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

October 20, 2015

Designer Elena Sidorova’s fLOP Armchair Opens Like a Book Into a Twin Bed

By Rebecca Paul

We all know the feeling of wanting to flop down at the end of a long day. In addition to describing a very specific desire to rest, fLOP is also an armchair which folds out to a sleeping place for one person. This multifunctional piece of furniture was created by Russian designer Elena Sidorova, and is perfect for New Yorkers with frequent overnight guests.
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October 20, 2015

Clever Room Divider by Jordan Parnass Triples as Queen-Sized Bed and Storage Unit

By Rebecca Paul

Living efficiently in a studio apartment definitely requires careful planning, and one of the largest challenges is separating the bedroom from the living area. This custom-fabricated millwork insertion designed by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture for a Battery Park studio, solves that problem, and a few others as well. In addition to providing the studio with a bedroom divider, the piece also holds additional storage and display shelving.
see more here

October 19, 2015

The Cocktail Computer Combines Old School Technology With Great Drink Recipes

By Rebecca Paul

Having a stocked bar in your home is one of the many privileges of adulthood, but that doesn't necessarily mean we know how to make drinks. Thanks to designer Lily Szajnberg, we can take the guess work out of mixing boozy concoctions at home with her Cocktail Computer. Szajnberg, who's an expert at in-home mixology, has combined her experience finding and executing her favorite cocktails to create this funky kitchen accessory that allows users to search curated drink recipes based on the ingredients they have available.
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October 19, 2015

Garrison Treehouse Features Twisty Slide, Writing Desk and Hudson Valley Panoramas

By Rebecca Paul

Even as adults many of us willingly admit that having a treehouse would be awesome, and the Garrison Treehouse, designed by the NYC-based studio Sharon Davis Design, is better than we imagined. This 200-square-foot playful retreat is quaintly situated amongst the meadow, forest, orchards and hills of the Hudson River Valley in Garrison, New York (where Davis herself has an eco-retreat), and includes fire poles, a twisty slide, a balcony and even a writing desk.
Live out your childhood fantasies

Architecture And Design

October 16, 2015

Robert Stuart Fills His West Village Condo With Thoughtful Details for a Past Reimagined

By Rebecca Paul

This gorgeous, rustic West Village condo belongs to designer Robert Stuart from Rob Stuart Interiors. Located on Perry Street, his city oasis was used as a warehouse in the 1980s, so was in desperate need of some personality when he moved in. With his own home as his canvas, the designer took advantage of the massively high ceilings, wood burning fireplace, and panoramic NYC views. Before renovations were installed, the space was stripped down to its bare bones and every corner and detail was put in place to design a home of the past reimagined.
See it all here

October 15, 2015

Studio Cadena Turns a Cramped 600 Square Foot Bushwick Loft Into a Three-Bedroom Artist Residence

By Rebecca Paul

Bushwick is a rapidly changing artists' neighborhood and much like other popular neighborhoods in New York City, is experiencing an increasing scarcity of affordable living space. That being said, it's easy to understand why this group of just-starting-out youngsters decided to transform a 600-square-foot, awkwardly subdivided loft into a bright open space they could share comfortably. With a limited budget and help from the architects and designers at Studio Cadena, their apartment is now a modern and dynamic living space.
Check it out here

October 14, 2015

These Bike Helmets Are Designed to Resemble the Human Head

By Rebecca Paul

Bike culture in NYC is a vibrant part of the city, so we love any quirky bike swag that might make heads turn. These crazy bike helmets called Project:Human Helmet from Dubai-based designer Jyo John Mulloor are a great example. The conceptual gear doesn't look like a regular helmet, but rather it was designed to resemble the surface of a human scalp. Weird, right?
Find out more about these helmets

October 13, 2015

The Enveloppe Sofa by Inga Sempe Is as Great as Spooning

By Rebecca Paul

Sometimes after a long day at work you can almost hear your couch calling your name. But by introducing the Enveloppe Sofa by Inga Sempe into your living room, your most beloved piece of furniture will actually welcome you home with a well-deserved hug. The curved design of the couch can be enjoyed solo, with a friend or a loved one.
find out more here

October 13, 2015

Upper East Side Townhouse by Blair Harris Boasts Opulent Details and Regal Allure

By Rebecca Paul

Blair Harris Interior Design is relatively new to the New York design scene, but the work they've been churning out thus far is simply stunning. This beautifully decorated Upper East Side townhouse boasts an array of opulent textures, colors, and patterns, and the carefully curated furniture and light fixtures give the home a regal allure. The architectural details include floor-to-ceiling windows, ornate ceiling medallions, handsome molding, and decadent built-ins.
Take a look around

October 12, 2015

This Seesaw Table Was Designed to Keep You Alert During Meal Times

By Rebecca Paul

It may not be ideal for that already-awkward Tinder date, but this cool seesaw table, also known as De Tafelwip, is perfect when vying for a loved one's full attention. The table's design was inspired by Dutch designer Marleen Jansen's thesis project called "being forced voluntarily" that examined the subject of table manners. Her intention was to create a product that would inherently prevent people from walking away from the table while eating dinner, and as far as we can tell, she was certainly successful in this pursuit.
More ahead

Specht Harpman Transforms an Awkward 425-Square-Foot Apartment Into an Open Space Oasis

By Rebecca Paul

Buying property in NYC sometimes requires a little imagination, as it did for this Upper West Side micro loft, first purchased for $95,000 by its current owner Huxley Somerville back in 1994. Somerville, who is a managing director at a commercial mortgage-backed securities division, had almost gone to school to study architecture, so he was able to recognize the potential in this awkward 425-square-foot brownstone apartment. Finally in 2009, after living abroad and subletting the place for many years, Somerville teamed up with the architecture firm Specht Harpman to turn his open-space vision into a reality.
See the transformation

October 9, 2015

The Fuck You Umbrella Gives You Peace of Mind and the Rain a Piece of Your Mind

By Rebecca Paul

Any seasoned New Yorker knows that unfavorable weather conditions can rear their ugly head in a New York minute. However, if we let a little rain or snow muck up our productivity we'd get nothing done come fall and winter (and who wants to work in the summer?). But that doesn't mean we're happy about it. This "Fuck You Rain Umbrella" helps us to move on with our day despite the rain or snow, and maybe make us feel a bit better in the process—we're just venting here.
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October 8, 2015

Jan Eleni’s Brooklyn Townhouse Mixes Primitive and Industrial Styles for a Perfectly Curated Look

By Rebecca Paul

Jan Eleni, the designer responsible for the interior of this Brooklyn townhouse, first made a name for herself in NYC in the '90s with a little shop in the East Village. The store, also under her name, provided New Yorkers a place to buy an eclectic mix of primitive and industrial pieces. A self-taught designer who loves to "hunt," Eleni filled her shop with items that she found to be the most intriguing. She now splits her time between New York and Brazil and infuses this same aesthetic into her clients' interiors, with this home serving as a great example of her eclectic style.
Check it out

October 8, 2015

Stylish Cat Bed for Your Modern Home Also Provides Jobs to People With Disabilities

By Rebecca Paul

Cats are self-sufficient animals and make excellent city pets. While their smelly litter boxes aren't our favorite household item, The Cube, a cat bed designed by Aude Sanchez and Guillaume Gadenne of Meyou, will fit in beautifully with your modern home decor. But the fact that the bed is nice to look at isn't even the best part. Sanchez, who has a background in marketing and communication, and Gadenne, who's an industrial designer, have teamed up with an organization dedicated to rehabilitating the disabled through work for the bed's manufacturing and stock management. The cotton beds will retail for $200 and will start shipping by March of 2016.
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October 7, 2015

Inspired by Dumpster Living, Kasita Is the Micro-Apartment You Can Take Anywhere

By Rebecca Paul

Jeff Wilson's new design, Kasita, is a radical approach to apartment living. Now like never before you can literally move your entire apartment from one city to the next with the push of a button. The design of the tech-packed home was inspired by Wilson's radical experiment in apartment living when he spent the better part of a year living in a converted dumpster. The alternative lifestyle was supposed to provide commentary on the excessiveness of the typical single-family house, but it did far more than that.
More about Kasita Here

October 7, 2015

Real Money Gets Recycled Into New Fabric for Designer Furniture

By Rebecca Paul

Did you know that most money only has a lifespan of 18 months before it is decommissioned and sent to the incinerator? In reality, your cold hard cash is nothing more than a fancy blend of cotton and linen, and as we move deeper into the digital age, our tactile dollars are being used less and less. So what will happen to our coins and bills when they become obsolete? Well, London-based designer Angela Mathis is thinking ahead with her new project VALUE, which recycles shredded notes to form a new textile that can be applied to a variety of upholstery needs.
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October 6, 2015

Union Square Bachelor Pad With Indian Decor Has Its Very Own Coffee Bar

By Rebecca Paul

Getting settled in Manhattan can be challenging, but with help from the designers at Peti Lau Inc. this bachelor from Bangalore, India created a place to call home with an epic interior inspired by his love for travel, all things vintage, and coffee. Located in Union Square, this 1,800-square-foot one-bedroom apartment boasts a variety of noteworthy design details, including a cafe-inspired kitchen and tchotchkes and rugs gathered from the owner's trips to Africa, Morocco and India.
Take a look around

October 6, 2015

Hanging Stalaclights Bring Art Deco Skyscrapers Into Your Home

By Rebecca Paul

The buildings of the skyline have been illuminating the dark city nights for centuries, and now with Stalaclights they can light up your home as well. These awesome 3D-printed shades from Studio David Grass were designed to replicate the Art Deco skyscrapers of New York City and Chicago while providing a nice warm glow.
More on the lights here

October 5, 2015

Tradition Is Redefined in This Lovely Downtown Loft by J and G Design

By Rebecca Paul

The gorgeous interior of this downtown loft was made possible by the budding design team from J and G Design. Recently named “Five Under 30” and “Next Big Names” by Lonny Magazine, this dynamic duo describes their aesthetic as traditional design but strive to make each project equal parts tailored and eclectic, glamorous and relaxed, and bold and subtle. And as we move from room to room inside this particular loft interior, we can see how their selection of textures, colors and patterns have allowed them to be successful in achieving their goals.
see more inside

Distinctive Homes

October 5, 2015

Everyday Office Furniture From Designer Emanuele Magini Doubles as Sports Equipment

By Rebecca Paul

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy—at least that's what we've heard. Either way, why not welcome a little extra play time into your office or living space? With products like Lazy Basketball and Lazy Football from Milan-based designer Emanuele Magini, your furniture can easily double as your favorite sports equipment—and keep the fun going every day of the week.
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Shop

October 4, 2015

Get a Back Massage From Your Kid With This Road Map T-shirt

By Rebecca Paul

New Yorkers often pride themselves on their busy schedules, constantly running from one thing to the next, and for the brave souls who also have children, life in the big city is even more complicated. Well, tired parents, have we got the thing for you. This awesome t-shirt comes complete with a toy car-sized roadmap on the back, so you can entertain your kids and get a back massage at the same time!
Find out how to get your own roadmap t-shirt

Architecture And Design

October 2, 2015

Olson Kundig Architects Turn an Upper East Side Water Tower Into a Fantasy Penthouse

By Rebecca Paul

By U.S. standards New York is a pretty old city, and over the years New Yorkers have been pretty diligent about preserving its historic architecture. As we head into the future, we're seeing more and more old industrial buildings being transformed into beautiful homes. A great example is this Upper East Side penthouse built inside a water tower that is not only awesome in concept, but is also stunning to look at. Lili and Lee Siegelson, the couple who own the immaculate home, worked with Olson Kundig Architects, and together they transformed two floors of the building into an apartment big enough for their happy family.
Go inside this stunning penthouse

October 2, 2015

Emanuele Magini’s Sosia Sofa Transforms From Daybed to Couch in Just Seconds

By Rebecca Paul

With limited space, New Yorkers need to be smart about how they furnish their homes. This is no easy task, so when a piece of furniture as versatile as Sosia comes along, you bet we're paying attention. At first glance this green-colored floppy foam looks like a standard room divider, but in reality it is a lot more than meets the eye. Designed by Milan-based Emanuele Magini, the bendable foam can be easily be reshaped for a variety of different purposes including a dressing room, two-seat sofa, bed and more.
Learn more about Sosia

October 1, 2015

Carroll Gardens Townhouse Gets Modern Update With Glass, Metal and a Floating Staircase

By Rebecca Paul

When someone says, "Carroll Gardens townhouse," metal and glass aren't always the first things that come to mind. However, in this modern home designed by Robert Young Architects, they are both major players. The home's interior color palette is also unique, contrasting deep reds and bright citrus greens with brick walls and hardwood floors and furnishings. The multiple levels are structured around an open central channel, giving the home expansive views from every floor.
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September 30, 2015

Revenge Architecture: Four New York Buildings Constructed out of Spite

By Rebecca Paul

We don't have to love our neighbors, but life is most certainly less stressful when they're easy to get along with. But as we all know, this is not always the case, and in several instances in New York's turbulent history, a friendly local feud has resulted in some rancor constructions—or what's better known today as "spite houses." According to Wikipedia, a spite house is a building constructed or modified to irritate neighbors or any party with land stakes. While this definition illustrates the basic concepts of the act, it doesn't quite capture the vengeful spirit that powers it. With that said, we've perused the archives and put together a quick history lesson featuring a few famous examples of spiteful architecture that's risen in New York over the past centuries.
read more about four of new york's spite houses

All articles by Rebecca Paul

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