This NYC Rental in a 100-Year-Old Building Has Tons of Old World Charm

“I loved this apartment from the minute I found the listing on StreetEasy,” begins designer and visual artist Jake Poser, owner of interior design firm Jake Poser Concept, of this two-bedroom apartment in a 100-year-old building on the Upper West Side.

“The common areas are grand, filled with 1920s details like mosaic tiles, cherubs in the crown molding, and marble floors throughout. The apartments themselves have old world charm, high ceilings, and original plaster moldings. Our neighbor still has the 100-year-old kitchen!” continues Poser, who shares the home with partner, August Laska, owner of The Old Yew Plant Shop in the West Village and Chelsea.

“The broker was having an open house, I stepped in, did a quick twirl, and immediately requested the application. I filled out the application outside the front door as I let the other families view the apartment tour while simultaneously texting August to get to the viewing as quickly as possible!”

When it comes to decorating the space, Poser describes his and August’s design styles as the following: “Sisters, not twins. When we combined our respective one-bedroom apartments into a shared two-bedroom, we aligned on the overarching layout and furnishings, but the details and accessories were HOT topics!”

“I live for a rhinestone and neutral, contemporary art, while August is more interested in realism and colorful paintings — you’ll see a smattering of both throughout,” Poser explains. “Our love for architecture, plants, and history is reflected in our small library of novels and coffee table books and obviously, our love for tchotchkes fills out the remaining semi-built-ins in the living room.”

“Most importantly, our love for each other and our families is reflected in lots of family photos sprinkled here and there and antiques and vintage items inherited from both of our grandparents — the dining room hutch, antique black desk and chair in the living room, and the dresser in the bedroom. I can’t wait for a bigger space to fill it with more furniture from our families. We’re blessed to both have grandmas with timeless taste!”

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

• All rooms — “Super White OC-152” Benjamin Moore

LIVING ROOM

• Sofa — Gus*

• Pillow — H&M

• Pillow — CB2

• Black jute Pillow — CB2

• Pinstriped Pillow — CB2

• Rug — West Elm

• Occasional chair — IKEA

• Occasional chair — Wayfair

• Cube table — Bed, Bath, & Beyond

• Coffee table — Vintage

• Vase — Runaway Poppy

• Artwork — Angela Chrusciaki Blehm

• Artwork — Chairish

• Sconces — Amazon

• Mirror — Vintage

• Desk — Vintage

• Chair — Vintage

• Credenza — Vintage

• Acrylic lamp — Vintage

• Rhinestone bust — Patricia Field

• Plants — The Old Yew

DINING ROOM

• Table — West Elm

• Chairs — West Elm

• Mirror — We had made at Amsterdam Gallery. Ask for Karim!

• Rug — Amazon

• Hutch — Vintage

• Vase — Jamali Garden

• Plates — West Elm

• Light fixture — IKEA

• Artwork — Jake Poser

• Artwork — Fishs Eddy

• Artwork — Chairish

• Artwork — Chairish

KITCHEN

• Toaster — Vintage, similar

• Red dish towels — Vintage Isaac Misrahi home

• Green dish towels — Sur la Table

• Fruit bowls — IKEA

• Salt and pepper — Amazon

• Artwork — Chairish

BEDROOM

• Bed frame — Really old CB2 … literally 2008 … great year

• Side table — Thrifted marble

• Bedside lamps — IKEA

• Accent pillows — HomeGoods

• Accent pillows — Independent artist

• Artwork — Chairish

• Artwork — Vintage

• Dresser — Vintage Bloomingdales, similar 

• Glasses stand — Amazon

• Occasional chair — Vintage

• Accent pillow — H&M home, similar 

• Rug — Bed, Bath, & Beyond

• Plant — The Old Yew

ART STUDIO/OFFICE/DESK 

• Desk, shelving — IKEA

• Chair — Home Depot

• Wall clock — HomeGoods

Thanks, Jake!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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