Chelsea Residence
WHAT: Renovation of 2-bedroom apartment in former school
CHALLENGE: Livening up a dark, generic, and inefficient apartment and adding a bathroom
STRATEGY: Moving the hallway gets rid of an annoying “tunnel-effect” and inefficient circulation space, and it allows for storage lost by the addition of the bathroom to be re-allocated. A series of colorfully lacquered and upholstered built-ins livens up the spaces, while walls of curtains soften, and strategically placed lighting brightens them.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Karen Wright CONSTRUCTION: HDR Remodeling & Co. PHOTOGRAPHY: Ben Rahn, A-Frame Studio
..the colors and patterns across the room. A hint of blue visually leads into…
Where there used to be the hallway to the rest of the apartment (see last slide for plans), there is now a wall terminating the kitchen, giving the eye a place to rest and connecting the kitchen to the seating/island. Massive reclaimed wood shelves hold glasses and liquor. The upper cabinets were kept white so they wouldn’t compete with…
The Master Bedroom has a custom Headboard made from the same reclaimed white oak found in the kitchen shelves and island, and the back of the entry cubby. It contains lights and storage and anchors the bed.
A bench “cubby” with a textured backdrop gives the long entry hallway a focal point, storage, and a place to take off your shoes. The client likes word art, so wallpaper reminiscent of graffiti adds visual punch. A skinny long sideboard at the door gives him a place to put his keys and adds another splash of color.
The floating banquette becomes a sideboard past the dining table.
The Master Bath, located in the former walk in closet, has a sliding door of the same translucent glass, letting in as much natural light as possible, and remaining open unless privacy is required.
The backsplash references the boldness of the graphic art, but its neutral color combination works with the rather subdued materials in the kitchen.