Smiling babies make for smiling parents. Photo: Bjorn Wallander for AOL
New Yorkers, especially those living in Manhattan, have the unique knack of being able to live in small spaces. They can adapt to any square footage and will even climb great heights to get there. Such is the story of Elizabeth Bruneau, Tristan Waldroop, their toddler Emma and baby Ludlow.
Elizabeth, a Senior Picture Editor for AOL music, and Tristan, owner of Sketchhouse, a boutique post production and multimedia production company, are both long time East Village residents. A year ago they moved into this 450 square foot apartment. Though the floor plan features just two rooms -- the family living area and the bedroom -- the kitchen, relatively roomy and open, was a "huge renting point." And while Elizabeth admits that, "It gets a little cramped sometimes," she and Tristan manage to raise two kids, entertain friends, grow plants, sleep soundly and work within the cozy space.
"We use every inch," says Elizabeth. Counter space is allotted for necessities like baby bottles, cooking utensils and the indispensable Cuisinart. The cabinets and drawers, according to Elizabeth, were never properly organized but "we got used to it." The top of the cabinets affords a display area for much-loved pottery – some that Elizabeth collected in her travels and other pieces from her family.
Because the kitchen is without borders, it is integrated into most of the family activities. It never closes. When the kids are asleep, Tristan and Elizabeth reconvene here. Late-night is the best time for him to accomplish editing projects and Elizabeth's company and consult are encouraged. Tristan says, "Our daughter sleeps in the living room just off the kitchen, so we find ourselves miming or attempting to develop sophisticated sign language." While they sometimes wish for another room, they really do have all they need, because at the top of their list is "each other."
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Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
"The kitchen was a huge renting point on the apartment," says Elizabeth. Both she and Tristan have rented in the East Village for a long time and this is the most "kitchen-centric" home they've yet to find. While they didn't plan on staying here long, they are still here and the roomy eat-in kitchen definitely makes it more livable.
Bjorn Wallander for AOL
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
Every time the Bruneau-Waldroop clan comes and goes from their NYC 5th floor apartment, they climb up more than 100 steps. Tristan likens it to "being locked in a castle's tower...but with toddlers."
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
"The kitchen was a huge renting point on the apartment," says Elizabeth. Both she and Tristan have rented in the East Village for a long time and this is the most "kitchen-centric" home they've yet to find. While they didn't plan on staying here long, they are still here and the roomy eat-in kitchen definitely makes it more livable.
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
Tristan salvaged this table and chairs from the basement of a SoHo furniture store. He fixed them up and then gave them to Elizabeth for an anniversary present. She says, "It would have been more space-conscious to make a breakfast bar, but we had this glorious little table and wanted to keep it."
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
When Ludlow was born, Elizabeth and Tristan reintroduced baby paraphernalia to their kitchen. The baby stuff includes non-plastic Born Free bottles and a cool plastic drying rack from Giggle Baby. "We use every inch of the space," says Elizabeth.
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
Emma's desire to rearrange the family photos is quelled since fridge art, attached with super strong magnets, is relegated to the top half of the appliance. Tristan says, "Toddlers are more tenacious than gravity."
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
The kitchen floor is as good as any for a quick sign language recap. Elizabeth's friend introduced her to "Signing Time" and Emma has been signing since 8 months. Her first words were "more, banana (she loves bananas), cracker, play, sure and thank you." Soon, Ludlow will start learning.
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
New York apartments are usually lacking in storage, but this one had a bonus closet big enough to store a month's supply of dry goods plus everything else that doesn't necessarily fit anywhere else. "I've never had a pantry in any of my other apartments," says Elizabeth, "and it's amazing!"
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
Elizabeth is usually first parent on duty. She will take care of the kids as she gets ready for work. Then Tristan gets up. He works from home and juggles the parenting biz and the production biz. When work gets crazy, a few fab full and half-day babysitters and friends come over to help and play house.
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
Storage is the urban challenge. Here, surface area is maximized as essentials are packed like pieces of a puzzle.
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
In order to accommodate their love of green, they extended the far end of the counter with part of a small shelving unit. Beyond the diaper genie and tall avocado tree lurk potted herbs. Basil ranks as their fave and they are constantly reaching over and collecting basil leaves to put into sandwiches and snacks.
Elizabeth and Tristan ask, "Is it ever a bad time for insalate caprese?"
Tales from a 5th-Floor Walk-Up
