Please help me in welcoming Dr. Brent Ridge of Beekman 1802 to Vintage Indie. Dr.Brent describes his decorating style as Modern Organic, but enjoys combining it with vintage. He also shares a fondness for 1960s office furniture.
Welcome to Vintage Indie Dr. Brent. Can you tell about where you are from?
We have farm in upstate New York and a business built around the farm that serves to celebrate and promote the importance of the artisanal and the handmade. Our website is Beekman1802 Because we are a media company as well, we are frequently in NYC and needed a pied-à-terre that could serve as an office and a hotel room and be easy to keep organized and tidy.
The kitchen is small but has lots of counter space and is very easy to manage. Everything is within an arm's reach. I love having both the above and below the cabinet lighting. The stainless steel backsplash is also nice.
Notice the vintage office chairs at the suspended dining room table.
How would you describe your decorating style?
We
are minimalists (and also perfectionists), so we are very selective
about the pieces that we bring into our space. Even though we may need
a chair, for example, we may wait years (sitting on the floor) until we
find the right chair (both in terms of style and price)
How do vintage things play a role in your room/home?
We like items that are well-constructed, that have their own narratives and can be conversation starters.
Vintage chandelier and lamps in the bedroom.
The vintage credenza in the bedroom was the inspiration for all of the woodwork in the apartment. This piece of furniture looks mid-century but is actually from the 1930s. We bought it in a church thrift store.
Where do you find inspiration for decorating your home?
We find inspiration by looking at restaurants and retail environments. These places have paid thousands of dollars for the best interior designers. Use that to your advantage.
We designed the bathroom sink ourselves. It is one solid piece of stainless steel that runs the length of the bathroom and serves as the shelf in the shower.
This is a small apartment so storage was important. All the cabinets and closets are concealed.
Any advice on creating your look?
We read a great book by Maxwell Gilliam Ryan of Apartment Therapy that was an excellent methodology for figuring out both the form and function of the space.
Thank you again Dr. Brent for inviting us in your home. Visit Beekman 1802 where they support handmade, environmental sustainability as well as supporting local economies.
Editing Credits - Starr Keller of Starr Strung
