A Dramatic, Dark and Unapologetically “Pretentious” (His Word, Not Ours) Apartment
Name: James and two cats, Otis and Faisca
Location: Ridgewood — Queens, New York
The basics: 4 years renting | 650 square feet
James’ moody glam apartment is a visual feast. There are so many little treasures tucked in next to bold pieces, all against dreamily dark walls.
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I call my apartment The Pretentious Home because it’s filled with over the top expensive things that most normal people wouldn’t spend money on (Gucci ice trays? Yes!). Although my home is pretentious it’s still very comfortable and lived in. A typical pre-war railroad apartment with poor lighting, I decided to break the rules and instead of decorating with white paint and bright furniture I went with black walls and jewel colored furnishings. My home is also inhabited by my two cats, Otis and Faisca, and a whole bunch of taxidermy.
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room without a doubt would be my living room. It’s a small room at just 12 x 9 which doesn’t get much light. It’s also my “museum room” filled with a zebra hide rug, pink velvet sofa, gold Louis XVI chairs, taxidermied peacocks and servals, and an Hermès gallery wall. This room is high drama. I love the room because it makes me smile when I walk through it or look at it from my bedroom. There is not one corner of my living room that I don’t love.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? As I type this out I am also completing an online purchase of a taxidermied zebra shoulder mount.
Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? Is Dita Von Teese a fictional character?
Any advice for creating a home you love? I think curating is really important. A home is not decorated overnight it can take years to get it to where you want it to be. So many people go to one home store looking to furnish their whole home in one shot, take your time don’t buy something unless you absolutely love it. I also have to say, be unapologetic in your design and purchases. You want that $1500 Hermès Avalon blanket…buy it! Your friends think you’re weird for filling your home with dead animals…who cares.
Thanks, James!
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