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A Tiny Home by Choice in New York City	A Tiny Home by Choice in New York City
2016-04-15 10:20:08 UTC	2016-04-15 17:05:13 UTC (about 7 hours later)
On the emotional fulcrum of New York City apartment-hunting, size and setting are forever in sway. Does a park view trump a guest bedroom? Is a vast kitchen worth settling blocks from a trendy thoroughfare? Usually, a compromise is struck. Unless it isn’t.	On the emotional fulcrum of New York City apartment-hunting, size and setting are forever in sway. Does a park view trump a guest bedroom? Is a vast kitchen worth settling blocks from a trendy thoroughfare? Usually, a compromise is struck. Unless it isn’t.
For a small but resolute faction of New Yorkers, living in a particular neighborhood, or even on a certain street, is an unwavering desire. These partisans happily renounce many middle-class comforts for the privilege — even though it means squeezing into a minuscule space.	For a small but resolute faction of New Yorkers, living in a particular neighborhood, or even on a certain street, is an unwavering desire. These partisans happily renounce many middle-class comforts for the privilege — even though it means squeezing into a minuscule space.
These are not cash-strapped individuals who have been painted into a corner, nor are they young professional types starting out in the new micro-apartments.	These are not cash-strapped individuals who have been painted into a corner, nor are they young professional types starting out in the new micro-apartments.
Many are simply realizing the fantasy of moving to a charmed setting, home size be damned. For others, safe and socially or culturally rich environs are far more alluring than square footage. And then there are those who prize geographic convenience, as well as the emotional liberation of (really) pared-down living.	Many are simply realizing the fantasy of moving to a charmed setting, home size be damned. For others, safe and socially or culturally rich environs are far more alluring than square footage. And then there are those who prize geographic convenience, as well as the emotional liberation of (really) pared-down living.
For some, the ultimate New York neighborhood may be Greenwich Village, defined by its winding streets, historic architecture, cozy but chic storefronts and diverse dining options. Roomy digs are less essential when a neighborhood serves as an extension of your living room, wherever in the five boroughs it may be.	For some, the ultimate New York neighborhood may be Greenwich Village, defined by its winding streets, historic architecture, cozy but chic storefronts and diverse dining options. Roomy digs are less essential when a neighborhood serves as an extension of your living room, wherever in the five boroughs it may be.
Vicki Behm and her husband, Glenn Coleman, are Chicago transplants who have lived in New York for 20 years. Their location-driven residential history is a handbook for urban downsizing, as they have managed to achieve, in four happy translocations, the equivalent of reducing a cow to a bouillon cube.	Vicki Behm and her husband, Glenn Coleman, are Chicago transplants who have lived in New York for 20 years. Their location-driven residential history is a handbook for urban downsizing, as they have managed to achieve, in four happy translocations, the equivalent of reducing a cow to a bouillon cube.
“Before buying this place, we sat down and said, ‘This is little, even for us,’ ” recalls Ms. Behm, a painter and public school teacher, while sitting in the snug living room-dining room-art studio of her 350-square-foot residence on West 11th Street in Greenwich Village, several blocks from the Hudson River. An accomplished artist who once favored large, abstract canvases — “Not anymore; I draw at this table” — she had long been drawn to the neighborhood.	“Before buying this place, we sat down and said, ‘This is little, even for us,’ ” recalls Ms. Behm, a painter and public school teacher, while sitting in the snug living room-dining room-art studio of her 350-square-foot residence on West 11th Street in Greenwich Village, several blocks from the Hudson River. An accomplished artist who once favored large, abstract canvases — “Not anymore; I draw at this table” — she had long been drawn to the neighborhood.
The couple’s real estate journey in New York began in ~~1986~~ when they rented a comfortable ground-level apartment in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Two years later they purchased a nearby four-story three-bedroom 1840s Federal-style townhouse, with three bedrooms and two working marble fireplaces. Four years later, for reasons personal and professional, they decided to move to Manhattan, even if it meant downscaling.	The couple’s real estate journey in New York began in 1996 when they rented a comfortable ground-level apartment in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. Two years later they purchased a nearby four-story three-bedroom 1840s Federal-style townhouse, with three bedrooms and two working marble fireplaces. Four years later, for reasons personal and professional, they decided to move to Manhattan, even if it meant downscaling.
Being devotees of modern art, the couple gravitated to the landmark 1936 Rockefeller Apartments, built in the curvaceous International Style, on West 55th Street. Their 850-square-foot one-bedroom co-op was augmented by a 12-by-50-foot terrace. The building had a private garden and a captivating neighbor, the Museum of Modern Art.	Being devotees of modern art, the couple gravitated to the landmark 1936 Rockefeller Apartments, built in the curvaceous International Style, on West 55th Street. Their 850-square-foot one-bedroom co-op was augmented by a 12-by-50-foot terrace. The building had a private garden and a captivating neighbor, the Museum of Modern Art.
“It was nice, well run and fit us well,” Mr. Coleman, a financial journalist, said of the Rockefeller. “Although I don’t miss cutting 24 checks at Christmastime.”	“It was nice, well run and fit us well,” Mr. Coleman, a financial journalist, said of the Rockefeller. “Although I don’t miss cutting 24 checks at Christmastime.”
Several years later, they contracted the highly contagious Village virus.	Several years later, they contracted the highly contagious Village virus.
“When we were living in Midtown, we used to walk around this neighborhood and say, ‘Gosh, wouldn’t it be great to live here someday?’ ” Ms. Behm recounts. “I never got that out of my mind.”	“When we were living in Midtown, we used to walk around this neighborhood and say, ‘Gosh, wouldn’t it be great to live here someday?’ ” Ms. Behm recounts. “I never got that out of my mind.”
One day they happened upon a two-bedroom in a four-story walk-up in a mid-19th-century brick compound of five contiguous buildings that wrap around West 11th and Washington Streets.	One day they happened upon a two-bedroom in a four-story walk-up in a mid-19th-century brick compound of five contiguous buildings that wrap around West 11th and Washington Streets.
The setting was ideal.	The setting was ideal.
“But the apartment was in really rough shape,” Ms. Behm said. “Even the halls were bad, with that surface like icing on a cake that you can cut yourself on.”	“But the apartment was in really rough shape,” Ms. Behm said. “Even the halls were bad, with that surface like icing on a cake that you can cut yourself on.”
A big plus was the shared roof garden with trees, plants and views of the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. They bought the 675-square-foot-place for $660,000.	A big plus was the shared roof garden with trees, plants and views of the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building. They bought the 675-square-foot-place for $660,000.
They executed a complete, historically minded overhaul, including redoing walls and ceilings, and installing period woodwork and period black doorknobs. One small bedroom was turned into a walk-in closet, study and TV room, while the other remained a sleeping space.	They executed a complete, historically minded overhaul, including redoing walls and ceilings, and installing period woodwork and period black doorknobs. One small bedroom was turned into a walk-in closet, study and TV room, while the other remained a sleeping space.
“Once we got used to it, and it took a little time, we were happy with the move,” Ms. Behm said.	“Once we got used to it, and it took a little time, we were happy with the move,” Ms. Behm said.
“Except those stairs,” Mr. Coleman said.	“Except those stairs,” Mr. Coleman said.
They loved the neighborhood. As the Village goes, West 11th delivers on the swoon meter: gracious old brownstones, inviting restaurants, cafes and bars, an art gallery and a tiny spa. But last summer they learned through the co-op grapevine that a 350-square-foot one-bedroom in the compound was going on the market. Because the tiny ground-floor place opened onto a handsome ivy-trimmed courtyard of about 2,000 square feet, the locals referred to it as a “cottage.”	They loved the neighborhood. As the Village goes, West 11th delivers on the swoon meter: gracious old brownstones, inviting restaurants, cafes and bars, an art gallery and a tiny spa. But last summer they learned through the co-op grapevine that a 350-square-foot one-bedroom in the compound was going on the market. Because the tiny ground-floor place opened onto a handsome ivy-trimmed courtyard of about 2,000 square feet, the locals referred to it as a “cottage.”
“And I have always wanted to live in a cottage,” Ms. Behm said, beaming.	“And I have always wanted to live in a cottage,” Ms. Behm said, beaming.
She soon learned that her infatuation with cottages was shared by a number of other New Yorkers. On the day of the open house, an estimated 250 prospective buyers queued up around the block. Being residents of the co-op, Ms. Behm and Mr. Coleman were on the inside track and purchased it for $825,000.	She soon learned that her infatuation with cottages was shared by a number of other New Yorkers. On the day of the open house, an estimated 250 prospective buyers queued up around the block. Being residents of the co-op, Ms. Behm and Mr. Coleman were on the inside track and purchased it for $825,000.
Their current dwelling is not exactly a free-standing cottage, but it feels like one. The courtyard just outside, where they have put a small table and chairs, belongs to their co-op, Ms. Behm said, but is seldom used by others.	Their current dwelling is not exactly a free-standing cottage, but it feels like one. The courtyard just outside, where they have put a small table and chairs, belongs to their co-op, Ms. Behm said, but is seldom used by others.
After minor alterations, the couple moved in last September. They are more than content.	After minor alterations, the couple moved in last September. They are more than content.
Of course, the smaller you go, the more you heave overboard, Ms. Behm said. “So out goes the Herman Miller sofa and credenza; out go my big art books — that was hard. The big turkey platter had to go, also my nine cake pans — I’ll buy that flourless chocolate cake.” She also sold all but one of her large paintings.	Of course, the smaller you go, the more you heave overboard, Ms. Behm said. “So out goes the Herman Miller sofa and credenza; out go my big art books — that was hard. The big turkey platter had to go, also my nine cake pans — I’ll buy that flourless chocolate cake.” She also sold all but one of her large paintings.
Their cheerful all-purpose room features a working fireplace (wood is stored at the bottom of built-in bookshelves), hardwood floors, tall windows facing the courtyard and an eight-foot ceiling. A napkin’s toss away are a 100-square-foot bedroom with a built-in closet, a cleverly arranged galley kitchen and a small tiled bathroom. The entrance hallway serves as a coat closet.	Their cheerful all-purpose room features a working fireplace (wood is stored at the bottom of built-in bookshelves), hardwood floors, tall windows facing the courtyard and an eight-foot ceiling. A napkin’s toss away are a 100-square-foot bedroom with a built-in closet, a cleverly arranged galley kitchen and a small tiled bathroom. The entrance hallway serves as a coat closet.
“The apartment doesn’t feel as small as it is,” Mr. Coleman says, “because for seven to eight months of the year the courtyard is part of our living space.”	“The apartment doesn’t feel as small as it is,” Mr. Coleman says, “because for seven to eight months of the year the courtyard is part of our living space.”
Christine Kudrav, 30, an executive at a philanthropic foundation in Manhattan, arrived in New York in 2008 from Virginia, landing a one-bedroom apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, of more than 1,000 square feet. A roommate came with the package, but considering her means, that was to be expected.	Christine Kudrav, 30, an executive at a philanthropic foundation in Manhattan, arrived in New York in 2008 from Virginia, landing a one-bedroom apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, of more than 1,000 square feet. A roommate came with the package, but considering her means, that was to be expected.
”It was fine,” she recalls. “But back then there were few amenities there, like restaurants and bars, not like it is today.”	”It was fine,” she recalls. “But back then there were few amenities there, like restaurants and bars, not like it is today.”
This paucity of amenities occasioned a move to a sizable three-bedroom apartment in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (also shared); then a four-and-a-half-year residency in Manhattan in Chelsea — three bedrooms, three roommates. After that came a stint in a moderately sized place in a high-rise in Brooklyn Heights with a boyfriend. When her relationship took a downward turn last year, she decided to end her courtship with city rentals and buy something.	This paucity of amenities occasioned a move to a sizable three-bedroom apartment in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (also shared); then a four-and-a-half-year residency in Manhattan in Chelsea — three bedrooms, three roommates. After that came a stint in a moderately sized place in a high-rise in Brooklyn Heights with a boyfriend. When her relationship took a downward turn last year, she decided to end her courtship with city rentals and buy something.
After exploring Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, she set her sights on vibrant Clinton Hill, even though she knew it might be expensive.	After exploring Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, she set her sights on vibrant Clinton Hill, even though she knew it might be expensive.
“I always really loved Clinton Hill, and was willing to go smaller to live there,” she said.	“I always really loved Clinton Hill, and was willing to go smaller to live there,” she said.
And so it was that she bought a 350-square-foot apartment in an 1870 four-story limestone building on Clinton Avenue for $300,000. Ms. Kudrav had immediately fallen in love with the block — an architectural farrago of mostly late-19th-century structures — and the diverse social diversions it afforded.	And so it was that she bought a 350-square-foot apartment in an 1870 four-story limestone building on Clinton Avenue for $300,000. Ms. Kudrav had immediately fallen in love with the block — an architectural farrago of mostly late-19th-century structures — and the diverse social diversions it afforded.
“I like dive bars,” she said. Clinton Hill, it turns out, amply satisfies this thirst. Her home is also a bicycle ride away from two parks, Fort Greene and Prospect — “I’m at both constantly when the weather is nice,” she said. Two of her favorite restaurants are in the ’hood: Emily and Taqueria Tepango. She also frequents Olea Mediterranean Taverna and the Greenlight Bookstore in nearby Fort Greene.	“I like dive bars,” she said. Clinton Hill, it turns out, amply satisfies this thirst. Her home is also a bicycle ride away from two parks, Fort Greene and Prospect — “I’m at both constantly when the weather is nice,” she said. Two of her favorite restaurants are in the ’hood: Emily and Taqueria Tepango. She also frequents Olea Mediterranean Taverna and the Greenlight Bookstore in nearby Fort Greene.
Like many neighborhood-driven downsizers, Ms. Kudrav rationalized her choice by noting that what she sacrificed on the inside was more than made up for outside. She says the block has become a wing of her home.	Like many neighborhood-driven downsizers, Ms. Kudrav rationalized her choice by noting that what she sacrificed on the inside was more than made up for outside. She says the block has become a wing of her home.
“I don’t feel closed in,” Ms. Kudrav said.	“I don’t feel closed in,” Ms. Kudrav said.
Nor does she miss the clothing and kitchen items she jettisoned. Her well-kept building has a wide, handsome marble and oak foyer where one can envision the children of the original owner, a Union officer in the Civil War, sliding down the gleaming banister. Ms. Kudrav’s dwelling features nine-foot-high ceilings, tall rounded windows and two built-in clothes closets. A small but functional cooking area is built into one wall — she cooked a dinner for eight friends days after moving in — with an island that doubles as a table.	Nor does she miss the clothing and kitchen items she jettisoned. Her well-kept building has a wide, handsome marble and oak foyer where one can envision the children of the original owner, a Union officer in the Civil War, sliding down the gleaming banister. Ms. Kudrav’s dwelling features nine-foot-high ceilings, tall rounded windows and two built-in clothes closets. A small but functional cooking area is built into one wall — she cooked a dinner for eight friends days after moving in — with an island that doubles as a table.
One eye-catching item is a large wooden wall panel that opens to reveal a queen-size Murphy bed. Ms. Kudrav provides a demonstration, lowering the technological marvel and proudly demonstrating how two large pillows can be employed as a headboard.	One eye-catching item is a large wooden wall panel that opens to reveal a queen-size Murphy bed. Ms. Kudrav provides a demonstration, lowering the technological marvel and proudly demonstrating how two large pillows can be employed as a headboard.