Natasha Pickowicz’s Condominium Will Make You Need to Develop a Chaotic Backyard
“I’ve rented this house for 5 years,” says chef and cookbook writer Natasha Pickowicz of her 500-square-foot Brooklyn house. “At first, I resisted hanging artwork and making modifications as a result of a rental is short-term. However ultimately I spotted: That is the place I dwell now. Why not make it as snug as I can?” Right here, Natasha offers us a tour…
ENTRYWAY
Rug: classic. Portrait: painted by Natasha’s mom. “I believe I’m eight on this one.”
On birthday traditions: Yearly, my mother, who’s an artist, painted a birthday portrait of me. My dad and mom nonetheless dwell in my childhood dwelling in San Diego, and my bed room is stuffed with them. It nearly seems like a bizarre shrine to me! After I moved to New York, I introduced alongside a number of favorites.
KITCHEN AREA:
Purple lamp: comparable.
On meal planning: Working in eating places taught me to plan meals round components, as an alternative of discovering a special dinner recipe to cook dinner each night. If I’m within the temper for hen, I’ll purchase a complete hen after which poach it, so I’ve a leftover batch of flavorful inventory. Then, I’ll eat that inventory each morning with rice and steamed greens.
Vase: Carolina Irving & Daughters. Reducing board: Nordstrom.
On pet-proofing: My cat, Tini, discovered how one can open the cupboard door and assist herself to meals and treats. My repair? Slant the door. It’s crooked, sure, however now she will’t open it.
Print: Plant Planet.
On sizzling takes: Nectarines are my favourite fruit. They’ve softer pores and skin and extra acidity than peaches. They style good in salads with darkish greens, like spinach or escarole, and so they make superb jam.
Bookshelves: Ikea. Purple lamps: comparable. Cat bowl: Smalls.
On cooking in a small house: I transformed the entrance corridor closet right into a pantry, and I’ve a compact fridge. Residing on this area has taught me how one can cook dinner leaner. As a substitute of doing large grocery hauls, I am going procuring each couple days and discuss to individuals in my neighborhood.
LIVING AREA:
Rug: Schoolhouse. Couch: Pottery Barn.
On price range procuring: Whereas sofa-shopping at Pottery Barn, I discovered one I cherished and was able to order. However then my boyfriend requested a salesman if I may simply purchase the ground mannequin. They mentioned sure and offered it to me at an enormous low cost!
On household rituals: Rising up, my dad and mom and I ate dinner collectively each night time. Afterward, we’d stroll across the block. These evenings with them instilled in me a deep love for strolling. These days, strolling across the neighborhood after consuming a nourishing meal is an act of being at dwelling.
Print: Mike Paré. Desk: West Elm. Chairs: thrifted.
On life with no TV: After I first moved to New York, I didn’t purchase a TV since my former house was smaller, and I didn’t need it to be the very first thing company observed. After a pair months, I spotted I didn’t miss it. Now, if I actually wish to watch a film or present, I’ll watch it on my laptop computer. However as a common rule, I attempt to wind down by studying, drawing, or puttering across the backyard.
BEDROOM
Throw: Hubsch Inside. Sconces: Poplight. Facet desk: comparable.
On playful lighting: My mother visited and mentioned, ‘Your lighting scenario right here is insufficient.’ So, she purchased me these sconces. They’re nice for leases as a result of they persist with your partitions with double-sided tape and are battery-operated.
On cozy corners: I prefer to name my bed room my treehouse. It has stairs right down to the yard. Within the mornings, it seems like waking as much as a secret backyard.
On enjoyable crafts: My boyfriend, his son, and I made these dioramas within the yard — they’re impressed by tenting journeys we went on this yr. After I was a child, my mother turned our storage into her artwork studio, and I bear in mind seeing her art work all around the home. Now it feels so fulfilling to have a house that conjures up my family members and me to create.
GARDEN
On restorative initiatives: My cookbook, Everybody Sizzling Pot, was revealed earlier this yr, and I did a two-month guide tour, road-tripping from California to the Midwest to Canada and again to the East Coast. Visiting so many cities and assembly readers was exhilarating. However after I obtained again to New York, the comedown from all that pleasure hit me exhausting. So, I spent numerous time fixing up the backyard and planting vegetables and fruit: purple okra, kale, husk cherries, cucumber, bitter melon, and many tomatoes.
On social gathering video games: I really like establishing blind style exams like in High Chef. I’ll put everybody in makeshift blindfolds, then pluck no matter herbs are rising within the backyard — Thai basil, lavender, lemongrass — and provides them tastes. Folks get actually into it! They’ll really feel so assured that they know what they’re consuming, and seeing their faces when they’re unsuitable is priceless.
On nostalgic fruits: Ardour fruit grows throughout San Diego, the place I grew up, so I planted two passionflower vines again right here. They’re so lovely and produce large, bizarre flowers. Each time I see them, I’m reminded of dwelling.
On chaotic gardens: This yr, I actually wished to lean into as many vining vegetation as doable. I like for issues to get large and bushy, go to seed and bolt, and seem like a wild jungle. I really feel so good about what my boyfriend and I did again right here this yr, and I’m excited to see what we provide you with subsequent summer season.
Thanks a lot, Natasha! We love you.
P.S. A Brooklyn house filled with surprises, and a household’s downsized dream dwelling.
(Photographs by Veronica Olson for Cup of Jo.)
