Mayra David
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Room For Improvement: Playspaces and bike rooms are what these New Yorkers want Read More
By Mayra David
October 18, 2013 - 12:46 PM
Not one, but two dishwashers, a space for bikes… and another for the kids to play! Here's what a half-dozen New Yorkers told us they wanted to most, living-situation-wise:
NYC Renovation Chronicles: Shaving off a slice of the living room to create a fab home office
By Mayra David
October 16, 2013 - 08:58 AM
After months and months of planning, wishing, and preparing, my home office has finally been built! Our formal living room has now been divided into a smaller living area, roughly 10' X 12', and an office/guest room (4'7" x 12'). It doesn't sound like much, but it's actually large enough for a desk, and a full sized bed for guests. We have big plans for this tiny room.
Here's how we did it.
Read More Would you rather have a live-in super or a doorman?
By Mayra David
October 11, 2013 - 10:47 AM
Most doorman buildings come with live-in supers or resident managers, but if you had to pick just one--a doorman or a live-in super--which would it be? We asked these six New Yorkers:
•Live-in super In apartment-related emergencies (like leaks coming from the ceiling in the middle of the night). I couldn’t ask a doorman to come up and deal with a backed up toilet. -Maria, Upper West Side
•Live-in super A live-in super has a tough job, but if he does it well, it’s a huge asset to a building. There are emergencies he can deal with right away, but also there are the “minor” issues he will notice right away, too. For example, in the summer, the trash room starts to smell very quickly. Our super changes the bags more frequently then. He takes care of the building like it’s his own home—because it is! -Christian, Upper West Side
Read More Room For Improvement: Wishing for an all-white kitchen and some peace and quiet space to work
By Mayra David
October 4, 2013 - 10:59 AM
More space, a solution for and a place to do some work in peace: Five New Yorkers reveal what they’d improve about their city homes, if only they could!
•Office space: My husband and I both work from home from sometimes. I really wish at least one of us had an office to retreat to for conference calls, or just some peace and quiet to concentrate. And soundproofed, too, so that we aren’t disturbed by all the noise on the street, since we’re at street level. - Lisa, Washington Heights
•Great outdoors: I have a view of nothing. I wish I had a better view, or at least that I had some outdoor space. I’m very happy that the building told us they will be doing this work on the roof in the future. And it would such pleasure to experience this soon before it’s too cold. But I don’t think it will be! -Verena, Park Slope
Read More NYC Renovation Chronicles: Voila! Popcorn ceilings begone
By Mayra David
October 2, 2013 - 08:58 AM
Once I had decided I couldn't stand seeing the popcorn ceiling anymore, the popcorn was all I saw. I'd walk into the bedroom and the first thing I'd do is look up and hate those tiny white globules overhead. I really wanted to get going on Operation Ceiling Coverup.
My tile samples couldn't come fast enough.
Read More Would you rather have a great apartment in a so-so 'hood or a so-so place in a great neighborhood? Read More
By Mayra David
September 27, 2013 - 14:41 PM
As the saying goes: Location, location, location. That said, a great apartment is worth quite a bit too. So we asked six New Yorkers: When it comes to the day-to-day reality of living in the city, would you rather live in a gorgeous apartment in a neighborhood you don’t care for? Or would you rather have a meh apartment in the neighborhood you love?