Restoring elegance to a Riverside Drive apartment
We started with an empty apartment in “estate sale” condition. While the generously sized Living Room, with its original early 20th Century period details and views overlooking the park, was clearly the showstopper, the other rooms were crowded with inexpensive shelving, dropped ceilings & 1950s built-ins. We started by stripping all of that away, restoring the original 10 ft ceilings in each room. Here are some highlights:
Living Room: with an extensive collection of books, this couple needed plenty of shelving which we built to flank either side the original fireplace. This became the room’s defining feature, keeping prized possessions on display in a prominent yet collected manner. To create an additional seating area near the room’s river views, we first built a low bookcase to span the entire west wall. It concealed original radiators and provided function with its continuous black Quartz surface. We then set two lounge chairs alongside it. We maximized views by installing mirrored panels on either side of each deep-set window. Whether for morning coffee or evening drinks, this spot became a favorite for the clients.
Dining Room: the perfect spot for banquette-style dining, making the small size of this room fully functional. We ripped out a 1950s built-in cabinet and created an elegant bar with open and closed storage. Placing a mirror on its back wall created the illusion of more space while adding to the shine and sparkle of the glass shelving and barware.
Kitchen: we reconfigured appliances to maximize efficiency. White cabinetry covered the walls from floor to ceiling, providing plenty of storage. We chose contrasting black Quartz for the countertops as well as the backsplash, creating a streamlined infinity look.
Entry Foyer: we went with a moody feeling in this entry space in order to create a dramatic contrast with the adjacent large & light Living Room. The ceiling, painted with a high gloss dark paint, reflected the warm glow of the hanging light fixtures.
Primary Bedroom: we created space for a large walk-in closet as well as a window bench for added storage & a built-in seat.
Bathroom: to visually expand this narrow space, we chose glossy white wall tile, alternating its size & shape to create a subtle yet interesting pattern. Marble mosaics covered the floor and extended into the shower for a cohesive look.
For images in Portfolio, go to: A Riverside Drive Apartment and Before We Came & After We Left
Helping a family relocate
Addie helped this family relocate from a city apartment to their new Hilton Head home. With a 4 month move-in deadline, we worked together to bring the house to life in time for the holidays. Using computer-aided design, Addie was able to place their existing furniture into a plan for each room in the new house. This enabled us to identify which pieces needed to be reupholstered and what new pieces needed to be purchased to fill in blanks. The ability to create a virtual design set the wheels of change in motion long before the family was scheduled to move in. We chose a new palette with paint colors and fabrics suitable for a beach vibe. Our mantra was to repurpose all the furniture and accessories that the family cherished, using them in new combinations in order to bring a freshness to this next chapter of their lives.
For images in Portfolio, go to: A Hilton Head SC Home and Before We Came & After We Left
From start to finish: bringing interior design to an empty space
It was important to choose wisely for this apartment’s color palette in order to fully integrate the unique views from its many windows: a mass of warm red brick and the sky above. Working with this open-plan living/dining space, we decided to create a feature wall to highlight the dining area. We chose Galbraith & Paul’s hand-blocked wallpaper, bringing color and pattern to a minimalist Mid-Century Modern furniture collection. For a dramatic entrance and high contrast with the adjacent Living Room, we used dark paint in the Entry Foyer, effectively delineating each space in this open-plan apartment. Additional Galbraith & Paul wallpaper was hung in the Foyer in a different but complementary pattern. Custom flat weave rugs were designed to coordinate with the apartment’s delightful color scheme.
For images in Portfolio, go to: A Mid-Century Modern Apartment and Before We Came & After We Left
Refreshing a Family Room & adding interesting details
Once the children had grown, it became apparent that this Family Room, the most heavily used room in the home, needed to be redone to rid itself of child-centered themes and worn out furniture. The main focus of this design project was a new rug that needed to be distinctive from yet suitable to the adjacent Living Room rug. We picked an Odegard rug and custom-designed its color palette. The large vintage poster, originally in a bedroom was hung on the wall here to provided the graphic punch. We used its color pallette as a springboard for the fabric and rug choices. A new larger sofa with updated style was added to the Family Room and we recovered existing club chairs. The Dining Room chairs got a facelift with a new Maharam fabric. In the Living Room we chose a new fabric for two Dakota Jackson chairs. Its blue color and design motif were in perfect dialogue with the existing rug. Finally, the end wall of the apartment’s Entrance Foyer needed a certain grand gesture. We found it in a bold wallpaper choice, Fornasetti’s Murals. Its dark, dramatic stormy scene would be impossible to ignore.
For images in Portfolio, go to: Contemporary Loft in Downtown Chelsea
Adding period character to an indistinctive apartment
The task at hand was to transform an unremarkable apartment, keeping it practical for a young family while giving it a unique aesthetic. Using architectural details, decorative materials & finishes, mixing contemporary furnishings, vintage & reproduction lighting, the space took shape. Highlights include
Dining Room: stained glass folding doors installed between rooms allowed for privacy when needed while preserving the flow of space. High wainscot paneled walls added architectural interest in a period fashion.
Living Room: a unique bookcase surround was designed to house an art pottery & book collection. Addie took inspiration from the fireplaces of the American Craftsman bungalow when she added Pratt & Larson tile flourishes to create this special piano alcove and much-needed focal point.
Entry Hall: William Morris wallpaper clad the walls while reflective gold paper was applied to the ceiling to cast the light around and brighten this dark interior room. Mosaic glass tile insets added an unexpected sparkle. Pocket doors allowed space to flow when opened and gave privacy when closed.
Kitchen: more contemporary in its furnishings, lighting, and flooring, this space serviced the family’s functional needs. Floors were covered in cork for sound absorption and softness underfoot, solid maple cabinetry was interspersed with Benheim art glass in cabinet doors. The family breakfast table was inlaid with a practical linoleum top.