in the THICK of it

Hi All! As the ball continues to roll on one of our Upper East Side projects, we thought we’d share some progress pics with you. This apartment was designed for our wonderful clients who are parents to a set of adorable twins. They were looking for a place that felt like a home in the city, and settled on this apartment that was a combination of a two bedroom and an alcove studio. The previous owners hadn’t ever really integrated the two apartments and so it was our job to transform this post war “box” into an  ”apartment house” (new word ), with real spaces, great trim work and practical finishes.

This is  what the open living and dining area looked like before…

We knew from the start that this large open area required definition. But, along with definition, we thought it needed those special details that make a house a home. To add major ambiance, we suggested introducing a fireplace into the space. The building does not allow gas fireplaces and so we ventured out for an alternative. Who knew that electric fireplaces had come so far along! We found an amazing model and “walla” – instant drama! We covered the fireplace wall with mosaic stone tile for that true fireplace feel and flanked it with bookcases. Check out the progress…

View into new living room complete with a new opening and tray ceiling

Over in the newly defined Dining Room (previously the living room), we continued the “house” feel by opening the existing kitchen into the dining room, all the while using the existing cabinetry – we’re so resourceful! By adding decorative trim to the walls (which will soon be getting a wallpaper insert) and ceiling, the room now speaks SOPHISTICATION.

New opening into kitchen and new trimmed doorway into newly formed Gallery

New trim work on ceiling and walls highlighted with Jonathan Adler sconces

Stay tuned for updates on this transformation, there’s so much more to see…