This $429,000 Upper West Side One-Bedroom Could Use a Gut Reno, and Here's How to Do It (With Cost Taken Into Account!)

featured this week on Brick Underground by Leah Hochbaum Rosner

The best thing about this $429,000 top-floor one-bedroom at 140 West 71st Street in Lincoln Square is that it’s south-facing, “so it’s going to get a lot of light,” says architect Anjie Cho. Also, she notes that the prewar building, the Danielle, allows owners to sublet their units without any residency requirements—a rarity for a co-op.

That said, the apartment definitely has a few issues, most notably “the weird wavy column on the wall in the living room,” says Cho, mentioning that she supposes it might be some sort of drain. “It could be hard to work with.”

Here’s what she’d do to deal with that peculiar pole, as well as the rest of this outdated Upper West Side residence that she calls “a major major fixer-upper.” Her recommendations:

The living room (pictured above)

The first thing Cho would do is make sure the electrical system is up-to-date. If it isn't, an overhaul is in order since “it could be quite old,” given that the building dates back to the 1920s. And if you are required to get it up to code, you’ll need a permit, which, she says, "could be costly.” But it’ll be worth the expense, removing the danger of the system shorting out when you want to plug in your hair dryer, for example, or worse. Safety is, after all, paramount.

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Bedroom Makeover: 9 Feng Shui Tips for Better Sleep

featured this month on Daily Burn by Tiffany Ayuda

We all know about the many factors that come into play when it comes to sleep: gut health, nightly shutdown routine and exercise. But your sleep environment also says a lot about the quality of zzz’s you get at night. Ill-fitting pillows, clutter and distracting electronics can be major sleep thieves.

If designed right, though, your bedroom has limitless potential. Between those four walls, you can have a sanctuary, a REM fortress, a dream world… This space can also symbolize your relationship with yourself, your partner and the most important things in your life. And feng shui — the ancient Chinese practice of balancing energies in any given space by placing your furniture and belongings a certain way — might help.

Anjie Cho, feng shui expert, interior designer and creator of Holistic Spaces, says, “Your bedroom represents you. Other than maybe your office, you spend a majority of your time in your bedroom, especially if you get six to eight hours of sleep at night.” And that’s when the so-called magic happens: “Because you’re unconscious and in a passive state while you sleep, you’re open to absorbing energy around you more easily,” Cho says.

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My Favorite Things: 5 Holistic Valentine's Day Treats

Welcome to My Favorite Things! Each month, we highlight products to help you create a holistic lifestyle that inspires and nurtures you, so that you can be happier and feel supported.

Most of us know that Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and the race is on to find that perfect gift for your loved one or the perfect way to say "I love you" to yourself! Whoever you're appreciating today, consider ditching the traditional roses, stuffed animals and other gifts that can end up as clutter. Instead, try these holistic, innovative products to help you enjoy this day of love. 

Rose Cardamom Infused Chocolates

Sometimes traditions become outdated and can cause clutter, but others are too good not to keep. Chocolate for Valentine's Day is one tradition we'll never complain about.

But! Indulging doesn't mean we have to harm the environment or our bodies. Wei of Chocolate candies are organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, Paleo-friendly and fair trade! They're also infused with Lotus Wei flower essences (our favorite) and 100% delicious. What more can you ask for from chocolate?

I have one (or two, sometimes more) of these chocolates every day! Wei Love is one of my favorites and highly recommended.

Available at: Wei of Chocolate

Venus Yantra Mandala.jpg

Venus Yantra Mandala

Valentine's Day gifts don't have to be fleeting, like flowers or chocolate, though both are wonderful options. Loving and supportive art can also be a fantastic way to express yourself!

The Venus Yantra Mandala, associated with the feminine planet, Venus, can assist in relationships and harmonize an imbalance of Earth element. I have the Venus yantra in my bedroom, in the Relationship area to cultivate love and harmony in my relationships. The Venus yantra is also an amazing addition for self-love, which is the most important kind! Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers!

Available at: Holistic Spaces

Rose Quartz 

One of my favorite feng shui adjustments for love and compassion is the placement of rose quartz crystals. If you're seeking a relationship, adding rose quartz to the Relationship area of your bedroom can be a powerful adjustment. And, you guessed it...this is a feng shui adjustment that I have in my bedroom!

Rose quartz can also help to support an existing relationship and can be a wonderful way to encourage and deepen self-love! We can't pour from an empty cup, so it's important to fill our own cups and nurture our relationships with ourselves first!

Available at: Holistic Spaces

Relationship Mandalas

Mandalas of any kind are a beautiful gift for almost any occasion, but my friend and yantra teacher, Mavis Gewant, can take these meaningful pieces of art to a new level!

Mavis offers personal, hand-crafted mandalas based on the combined energy patterns of each person in the relationship. A relationship mandala isn't just a stunning gift; it's also a unique representation of your relationship!

Available at: Sacred Mother Arts

Deluxe Perfume Making Kit

Perfume is another traditional Valentine's Day gift most of us can appreciate. I really love this perfume making kit from The Scentarium, because it offers the chance to create your very own, bespoke smell!

I went to a workshop at Sue's showroom and had so much fun figuring out my scent personality and smelling all the diferent potions. This home kit is the perfect way to have the same experience with your partner at home (or just you!). The best part? The custom scents they've created contain no chemicals!

Available at: Scenterprises