Greenpoint

Creative Couple Stocks Greenpoint Rental With Homey Vintage Finds

Not being able to make big design changes — like swapping out old cabinets or retiling an aged pink bathroom — is a not-uncommon frustration for renters. But in this Greenpoint rental, curated furnishings, clever storage tricks and a good layout more than compensate. It helps that the apartment — recently featured on Design Sponge…

by Barbara Eldredge

12/02/2015 3 minute 0

Greenpoint Brooklyn interior Design Creative Vintage — Photo by Tory Williams for Design Sponge

It helps that the apartment — recently featured on Design Sponge — is home to two creatives, Joe and Kelly McGuier, an architect and creative director, respectively. Their eye for design and detail translates into an eclectic interior mixing vintage classics with eye-catching keepsakes.

The simplicity of a classic Eames Lounge Chair in the living room is offset by the vibrant pattern of the area rug. The artworks above the couch are original Frank Lloyd Wright blueprints from a friend of the family.

A number of the furnishings, including a ceramic bedroom lamp and a midcentury china hutch, were local flea market finds.

The layout of the apartment is optimal — with the bedroom and bathroom in the back and the main living area and kitchen in the front. The open living room takes advantage of great light from three south-facing windows.

The McGuires were strategic with their use of space, outfitting the wide hallway (shown at top) with a locker-room bench and creating bike storage in an otherwise dead corner.

Another clever spacial trick was installing a set of floor-to-ceiling curtains along the full length of their awkwardly windowed bedroom wall. Not only does it give the illusion of a larger window, but a foot of space between wall and curtain provides a convenient storage area for miscellaneous items.