Here's How to Bring This Kips Bay Co-Op Out of the 1960s - And Make The Most of Its Natural Light

featured this month on Brick Underground by Leah Hochbaum Rosner

The greatest thing this $879,000 Kips Bay one-bedroom at 300 East 33rd Street has going for it is an amenity you can't fake: natural light. “Those big windows are probably the best thing about this place,” says architect Anjie Cho, referring to the trio of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the condo building’s private garden. “It looks like it gets a lot of light.”

Yet while it’s bright and sun-drenched, the 1960s-era unit is being sold in as-is original condition, which means it could use a ton of work in order to whip it into shape. “The worst thing is probably that kitchen,” says Cho. “It’s so small. And when you look closer and see that there’s a column [that takes up a lot of room], it’s even smaller!”

Cho has a lot of ideas as to how to modernize this space. Below, her recommendations:

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Q&A Sunday: What If Door Mats Are Not Allowed?

You recommend a black welcome mat to encourage cash flow, but what if you live in an apartment building where you can't have door mats or hang anything on your front door?

Tracey T., Chicago, IL

Hi Tracey,

Thanks for your thoughtful question. It’s a good one. 

Even though your apartment building does not allow door mats or any sort of personal items on the outside of your front door, there is still feng shui hope!

As far as the door mat is concerned, you can place the mat on the inside of your apartment. The same guidelines apply as if it were outside the door. It’s preferable that the door mat is close in dimension to the width of the door (not too big, not too small). A black mat can welcome wealth and cash flow, as black is the color related to water. You an also energetically draw an invisible welcome mat in the front with the visualization that it’s there attracting abundance into your home.

Be sure to check out the other blog posts that discuss how to work with your entry area. Generally you want to keep the door and entry area clean, clutter free, and bright! 

A black mat is not the only way to welcome wealth and abundance to your space. There are many routes in BTB feng shui for attracting wealth, including activating the Knowledge area, practicing one good deed a day and mirroring the burners on your stove. Take a look at some of our previous posts, and hopefully you will find an adjustment that works for your building and space!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Experts Give Decorating Tips for the Minimalist

featured on Homeclick

Much of current modern design has gone the direction of a minimalist style. To understand exactly what that means and how to achieve a sense of artistry within this style, we’ve sought the advice of several design experts who have the experience to guide us.

Architect Anjie Cho gives these tips related to building storage into a minimalist design: “It is best to have closed storage - minimize open shelving. Keeping things behind doors keeps the space clean, minimal and looking uncluttered. White storage against white walls, has the most minimal look. It's clean and sleek and blends into the wall.”

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