All articles by Rebecca Paul

Rebecca Paul is a Brooklyn based artist, writer, designer and strategist currently living in Buenos Aires. With and Undergraduate degree in Illustration and a Master's in design and business strategy, Rebecca is equally passionate about discovering compelling business ventures as she is about exploring her own artistic expression. The written word is her tool for brining the two worlds together. Her previous work experience includes her position as the Business Operations Manager for Inhabitat.com, the leading website dedicated to green and sustainable art and architecture; as well as the Director of Content Strategy for Prodigy Network, a international company committed to building new economic structures through crowdfunding in Real Estate. Follow her on twitter and instagram @rebeccapaulz

The 97-year history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Pilgrim balloon in 1946. Photo via Macy’s Inc.

November 16, 2021

The 97-year history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

By Rebecca Paul

There are many famous traditions synonymous with New York City, and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is at the top of that list. The first parade marched down Broadway in the winter of 1924, and in the years since, it's grown into an event with more than 3.5 million spectators. After a television-only event last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning this year with in-person spectators. Ahead, learn all about the parade's 97 years and see some incredible archival photos.
This way for the full history

The history of Central Park’s Hooverville, the Great Depression shanty town

“A Scene in Shantytown, New York” appearing in the March 4, 1880 edition of the New York Daily Graphic, via Wikimedia Commons

August 4, 2021

The history of Central Park’s Hooverville, the Great Depression shanty town

By Rebecca Paul

Following the October stock market crash of 1929, there was an unprecedented number of people in the U.S. without homes or jobs. And as the Great Depression set in, demand grew and the overflow became far too overwhelming and unmanageable for government resources to manage. Homeless people in large cities began to build their own houses out of found materials, and some even built more permanent structures from brick. Small shanty towns—later named Hoovervilles after President Hoover—began to spring up in vacant lots, public land and empty alleys. Three of these pop-up villages were located in New York City, the largest of which was on what is now Central Park's Great Lawn.
Learn more here

History

The wild and dark history of the Empire State Building

February 18, 2021

The wild and dark history of the Empire State Building

By Rebecca Paul

Known for its record-breaking height and sophisticated Art Deco style, the Empire State Building is one of New York City’s, if not the world's, most recognized landmarks. While the building is often used in popular culture as light-natured fodder—such as the opening backdrop to your favorite cookie-cutter rom-com or the romantic meeting spot for star-crossed lovers—the building's past is far more ominous than many of us realize. From failed suicide attempts to accidental plane crashes, its history casts a vibrant lineup of plot-lines and characters spanning the past 90 years.
Read about the dark side of the empire state building

The 10 best plants for apartment dwellers

Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

February 25, 2020

The 10 best plants for apartment dwellers

By Rebecca Paul

From purifying the air to making your apartment feel more welcoming and alive, there are a multitude of reasons to incorporate plants into your home decor. However, for many of us, keeping these precious specimens alive can be a small but legitimate challenge—especially when space and natural sunlight is limited (like many apartments in New York City). To make the commitment to caring for and sustaining the life of greenery a bit easier, we've put together this list of special and very sturdy plants perfect for apartment dwellers like yourself.
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The West Side Cowboys and the railway cars that killed 436 people before 1906

West Side Cowboy on Death Avenue, via Kalmbach Publishing Co.

June 5, 2018

The West Side Cowboys and the railway cars that killed 436 people before 1906

By Rebecca Paul

The now-defunct elevated train lines of Manhattan are well known today thanks to their reincarnation as the High Line. But before this raised structure was put in place, the west side was home to a deadly train system appropriately referred to by locals as "The Butcher." The full-size railway line ran from 1846 to 1941 between 10th and 11th Avenues without barriers, fences or platforms, earning the route the nickname "Death Avenue" before it was taken out of operation for causing more than 430 fatalities--deaths that not even true western cowboys could stop.
The whole history right this way

Where to volunteer in NYC: Food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, and more

Image by acfb.org

November 13, 2017

Where to volunteer in NYC: Food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, and more

By Rebecca Paul

The holiday season is the time of year when seeing friends and family is hard to avoid. We also find ourselves with more vacation days during these winter months. However, even though these two holiday realities suggest cheer and relaxation, they don't always mean we're taking the necessary time to slow down and appreciate what really matters. Instead of just eating and drinking your way through the next weeks, why not harness the holiday spirit and take a pause to help your fellow New Yorkers in need? There are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer from now through the New Year, and the list we've compiled below is a good place to start.
6sqft's list this way

Soho and Tribeca’s windowed sidewalks provided light to basement factory workers before electricity

Vault lights in Soho, via WooJin Chung for 6sqft

August 9, 2017

Soho and Tribeca’s windowed sidewalks provided light to basement factory workers before electricity

By Rebecca Paul

In many parts of Soho and Tribeca, the sidewalks are made from small circular glass bulbs instead of solid concrete. Known as "hollow sidewalks" or "vault lights," the unique street coverings are remnants from the neighborhood's industrial past when they provided light to the basement factories below before electricity was introduced. These skylight-like sidewalks first came about in the 1840s when these neighborhoods were transitioning from residential to commercial and when their signature cast iron buildings first started to rise.
Find out more about their history

History

Michael Haverland’s 20-acre East Hampton ‘campus’ is arranged around a series of courtyards

June 11, 2017

Michael Haverland’s 20-acre East Hampton ‘campus’ is arranged around a series of courtyards

By Rebecca Paul

This gorgeous East Hampton property is located on a 20-acre site that was surveyed and designed by architect Michael Haverland in the format of a "campus" rather than one large suburban home. It's arranged around a series of courtyards and gardens to take full advantage of the subtle undulations of the site's organic topography, providing room for an L-shaped main house, pool house and 25-meter pool, gym, spa, and tennis court.
Tour the whole property

Architecture And Design

Barnes Coy Architects added all-white interiors to this contemporary Hamptons home

May 26, 2017

Barnes Coy Architects added all-white interiors to this contemporary Hamptons home

By Rebecca Paul

Those of us New Yorkers lucky enough to be heading out to the Hamptons this weekend may not as lucky to shack up in a stunning abode like this, but we all can dream. This contemporary home from Barnes Coy Architects is located in picturesque East Quogue and was strategically designed to feature views of both the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Shinnecock Bay to the north, all highlighted by stark white interiors.
Tour the property

Uncategorized

The New Design Project filled this rustic Jersey City loft with colorful, geometric accessories

May 25, 2017

The New Design Project filled this rustic Jersey City loft with colorful, geometric accessories

By Rebecca Paul

The New Design Project decked out a young couple's urban residence with bursts of bold color, texture, and geometry, transforming the rustic Jersey City loft into a vibrant modern oasis. Integrated into the interior decor are several modern pieces, strategically placed among playful accents and ethnic touches--an unexpected yet seamless integration of various styles that's become synonymous with the work of this edgy design duo.
Take a look

Popular Articles

Arckit’s new modeling sets make it easy to build professional models without cutting or gluing

May 11, 2017

Arckit’s new modeling sets make it easy to build professional models without cutting or gluing

By Rebecca Paul

Arckit, an architectural model kit manufacturer, has recently added to its family of offerings a series of playful yet professional three-dimensional modeling sets designed to satisfy the needs of building professionals, as well as aspiring designers. Traditional methods of model building include "cut and glue" techniques or 3D drawings, but these kits, called Arckit Cityscape and Arckit Masterplan, provide the same tactile experience with no special skills required.
Learn more

Desai Chia Architecture combined a traditional Hamptons cottage with a bold modern addition

May 8, 2017

Desai Chia Architecture combined a traditional Hamptons cottage with a bold modern addition

By Rebecca Paul

Located in the quaint hamlet of South Hampton, Water Mill is home to some truly beautiful modern architecture thanks to its picturesque ocean backdrop and preserved greenery. And this 4,600-square-foot house from Desai Chia Architecture is no exception. In 2015, the home underwent a full renovation, and the current structure is an expansion of a traditional shingled cottage upgraded with a modern addition.
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Architecture And Design

VIDEO: Robert Moses talks about roads, parks and city traffic in 1953

May 3, 2017

VIDEO: Robert Moses talks about roads, parks and city traffic in 1953

By Rebecca Paul

Robert Moses, the "master builder," was arguably the most influential individual in the development of New York City's politics and physical structure. He's widely known for his hand in creating New York State's massive parkway network (he built 13 expressways through NYC) and erecting large public housing complexes in low-scale neighborhoods (many of which were segregated), and has therefore been named as the source of many of the city's gentrification and urban decline issues still present today. Regardless of this criticism, his breath of knowledge and experience was unparalleled (we can also thank him for Lincoln Center, Jones Beach, and countless public swimming pools) and is the subject of this 15-minute television program called Longines Chronoscope that aired in 1953, at the height of his heyday.
Watch the video here

History

1100 Architect’s Watermill estate uses glass structures to integrate the surrounding landscape

April 14, 2017

1100 Architect’s Watermill estate uses glass structures to integrate the surrounding landscape

By Rebecca Paul

Located in the Hamptons neighborhood of Water Mill , this modern yet surprisingly rustic family retreat includes a main house, pool house, guest house, bunkhouse, and garage. The mini-complex was designed by 1100 Architect and occupies a total of 15 wooded acres. The main house's design is a balanced combination of glass and location, as it's situated on the plot's highest peak, providing the structure with expansive and unobstructed views of the surrounding property and shoreline from the roof terrace.
Take the tour

Architecture And Design

Burrow’s new modular couch is designed for millennials’ nomadic lifestyle

April 12, 2017

Burrow’s new modular couch is designed for millennials’ nomadic lifestyle

By Rebecca Paul

With moving frequently an assumed part of being a young adult today, furniture startup Burrow has released a new line of modular sofas that are easily assembled, affordable (prices range from $550 for a single chair to $1,150 for a four-seat couch), and can adapt to new spaces with pieces that can be tacked on or removed. The company also mixed the principals of two millennial-loved companies--Ikea's flatpack approach to shipping and Casper matresses' one-week free shipping and 100-day free return policy.
Find out more

Coughlin Architecture gives an actor’s 500-square-foot penthouse an efficient design update

April 11, 2017

Coughlin Architecture gives an actor’s 500-square-foot penthouse an efficient design update

By Rebecca Paul

Living in a tiny apartment no longer has a stigma attached to it. If anything, their inhabitants and the architects who outfit them seem to revel in their diminutive stature. One such example is this mere 500-square-foot penthouse apartment located on West 56th street across from the Hearst Tower, recently given a sweeping update by Coughlin Architecture. The home's owner, an actor splitting time between NYC and LA, requested an open, bright space, with a minimal kitchen and bathroom.
see more inside

Distinctive Homes

The New Design Project’s Park Avenue apartment has an uptown address with downtown style

April 10, 2017

The New Design Project’s Park Avenue apartment has an uptown address with downtown style

By Rebecca Paul

This beautiful Park Avenue apartment from the The New Design Project reflects the elegance and refinement synonymous with its Upper East Side address but also boasts a unique downtown vibe made possible by the studio's signature aesthetic. The light-filled home is adorned with modern furniture and lighting, as well as carefully curated floor treatments and accessories.
See the whole home

Clever and compact Kammerspiel provides an all-inclusive living unit for studio apartments

April 6, 2017

Clever and compact Kammerspiel provides an all-inclusive living unit for studio apartments

By Rebecca Paul

For many city-dwellers, living spaces often comes limited, so much so that it's not uncommon for homes to be referred to as "micro-apartments." German designer Nils Holger Moormann has created Kammerspiel for these tiny abodes, a sleek, all-in-one unit for sleeping, eating, working and storage. This is the largest piece of furniture he's ever engineered, and the purpose of the multi-functional structure is to provide a space-saving solution for people with limited square footage.
see more here

Noroof Architects’ Bed-Stuy porcHouse re-imagines the classic American front porch

April 4, 2017

Noroof Architects’ Bed-Stuy porcHouse re-imagines the classic American front porch

By Rebecca Paul

"The great American front porch was just there, open and sociable, an unassigned part of the house that belonged to everyone and no one, a place for family and friends to pass the time," said architect Davida Rochlin in her essay "Home, Sweet Home." It was this idea that Brooklyn-based firm Noroof Architects kept in mind when redesigning this 1879 two-story, wood-frame home in Bed-Stuy. It was structurally sound and maintained original details like its covered porch with original cornice and trim, marble mantels, and carved stair balusters, but mechanically required a full gut renovation. To complete their "porcHouse" vision, Noroof added a two-story addition at the rear that they say "creates a kind of ‘interior portico.’"
See the whole place

Architecture And Design

First look at the iconic Hotel Chelsea’s glamorous interior renovation

Update 4/4/2017: 6sqft has been informed that Kara Mann’s design will likely not move forward because of changes with the development team. We will provide additional updates as we receive them.

April 3, 2017

First look at the iconic Hotel Chelsea’s glamorous interior renovation

By Rebecca Paul

While there's no shortage of hotels to visit in New York City, some are more worthy of the trip than others, and the restored Hotel Chelsea will certainly be one of them when it reopens in 2018. The renovation of this famous hotel—known since the 1960s as a haven for artists, writers, and musicians, housing famous tenants including Bob Dylan, Stanley Kubrick, Jasper Johns, Patty Smith, Dylan Thomas and Leonard Cohen—has been in the works since 2011, with lots of drama, ultimately finding some direction following a $250M purchase by Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD Hotels and hotelier Sean MacPherson, last year. Following the sale, the new owners announced they would redevelop the property as a hotel and condos, departing from previous plans of simply converting the structure into a high-end hotel. Now, with its re-opening just around the corner, the first few images of the glamorous new interiors designed by Kara Mann have emerged.
READ MORE

Fōz Design transforms an old upstate farmhouse into a bright, rustic-modern retreat

March 31, 2017

Fōz Design transforms an old upstate farmhouse into a bright, rustic-modern retreat

By Rebecca Paul

Located upstate in historic Hyde Park, this 1830s farmhouse recently underwent a full gut renovation by New York architecture firm Fōz Design. The project, called Fallkill Farm, was executed in collaboration with custom-builder Wolcott Builders, a team effort resulting in what is now a light-infused, rustic, modern retreat that preserved as many of the home's historic elements as possible, while adding modern, purposeful elements to expose views of the 36-acre property, complete with three barns and a pond.
Take a tour

Architecture And Design

The Living Table: A self-regulated planter-table perfect for small spaces

March 30, 2017

The Living Table: A self-regulated planter-table perfect for small spaces

By Rebecca Paul

Two of the smartest things you can do when decorating your city-dwelling are to make use of indoor plants and to invest in multi-functional pieces of furniture. This brilliant new table, aptly named The Living Table, brings these two concepts together seamlessly. The innovative table design from Habitat Horticulture mimics how plants naturally absorb water from the ground, providing you with the perfect plant-ready furniture to house all of your favorite low-growing greenery.
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Stackable furniture line from Debra Folz Design makes storage stylish

March 24, 2017

Stackable furniture line from Debra Folz Design makes storage stylish

By Rebecca Paul

There are all types of stackable furniture out there, and while many of them function perfectly well, they're not always the most design-friendly items in the room. Enter Stack. This new product line from the Providence-based design firm Debra Folz Design is a sleek, stylish and stackable addition to your home decor. The units are constructed as rectangular-shaped boxes that fit together through a series of grooves, each cut to accommodate metal rods.
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Peter Kostelov transforms a dark uptown apartment into a multifunctional home with sliding furniture

March 21, 2017

Peter Kostelov transforms a dark uptown apartment into a multifunctional home with sliding furniture

By Rebecca Paul

Living in cramped New York quarters requires a specific approach to spatial planning that favors efficiency and functionality. In this previously dark uptown apartment with limited square footage, Russian Architect Peter Kostelov created a spacious, multi-functional home by combining a semi-open floorplan with a series of tucked-away furniture that can easily be pulled out or put away depending on which "room" the residents need.
See it all here

Young Projects’ Tribeca loft explores solids and voids with nested prisms and an interior courtyard

March 20, 2017

Young Projects’ Tribeca loft explores solids and voids with nested prisms and an interior courtyard

By Rebecca Paul

This massive home, dubbed the Gerken Residence, occupies 6,000 square feet of interior space, plus a 1,500-square-foot rooftop garden, all located on the top floors of a historic Tribeca building. Designed by Young Projects, the unique loft's inner structure is comprised of three nested prisms that explore the relationship between solid and void. The floor plan also has various cuts strategically placed to hide and reveal the sky and city.
See the whole home

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