The Library (left): “I just wanted to make it look like my grandparents’ library.” The plywood and moldings came from Home Depot, the doors from a salvage yard in Brooklyn. The rug was found on the street, discarded by one of his neighbors. The sconces were $7 in Chinatown. The console table was found on the Bowery.

The Garden (right): Beard chose this apartment over another one in this buiding so he could cultivate flowers and herbs; birds and bees routinely visit. His cat Louise (one of two) soaks up the sun.