A Showcase and a Family Home

This 3,000 square foot loft apartment was one of the first residential buildings to open in the new gentrified Meat Packing District. The apartment presented us with the challenge of transforming a generic developer layout and finishes into a refined open loft interior for a young family with two children. The space was designed to showcase our client’s impressive collection of mid-century modern furniture (Nakashima, Vladimir Kagan and Knoll). The warm and natural palette of these classic pieces served as inspiration for the materials used in the loft. The existing maple floor was stained ebony and a combination of white oak, teak and stainless steel finishes were selected for the various millwork elements.

The elongated area of the main living spaces presented the challenge of maintaining a sense of openness while dividing the plan into distinct zones. An office alcove is partitioned from the primary living spaces by a wall of white oak cabinetry which serves dual function as a pantry and refrigerator niche for the kitchen and a storage closet for the office.

The open kitchen is outfitted with stainless steel laboratory cabinetry and a white ceramic tile backsplash. The clean palette is warmed up by the white oak storage wall. Though the kitchen plan is open, the prep spaces are tucked out of site from the living room and only a 4 foot long cantilevered section of the stainless steel countertop is visible. A new steel staircase which connects the master suite and terrace level to the living room below is made from standard structural steel parts. As you approach the living room, views through the stair’s open risers let the light through. In order to provide a sense of enclosure when using the stair, stainless steel mesh panels were attached the guardrail. As a counterpoint to the industrial character of the stair, the handrail is capped in leather which is soft to touch.

The former master suite was transformed into a new children’s suite with two bedrooms and a large bathroom. Colorful cabinetry, complete with a kids-size secret door, was designed to fit in an existing brick archway which separates and provides storage for the two kid’s rooms. Simple plywood platform beds with pipe legs were designed for both rooms.

In the super-sized bathroom a red rubber floor, green laminate counters and vinyl cushions on a storage bench filled with toys were selected for their durability and bright colors. Here, the entire family can be together comfortably while the kids are bathing and splashing around.

For the master bathroom, which was relocated to the penthouse, we chose solid teak for the vanity and tub enclosure both for its durability in wet areas and its natural color which contrasts with the otherwise pristine limestone walls and floors.