was a happy mistake,” she says now.
Fog Gray Kendall sofa: Cost Plus World Market; Kaleidoscope kilim rug: Pottery Barn Teen; knit rug: Overstock (no longer available); Velvet cushion covers: H&M
Torres was meticulous about measuring before ordering furniture, but the ideal size for her must-have living room rug unfortunately was sold out. She bought the smaller size. “It was a classic beauty-over-function faux pas,” Torres says. “The rug was way too small for the space.”
Instead of ditching the rug, Torres layered it with a larger rug underneath and was thrilled with the cozy look. “It was a happy mistake,” she says now.
Fog Gray Kendall sofa: Cost Plus World Market; Kaleidoscope kilim rug: Pottery Barn Teen; knit rug: Overstock (no longer available); Velvet cushion covers: H&M
Torres especially enjoys the 10-foot-high ceilings in the apartment. “It completely changes the dynamic of the small space,” she says.
The tall windows, which let in incredible natural light, frame the cityscape and act as a captivating, built-in design feature.
The tall windows, which let in incredible natural light, frame the cityscape and act as a captivating, built-in design feature.
The couple used the bar table from Portnof’s previous apartment to create a small eating and work area. They dressed it up with industrial bar stools.
Hampden industrial wood-top 24-inch counter stool in metal: Threshold, Target
Hampden industrial wood-top 24-inch counter stool in metal: Threshold, Target
The couple’s love of music can be seen throughout the apartment. “We’re both huge audiophiles, and I wanted to make sure you could literally feel a musical energy throughout our place,” Torres says. Vivid concert prints, Polaroid photos and colorful vintage guitars add color to the light, bright walls and can be found elsewhere throughout the space.
Lamp: Ranarp, Ikea
Lamp: Ranarp, Ikea
Amidst the wall art are paintings from Torres’ travels, including a vintage Babar print from a flea market outside of Paris. “My favorite part about traveling is finding the perfect object to bring home and display,” she says.
In keeping with the music theme, floating shelves above a table display some of the couples’ favorite album covers.
Beaument book ledges: Land of Nod
Beaument book ledges: Land of Nod
This wall-mounted shelving unit houses Portnof’s vintage audio equipment, including a turntable and a receiver. Torres affectionately refers to this area as Portnof’s “man nook,” the only section in the apartment that’s “off-limits” to her.
“He’s a collector … [and] has so many beautiful vintage musical instruments and vinyl records,” Torres says. A camera-turned-light and a vintage camera are also on display.
Shelving unit: Kallax, Ikea
“He’s a collector … [and] has so many beautiful vintage musical instruments and vinyl records,” Torres says. A camera-turned-light and a vintage camera are also on display.
Shelving unit: Kallax, Ikea
Torres opted for a large Ikea bookshelf to separate the living and sleeping areas. She painted the originally black unit gold for sophisticated flair.
Shelving unit: Vittsjö, Ikea; duvet cover and sheets: Indulgent Set, Draper London
Shelving unit: Vittsjö, Ikea; duvet cover and sheets: Indulgent Set, Draper London
Keepsakes from many of the couples’ travels sit on the bookshelf. The Eiffel Tower is from Paris and the camel is from Israel. “They all remind me of the distinct time and place I found them,” Torres says.
Quirky vintage finds like this duck bookend give the space a sense of individuality. Torres scored the duck at a garage sale on New York’s Long Island.
The bed is the main attraction in the space. Torres bought the custom neon “greenway” sign, the name of Portnof’s record label, as a birthday present for him. It adds a fun thrill to the decor.
Velvet Caiden upholstered headboard: Cost Plus World Market; sign: Endeavour Neon
Velvet Caiden upholstered headboard: Cost Plus World Market; sign: Endeavour Neon
The headboard’s olive green color and brass trim show how color and simple accents can add a touch of refinement.
Torres searched for a vintage dress form for years before finally finding one in the Meatpacking District. She accessorized it with Portnof’s film noir-era fedora. “It’s a perfect example of our blended tastes,” she says.
The classic Butterfly chair provides extra seating in the living space when needed and looks good when stored here.
Leather Butterfly chair cover: Urban Outfitters
Leather Butterfly chair cover: Urban Outfitters
Torres’ fragrances and baubles sit on a side table. She also displays a mother-of-pearl frame, part of a timeless collection she has built over the years.
Mid-Century nightstand: West Elm
Mid-Century nightstand: West Elm
Torres also added a letter board with quotes that inspire her. It’s a creative and novel way to add interest to the wall.
Letter board: The Writer Grey, Letterfolk
Letter board: The Writer Grey, Letterfolk
Torres formalized the entryway by adding stylish yet functional furnishings, such as an umbrella stand, a mirror, shelves and hooks.
Umbrella stand: Grandin Road (no longer available)
Umbrella stand: Grandin Road (no longer available)
The living area is one of her favorite places to work and relax. In fact, she says, “the entire room is our favorite place … I’m in love with it all.”
With scenic views of the Empire State Building and a “dazzlingly lit-up Chrysler Building,” Torres adds, “it’s really tough to pick a favorite time of day.”
See more photos of this project
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | TraditionalHomes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
See more photos of this project
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | TraditionalHomes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Molly Torres and Harry Portnof
Location: Midtown Manhattan
Size: 520 square feet (48.3 square meters)
The apartment had been decorated in what Torres refers to as a dorm room style, but she saw its potential. Her No. 1 priority was making sure she and Portnof felt a connection to the space. She wanted a home that reflected their love of travel, vintage items and music. “I wanted to create a fun, creative space that showcased each of our styles cohesively in a gender-neutral way,” she says.
She also set out to make it a social hub for friends. “I’m big on beautiful comfort,” she says. “I never want guests to feel like they’re walking on eggshells in a museum.”
Living in a small space has challenged Torres to create a layout that is as functional as possible. “I wanted to utilize every inch of the space to make it feel welcoming, comfortable and enjoyable,” she says. The result is an open space that feels organized into distinct, well-thought-out areas. Open shelving creates visually separate spaces between the living and sleeping areas without closing any areas off.
Peekaboo acrylic coffee table: CB2; St. Germain swing lamp: onefortythree