A Midwestern Homestead on the LES

Artist and set designer Steven Hammel has transformed his one-bedroom apartment into a version of his Minnesota childhood home.

- WENDY GOODMAN

The Living Room Steven Hammel decorated in part with furniture from his building's trash room, including the fireplace.

The Foyer "The entry at one point was all painted faux padded tufting in pink," Hammel says.

The Bedroom "The curtains I found on eBay," he says. "The headboard is a wall sticker. I love this three-dimensonal stuff."

The Living Room "The plaid moment is like a welcoming blanket."

The Bathroom "The wall decoration was from a friend, but it's that same plastic: Burwood or Syroco."

The Kitchen The two large figure cutouts are life-size copies Hammel made "from a 1974 Milton Bradley teacher learning tool, Diverse People in Your Community. The two I made here are for Angela Di Carlo's December play at Wild Project.

Painting Studio Hammel's workspace is in his living room. The panels along the wall are part of his Wild Project show and reflect some of his themes: "Parade Floats," "Marching Bands," "Fast Food," and "Cookware."

This whole kitchen concept was like those tin dollhouses from the '50s. I thought this was kind of a patio. Somebody gave me that patio bar cart."