This 375-Square-Foot Apartment Feels Spacious (Thanks to 3 Skylights!)
Kiritin
·6-min read
The Floss founder, Bonnie Crotzer (who also goes by Bon), has rented this 375-square-foot studio apartment in New York City for the past eight years. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Crotzer had toured over 100 apartments before falling in love with another unit in a sister building, only to have that opportunity fall through. Luckily, the landlord invited her to check out this space. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
The building was constructed in 1891, but Crotzer's fifth-floor unit was in the process of being renovated when she signed the lease. (It continued for three months before Crotzer could move in; she stayed with friends.) Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
"My apartment has a unique mix of modern and old NYC charm," Crotzer explains. "While the old brick walls were maintained, the reno morphed the kitchen and bathroom into a contemporary space." Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
"I appreciate the 'mixed media' — it's fresh and old world simultaneously. I find it very easy to clean with all the work they did with the reno," she continues. "Although I have struggled endlessly with leaks from the old roof — hey, it’s NYC, it comes with the territory." Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
One of Crotzer's favorite features in her apartment is the natural light; three skylights drench the home in sunlight. "It’s such a dream, especially in the winter, to mitigate the cold weather blues," she says. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Another fantastic part of Crotzer's apartment? It doubles as her studio. "I stream classes live from my 'studio.' I love that my Floss community can tune in with me right from my personal space," she says. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
"I think it creates a level of intimacy and familiarity. I also film content for my video library here," she continues. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Crotzer's apartment is a celebration full of objects of affection from those she loves. For example, her dad created a stained-glass mirror and lamp, while friends Ashley Turner and Cati Van Milders created artwork that's displayed in the home. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
This charcoal drawing of a tree was drawn by Crotzer's friend Adam Jacob in college. She admits that she's "dragged it around for forever." Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Studio living has presented some unique obstacles, though. "It's like Tetris in here. The biggest challenge is storage — lack thereof," Crotzer explains. "I have done my best to organize the space, but often feel like I need to edit." Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
"If one item is out of place, it feels so untidy; if five pieces are out of place, it feels like a whirlwind," she continues. "It gives me good reason to put my shit away!" Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
But Bonnie's lack of traditional storage space has meant she's gotten crafty in that New York way: her dishwasher is used to hide miscellaneous items. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
The apartment is in Manhattan's idyllic West Village neighborhood, overlooking a park. Bonnie loves looking through the large oak-framed windows at the greenery below. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Crotzer can often be found relaxing on the living room floor or in the 1930s Art Deco chairs, working, looking in the fridge for a snack, or meditating in her bed in the morning. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
One nonnegotiable for Crotzer was quality linens in her bedroom. "Oh man, my linen textiles from Hawkins New York and Coyuchi are my little slices of heaven," she explains. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
"I couldn't be sleeping more soundly (and safely, if we are thinking about chemicals that are found in non-organic fibers)," she continues. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Crotzer likely looks up when thinking about what inspired her home's design. "The airy lightness inspired the vibe. It kind of feels like a tree house or California in here; it reminds me of home," she shares. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
What made Crotzer feel ready to share her home with Apartment Therapy was her pride in how she designed the space. "Creating a peaceful sanctuary no matter where you are, even the vortex that is New York," she explains. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
If Crotzer had to assign her home a zodiac sign, she thinks it'd be a Pisces. "My Mars and Venus are in Pisces, and I think the whimsy and fantastical of the water element comes through here," she says. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Crotzer wishes she had a bathtub in her apartment, but luckily, she's got great friends who will open their homes (and tubs!) to her. Credit: KiritinCredit: Kiritin
Anyone who’s rented an apartment in New York City likely understands the sort of chaotic rat race the process can become. Often, you’ll set your sights on what you think is a dream apartment, hurriedly fill out all the necessary forms, and wait with bated breath, only to have your application rejected at the last minute. It can be a deflating experience.
But sometimes, luck wins out. At least that’s what happened to Bonnie (who also goes by Bon) Crotzer, who founded The Floss eight years ago. She had toured over 100 apartments and had her heart set on one, only to be let down. However, the landlord of the first building called her a week later and encouraged her to check out a studio apartment in a sister building that was being remodeled.
Crotzer wanted to find a home that was “special,” and when she first toured the apartment (although it wasn’t and wouldn’t be finished for three months), she felt that electric feeling. The building was built in 1891 and located in Manhattan’s dreamy West Village neighborhood (near a park, too!), and it had an undeniably gorgeous feature — especially for city living.
“My apartment is a five-floor walk-up, but after the climb, I am rewarded with three skylights,” Crotzer explains. “It’s such a dream, especially in the winter, to mitigate the cold weather blues. The clean glass shower helped, too!”
Even though the apartment is only 375 square feet, Crotzer says finding storage spaces has been a bit like the video game Tetris, and it’s been a wonderful place to connect with The Floss community. Crotzer streams live classes from her living room, which she also refers to as her “studio.”
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