pre-war tribeca apartment made modern
being based in new york city, we’re no strangers to historical buildings. so when this client approached us about creating a sleek, contemporary look for their pre-war nyc tribeca apartment, while preserving the character of the original inlaid mosaic tile floors, we were up for the challenge.
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our first task was to incorporate the colors of the mosaic tile — cream, sienna, and charcoal — into our color scheme for the kitchen. we used a warmer stain for the wide plank hardwood floors, which are from carlisle, to accent the sienna tiles and a dark wood with linear graining for the lower cabinets to pull in the charcoal. to lighten the feel of the space, which was quite long and narrow, we chose a high-gloss white laminate for the upper cabinets. an existing skylight also added to the bright and airy feel.
our other objective was to keep the space open for entertaining purposes. we designed a cantilevered island, the table portion of which is constructed of 3form, as a dedicated dining area. a semi-custom light fixture by studio dunn, which we centered over the island and dining areas, unites the very long space. we selected an etched glass backsplash from bendheim that adds to the clean and contemporary feel. high-end appliances like a wolf range and a full-height wine fridge make this kitchen an epicurean’s dream.
since the overall layout of the apartment provided unique challenges, we worked with a structural engineer on this project to rework the floor plan. a jack and jill bathroom featured an adjoining stall shower, which also had its own skylight. in order to create two independent bathrooms and increase the square footage of each, we reconfigured the entire apartment, pushing the wall of the kitchen and centering it along with the living room within the overall space. these changes necessitated installation of a new electrical panel on the other side of the apartment.
the end result was two bathrooms – one with bathtub and one with a walk-in shower. floating toilets and vanities in each keep the spaces light and airy, while also allowing for easy cleaning. our client was a total techie, as evidenced in the vanity cabinet that features an anti-fog mirror, a built-in electrical outlet, and a nightlight. we selected linear, clean sconces to match his modern aesthetic.
the apartment’s location on the top floor of the building meant that our client had rooftop access. this provided two opportunities for our client: 1. an aesthetically pleasing, and considerably safer, spiral staircase could replace the steep existing set. 2. central air conditioning could be installed. we worked with a structural engineer and a mechanical engineer respectively to ensure that these improvements were not only attractive, but up to code.
we pride ourselves on our ability to work seamlessly with other industry professionals and trades; this ensures that we can keep our projects running smoothly and that our clients don’t have to lift a finger. we keep meticulous records and aim to hold everyone involved accountable to the agreed upon timetables and investment schedule. it’s not enough to be known for beautiful work, it’s essential that we also have a reputation for stellar service to back it up. no matter what challenges arise during a project, our team takes them in stride and learns from the process, making us a little wiser with over the course of every project.
