My 850sqft: DJ and influencer Isaac Hindin-Miller opts for Mid-Century modern in his Alphabet City home
6sqft’s ongoing series “My sqft” checks out the homes of New Yorkers across all the boroughs. Our latest interior adventure brings us to the Alphabet City apartment of style blogger and DJ Isaac Hindin-Miller. Want to see your home featured here? Get in touch!
For DJ and influencer Isaac Hindin-Miller, style comes easy. The native New Zealander has been a fixture in the fashion world for nearly a decade, working for top menswear brands and writing for publications like the Business of Fashion, Man Repeller, and GQ. Unsurprisingly, his success has brought him to every corner of the world, and his day-to-day is one that most of us can only dream of. But while Isaac’s life has revolved around all that is beautiful, it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that his style started to carry over into his home.
In 2015, Isaac’s roommate left their apartment in Alphabet City, and instead of hunting for another body to fill the space, he jumped on the opportunity to turn the two-bedroom into an Instagram-ready home. Ahead, tour his once uninspiring 850-square-foot apartment, now a bright and airy top-floor escape outfitted with soft-hued Mid-century modern furniture, framed art, and lots of plants!
You previously lived in Williamsburg, what brought you to Alphabet City?
I was living with my girlfriend in Williamsburg, we broke up but tried to stay together, and she moved to Alphabet City so I moved down the street to be close to her. (It didn’t work out.) I’d never even heard of Avenue D before I arrived but four years later I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Your roommate moved out a couple of years ago, what were the first changes you made to the apartment?
Everything in the apartment was red, brown, and green (this is what it used to look like). It always felt pretty heavy and closed in, and that giant bull was a very large presence. The first thing I did was get rid of the TV, throw out the old lamps and side tables, and change the cushion covers on the couch—there used to be about 24 cushions on each couch, no joke—then I changed the rug, I bought new couches, a dining table, and the pink Eames dining chairs. Oh and art. Lots and lots of art. I got addicted to getting stuff framed. And plants!
You’re very much at the center of the fashion world and have traveled all over, how has that influenced the design of your apartment?
To be honest, when I travel I either stay in hotels or super cheap Airbnbs. I don’t often see apartments in real life that inspire me. I get most of my apartment inspiration off the internet. I love the Saturday emails that 1stDibs sends out where they profile interior designers, and I’m obsessed with these Parisian interior architects, I love what Tariq and Nick do at trnk-nyc.com, and Kinfolk. And, you know, Tumblr/Instagram etc.
How would you describe your style? Do any of your New Zealand sensibilities play into your style?
Oh god I don’t know… I guess I like Scandinavian style and Japanese style and Mid-century modern style and it’s an attempt at all that thrown together? The New Zealander in me insists that I have at least one sheepskin—usually more—thrown around the room.
What’s your favorite thing about the apartment?
The light. Because it’s a top floor corner apartment with an empty lot next to it I get light on the north, east and south sides. And the plants. The plants love the light so they keep growing and growing and I love seeing them come to life.
What are a few of your favorite objects and/or pieces of furniture?
The Ligne Roset Togo couch is probably my favorite piece, but it was an ordeal to get here. I bought it second hand from Belgium and it got stuck in quarantine in customs for ages and I kept getting charged more and more for how long they were keeping it and it ended up costing me about twice as much as I originally thought it was going to. I love the Matisse prints I’ve got, I love my Richard Haines prints, I love the beautiful naked ladies by Ria Leigh, and I love my sheepskin.
Is there an item you’ve had your eye on that you’d love to add?
I really want a Richard Haines original. One day soon I’ll get one. I want some Charlotte Perriand Tabouret stools and I really really really want a sheepskin lounge chair.
What are your three tips for transforming an apartment?
Start with the art, add plants, and you can’t go wrong with classic famous furniture—or replicas.
What do you love about your neighborhood and what are a few of your favorite spots?
The rent is cheap! I love how it’s a true residential neighborhood in downtown New York. Everybody knows each other because everybody who lives here goes to the same cafe (9th Street Espresso), the same snack shop (Barnyard Cheese), and the same dog park (Tompkins Square Park), so you’re constantly running into your neighbors. Plus, I have a pretty sweet view of the East River from my living room, everything I need is within a five-block radius, and I love walking around the streets here. The only con is that it’s extremely far away from the subway, but I catch the bus most days (M14D).
Any projects you are working on that we should keep an eye out for?
DJing gigs all over New York City, and I’m working on my solo album that’ll be dropping in the next few months!
All photos taken by Brett Wood exclusively for 6sqft. Photos are not to be reproduced without written permission from 6sqft.
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