Home Tour: An Exercise in Noir Chic in New York City

Decor

While my love of all black interiors certainly is not Halloween related, I’m happy to take another excuse to celebrate all things noir. The dramatic loft in New York featured today showcases sultry black highlights everywhere you turn and I’m loving it. I feel pretty confident you’re going to love it too, but take a scroll and let me know what you think!

This loft is a study in how to incorporate unique, unusual and eye-catching pieces to define your style. While the bones of this apartment offer that urban, downtown feel, the mix of masculine and feminine, industrial and vintage, high design and found objects helps the loft defy cliched design troupes. But one of it’s defining elements is the various uses of black. What would have been a simple, white box (albeit really lovely hardwood floors) has been transformed through ingenious uses of the hue. Everything from dramatic black accent walls, to black pieces of furniture, dramatic black accessories and even black sprinkler pipes give the space depth and dimension.

It helps that the owners of this picture perfect space are the founders of NES Creative, a marketing studio known for representing design stars including Apparatus, Workstead and Egg Collective. They regularly use their space both for creative salons and as a living showroom for their clients newest work. Must be nice. I’d like to casually display a few Workstead sconces in my house.

While not all of us have access to hand-painted chairs by Alex White, there are some easy design ideas incorporated into this apartment that you can replicate – no matter what your budget might be.

I love how this space layers different tones of black. From wool carpets and leather sofas to steel side tables and vintage portraits, this home features a myriad of yummy textures. This keeps the use of black from feeling monotone or overwhelming.

It’s also an interesting idea to paint two walls black and then leave two walls as well as the ceiling white. Two black walls connecting at the space’s far corner draws you in as you enter the loft, while the white wall beautifully bounces the natural light from the loft’s two large windows.

While there are certainly design treasures costing thousands of dollars in this home, the white sofa is also from CB2. Never forget you can mix high and low as long as you pick pieces with timeless style and classic lines.

While I’m going to continue to save for my dream Workstead sconce, there are plenty of really compelling black pieces out there that are crazy affordable. I’ve taken the liberty to pick a few of my favorites that you can shop below. Don’t worry, these will still look incredibly cool long after Halloween season is over.

For our entire home tour archive, CLICK HERE.

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marble nesting tables

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2-tier server

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images via rum magazine & vogue living

Halloween Inspired Cook Here, Eat This

Decor

I think I might be one of the only people on the planet who really isn’t into Halloween. I know, I know. Even with a kid now I’m just not that jazzed on this holiday – not feeling pumpkins, don’t enjoy faux spiderwebs, really see no need to hang a skeleton from my front door. And I certainly have NO idea what I’m going to actually be on the big day (I will dress up as this is the first year my kid really gets it, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a very 11th a hour kind of thing).

All that said, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate some good (ahem) design inspired by the season.

Case in point, this stunning (almost all) black kitchen. I’m obsessed with the dramatic contrast between the black upper cabinetry, the island and lowers with the deliciously veiny marble counters and backsplash. The moody lighting in simply gorgeous. Created by one of my favorite San Francisco based interior designers, Nicole Hollis, there’s a depth to this space that could teeter on foreboding and instead is just dramatic and practically perfect in every way. That round wood topped table with a blackened base is giving me life.

I certainly think this stunningly dark kitchen pairs perfectly with one of my long running favorite cocktails. If you have a Halloween party on the books, definitely consider serving up this nearly black libation. It’s ghoulish, but also delicious. A winning combo in my book – no ghosts or skeletons actually required for enjoyment.

DRINK RECIPE: Pomegranate + Blackberry Lemondrop

Ingredients:
6 blackberries
1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1 oz. lemon juice
1.5 oz. vodka

First, muddle blackberries and place in shaker with juices, vodka and ice. Shake for 20 seconds, strain into glass and garnish with blackberries on a pick.

This drink makes you pucker, in a good way! It’s perfectly sweet at first with a punch of sour towards the end. We love the idea of blackberries as a garnish, making the dark berry drink even more moody and monochromatic.

For our Cook Here, Eat this archive CLICK HERE.

interior design by nicole hollis / original cocktail photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick / original drink recipe by craft and cocktails

Last-Second Pumpkin DIY That’s Scary Good

Decor

I won’t lie, it’s been quite a while since Halloween has been top of mind. It’s just never been one of my favorite holidays. But now that Carter’s first Halloween is around the corner, I’m feeling compelled to get in the spirit – quickly!

But I definitely want to stay true to my aesthetic so the standard jack-o-lantern just won’t do the trick. This no-carve pumpkin DIY, on the other hand, is super chic. And since it takes less than five minutes to make, it fits perfectly into my overly-packed schedule.

Around here, no orange gourds will do. They just don’t mesh with my color palette people! With this look it’s all about the muted hues: white, gray and various shades of pale green. The funkier the better.

Then all you need is a box of crayons, a hair dryer and five minutes to complete the look! Now that I can handle.

The final result is a little bit spooky, a little bit artistic and a lot cool. This is taking modern pumpkins to a whole other level don’t you think?

Are you the Halloween loving type? Whether you’ve already had your costume figured out for months or you’re scrambling for inspiration {like me}, I know you’ll appreciate this tabletop, this drink, these costumes for the adults and these costumes for the littles.

Happy haunting friends!

photography by megan bailey

Brooding Brunch: Eggplant Breakfast Hash

Recipes

When somebody says brunch, bite size everything comes to mind, right? Brunch buffets are always filled with individually baked and wrapped pies, miniature muffins, cute quiches….the list goes on. While nibbling here and grazing there has its perks, the truth is by the time 1:00PM rolls around, we’re hungry again! So if you’re like us and want to skip the small bites and go right for the good stuff- especially after a night of costume parties and trick or treating- we suggest this hauntingly heartwarming Eggplant and Linguisa Hash!

Eggplant and Linguisa Breakfast Hash

1 medium eggplant, cubed
1 orange bell pepper, big chunks
1 Linquisa link
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
1 egg per person
2 tbs. olive oil
handful of parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Dice eggplant and bell pepper into half inch cubes. Sprinkle eggplant generously with salt and set aside for at least 10-15 minutes. Drain excess water from eggplant on paper towels. Heat skillet on stove and then add olive oil. Once the olive oil is hot {you’ll see it glisten}, add in the linguisa, cook until browned and put to the side in a bowl. In the same skillet, drizzle other tablespoon of olive oil, heat and add diced onions. Saute until soft and translucent and then add eggplant. Cook for 3 minutes or until soft. Then add bell pepper, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until tender. Add linguisa back into the pan. Top with a fried {or poached if you’re brave!} egg and fresh parsley.

Something about a hash, especially in a cast iron skillet, screams small town, home cooked, good livin’. It’s the ideal dish to add to the spread when treating your guests to a hearty harvest-season brunch. Serving something filling also means you can cut the time baking the cutesy, time consuming finger foods and go right to the good stuff!

We encourage you not to be frightened- go on and add in whatever is in your fridge to the mix. Sweet potato or your favorite squash would be a delicious seasonal addition. We’d also definitely add a splash of our favorite hot sauce. Remember it’s a hash- anything goes!

To get the scoop on our complete All Hallows Eve Brunch click HERE. You’ll be all set for entertaining this Halloween weekend!!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Because Some People DO Need A Recipe for Toast

Food

More accurately, a recipe for the toast du jour: crostini. But in the grand scheme of things there really is no measurable difference in preparation except for the use of an oven in lieu of a toaster. Either way, there is no denying that this crostini recipe with blackberries and goat cheese is not only the easiest thing to make for a brooding All Hallows brunch, it also tastes and looks bomb.com. It’s the only recipe that you don’t really need to be told to you, but we’re doing it anyway. Because let’s be real, there are some cooking-challenged-souls out there who are just a few steps past getting water to boil. We promise, this recipe you can do!

Blackberry and Formage Blanc Crostini

1 basket of fresh organic blackberries
1 fresh french baguette
formage blanc (or substitute your favorite goat cheese)
2 T wild flower honey
fresh mint for garnish

Slice baguette into 1/2 inch diagonal slices. Toast baguette slices in oven, at 400 degrees, until golden brown. Set on your favorite platter and spread generoulsy with cheese {as much or as little as you like!} onto one side of the crostini. Place washed berries on top {you could also quickly warm them slightly to really get their dark juices flowing!}, drizzle with honey and garnish with freshly chopped mint.

Since this dish is so incredibly simple, it’s really all about picking the very best ingredients. We’re suckers for local San Francsico faves Cowgirl Creamery and Acme bread. Definitely make a point to search out the best sources for top notch ingredients in your area and you won’t be disappointed. These crostini would be equally good with pears or apples. We just might try all three this weekend!

Catch up on the rest of our All Hallows Brunch right here.

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick

Halloween Brunch: Heirloom Tomato Tart Recipe

Recipes

We love holidays as much as the next blogger. It’s always fun to dream up the ultimate way to gear up for the most festive time of year. That said, last week we admitted to being less than Halloween enthusiasts. While costume parties may not be our thing, we did share our ideal spin on the celebration: a beautiful, haunting brunch with friends!

A tabletop overflowing with dark and moody seasonal goodies and a menu to boot, is going to make you forget all about all hollow’s eve and have you nightmarishly obsessed with hosting a spookily easy meal with friends! First up on the menu, a Halloween brunch recipe for a “bloody red” Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart.

Heirloom tomatoes are some of the prettiest produce available in the fall and with their varying colors, from deep purple to bright blood-red and squash yellow, they are the perfect fruit to experiment with {yes, fruit. We triple checked}. This tart is your light and bright dish of the meal- it’s fresh, bold and beautiful. And no need to be a professional food garnisher {is there even such a thing?!} – the tomatoes totally do all the work!

“Bloody Red” Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart

Ingredients:

2 large Heirloom tomatoes
1 package Goat Cheese
1 sheet Puff pastry
Oregano, salt and pepper for garnish

First, bake puff pastry according to box instructions and let cool to room temperature. Then spread goat cheese on pastry – as much or as little as your heart desires. Then slice tomatoes thinly and arrange in a circle — starting with a base and then alternating tomato variety for a gorgeous finished tart. Season with oregano and salt and pepper to your heart’s desire. You can also bake the tomatoes on a partially baked puff pastry sheet, but their flavor is so meaty and delicious that we prefer them fresh!

And there you have the easiest dish you’ve ever made. It’s sure to impress — no one has to know it only took you 15 minutes to put together!

Just thinking about it makes us hungry.

CLICK HERE if you need tabletop ideas and stay tuned for the rest of the recipes to this perfectly delicious, brooding brunch as we continue to share them all month!

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // original recipe + styling by Apartment 34

Tasty Tuesday: The Ultimate Halloween Brunch

Entertaining

Halloween is one of those holidays that you either love or you hate. For the costume obsessed crowd, the night is jam packed with festivities, but if you’re like us and prefer to spend the spook-filled night at home, sans face paint and spandex, we’ve put a ghoulish spin on a Halloween brunch with friends. No resorting to rocking the bunny suit at this party- although we wouldn’t judge you if you did!

Brunch is one of our favorite past times and any excuse to have a themed one is as good as they come! Starting with a black tablecloth {or craft paper!} and a bountiful seasonal harvest you really don’t need much else to devise a dramatic brooding brunch!

For this spread, we really wanted to focus on a tablescape that anyone could recreate at home! We started with a major floral statement- that literally anyone can replicate – zero expertise required. Simply snap a dramatic apple branch from your backyard or snag a dry fallen branch from the park for an easy floral “arrangement” with a huge impact. Next, grab a plethora of produce from the farmers market {in a deep eggplant and moody green color palette, of course!} – think baby artichokes, a variety of squash, deep purple grapes and figs {while they last!}! From there, all you need are subtle hints of the haunting holiday incorporated in- no candy corn required. These x-ray snake plates are our current fave! Brass candlesticks and hints of gold pop against staple kitchen tools like slate and olive wood cheese boards. Throw up a black curtain to really set the mood and just like that, you have a beautifully haunting brunch!

If you like what you see, you’ll want to stay tuned: all the way up until Halloween we’re going to serve up seasonal brunch recipes that are so easy to make, it’s scary!

GET YOUR SHOP ON:

> Black Clara Chandelier
> Silver Stag Candlesticks
> X-Ray Tray
> Gold Cheese Knives Set
> Spider Web Skull
> X-Ray Plate Set
> Onyx Flatware
> Black and White Striped Napkin
> Spider Martini Shaker

For the recipes featured here check out our Eggplant Hash, Heirloom Tomato Tart, Blackberry & Formage Blanc Crostini

original photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick // styling by Apartment 34

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