As soon as I saw Joe & Brad’s new place I knew I needed to ask them to do a house tour. Their two bedroom apartment is nestled on a quiet one way street in one of Rochester’s arts & cultural districts. Recently renovated by the landlords, the gleaming hardwoods, fresh paint and updated kitchen would make anyone feel comfortable; but it was Joe & Brad’s special touch that makes this place feel like home.
As soon as you enter the foyer, original hardware like these push button switches communicate the attention to detail given to this home.
Here in the Living Room, Joe created an oversized art piece made from paint samples cut into tiny squares and pasted on to small canvases. Large widows and ample seating provide a quiet place to relax, watch movies or hang with friends.
More of Joe’s own artwork hangs on an opposite wall above a couch.
Adjacent to the Living Room, a well proportioned Dinning Room is ready for a casual Sunday Dinner
but…. most importantly contains the bar. Unique and charming do little to describe the creative re-use of an antique icebox found unused in family member’s garage.
Anther freebie… this Empire Revival sideboard, was found on the curb. Although it was missing the middle doors, fresh paint as well as the addition of some wooden crates gave this piece a new lease on life.
A small Butler’s Pantry affords Brad, a self professed foodie, plenty of storage for all of his cooking tools.
Apparently, this is also where the couple’s cat, Gilly is stored.
At the rear of the apartment a large kitchen dwarfs the size of my own and can easily accommodate eating in,
…a small garden
…and storage for baking pans made from old pallets.
The bedroom is decorated in shades of gray and houses more homemade artwork which keeps the relaxed, vintage-modern remix theme going.
Living here for a little less than a year both Brad and Joe have done a remarkable job infusing their home with the essence of their style, and without spending a ton of money. If you’re interested in seeing more of Joe’s work you can follow him on his Tumblr: anythingbutavgjoe.tumblr.com.
Ittybittybungalow 