Chef and cookbook author Natasha Pickowicz has called her 500-square-foot Brooklyn apartment home for the past five years. Initially hesitant to make permanent changes to a rental, she eventually embraced the idea of making her temporary space as comfortable as possible. “This is where I live now,” she says. “Why not make it as comfortable as I can?”
Pickowicz’s apartment is a testament to her creativity and resourcefulness, blending personal touches with practical solutions. From her entryway to her garden, every corner tells a story. Here’s a closer look at how she transformed her rental into a cozy haven.
Personal Touches in the Entryway
The first thing that greets visitors is a vintage rug and a portrait painted by Pickowicz’s mother. “I think I’m eight in this one,” she notes. The portrait is one of many her mother painted for her birthdays, a tradition that Pickowicz brought with her from her childhood home in San Diego.
Pickowicz’s entryway also serves as a makeshift pantry, a clever solution for cooking in a small apartment. “Living in this space has taught me how to cook leaner,” she explains. “Instead of doing big grocery hauls, I go shopping every couple days and talk to people in my neighborhood.”
Kitchen Creativity
Pickowicz’s kitchen is a hub of activity, filled with tools and ingredients that reflect her culinary expertise. A red lamp, similar to one she owns, casts a warm glow, while a vase by Carolina Irving & Daughters adds a touch of elegance. Her cutting board, purchased from Nordstrom, is a practical yet stylish addition.
Cooking in a small space has its challenges, but Pickowicz has found ways to make it work. She plans meals around ingredients, often buying a whole chicken and using the leftovers for stock. “Working in restaurants taught me to plan meals around ingredients,” she says.
Her cat, Teenie, is also a regular in the kitchen. Pickowicz had to get creative to keep Teenie out of the cabinets. “My cat figured out how to open the cabinet door,” she laughs. “My fix? Slant the door. It’s crooked, yes, but now she can’t open it.”
Favorite Fruits and Flavorful Recipes
Pickowicz has a soft spot for nectarines, her favorite fruit. “They have softer skin and more acidity than peaches,” she explains. “They taste good in salads with dark greens, like spinach or escarole, and they make amazing jam.”
Living Area: Comfort and Style
The living area is a blend of comfort and style, with a Schoolhouse rug and a Pottery Barn sofa. Pickowicz found the sofa at a discount, thanks to a clever tip from her boyfriend. “While sofa-shopping at Pottery Barn, I found one I loved,” she recalls. “But then my boyfriend asked a salesperson if I could just buy the floor model. They said yes and sold it to me at a big discount!”
Pickowicz’s living area is also a TV-free zone. “When I first moved to New York, I didn’t buy a TV,” she says. “After a couple months, I realized I didn’t miss it. Now, if I really want to watch a movie or show, I’ll watch it on my laptop. But as a general rule, I try to wind down by reading, drawing, or puttering around the garden.”
Bedroom: A Cozy Retreat
Pickowicz’s bedroom is her personal retreat, a space she affectionately calls her “treehouse.” It has stairs down to the backyard, making it feel like waking up to a secret garden. A throw from Hubsch Interior and sconces from Poplight add to the cozy atmosphere.
Her mother’s visit led to a playful lighting solution. “My mom visited and said, ‘Your lighting situation here is inadequate,'” Pickowicz recalls. “So, she bought me these sconces. They’re great for rentals because they stick to your walls with double-sided tape and are battery-operated.”
Pickowicz’s bedroom is also a space for creativity. She and her boyfriend, along with his son, made dioramas inspired by their camping trips. “When I was a kid, my mom turned our garage into her art studio,” she remembers. “Now it feels so fulfilling to have a home that inspires my loved ones and me to create.”
Garden: A Restorative Escape
Pickowicz’s garden is her sanctuary, a place where she can unwind and reconnect with nature. Earlier this year, she published her cookbook, Everyone Hot Pot and embarked on a two-month book tour. “Visiting so many cities and meeting readers was exhilarating,” she says. “But when I got back to New York, the comedown from all that excitement hit me hard.”
To recharge, she spent time fixing up the garden, planting a variety of fruits and vegetables. “I really wanted to lean into as many vining plants as possible,” she explains. “I like for things to get big and bushy, go to seed and bolt, and look like a wild jungle.”
Her garden is also a place for fun and games. Pickowicz loves setting up blind taste tests, inspired by Top Chef. “I’ll put everyone in makeshift blindfolds,” she says. “Then, I’ll pluck whatever herbs are growing in the garden and give them tastes. People get really into it!”
Pickowicz’s garden is a nod to her roots. “Passion fruit grows all over San Diego, where I grew up,” she says. “So, I planted two passionflower vines back here. They’re so beautiful and produce big, weird flowers. Whenever I see them, I’m reminded of home.”
Thank you so much, Natasha! We love you.
P.S. A Brooklyn apartment full of surprises, and a family’s downsized dream home.
