Interview with the Mayor

He's been referred to as the unofficial "Mayor" of Park Slope due to his commitment & enthusiasm for our neighborhood. Here's my sit-down with longtime friend, Jason Belz:

View from Jason's brownstone down Berkeley Place

DD: Jason, your home evokes such a calm energy upon entering it - was it love at first sight? What first drew you to it?

JB: It was definitely love at first sight. After an exhaustive, year-long search that included about 45 apartments, I got off the subway and walked up this handsome, tree-lined block. I then entered this tiny, charming space and instantly felt the warmth of the old wood floors, tin ceiling, and the arch into the kitchen. Looking out into the small garden out front was just the icing on the cake - I knew this one was home.

DD: It's hard to believe your apartment is less than 300 sq. ft. How do you make such a small space feel so open and inviting?

JB: I have to give credit where credit is due. The former owners (a couple) built some incredible storage into the apartment including a lofted bed with storage underneath. They took advantage of every nook and cranny, adding shelving, storage boxes and the large unit in the kitchen which holds nearly all of my kitchen wares.

Despite its small size, there are dedicated and functional spaces: a comfortable living area, the queen-sized loft bed creates the feel of a small bedroom, the archway creates and a separate kitchen (well-sized for a studio!) with a full sized refrigerator and plenty of storage. The bathroom is a calming and relaxing space as well. 

Hand drawn floorplan I created for Jason's entry in the Small Cool 2011 Contest

DD: Have you always ascribed to a vintage-infused design aesthetic, or has your style evolved over time?

JB: My personal style has really evolved. I have always had a passion for older things and antiques stemming from my days flea market shopping with my mom as a kid. About five years ago, this really started to blossom. When shopping for my apartment and my wardrobe, I don't ascribe to any specific 'style,' but look for items I love for their beauty or particular uniqueness. Somehow, everything manages to work together. It is a wonderful feeling to come home every day and be surrounded by so many visually delightful objects.

DD: With a garden-level apartment, how important is the communal outdoor space, and do you have a hand in maintaining it? 

JB: Living on the garden level of a brownstone, it is impossible not to be intimately connected to the outdoor space fronting the street. When I met the co-op members for my interview, I made mention of my love for gardening. The board told me they had previously hired a gardener to come a few times each season for the front area, and I wondered aloud whether I might take over instead. They were agreeable, and for the past 5 years, I have taken on the gardening of both the space in front of the building as well as the 20 foot tree garden by the street. We have a beautiful 10 foot tall Japanese maple tree, a Morning Glory along the fence and lush beds of perennials and annuals. Neighbors and passersby regularly start up a conversation about the garden, so it's really been a wonderful way to meet people and feel a part of the community.

Candid shots I started taking in 2008 of Jason's 20-foot street garden - it literally stops traffic!

DD: Rumor has it you love to cook - but your kitchen has minimal counter space. Any recipes you care to share?

JB: I do love to cook, but with limited counter space I try to keep things as simple as possible. One of my favorite things to make is a pan of roasted vegetables with freshly picked rosemary from the garden, a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. It's healthy, easy, and when paired with a chicken breast and my favorite Brooklyn beer, it's the perfect summer meal!
 

Interested in what Jason cooked up above? Then make sure to join us on Facebook as he shares some of these delicious recipes with us.

More from the Mayor's place tomorrow!

xx JN

Personalizing Your Rental

I simply adore our Brooklyn apartment. Now that we rent in New York after owning two homes in the Southwest, there are moments when my husband & I daydream about what we would do if we had the liberty to make interior alterations to our current space.

It can be challenging and daunting when you're first scouting for that "perfect place." Truth be told, there is an unwritten rule, especially here in New York, that there will be trade-offs no matter where you choose to sign on the dotted line. Unless the sky's the limit, most renters come with a list of demands, the most important being the monthly rent and the neighborhood. You may absolutely have to have a dishwasher, but you'll deal with the fact you're in a 4th floor walk-up. Or maybe you must live near the subway ... but the wafting fragrance of Thai food day and night is worth the 45-second commute to the F-train.

What about that amazing brownstone you're nestled in with the amazing view of the park, but that pink, brown and white tile in the bathroom ... it's not like you can rip it out and start from scratch. So what do you do?

No matter where you land, it is essential to personalize your space after you get your keys. Here are a few tips to get you started:

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Color Me Lovely: Paint is the quintessential ingredient to making a colorful change in your space. There is nothing overstated about taking the paint to your walls and livening up your home. With a myriad of options out there, you can radically change your space for a small cost. Don't be afraid to use strong colors - but keep in mind that you may have intersections in your home where multiple colors are seen at once ... so when in doubt, ask for a second opinion or try sample boards first before you commit.

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Curtain Up: Window treatments are a simple way to enhance your environment and personalize your space. The most you may get when you move in are vertical blinds (yikes) ... so factor in some affordable ways to dress your windows upon move in. You can do anything from blinds to curtains to sheers. You will be amazed how much your room will change with these touches.

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Picture This: Art is in the eye of the beholder. Use what you have. You don't have to hit up the local gallery if it doesn't fit within your taste or your budget. Your definition of art may be to frame a beautiful scarf, or maybe a piece of sheet music. Perhaps you have a favorite photo that you love so much you wish to have displayed with prominence. Consider using a resource like ChicCanvas.com and turn your digital photo into a piece of art. Framing your child's artwork is not only a joy to look at, but also a great way to create a lasting keepsake. Whatever your pleasure, make it your own. Websites like 20x200 and Art.com have not only an array of incredible choices, but you also have the option to have your new piece matted and framed at once.

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Match.com is for Dating ... Not Decorating: Blend. Think outside the box. Not everything has to be "matchy-matchy" - you can blend styles, colors, textures, patterns and eras. It's okay! Granted, I would not just put something together for the sake of putting it together - but within reason, using a mixture of pieces will give great identity to a room. Gone are the days when you buy the infamous "bed-in-the-bag" along with the matching valance, throw pillows and wall border.

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Totally Floored: Rugs can be life changing! They add warmth, texture, color, dimension and comfort to name a few. No matter the size, design or color, you are sure to have an added focal point with the right rug. The size of your rug can be deceiving, so make sure you take good measurements and consider things like traffic patterns, furniture placement and ease of care.

{ image via Small Cool 2012 at Apartment Therapy }

Go Green: Plants are such a fabulous accessory! Take a walk to your local hardware store or florist and ask questions. If you have a green thumb, great. But if not, let your garden expert know about your sun exposure in your apartment. Also, if you run humidifiers or prefer a dry space, make sure to take those facts into consideration. There are plants out there that are incredibly user-friendly, not to mention incredibly vibrant and good for your air quality. They literally breathe life into your space.

Make it your own, and don't apologize for it. The most important factor about your home is you - your personality, your taste, your expression. Keep it authentic and you're sure to succeed in transforming your space into something uniquely yours ... even if you can't rip out that tile!

xo JN

Photos are all via the Small Cool 2012 Contest at Apartment Therapy - make sure to check out this year's contestants and vote for your favorites!