“I’ve been leasing this apartment for five years,” shares chef and culinary book writer Natasha Pickowicz about her 500-square-foot Brooklyn abode. “Initially, I was hesitant about putting up art and altering it as a rental is fleeting. But in time, it dawned on me: This is my current home. Why not make it as cozy as possible?” Here, Natasha provides us with a walkthrough…
ENTRYWAY
Rug: antique. Portrait: crafted by Natasha’s mom. “I’m pretty sure I’m eight here.”
Regarding birthday customs: Annually, my artist mom painted a birthday portrait of me. My parents still reside in my childhood house in San Diego, and my room holds all of them. It sort of feels like a peculiar shrine to me! When I relocated to New York, I took some preferred ones with me.
KITCHEN AREA:
Red lamp: akin.
On planning meals: My restaurant job taught me to organize meals around ingredients, rather than choosing a new recipe to make each night. If I crave chicken, I’ll purchase an entire chicken and poach it, yielding a leftover batch of tasty stock. Then, I’ll consume that stock every morning with rice and steamed greens.
Vase: Carolina Irving & Daughters. Cutting board: Nordstrom.
On making it cat-proof: My feline, Teenie, figured out how to pry open the cabinet door to access food and treats. My solution? Tilt the door. It’s uneven, true, but now she can’t get it open.
Print: Plant Planet.
On strong opinions: Nectarines are the fruit I favor the most. Their skin is softer with more acidity than peaches. They’re tasty in salads with leafy greens, such as spinach or escarole, and they make fantastic jam.
Bookshelves: Ikea. Red lamps: akin.
Regarding cooking in a tiny apartment: I transformed the front hall wardrobe into a pantry, and I own a small fridge. Residing here has taught me more efficient cooking. Rather than big grocery runs, I shop every few days and converse with neighborhood folk.
LIVING AREA:
On economical shopping: While browsing sofas at Pottery Barn, I spotted one I adored and was set to buy. But my boyfriend queried a salesperson about purchasing the display model. They agreed and sold it to me at a large discount!
Rug: Schoolhouse. Sofa: Pottery Barn. Lamp: akin.
On family customs: In my youth, my parents and I dined together every night. Post-dinner, we’d stroll around the block. Those moments instilled a profound love for walking in me. These days, a post-meal neighborhood walk feels like being home.
Print: Mike Paré. Table: West Elm. Chairs: secondhand.
On a TV-free life: Upon moving to New York, I refrained from buying a TV since my previous apartment was tinier, and I didn’t want it to be guests’ initial sight. Months passed, and I found I didn’t miss it. Should I truly desire to watch something, I’ll do so on my laptop. Generally, I wind down by reading, sketching, or tending to the garden.
BEDROOM
Throw: Hubsch Interior. Sconces: Poplight. Side table: like.
Regarding playful lights: When my mom visited, she remarked, ‘This lighting is insufficient.’ She then purchased me these sconces. They’re perfect for rentals as they adhere to walls with double-sided tape and are battery-run.
On snug spaces: I label my bedroom my treehouse. It descends to the backyard. Mornings feel like waking to a secret garden.
Regarding entertaining crafts: My boyfriend, his kid, and I crafted these backyard dioramas — inspired by our camping ventures this year. As a child, my mom converted our garage into her studio, inspiring me with her art around the house. It’s fulfilling having a home that encourages my loved ones and me to create.
GARDEN
On soothing endeavors: My book, Everyone Hot Pot, launched this year, and I embarked on a two-month tour, traveling from California to the Midwest, then Canada, and back east. Meeting readers and visiting cities was thrilling. Once back in New York, a wave of post-excitement hit me. I immersed myself in garden enhancement, planting produce: purple okra, kale, husk cherries, cucumbers, bitter melon, and lots of tomatoes.
Concerning party games: I adore setting up blind taste challenges like seen on Top Chef. Equipped with makeshift blindfolds, I’ll provide tastes of growing herbs — Thai basil, lavender, lemongrass — leaving people eager to guess. They grow quite confident in identifying tastes. It’s priceless watching when mistaken!
On reminiscing fruits: Passion fruits flourish everywhere in San Diego, where I grew up, leading me to plant two passionflower vines here. They’re stunning with sizable, unique flowers, a reminder of home.
Regarding unruly gardens: This year, I aimed for as many vining plants as possible. I enjoy when things grow large and lush, go to seed, and resemble a wild jungle. I’m proud of what my boyfriend and I achieved here this year, eager for next summer’s possibilities.
Thanks a ton, Natasha! We adore you.
P.S. A Brooklyn apartment full of surprises, and a family’s downsized dream home.
(Images by Veronica Olson for Cup of Jo.)
Renowned pastry chef and writer Natasha Pickowicz has turned her living space into a lush haven that stimulates creativity and tranquility. Her love for gardening is reflected in the flourishing, chaotic beauty that fills her home, creating a unique fusion of nature and art.
Pickowicz’s gardening philosophy mirrors her culinary innovations. She endorses organized chaos, permitting plants to flourish independently, crafting a vibrant and constantly changing setting. This practice mirrors her personal style and promotes biodiversity, bringing in diverse pollinators and nurturing a mini-ecosystem in her home.
Her apartment is emblematic of the potential of indoor gardening, showcasing a variety of plants from towering ferns to delicate succulents. Each plant is carefully selected for its decorative charm and indoor resilience, striking a balance of beauty and sustainability.
Pickowicz’s garden is more than a plant collection; it’s a fountain of inspiration and comfort. The presence of greenery is known to alleviate stress and enhance creativity—benefits invaluable in Pickowicz’s profession. Her garden acts as a living masterpiece, its vivid colors and complex patterns influencing her pastry designs.
The home garden integration also underscores the need for natural elements within urban spaces. In city settings where green space is scarce, Pickowicz’s home garden provides a refreshing retreat and a testament to the natural world’s beauty and durability.
For those aiming to cultivate their own indoor garden, Pickowicz’s method offers insightful guidance. She stresses choosing plants suitable for one’s lifestyle and locale, along with the joy derived from experimenting with various layouts and combinations. Her garden demonstrates that anyone, irrespective of space or know-how, can nurture a thriving indoor paradise.
Ultimately, Natasha Pickowicz’s apartment garden celebrates nature’s allure and serves as endless motivation. Her dedication to creating a verdant, wild garden is a reminder of the transformational influence of plants and the happiness they bring to our lives.
