Shoestrings Aren't Just For Shoes Anymore

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am proud to share with you a newly completed project. This one was sort of a "pro bono" effort that I decided to do for a friend who hasn't had his own apartment in almost two decades. He also works out of his home as a coach and accompanist so this new studio had to serve double duty as his home and his workplace.
His budget was minimal to say the least but his taste is anything but cheap - sort of, as my mom was fond of saying, "Champagne taste and beer pocket."
I took on this challenge and managed to find some wonderful pieces that were donated to the cause and he re-purposed some salvaged objects in some very creative and beautiful ways and, in the end, I think we came up with a very comfortable design that serves every need and makes for a supremely comfortable and pleasantly bright and cozy home.

Here are some before and after shots of this upper west side studio...

 

A very organic and warm combination of greens were what we chose for the walls with accents of wood tones and black for contrast.

In the little alcove off the main room of the studio you can see one of three tall door panels that were literally found on the street. One had a mirrored insert so it got a coat of black paint on the trim and the darker of the greens as an accent near the bottom. Flanked by vases filled with coffee beans and orchid stems on small floating shelves complete a simple but beautiful view from the main room and since this alcove is used as a dressing room, the full length mirror not only reflects light but is practical as well.

The main area of the apartment, as I said, has to act as bedroom, office, living room, music room and dining area and all of those things have been addressed without the room feeling cramped or stuffy.

Because the apartment is on the fourth floor it gets a lot of light during a lot of the day and in the spring, summer and fall months there are trees to enjoy outside the large windows. Phase two of the design plan will include some richly textured draperies.

The client wanted a fireplace and a comfortable seating area and that's just what we provided, keeping everything light or on legs to keep the space from feeling too heavy and cramped. Not shown in these photos is a pair of chrome and black leather directors chairs on either side of the fireplace.

Over the sofa is the second of the three door panels hung vertically with black and white photos mounted behind the glass so that the green wall color shows through almost as if it were a matte.

The "foyer" of this apartment is painted a beautifully rich chocolate brown with the two closet doors and trim painted out in a crisp clean white. By the front door there is a antique reproduction, drop leafed round table with cabriole legs that can double as an intimate dining table when not holding a beautiful brass sphere lamp with a large black shade -  both pieces donated to the cause of style and comfort.

For this man who hasn't had an apartment of his own here in New York, this comfortable, efficient, luxe and handsome home is just the thing he has been missing. I believe he will be very happy in this space as it grows around him.