Mayra David

High ceilings, crown molding, graceful layouts and generous proportions are among the well-known elements of New York City pre-war apartments. But there's another, quirkier feature that's a sign of a bygone era: the dumbwaiter. Dumbwaiters are small elevators found in large houses and buildings. They were used by servants and vendors to transport items like food, groceries and laundry from floor to floor, and usually they opened directly into the apartment.

Breaking Down The Benefits Of Roofdecks Vs. Communal Workspaces

Six New Yorkers share their dream apartment overhauls: Floorplan fix I would love to redo the layout of my apartment. I would actually reduce the size of the kitchen by half and use the second half for a new bathroom. Right now my kitchen is this odd, long shape that isn't really the best use of space. -Marni, Inwood Debt ceiling I would love to have all the detailing in my pre-war apartment restored. The ceiling has beautiful details that deserve to be admired! Alas, this project is completly cost-prohibitive and I don’t see myself ever accomplishing this task! -Carol, Upper West Side

Living With A Same-Sex Roommate Or Opposite-Sex Roommate NYC

Wintertime and the living ain't easy! Dreams of a sauna, heated floors and winterized windows are dancing through the heads of five New Yorkers who share what they would change about their homes to stave off February doldrums. Mud wrestling Right now, I would love to have a mud room--somewhere I don’t have to worry about tracking in the snow and salt and mud. In the warm months, it’s fine. But now, my hallway is the worst combination of being narrow and having wood floors. That means that our heavy, bulky coats make it look messy and cluttered, and the floors are taking a beating with all the salt and water and dirt we bring in. -Marion, Upper East Side