Fatih was lovely. Very understanding about our late arrival (flight was significantly delayed) and had plenty of suggestions for our time in Istanbul.
The photo of the studio is a bit out of date -- walls are now a fresh, bright blue, linens blue, different chandelier -- but the essentials are exactly the same as you see in the photo. High ceilings, loads of natural daylight, great original wood floors. Functional kitchen + bathroom, linens + toilet paper + dish soap/etc provided, and everything was clean upon our arrival.
Highlight for us was the location. Easy walks to Galata Tower, Istiklal St., metro (handy for the airport connection), tram, and the Galata Bridge. Small market a block away for groceries. Plus, the neighborhood itself is great -- very up and coming, great energy. Lots of old, dilapidated buildings and hilly cobblestone streets with plenty of great cafes, restaurants and shops tucked in throughout. Has a lively and entrepreneurial feel. Plenty of tourists, but local life hasn't been pushed out.
I would stay here again in a second and recommend the studio to anyone who doesn't have mobility challenges -- the building's stairwell and the neighborhood streets might be too much for someone who isn't sure-footed. Think San Francisco hills + Paris cobblestones. :-)
Only (minor) down side to the whole experience was the fact that our water was shut off one evening, rendering the toilet useless for five hours or so. Not sure if this issue was unique to the apartment or the whole neighborhood, but Fatih was communicative about it and the water came back on later that night. Might have been entirely out of Fatih's control so I didn't let it impact my rating of the studio.
All in all a lovely space to rest our heads during 4 nights in Istanbul. Thank you, Fatih!