The Nicest Bedroom in Ditmas Park
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Or, at least, the only one to get a makeover from the New York Times!
FOR Judith HoSang, a travel industry publicist, redecorating the bedroom she shares with her husband, Robert HoSang, a media buyer for a marketing company, had been an exercise in frustration.
“We really, really need some help,” pleaded Ms. HoSang, 29, in a short video she sent by e-mail to The New York Times in response to a message on its Web site (the message is no longer online) offering to pair people with small budgets with a professional designer willing to work free.
In the video, Ms. HoSang, a design enthusiast with a blog called “Better Home, No Garden,” described a series of attempted improvements to their Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, apartment: an inflatable headboard that refused to stay inflated; two color swatches that she and Mr. HoSang, 35, had painted on the wall before deciding they didn’t like either one; a $265 vintage dresser that broke every time she used it; and three roman shades hung with Mighty Putty, only one of which would stay up.
Ms. HoSang, who had just $1,500 to spend, was frustrated by her repeated failures and confused by the seemingly disparate styles she found appealing.
“I really love the Kardashians’ house,” she said on the video. “I know, I know, it’s the Kardashians. But I love that look of all white.”
8 Responses to “The Nicest Bedroom in Ditmas Park”
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Inez says:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Nice job for small space
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DitmasDyke says:
Looks great! Can anyone find out the paint color? It wasn’t in the article.
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James says:
February 6th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Light gray.
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glenise says:
@ditmasdyke: the paint color is definitely mentioned… something like silver palate… do another read thru and you should find it!
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DitmasDyke says:
I meant something like “Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight Sonata” – I’ll look again
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Brenda from Flatbush says:
“JUST” $1,500??? There’ve been decades when that was our decorating budget for the entire house!!!
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J says:
February 7th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Brenda, I had that same reaction… and thought about my current bank account balance. How much is available for duvet covers, pretty curtains and chair upholstering? Answer, none.
I did find the decorator ratio impressive though. If you paid for this properly, it would have been $8,500 instead of $1,500. Dayum. I think I’m in the wrong business!
(also, the funny thing is that they were still $100 over budget if you add the tax! And they got free stuff. Actually another $150.)
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s says:
February 7th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
It’s not my style, but they did a good job. $1,500 isn’t that much money, especially if you want quality things.
I love interior design, but I acquire different pieces over time so it’s not a big blow to my bank account.
J, sample sales are a great source for high quality linens. Mood fabrics has great upholstery fabric, if you want to redo a chair on your own. You can also pick up fabric to make your own curtains.
