our client, one part family man with a beautiful home in the suburbs and one part financier who stays in nyc 2-4 nights per week, came to us ready to make a change.
regular hotel living was exhausting, and he wanted a place to call his second home. somewhere he could relax after work, live beyond the limits of a hotel suite, and (just in case) provide a location for his college-aged children to stay as well, should they decide to intern in the city.
he found a great spot — a new build in tribeca — and gave us a call. (fun fact: it’s kiddie corner from this apartment we also designed in tribeca!)
with all of these factors at play, the dhny team got to work. we aimed to design an upscale, modern, family-friendly nyc apartment that would allow our client to relax and really enjoy those 2-4 days each week. (100-200 days per year!)
project goals
we knew we had to design a space that reflected our client’s multi-faceted lifestyle but also provided enough space for his family to feel at home. we wanted to…
- create a place that would be soothing, moody, textural, comfortable, and contemporary
- design a space that would provide enough seating for the client’s family but would be cozy enough to feel comfortable when he is staying there alone
- strike a balance between the sophistication of old downtown nyc and the updated comfort of modern design
- incorporate remembrances from our client’s time living in japan
challenging? not for our team… we were eager to put our brains together and come up with a worldly, refined, welcoming place for our client to call his “home away from home.” won’t you come inside?
entryway: design is in the details
from the moment you walk into our client’s apartment, you can feel a soothing ambiance. dark gray, deeply textured wallpaper. oversized artwork that welcomes you into the space. a black metal table reminiscent of a refined i-beam. this entryway is calming and modern with a nod to industrial nyc charm.
fun fact: when we first presented this wallpaper to the client, he was concerned it might be too dark. once he saw it in person, he couldn’t have been happier. at that point, he understood the calming nature of this textured accent, stating,
“it’s soothing to walk into — which I need to see after a hectic day. it’s a place of respite before entering the rest of the apartment…. and it’s not too dark at all.”
auxiliary furnishings and accessories in the entryway and beyond played a major role in blending our client’s modern tastes with his adoration of the historical allure of the industrial age in nyc.
past this sophisticated entrance, the rest of this contemporary, ready-for-relaxation apartment awaits…
open and inviting modern kitchen
the kitchen is luxurious, modern, and enticing. as a new build, the home came with this gorgeous waterfall stone countertop and these sleek cabinets. we added elegant geometric pendant lighting to fit the luxury of the space and art in a brass frame to bring it all together.
the ability to share this space with his family was a priority, so we knew our client needed ample seating in the kitchen and dining area. we added 4 bar stools at the kitchen counter and 6 modern chairs around the updated traditional dining table. now, this space boasts enough room for entertaining family, coworkers, and friends.
modern contemporary living room
displaying sweeping city views by day. cloaked in stunning jewel-toned blackout curtains by night. the large windows in this living room provide a stunning backdrop for any occasion… quiet weekday evenings. lively family conversations. even entertaining, should the moment arise.
the antique gear between the blue armchairs coupled with the blackened steel side table next to the sofa play a significant role. they help blend the textured, contemporary furniture and throw pillows with the urbane nyc-of-old vibe that our client desired.
other important, personal touches include the japanese art, the stone buddha, and a nod to japanese wabi-sabi in the dried lavender and vase.
p.s. throughout the entire space, our team helped select all of the artwork, which provides that fully completed look. not only was the artwork unique to our client’s style, but we had an expert hang them. trust me, professional installation makes a noticeable difference!
our client helped approve this stunning artwork, but when he saw it up close and personal on his walls, it blew him away. he said everything looked better than he imagined. not to be missed — this textured chair and rug help make this space the elevated yet cozy retreat our client envisioned.
fully stocked and effortlessly classy bar cart
not only did our client love the idea of a stocked-and-ready-at-all-times stylish bar cart to complete the living room area, but the large artwork that we selected conceals a very large, unattractive electrical panel — surprise! stunning aesthetics and utility combined? we call that a design win-win. (and you know we’re no strangers to a good craft cocktail!)
relaxing master bedroom
to add interest to the room, we chose this wallpaper as a focal point. it softens the modern headboard while infusing an almost elemental quality, reminiscent of a japanese kimono.
although not pictured, the dresser in this bedroom has a chic concrete top. it adds just a subtle touch of industrial character to this elegant and luxurious suite.
modern chic powder room
our client even wanted his guests to enjoy luxury! modern brass pendants. warm-toned natural stone. deep-toned walls. organic-inspired artwork. these elements work together to uplevel the elegance of this space. of course, to seamlessly meld our client’s desired nyc downtown look, we added small, masculine touches — a mix of black metals and antique brass. perfection!
the verdict
it is an understatement to say that our client loves his new tribeca space. he sung our praises, complimented the art, and praised the design choices that brought comfort into his after-work abode. mission accomplished and champagne poured!
if this classy space has sparked ideas for your home, what are you waiting for? let’s chat and start creating a space that elevates your life every day of the week — or whenever you’re around. 😉
all photography by the amazing emily gilbert photography
