I moved into an older apartment building, that has 8 apartments. I'm guessing it was built somewhere in the 40's or 50's. It's the kind that still have the old disconnected gas pipes through the walls where they once would have had a gas light on each floor. Anyway, I live in an apartment with another apartment below me and and 2 above mine, on my side of the building. The man above me is a musician. I didn't know this before moving in. Within a few short weeks of living here I met him. He was sitting on the stoop with the handy man chatting when I approached the stoop I introduced myself to him. He displayed a blanc look on his face. I told him I love music and I can hear him clearly while he practices. I even asked where he plays out, and he responded Brooklyn. i suggested that if he lets me know when he is playing, that I would go to see his show. The handyman chimed into the conversation and I learned he had a large band. I offered information about my relatives who play instruments and they built a sound proof room so they didn't disturb others in their house. I suggested (very politely and within the conversation contents) that he might want to consider soundproofing too. He didn't acknowledge me, however the sound proofing idea was being discussed by both of them when I entered the building and politely wished they have a good day. I believe all went well since they continued the conversation on sound proofing. After several weeks of listening to loud foot tapping over me and musical instruments being played and usually the same notes over and over again and again, I realized that their practice time, grew a little more each day as time went on . When I first moves in I was working then lost my job. so I am here day after day and became aware that they were not only living upstairs but using the apartment as a sound/music studio. They have drums. clarinet, and other horns that I am not able to distinguish the names, but go from high pitches to extremely low pitches. They practice and practice continually tapping their feet to the tempo. As they play faster and louder they tap harder into the floor to the point that pieces of ceiling fall onto my floor. when they hook up the horns to amplifiers and other musical equipment it electrifies the sounds and vibrates through the ceiling, shaking the ceiling fan and lights, the water pipes and the radiators and windows and everything else in the apartment. I swear the floor vibrates too, even though the music is coming through the ceiling above me. if i had a job and money I would quietly move, but immediately, Unfortunately I can't afford it at this time. I have found myself yelling up to them and asking them to please stop tapping their feet on the floor because the ceiling is falling and everything is vibrating. I have to ask several times and then they stop usually by adding several stops on the floor. It reminds me of what a child would do when they are rebelling. But these aren't children. I put up with this thinking the chain of command was the handyman to the landlord which is what the handyman I moved told me when I moved in and I had no reason not to believe him. But it has been over 2 years and nothing has been done. The reason I waited was although I pay my rent but occasionally I get behind about 5-10 days. But I believed the landlord was getting the information from the handyman, after all he is now the superintendent of this building. Yet It has gotten worse since I first moved in. It was him and one other, now she lives with him. i believe their are others as well living there from time to time and they all play instruments together. I lost my cool and yelled up to the ceiling one day a few weeks ago when they played from about 2pm until after 11pm. I am sorry for being so wordy here but I wanted to give you as much of a picture as posible. Is there anything I can do, just short of moving? Thank You

A few ideas. I'm no expert, but I think working part of the kitchen is hard to configure. 1 m asiles may be too tight, but I'm not sure if changing the island to a peninsula would give you enough space for prep. I'm assuming it's a chest freezer next to the fridge, if not or if it can go somewhere else I'd move the range to that counter, DW and sink to the other counter and have a prep sink on the island. Aisles would still be tight but at least prep and cooking can be on one side of the kitchen, and cleanup on the other side. I played with rooms, furniture a little. Swapped LR and DR. Combined 2 pantries into one, moved 1/2 bath and command center (assume it's a closet across the kitchen). In the FR room moved the bar, piano and seats. In MIl's side, I think you can fit a closet across the bedroom if you have a corner kitchen. I moved the dining table to the bedroom wall and the blue rectangle next to it represents an upholstered storage bench that can be used for dining when MIL has guests. Also, some people prefer chair height sitting as they grow older, so the bench can also serve that purpose. Furniture can be changed as needed, but I think a sofa/corner sofa would be a good choice, if MIL needs to take a nap from time to time.

desertsteph - I am looking at a 12cu ft fridge at the moment. And a 15cu ft. Someone on another thread, just recommended Craig’s List - I’m going to have to check that out. That was some deal you got. Fishcow -I haven’t heard a bad word about the 18” dishwasher yet. I’ll check it out. Glad you are happy with yours. annaship1 - I’m thinking that there may be other family members who would want to live there if it became vacant again. So renters don’t seem likely. I’m actually willing to use the smaller appliances, if they were made by mainstream Brand names and were not 3x the cost of a regular sized appliance, I wouldn’t have a problem. nosoccermom - Check out the Frigidaire FFET1222QW refrigerator - very reasonably priced. 12 cu ft. 60Hx29Dx24W. I prefer the European models that are nice and tall, because I think they look better, but, I can’t pay that price. aptosca - I was actually looking for a 24” wide fridge and it wasn’t as important to me that it be counter depth. So the Frigidaire listed above is the one I’m considering. I hope I don’t have to go with a 30” range. I know it seems odd, but even 6” here and 6” there are sometimes make or break for a layout. cry - I’m going to check out that LG. I like the LG brand. I think I’d like a little larger if possible, so I’ll see if they have another size too. Writers block - I’ll try to do a search of GW for any posts on the Summit Fridges. Thanks. Thanks all. I’ll be looking for awhile, so always happy to hear anyone’s experiences with these apartment size appliances.

Could the sectional move closer to tv a bit? I know there is a balcony door but could it come closer to the island or does that cut off that area? The area with the desk... perhaps a small bookcase or ladder shelf on each side and a comfy chair for a reading nook? Do you need a small dining area? That could be another use. A table that is extendable and used as a desk when their is not company, a bench and folding chairs (ikea used to have cute ones) stored until needed. Don’t rush.... you have a beautiful apartment already. It will only get better as you develop and execute a vision.