Tuesday, May 28, 2013

English Country in the City


Have you seen British style-writer and interior designer Rita Konig's New York apartment in The Selby? (Rita is the current T Magazine and former Domino editor.) It is a little piece of heaven. She has turned a small West Village apartment into a sort of "Jane Austen meets modern day magazine editor's" cozy retreat. It feels like a country cottage in the midst of New York City. And how smart, since I can imagine that if you lived in New York, nothing would feel better than coming home to a soothing and enthralling oasis after a day in the city. I am smitten!


Her apartment feels fresh and at the same time evokes a strong feeling of home. Like a little house with a country feel in the middle of the city.


In an interview for New York Magazine, Rita said that the fireplace and the windows were the reason she took the apartment. She goes on to say, "I have always liked decorating my small apartments as though they are just a few of the rooms in a much larger house, so you have the feeling that you could, should you want to, wander off to the drawing room, library, dining room, but for the moment are just choosing to be in this rather cozy study."








The prettiest room is the bedroom. Feminine and romantic, it would be like sleeping in a little garden.  


I love Rita Konig's design philosophy. She says (from the interview above), "You just have to be able to sink back at home. If there aren't comfortable chairs or a sofa, you are sunk. I am more interested in that, really, than the trim on the curtains. Sitting and chatting is what I really like most of all in the whole world."

I couldn't agree with her more. The most inviting homes are a personal narrative of the way people live, a reflection of who they are. Books, art, travel souvenirs, and family heirlooms give a cozy and lived-in look to a home. I once heard a decorator say that rooms should be collected not decorated. I think Rita Konig has accomplished that goal and created a home that is warm and welcoming. 

To see the full tour of Rita Konig's apartment, go here.

9 comments:

  1. I was a huge Domino fan and love Konig's style. I saw a photo of that beautiful, floral bedroom in New York Magazine's home design issue a few years ago and have been hanging on to it as inspiration ever since.

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  2. Wow what a fabulous apartment! I love it, it looks like it is in the English countryside. Thanks for sharing, I am off to see the rest of the place.

    I hope you have a great week, Elizabeth

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  3. I love this! It is so beautiful yet cozy - the fireplace would catch my attention too.

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  4. Like everything in this apartment except the hearts on the sheets. With all the floral paper, the hearts are just too gushingly sweetie sweet. "Just sayin." Just my opinion.
    b

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  5. I'd seen this, but love seeing it again. Like you I adore the bedroom, and I think when you live in NYC, it's the most important room in one's apartment. I've always loved very feminine bedrooms, they're sensual and cozy, and generally the hardest room to decorate for a male/female couple, as most men want something a bit more gender neutral, which can also make them a bit dull.

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  6. Sunday...this is so charming and exactly my taste. Thank you for finding such a perfect little apartment. I almost think I could live in New York if I could live there!

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  7. This is such a beautiful little apartment. I love her philosophy and the bedroom is definitely my favorite room. I'm not usually a fan of prints, but this room is so cozy. I could settle right down in it!

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  8. These stunning pictures are so very English,maybe not so popular with the young here in rural parts,too Laura Ashley they cry!!
    I adore the bedroom time to bring back that look minus the horrid 'ruffle blinds' ,HB calls them 'bundles of rags' .

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  9. The bedroom looks as if it would feel like a hug.

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