All articles by Stephanie Hoina

A lifelong resident of New York City and married to an architect, Stephanie has a true passion for the city's eclectic mix of neighborhoods and structures and is thrilled to be a part of 6sqft. Though her professional background focused primarily on client services and corporate marketing/communications, she was fortunate to embark on a freelance writing career when her son Zachary was born in 1999, working for a wide range of businesses and non profit organizations. Stephanie currently resides in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, where she will proudly tell you her son is the 4th generation of her husband's family to live on their block. Her first novel, Kissing Atticus Primble, was published in 2014.

$1.25M Lower East Side Loft Offers a Beautiful Blank Slate and a Glass Bedroom Wall

January 30, 2015

$1.25M Lower East Side Loft Offers a Beautiful Blank Slate and a Glass Bedroom Wall

By Stephanie Hoina

The expansive living area of this rare-to-the-market designer loft in the former Garfield Building on the Lower East Side offers complete flexibility within its gorgeous exposed brick walls. Floor-to-ceiling double-paned windows, beamed ceilings, and white oak floors all artfully combine to present a beautiful blank slate easily configured to perfectly suit your needs.
More pics this way

Distinctive Homes

Historic $1.4M Brooklyn Heights Charmer Solves Dilemma of Classic 1960s TV Series

January 29, 2015

Historic $1.4M Brooklyn Heights Charmer Solves Dilemma of Classic 1960s TV Series

By Stephanie Hoina

As soon as we saw the country charm inside this city dwelling we couldn't help be reminded of the classic TV series Green Acres. Even if you're too young to remember the clash of wills between attorney-turned-farmer Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert) and his metropolis-loving and glamorous wife Lisa (played by Eva Gabor), it doesn't mean you can't appreciate the exquisite juxtaposition of rustic beauty and urban convenience found in this historic wood frame home at 80 Poplar Street in Brooklyn Heights.
See more of this country-meets-city home

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in This Wacky $8.3M East Village Home

January 27, 2015

Let Your Imagination Run Wild in This Wacky $8.3M East Village Home

By Stephanie Hoina

Located just a few steps off the Bowery, this five-story home at 4 East 2nd Street in the East Village, currently functioning as four separate units, offers a multitude of options. Looking to stretch out and have nearly 6,000 square feet all to yourself? Go right ahead, as the house will be delivered vacant and is ready for your personal touch. Or perhaps you’d prefer to keep the parlor floor as a gallery space and make do with the remaining few thousand square feet to accommodate your humble abode. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
See more of this imaginative home

Park Slope Townhouse Boasts Its Very Own ‘Red Room’ for $3.8M

January 26, 2015

Park Slope Townhouse Boasts Its Very Own ‘Red Room’ for $3.8M

By Stephanie Hoina

Did we get your attention? With the upcoming release of the Fifty Shades of Grey movie, a wider audience will no doubt become familiar with Christian Grey's infamous "red room". But we're guessing a very different kind of decadence is likely to be served up in the partially red (okay, it was a bit of a stretch) and very proper formal dining room located on the parlor level of this neo-Italian Renaissance limestone townhouse at 593 3rd Street in Park Slope.
Check out the 'red room' and more

Distinctive Homes

Stunning Mahogany Woodwork Steals the Show in This $3.5M Park Slope Brownstone

January 23, 2015

Stunning Mahogany Woodwork Steals the Show in This $3.5M Park Slope Brownstone

By Stephanie Hoina

It’s everything you imagine a classic brownstone to be. For nearly 50 years this townhouse at 266 Berkeley Place in Park Slope has been under the careful stewardship of a single owner, and the love they showered on their home is evident in every one of its four floors—even the basement is immaculate with its whitewashed walls and brick archways.
take a tour here

Distinctive Homes

Exquisite West Chelsea Loft Designed by 212box Architecture ‘Suits to a T’ at $5.9M

January 21, 2015

Exquisite West Chelsea Loft Designed by 212box Architecture ‘Suits to a T’ at $5.9M

By Stephanie Hoina

While the etymology of the expression “suits to a T” isn’t clearly defined, there is no debating its meaning: when something is exactly as it should be or fits to perfection. Which is the ideal way to describe this rare T-shaped loft located in the Eagle Warehouse building at 532 West 22nd Street on a quiet and utterly charming Chelsea block full of art galleries. Designed by 212box Architecture, this $5.9 million dream home was recently featured in Interior Design magazine. Windows at every turn drench the home with sunshine, and custom black steel and pebbled glass room separators transport the natural light throughout the open floor plan offering some level of privacy while still maintaining the loft aesthetic.
See more of why this home 'suits to a T'

Distinctive Homes

$4.8M ‘Duplex of Baronial Splendor’ Comes with a Dali Sketch on the Living Room Wall

January 20, 2015

$4.8M ‘Duplex of Baronial Splendor’ Comes with a Dali Sketch on the Living Room Wall

By Stephanie Hoina

One look at this richly decorated Central Park West maisonette in The Atelier and you'll be swept away into a scene harkening back to 18th century Vienna where couples minuet across the floor to strains of Mozart playing softly in the background. Turns out your imagination wouldn’t bring you too far from the truth, as in recent years this home has become a beloved gathering place for artists and art lovers alike, attracting opera singers, conductors, musical soloists, cabaret entertainers, diplomats, artists, aristocrats, and movie celebrities. The annual Christmas parties given here are legendary, as are frequent dinners and musical soirées for up to 150 guests.
Feast your eyes on more of this exquisite home

A Waterfall, a Bridge and a Moat Can All Be Found Inside David Ling’s Self-Designed Loft

January 19, 2015

A Waterfall, a Bridge and a Moat Can All Be Found Inside David Ling’s Self-Designed Loft

By Stephanie Hoina

“I wanted to create my own world.” Those are the words used by architect David Ling when describing the design inspiration for his Manhattan-based live/work loft. And he most definitely succeeded. As one meanders through Mr. Ling's "rough-around-the-edges-on-the-surface-but-oh-so-refined" dwelling there are surprises at every turn, all beautifully orchestrated into three distinct areas (work/live/sleep) with the bridge and moat, plus a cantilevered second story, providing the transitional elements.
See more of this home's unique design

$2M Tudor City Place Penthouse Will Get More Than Your Spidey Sense Tingling

January 16, 2015

$2M Tudor City Place Penthouse Will Get More Than Your Spidey Sense Tingling

By Stephanie Hoina

If you missed the opportunity in 2013 to snap up this one-of-a-kind Midtown East penthouse that played home to Spiderman’s green nemesis, you’re in luck. Back on the market for a cool $2 million–$400,000 more than when it was last listed–this duplex residence at Windsor Tower features dramatic proportions, which made it the perfect pad for Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin in the popular movie.
Learn more about this one-of-a-kind home

Distinctive Homes

Breathtaking Views of the Hudson River and Palisades for $2M–in the Bronx

January 15, 2015

Breathtaking Views of the Hudson River and Palisades for $2M–in the Bronx

By Stephanie Hoina

It’s time to visit (or revisit) one of our favorite posts–Seven Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know About NYC’s Northernmost Borough–because after you take a look at this magnificent two-story home with glorious Hudson River and Palisades views you are going to be further intrigued by the only borough special enough to be preceded by a definite article –“the” Bronx.
Take a tour of the home

Distinctive Homes

Popular Articles

Home Temporary Home: Picturesque Park Slope Rental Makes Perfect Short-Term Retreat

January 14, 2015

Home Temporary Home: Picturesque Park Slope Rental Makes Perfect Short-Term Retreat

By Stephanie Hoina

If you’ve ever wanted to try out living in one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods without making a long-term commitment, now is your chance. This picturesque Park Slope two-bedroom located at 473 13th Street beautifully combines traditional touches with modern conveniences—and "stays" available from one month to twelve offer a rare opportunity to decide if one of Brooklyn’s premier locales is the right place for you. Even better, since it’s fully furnished all you need to do is move in and enjoy!
See more of this picturesque rental

Distinctive Homes

$6.8M Soho Duplex with Tin Ceilings Will Make You “Greene” with Envy

January 13, 2015

$6.8M Soho Duplex with Tin Ceilings Will Make You “Greene” with Envy

By Stephanie Hoina

It doesn’t get more classic than this five-bedroom Soho loft located at 33 Greene Street between Broome and Grand Streets. From the building’s gorgeous cast iron façade to the nearly 5,000 square feet of living space, you’ll be easily won over by the duplex’s 13 oversized windows, 12-foot tin ceilings, large arched doorways, and beautifully preserved wood floors.
Envy, this way

Distinctive Homes

NYC Design Firm Axis Mundi Creates a Work of Art to House Their Client’s Works of Art

January 12, 2015

NYC Design Firm Axis Mundi Creates a Work of Art to House Their Client’s Works of Art

By Stephanie Hoina

What do you get when you mix the classic bones of a landmarked Greek Revival townhouse built in the 1840s with the bold, award-winning, and decidedly 21st century esthetic of New York-based design firm Axis Mundi? A Greenwich Village residence that is an absolutely stunning work of art. When tasked with not only the gut renovation of a timeless building but also ensuring a suitable context for their client’s spectacular and thoroughly modern art collection, Axis Mundi made certain to respect the charms and scale of the original style while creating a fitting showcase for the likes of Warhol, Haring, and Basquiat.
See why every inch of this home is a work of art

Once Vibrant Graffitied Boyce Thompson Institute in Yonkers Will Get a New Lease on Life

January 9, 2015

Once Vibrant Graffitied Boyce Thompson Institute in Yonkers Will Get a New Lease on Life

By Stephanie Hoina

While not officially landmarked, the Federal-style masonry building that formerly housed the Boyce Thompson Plant Institute has been part of the Yonkers landscape for nearly a century. After the institute relocated to the Cornell University campus in the late '70s, the original location fell into disrepair, becoming an eyesore the city was anxious to remedy. Enter Simone Development, who welcomed the opportunity to purchase the property and conclude the city's decades-long quest to find the right owner.
Find out about the Institute's new life and the architects behind it

Don’t Judge This Gorgeous Williamsburg Rental Loft by Its Cover

January 9, 2015

Don’t Judge This Gorgeous Williamsburg Rental Loft by Its Cover

By Stephanie Hoina

The exterior of this 1000-square-foot loft located at 457 Grand Street in Williamsburg isn’t particularly awe-inspiring. A typical turn-of-the-century red masonry building with charming window details, it’s pleasant to look at but doesn’t quite take your breath away. The same cannot be said for the gorgeously renovated and exceptionally bright loft hiding within. The space beautifully takes advantage of the building’s original features like hardwood floors, brick walls, and exposed ceiling beams, then ups the ante with a host of modern touches including multiple skylights, tons of custom built-ins, and a stunning, larger-than-life glass wall/door separating the bedroom from the living area.
See why this book is even better than its cover

Distinctive Homes

There’s No Place to Hide in This Former Printing Press Turned Soho Loft Home

January 8, 2015

There’s No Place to Hide in This Former Printing Press Turned Soho Loft Home

By Stephanie Hoina

We love how New York’s historical mashup of factories, businesses, places of worship, carriage houses, etc., means that modern living spaces often have unique and interesting former lives. This Soho loft originally housed a printing press, and JENDRETZKI Architects was given the enviable task of transforming its hard edges and wide-open floor plan into a contemporary and functional home—although those who desire lots of privacy may not be so keen on some of the views afforded within the interior.
From printing press to posh loft

Architecture And Design

Prospect Heights Row House Once Literally “Gone to the Dogs” Is Now Best in Show

January 7, 2015

Prospect Heights Row House Once Literally “Gone to the Dogs” Is Now Best in Show

By Stephanie Hoina

Like most townhouses of its time, this Prospect Heights abode suffered from what Delson or Sherman Architects referred to as "common row-house ailments." Dark in the middle and spatially flat, coupled with the fact that it had housed a kennel in one of its former lives, this home had literally gone to the dogs in more ways than one. But wait until you see how the firm transformed the Brooklyn house.
From dark and flat to bright and layered

Will Streetcars Make a Comeback in the Bronx?

January 6, 2015

Will Streetcars Make a Comeback in the Bronx?

By Stephanie Hoina

Once upon a time in a city now known for its web of transportation options, the world’s very first streetcar made its debut in 1852 on the roads New York. At the height of their popularity, streetcars could be seen running on just about every major thoroughfare; but pressure from New York City's Board of Transportation for a unified bus transportation system across the city soon led to their demise. By 1948, the streetcar lines in the Bronx and Manhattan were gone, seemingly lost forever to the nostalgia of simpler times. Today, a perfect storm of factors may pave the way for the resurgence of this once-popular mode of transportation that promises to yield a bevy of benefits for Bronxites and beyond.
Streetcars back in the Bronx?

Transit

General Assembly Design’s Merging of Two Vinegar Hill Apartments Produces Sweet Results

January 5, 2015

General Assembly Design’s Merging of Two Vinegar Hill Apartments Produces Sweet Results

By Stephanie Hoina

Aristotle’s wise words,"The whole is better than the sum of its parts," are certainly true in the case of this beautifully designed Vinegar Hill home. With owners who were used to a large, sprawling Victorian in equally sprawling Los Angeles, combining two apartments in a bland developer-style building in Brooklyn proved to offer the perfect replacement, given the right amount of ingenuity.
See more of this 'sweet' home

Architecture And Design

New Yorker Spotlight: Drag Queen Coco Peru Reminisces About Her Hometown of City Island in the Bronx

December 5, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Drag Queen Coco Peru Reminisces About Her Hometown of City Island in the Bronx

By Stephanie Hoina

Dating back to 1685, the quaint nautical community of City Island has fought hard to retain much of the charm that makes it an anomaly in the heart of the bustling Bronx. So perhaps it is fitting that one of the island’s most colorful natives—and once a bit of an anomaly herself—shares her memories of growing up in New York City’s sleepy little fishing village. Larger-than-life personality and drag queen extraordinaire Coco Peru’s life today couldn’t be much further from her years spent as a child on the quiet streets of City Island. Based in LA and traveling the world to bring her often irreverent but hysterically funny brand of storytelling to the masses, Coco’s tales from her youth often steal the show. But it’s probably safe to say the majority of Coco Puffs (her beloved fans) have never even heard of this small island in the Bronx—and that most New Yorkers haven’t made the trip over the 113-year old soon-to-be-replaced bridge that represents the only point of access by car or foot. Which is why we are quite excited to bring you this exclusive peek into two of the city’s most unique treasures: City Island and Miss Coco Peru.
Read the interview with Miss Coco here

<b>And About That Grecian Temple on the Henry Hudson Parkway…</b>

November 2, 2014

And About That Grecian Temple on the Henry Hudson Parkway…

By Stephanie Hoina

New York City is filled with an abundance of structural treasures that are hard to miss. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Chrysler Building to the soon-to-be-opened Freedom Tower, there is no shortage of architectural eye candy vying for your attention. Which means some pretty spectacular little gems get lost in the shuffle. Like the curious white, Doric-columned structure located off the Henry Hudson Parkway near West 190th Street. Part of Fort Washington Park, this scenic overlook perched over 100 feet above the Henry Hudson River is known as Inspiration Point – a perfect moniker given its breathtaking vistas of the river, George Washington Bridge, and the majestic Palisades in neighboring New Jersey.
Learn more here

Old World Charm and 21st Century Finishes Combine Seamlessly in This Spectacular Tribeca Penthouse

October 23, 2014

Old World Charm and 21st Century Finishes Combine Seamlessly in This Spectacular Tribeca Penthouse

By Stephanie Hoina

Located at 55 North Moore Street, in a prewar building dating to the 1800's on one of the most charming cobblestone streets in the heart of Tribeca, and impeccably renovated in 2007, this gorgeous four-bedroom penthouse boasts the kind of quintessential old-world charm that will never go out of style. An abundance of exposed brick walls (we can’t get enough of them), elegant white tin ceilings (truly exquisite), and original wood beams, columns, and ceiling rafters (gorgeously rustic) immediately set a cozy and welcoming tone.
See how 19th-century charm merged with 21st-century finishes in this penthouse

Distinctive Homes

Duplex Loft Conversion by Steven Harris Features Jaw Dropping Views Inside and Out

October 22, 2014

Duplex Loft Conversion by Steven Harris Features Jaw Dropping Views Inside and Out

By Stephanie Hoina

In a city where people pay a premium for spectacular views, few panoramas rival the majestic beauty of the Brooklyn Bridge. The window-filled living room of this Water Street duplex in the South Street Seaport Historic District certainly gives the owners their money’s worth, with the landmark East River crossing seemingly only inches away. But it’s the views inside this loft conversion courtesy of Steven Harris Architects that will have you either scratching your head or experiencing jaw-dropping delight.
See this home's jaw-dropping views inside and out

Ghislaine Viñas’ Colorful and Eclectic Design Seamlessly Blends Together on Greenwich Street

October 21, 2014

Ghislaine Viñas’ Colorful and Eclectic Design Seamlessly Blends Together on Greenwich Street

By Stephanie Hoina

Just like the bright pink background of her website, Ghislaine Viñas’ interior designs grab your attention and never let it go. Bold color combinations that might seem garish in the hands of a lesser talent only serve to underscore Viñas’ “off roading” philosophy of experimentation and exploration.
Immerse yourself in this colorful home here

NYC’s First Certified “Passive House” by FABRICA 718 is Lean, Mean and Incredibly Green

October 20, 2014

NYC’s First Certified “Passive House” by FABRICA 718 is Lean, Mean and Incredibly Green

By Stephanie Hoina

When this Park Slope brownstone was first built in 1899 we’re pretty sure energy efficient design wasn’t a guiding factor in its construction. But over 100 years later an award-winning Passive House retrofit by FABRICA 718 has turned this classic residence into one that consumes approximately 90% less heat energy than the average home and 75% less energy overall.
See what consuming 90% less heat energy looks like

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