We are no longer taking bookings for the rest of 2025 in order to spruce up the studio. We are taking bookings for January 2nd, onward.
We’re happy to offer visitors to New York City a beautiful garden-level guest studio in brownstone Brooklyn at reasonable rates. (Note: The entrance is down eight steps.) Located in tree-filled Carroll Gardens, only 50 yards from a subway stop, the apartment has an adjoining private bathroom, and front- and back-garden access. The wifi works indoors and outdoors. (For guest reviews, see below.)
The apartment includes a queen-sized, environmentally friendly mattress with cotton and linen bedding and a new kitchen with an electric stove, microwave, dishwasher, coffee-maker, and a full-sized fridge. The space also includes air-conditioning, dining and writing areas, yoga equipment, and a separate entrance. Shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and bars are all in walking distance, as is the weekly Sunday farmers’ market. At the Black Cat Garden Guest Studio you can enjoy all that Brooklyn and the City have to offer (including neighborhood cardinals and kestrels) and/or simply recharge, as you wish.
The studio is named after Sammy, a small semi-feral black cat who used to live in a heated cat condo in our front garden. (He’s now been adopted and lives in a residence nearby.)
For more information, prices, and to make a reservation, please contact me. Maximum stay is 28 days; minimum stay is two nights. Thank you to Greg Sorenson for the photographs. See below for people’s experiences of their stay.
“The apartment was very comfortable, meeting all our needs in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The location was ideal and the squirrels and birds delighted us.”—Cathy Turner, New Zealand
“The Black Cat Studio is a lovely place to stay in NYC. Tucked in a residential street in Brooklyn, it is both accessible (the subway stop is on the corner) to all the city has to offer and a quiet haven in the midst of it. The studio is in a historic brownstone and opens onto a wonderful garden. The apartment itself is bright and spacious, nicely decorated, and has all that you might need for a short or long stay: a full kitchen, a comfortable bed, a work area and brand new bathroom. Carroll Gardens is a bustling area with cafes, restaurants, and shops and the hosts are so helpful and hospitable. I highly recommend it!”—Jackie, Washington, DC
“The Black Cat Studio was the perfect set up for me for my 3-day weekend in Brooklyn. It’s a great location. It took less than two minutes to get to the subway and Citibike stations are plentiful in the area. Tons of good cafes and restaurants within a five-minute walk as well. The space itself was spacious and clean with everything one might need. The kitchen had everything: plenty of short-term storage space; the bed and adjacent rocker were really comfortable. There was even a perfect little white-noise machine on the night stand! Although the owners Mia and Martin are right above, I never heard a sound or creaking floor at any time (only the nearby subway train, which is easy to get used to after hearing it a few times). Highly recommended!—Phil G, Boston
“We enjoyed our stay at the Black Cat Garden Guest Studio very much. The bed was very comfortable, and we loved access to the back garden.”—Jessica, California
“I am a French director who came for the first time to NYC in March 2024, to attend a film festival and do some sightseeing. I spent the most pleasant week at Martin and Mia’s apartment. They are such welcoming guests and the flat is very convenient. It’s a fully equipped, clean studio, with a comfortable bed and an access to the garden where you can watch the birds and the squirrels fooling around. The neighborhood is family-friendly, with a lot of fancy places for bagels, coffee, shopping. The subway station is just across the street and it takes you easily to Manhattan or Coney Island, if you feel like going to the beach! It was a great way to experience all that New York has to offer.”—Camille-Elvis Théry, Paris
“I loved staying at the Black Cat Garden Guest Studio! Here’s a shortlist of my top reasons for enjoying it so much. It’s super-cozy and quiet, thus conducive to relaxing, thinking, and feeling creative. The walk-out to that lovely garden: I sat and enjoyed the foliage and the birds. The proximity to the subway: What a bonus to just cross the street and go underground! The apartment itself had everything I needed and more, including a great reading chair and lamp, space to roll out a yoga mat, a really comfortable bed, and the perfect table to work at. Last but not least, the hosts—Mia and Martin—are lovely people to interact with. All in all, this is my favourite place to stay on my trips to New York City.”—Jo-Anne McArthur, Toronto
“This oasis in beautiful Carroll Gardens has everything you might need for a fun, relaxing, and productive stay in NYC. It’s quiet, spacious, and very cozy. The kitchen is brand new and well appointed. The walk-out garden is delightful. And Mia and Martin are excellent hosts, very responsive but always respectful of your privacy. The brownstone is literally steps from the subway, which means Manhattan is easily accessible in less than 20 minutes, and if you’d prefer to stay put, you’re just a few minutes away from some of the hippest stores, bars, and restaurants in Brooklyn. If you want to experience everything NYC has to offer, but also escape the hustle and bustle every now and then, this is your spot. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”—Andrew Westoll, Toronto
Martin Rowe 
You must be logged in to post a comment.