Zerlina and Matt stumbled upon Glendale in Queens by convenience. When they were living in Bed-Stuy, they often visited the movie theatre in Glendale, as it was actually closer to them than the other theatres in downtown Brooklyn. Date nights in Glendale eventually led the pair of musicians to find the perfect railroad-style apartment for them.
“Although Glendale is quite close to the hustle and bustle of the city, it has a very suburban feel to it. We really enjoyed the general vibe and surroundings of the area. It’s quiet, peaceful and there’s no street cleaning regulations (shhh! don’t tell anyone). An extra perk is its close proximity to Elmhurst, where most of the city’s Indonesian restaurants are located,” says Zerlina.
Born and bred in Bali, Zerlina first moved to the US to attend Berklee College of Music. That’s where she also met Matt, her husband, a Californian. Both of them subsequently pursued a career in music together in New York.
As full-time musicians, they had a few requirements for their accommodation. Their first priority? Space. Ample storage for their equipment is a must. Second, first-floor accommodation for easy loading of said equipment. Third, two separate areas for working simultaneously. Lastly, easy access to highways, since travel is a huge part of their schedules.
Thankfully, the railroad-style apartment in Glendale checked all of their boxes.
Although Zerlina still misses her home in Bali, she has finally found her footing in New York; in the railroad-style apartment in Glendale, her home away from home.
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Name: Zerlina and Matt
Location: Glendale, Queens, NY
Type of home: Apartment in a multi-family home
Number of rooms: 2 beds, 1 bath
Size: Approximately 1000 sqft
Years Lived In: 2
Rental / Owned: Rental
How would you describe your home style?
The house itself is an old, charming duplex built in the 1920s. Known as a railroad-style apartment, they were constructed to create as much living space as possible. As a result, this apartment has a narrow layout, which makes the space a little dark.
However, we noticed that the owner had done some minor renovations when we viewed the apartment. The most impactful change was opening up the walls in the main living quarters; giving it a more modern touch and ultimately making the home feel much more airy and bright.
I really enjoy minimalist silhouettes but I’m also always drawn to rustic elements. I think this provides a nice balance between keeping it simple but also straying away from feeling too ‘sterile’.
What inspired your home decor?
We are both professional musicians so our love for music and the arts inspired our vision for the apartment decor. For instance, one large painting we already had fit perfectly on the wall in our new dining room. We then matched the dining table and area rug to that aesthetic.
Being musicians, we are constantly surrounded by all kinds of other artists. Matt has collected some large paintings from some of his friends in the visual arts, reciprocating their support for him in his musical journey. Most of the artists are from Montana, where Matt lived for many years.
Since we’re not sure how long we’d be living in the space, my husband and I wanted to keep it simple and functional. Most of our furnishings came from our previous apartment, so we only brought in a few new purchases as needed.
Did you renovate your home?
We didn’t do anything major but we did add a few little things around the house to make it more functional. For example, putting up shelves to maximize vertical storage space (even to fit a couple surfboards!) and replacing the kitchen’s faucet to make cleaning up easier since we spend a lot of time cooking for ourselves.
What is your favourite element in your home?
I really like all aspects of our home but if I have to pick just one, it would have to be the living room. The windows let in so much light during the day, which attracted me to this apartment in the first place.
It’s also why I put most of my tropical plants in this room. I think this element makes the room feel extra special! I love my plants because, well… they’re gorgeous and they remind me of Bali where I’m from. Additionally, I enjoy nurturing them and seeing them grow. With the urban environment surrounding us in the city, it’s really nice to have some nature inside the home.
We managed to create such a cozy atmosphere and I’m always looking forward to winding down with the hubby, relaxing on the couch after a long day at work, perhaps with a glass of Cab?
What is the best investment you’ve made for your home?
The couch. The proof is in the pudding. We spend so much time on it!
Name one thing you would like to change about your home.
The one downside of the apartment is a common struggle for a lot of people living in New York City. The absence of a washer and dryer makes what seems like such a simple task really painful!
Where do you shop for furniture and home decor?
Most of our stuff is from IKEA or Target. Our couch is from Bob’s Furniture. We specifically made an effort to repurpose our old furniture or buy second hand furniture as much as we could. For this we would usually scour through Craigslist. Good for the planet and the wallet too!
We turned an old shelf unit where Matt used to store his clothing in his old apartment into a floating bar.
What is your next home project?
Matt made a few DIY acoustic panels for our home studio. We’re planning on making more of those once the weather warms up this Spring.
Do you have any rental-friendly decor tips?
Living in New York City, you’re always trying to maximize the space that you have. Stand alone shelving and storage is essential. They’re functional, but also can be used to display knick knacks and plants. We laid down large area rugs as well to protect the floor and give the space a warm and inviting vibe. Also, PLANTS PLANTS PLANTS!!
Any advice you would like to share with others?
If you live in NYC, always look for gems on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and @stoopingnyc on Instagram. You’ll be surprised to see what people give up for free on the streets of NYC!
What do you love most about this bright tropical railroad-style apartment? Follow Zerlina’s journey on Instagram here and here, Facebook and Spotify. Follow Matt’s journey here.
