Levenbetts’ CCO1 House Leaves a Modern Mark on an Upstate Agricultural Field
August 19, 2014

Levenbetts’ CCO1 House Leaves a Modern Mark on an Upstate Agricultural Field

By
When you think farmhouse, images of red barns and wooden fences probably come to mind. But the CCO1 House by Levenbetts couldn't stray farther from this nostalgic vision; and that's a good thing. Built in the middle of an agricultural field in Columbia County, New York, this contemporary home was designed to work around the site's existing linear grooves, etched into the rolling hills from years of farming. The organization, cladding, and details all take the topography into account, and the house steps up from east to west to follow the contour of the land.
Plenty more design details are ahead
Federica Bubani’s Wood and Ceramic Nordic Lamp is Beautifully Strange
August 19, 2014

Federica Bubani’s Wood and Ceramic Nordic Lamp is Beautifully Strange

By
Italian designer Federica Bubani is constantly researching and experimenting with new materials, but she especially loves ceramics. One of her latest designs, the beautifully strange Nordic Lamp, was the result of one of her explorations. The lamp consists of two parts made from the earthen material, which together with the wooden parts and grey cable give the design a cool Scandinavian appearance.
More details on this beautifully simple Nordic Lamp here
Soho Loft with Taxidermy Tendencies Sells for $4.7M
August 19, 2014

Soho Loft with Taxidermy Tendencies Sells for $4.7M

By
We were quite astounded when, earlier this summer, we came across a taxidermy-filled apartment on Central Park West (there's a first time for everything!). And now, in an even more surprising twist, we've stumbled upon another "stuffed animal" loving pad. Though not filled to the brims like our first find, this apartment at 465 West Broadway will still make you look twice. The three-bedroom unit has been picked up by jewelry designer and artist Lisa Pevaroff for $4.7 million. Likely selling points include 15 windows, four exposures, and an easily convertible floor plan.
Check out the rest of this funky home
Stunning…Exquisite…Classic…We’re Running Out of Adjectives for this $16M Brooklyn Heights Townhouse
August 19, 2014

Stunning…Exquisite…Classic…We’re Running Out of Adjectives for this $16M Brooklyn Heights Townhouse

By
We have never been more thankful for the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words." And though we may have expressed this sentiment before when bringing you other properties, we are pretty sure our words for this $16,000,000 townhouse at 192 Columbia Heights may fall a wee bit short. Fortunately, we have lots of lovely photos in our gallery to ensure you are properly astonished. We had our pick of beautiful Brooklyn residences to share with you today, but this one called to us. It wasn't a "Pick me, pick me!" kind of calling, but more of a "Could this home be anymore beautiful?" type of calling. In our humble opinion the answer is "no."
Come see why this home spoke to us, and in turn, left us speechless
New App Wheely Will Make the NYC Subway More Accessibilty Friendly
August 19, 2014

New App Wheely Will Make the NYC Subway More Accessibilty Friendly

By
If you ride the New York City subway you likely have some type of app installed on your smart phone that provides a map of the underground system or calculates the time to the next train. And it's just as likely that your app doesn't have a feature for accessibility. For those who cannot push through a crowd on the stairs or bolt up the left side of the escalator, the subway is extremely hard to navigate and oftentimes quite useless, as only 18% of stations have accessible elevators. To address this major flaw in our mass transit system, Anthony Driscoll developed a new app called Wheely, which helps those with accessibility needs (wheelchair users, the elderly, parents with strollers, injured people, etc.) better navigate the subway.
All the details on the smart new app here
Steven Harris Architects’ West 87th Street Townhouse is a True Urban Sanctuary
August 19, 2014

Steven Harris Architects’ West 87th Street Townhouse is a True Urban Sanctuary

By
Walking down West 87th Street past the stately brick and brownstone townhouses, a stunning white home with huge picture windows stands out as something special. The magic really starts, though, upon entering the house. Renovated by Steven Harris Architects, this striking townhouse not only provides a spacious layout filled with tasteful contemporary furniture, but the firm's work retains historic details like ornate crown moldings and the original, commanding staircase. The highlight of the townhouse is the oversized windows, which let in plenty of natural light, offer cross ventilation, and open to an abundance of outdoor space.
Tour the rest of this Upper West Side beauty
Morpholio’s Innovative Mood Board App Lets You Design Your Entire Apartment on an iPad
August 18, 2014

Morpholio’s Innovative Mood Board App Lets You Design Your Entire Apartment on an iPad

By
The brilliant minds over at The Morpholio Project are at again, and this time they've introduced a real doozy to their already impressive suite of design apps. Devised for interior design professionals and design enthusiasts alike, this ground-breaking new application is pretty much like Pinterest on steroids, but made for the tech savvy who never stop creating. Featuring an incredible cloud library of over 1,000 top-notch curated design products and a highly refined suite of editing tools, this powerful app allows you to pull images of everything from furniture to materials to complete backdrops, onto a digital board that can be manipulated and transformed into a one of a kind vision: your own. The app was launched today and is now available at the Apple store for free!
More on this game-changing design app here

Distinctive Homes

VIEW ALL
This West Village Remodel by HS2 Architecture Wows with a Greenhouse Dining Room
August 18, 2014

This West Village Remodel by HS2 Architecture Wows with a Greenhouse Dining Room

By
It’s rare that you see a townhouse as grand and spacious as this 6,500-square-foot West Village dwelling. So, it’s no wonder the team at HS2 Architecture was delighted for the opportunity to renovate the historic house of their clients, the family of a work-from-home author. The goal was to create a home that reflected the clients’ lifestyle, transforming the space into a residence that makes a strong architectural statement while maintaining a level of comfort and functionality.
Take a look inside this Greenwich Village remodel here
Amazing NYC Office Interiors That Inspire and Promote Innovation
August 18, 2014

Amazing NYC Office Interiors That Inspire and Promote Innovation

By
Workplace designers are always trying to find new ways to make offices a more inspiring and productive place, especially for professional creatives. A beautiful work space can keep employees excited when they clock in every day, and make sure that the water cooler talk is about new ideas, not the shoddy carpet. These new NYC offices are pretty to look at and to work in.
See our gallery of amazing workplaces here
90% of NYC Buildings Fail to Meet Energy Codes
August 18, 2014

90% of NYC Buildings Fail to Meet Energy Codes

By
In early 2014, the Department of Buildings (DOB) set up a permanent audit unit and started reviewing the architectural plans for thousands of new and renovated buildings. What they've found is alarming; nine out of every ten office and/or residential buildings failed to meet the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC). The energy standards were implemented over 30 years ago, but are just now being enforced. And while environmentalists welcome the stricter monitoring, some building owners and construction companies are nervous about the potential increased costs of compliance, both in terms of money and time.
More on the city's energy codes and how they're being updated
Daily Link Fix: Mapping Jewish Literature in NYC; Make Your Way Through Derek Jeter’s Head Maze
August 18, 2014

Daily Link Fix: Mapping Jewish Literature in NYC; Make Your Way Through Derek Jeter’s Head Maze

By

A Detailed Map of Jewish Literature: Take an adventure through the city and schlep to these landmarks found in Jewish literatur. See the full map on Tablet. Google Street View With Sound: Because as if Google Street View isn’t creepy enough, one company decided to add sounds to certain scenes like pigeons flying overhead, street performers and babies […]

Trapezoidal Pool by Susan Wisniewski Landscape Completes the Greene County Residence
August 18, 2014

Trapezoidal Pool by Susan Wisniewski Landscape Completes the Greene County Residence

By
In typical rural esthetic, the grounds of the Greene County Residence are rolling and untamed. To work with this natural terrain, as well as juxtapose it, Susan Wisniewski Landscape created an angular outdoor pool setting that is both traditional and modern. The flat, rustic pavers surrounding the watering hole fit with the conventional barn, but the pool's trapezoidal shape adds a geometric punch to the otherwise organic setting.
More about the outdoor design here
Let the Sunlight In and Save Up to 70% on Energy Costs with the Lightcatcher Solar Dome
August 18, 2014

Let the Sunlight In and Save Up to 70% on Energy Costs with the Lightcatcher Solar Dome

By
In theory, it seems silly to pay for light bulbs and electricity when natural sunlight is free, and now this eco-fantasy is becoming a real possibility. Developed by EcoNation and installed on the roof, Lightcatcher is a sun-tracking solar dome that uses a mirror and technology-based system to generate green energy, bring light indoors, and mitigate temperature fluctuations. The sensors and motorized mirror and lenses harvest sunlight, reducing energy costs and environmental impact eight times more than solar panels, according to EcoNation. The company also claims that Lightcatcher can provide sufficient light for up to ten hours per day, using only 1-3% of roof surface area.
More details on the new technology
Fully Furnished Upper West Side Rental Has Everything You Need and More
August 18, 2014

Fully Furnished Upper West Side Rental Has Everything You Need and More

By
Personally, this 2,500-square-foot triplex at 108 West 78th Street in the Broadway Corridor had us at its gorgeous exposed brick walls, but there’s plenty else to get hooked on even without its close proximity to some of the best New York City has to offer. What makes it even better? This beautifully appointed and fully-furnished rental can be yours (in a manner of speaking) for only $16,500 a month.
Exposed brick and more right this way
Tower House by Gluck+ is a Stairway to the Treetops in the Catskills
August 17, 2014

Tower House by Gluck+ is a Stairway to the Treetops in the Catskills

By
Though you may not be as limber as you once were, there's still hope that you can climb to the top of a tree. Well, sort of. Rising above the Ulster County landscape is a uniquely glazed home that was designed as a stairway to the top of its surrounding landscape. Created by New York-based architecture firm Gluck+, the contemporary Tower House works as both a viewing platform and a functional home, sitting atop a plateau on the 19-acre property. Its unusual, cantilevered shape causes minimal impact on the ground and provides inhabitants with amazing views of virtually the entire Catskill mountain range.
Learn more about the Tower House and peek inside
My Gay Summer: Maybe We Are Moving Forward After All
August 17, 2014

My Gay Summer: Maybe We Are Moving Forward After All

By
Last Saturday, I walked out of a Fire Island Pines liquor store just as a friend was walking in. “Hello, handsome,” I said without pause. My friend was less decorous. “What the f*%k are you doing here?!?” He asked, his face flushed with wonder. It was a legitimate question since The Pines is famously gay, and I’m neither famous nor gay; but, considering my summer so far, me in the company of gay men no longer seems wonder inducing to me.
Andrew's revelations this way
Pitch a story icon Know of something cool happening in New York? Let us know:
The Nearly Fatal Design Flaw That Could Have Sent the Citigroup Center Skyscraper Crumbling
August 15, 2014

The Nearly Fatal Design Flaw That Could Have Sent the Citigroup Center Skyscraper Crumbling

By
When it comes to skyscrapers, we put a lot of trust in architects. We have to trust that they know what they're doing, and these seemingly impossible buildings are safe to be in and around. It's even harder to trust what used to be known as the Citicorp or Citigroup Center, now 601 Lexington Avenue, whose bottom floors are like four stilts, holding 50 stories of building above them. It looks like a strong wind would blow the whole structure over. And when the building was constructed in 1977, before some emergency repairs, that was true.
The dangerous details after the break
Stereotank’s Taku Tanku is a Floating Sleeping Shelter Made From Recycled Water Tanks
August 15, 2014

Stereotank’s Taku Tanku is a Floating Sleeping Shelter Made From Recycled Water Tanks

By
Light enough to be towed by a car or bicycle, or even carried by hand, the Taku Tanku shelter will change the way you camp, travel, and prepare for possible disasters. Created by the architecture firm Stereotank, along with Japanese designer Takahiro Fukuda, the portable, floating structure is made from two 3,000-liter recycled water tanks connected by a wood-framed entrance. It has sleeping space for two or three people, but the designers also envision it as a sculpture that "celebrates the vital role of water in our lives."
Learn more about this convenient, eco-friendly pod
Architecture Day Trip: Visit the Mansions of Gatsby’s “Gold Coast”
August 15, 2014

Architecture Day Trip: Visit the Mansions of Gatsby’s “Gold Coast”

By
F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is an immortal novel about Long Island millionaires in the Roaring Twenties, inspired by actual parties Fitzgerald attended at the time. The Jazz Age mansions of Long Island's "Gold Coast" certainly represent a bygone era, but you can still visit several of these Gatsby-esque architectural relics today.
Plan your architecture day trip here
Aureola is an Elegant, Stackable Tea Set Inspired by Russian Nomadic Traditions
August 15, 2014

Aureola is an Elegant, Stackable Tea Set Inspired by Russian Nomadic Traditions

By
The beautiful Aureola tea set was born out of a collaborative effort between a Venetian and a Russian designer. Luca Nichetto and Lera Moiseeva created the elegant set from two noble materials, porcelain and wood. The inspiration comes from traditional objects used by ancient Russian nomads and consists of a stackable teapot and cups that can be carried with just one hand.
More about the Russian-inspired tea set here
19th-Century-Schoolhouse Turned 21st-Century-Co-op in Cobble Hill Gets an A+ in Our Book
August 15, 2014

19th-Century-Schoolhouse Turned 21st-Century-Co-op in Cobble Hill Gets an A+ in Our Book

By
While we can’t quite own up to being a star student, we were definitely excited to learn a little more about this hidden gem located at 199 Warren Street in a late 1880’s landmarked schoolhouse. Rest assured, you won’t find any blackboards here – though they probably wouldn’t seem out of place given this home’s curious aesthetic. Each room has a distinct personality that offers a wonderful lesson (see what we did just there?) in the charm of eclectic design.
See why this co-op more than makes the grade

Our Mission

More than just current events, here you'll learn about the places, people, and ideas that are shaping your city.
Pitch a story icon

Pitch a Story

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Interested in seeing the property in person?

It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544

Interested in seeing the property in person?

It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo

Distinctive Post Form

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544
Contact us image

Get in Touch

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Send us a tip image
Delivering New York stories focused on design, lifestyle & real estate.

Send us a Tip

We love to hear from you!

"*" indicates required fields

Interesting in learning more about purchasing a new home?

Let us know what you are looking for and we’ll help you find the home of your dreams. It’s free, with no obligation.

CityRealty Logo
or Call (212) 755-5544

Thinking about selling your home?

We’ll provide current market comps and connect you with a trusted expert.

CityRealty Logo

Sell a Home (Footer)

"*" indicates required fields

or Call (212) 755-5544

Before You Move On
from this Page.

Subscribe for NYC's Lastest Design, Lifestyle,
and Real Estate Trends!

No Worries. We Don’t Spam.

By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Your Daily Dose
of NYC Life!

No Worries. We Don’t Spam.

By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe at any time.