Two Dogs, Two People, and 175 Plants Share 750 Square Feet in NYC
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Name:Alessia Resta, her boyfriend Micah, dogs Pachino and Zeus, and 175 plants
Location:Upper West Side — New York, New York
Size:750 square feet
Years lived in:7 years, renting
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“Mainly I wanted people to come into my apartment and feel like they were seeing something that they couldn’t just see anywhere,” confesses Alessia Resta, known as theApartment Botanistonline. Considering the 175 plants thriving in the small Upper West Side rental apartment she shares with her partner Micah and their two dogs, she’s definitely achieved a home like no other. Mixed with green leaves and vines are bold decor elements, lots of light, and gear for serious gamers—a home perfectly personalized for the people living in it.
Though you’ll spot a few familiar plant faces in the mix (hello Monstera!), Alessia also has a collection of flora with names I can’t pronounce (hello Syngonium Podophyllum, Anthurium Veitchii, Anthurium Crystallinum, Variegated Monstera, and Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor?), as well as some rare varieties that require domes, humidifiers, grow lights, and a little extra care.
But it’s not just plants that populate their home; along with being video game players (and the computer setup to prove it), Alessia also runs her laser-printing business out of her home, so you’ll find machinery and printers right alongside all those planters.
Throw in two incredibly cute dogs (and one massive dog bed), and there’s a lot in a small space, but the couple makes it work pretty beautifully, and those Manhattan views from the big windows help. “I can confidently say we’ve made this space our own with our personalities encompassed and showing through,” wrote Alessia on a recent Instagram post celebrating the seventh year of living in this apartment. “It’s always tough when space is limited but hey you make it work even if it gets a little crowded.”
Alessia claims to have about 30 philodendron plants in the apartment, which may be why she also runs the Instagram accountPhilodendron Fanatic. And in case you hadn’t noticed, dogs + plants is a winning combo, so you might enjoy the other Instagram account she co-runs,Furry Botanist. You can check out Alessia’s plant recommendations onAmazon,and snag that cutecelestial monsterapin shown in the video on Etsy. Alessia’s laser-cutting business is calledMade With Laser Inc.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style:Eclectic meets nature
Inspiration:我的灵感的起点color, from there, I’m inspired by unique pieces and figuring out how I can make them work and function together.
Favorite Element:My favorite element of the apartment is my giant yellow shag rug.
Biggest Challenge:One of the biggest challenges is working from home and figuring out the best way the apartment can function as a living and working space. Also general space is always a challenge.
What Friends Say:“How do you fit all these plants in here and keep them alive!”
Biggest Embarrassment:Having a lot of stuff in a small space. We try to make it work but we are often having purge days.
Proudest DIY:My grandmother’s old sewing machine desk that I refinished into a beautiful teal color. Another proud DIY is my living wall of plants!
Biggest Indulgence:Biggest indulgence is my rare plant collection and video games.
Best Advice:If something speaks to you, go with your gut! Even if the piece doesn’t make sense right away, you’ll find a way to make it work and it could really end up being your favorite element of your space.
Dream Sources:Jonathan Adler, Knoll, Paul McCobb, and Nakashima
Resources:
Most of the items in our apartment have been found thrifting or at estate sales.
PLANTS
I source my plants from multiple places, here are some:
The Sill
NSE Tropicals
Cultivate Propagate
Land Of Alice Studio
ENTRY/ KITCHEN
Modern Wine Storage Cabinet —Jet
Felt Letter Board —Felt Like Sharing
Artwork in the kitchen — Thrifted
Espresso Maker —Illy
Verner Panton Enamel Metal ‘Flower Pot’ Wall Light in Yellow — Thrifted
LIVING ROOM
Modern Wool Couch — Thrifted
Yellow Shag Rug — Thrifted
Pillows — HomeGoods
Turner Bubble Mirror — Thrifted
Living Wall —WallyGro Hanging Wall Planters
Paul McCobb Coffee Table — Thrifted
Art — Thrifted
Grandmother’s Sewing Machine Desk — Family heirloom
BEDROOM
Pewter Duvet —Boll and Branch
Paul McCobb Dresser — Thrifted
Russel Wright Dresser — Thrifted
Vintage Glass Pieces — Thrifted
Grandmother’s Lace Curtains — Family heirloom
Artwork including Matisse Lithograph — Thrifted
Mid-Century Green Fiberglass Hanging Side Lamps — Thrifted
Dog Bed —Mammoth
“#BFFL” Neon Glass Piece — Made by Alessia Resta
Large 110-Gallon Tank (we use as a makeshift greenhouse) — Thrifted
Wooden Industrial Shelves —世界市场,brackets
Thanks, Alessia and Micah!
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