UPPER east SIDE
New York City
LOCATION
Upper East Side, New York City
TYPE
Townhouse
It began on the Upper West Side. A two-bedroom condo for a young couple, both of whom worked in finance, and who favoured mid-century pieces in a neutral palette—the creams, greys, reds, and rusts of the city beyond the expansive windows. Six years, two young kids, and a house in the country later (which we also designed), these longstanding clients asked us to help with their move to a five-floor townhouse on the Upper East Side.
Having recently been renovated, the bones and proportions of the building were good, but it needed to be dressed differently. Over a condensed four-month period, while one of the clients was on maternity leave, we stripped the whole thing back, rethinking each room to better suit their growing family and evolving tastes.
Construction by Dean Fine Building. Photography by Joshua McHugh.
Instead of entering the house on the parlor, which is typical of these townhouses, you enter on the ground floor. The family wanted it to be functional, so we designed a built-in niche in xxx oak to accommodate shoes, coats, and other outdoor accoutrements, and we positioned a cozy Jens Risom Big chair by the door if someone happens to be late.
From the front foyer, you enter the kitchen, which extends into a private garden. Here, we made use of the existing kitchen, changing the hardware to something more [description of hardware style] and concealing the cooker hood in tempest green tiles from Heath Ceramics. These tiles also adorn the opposite wall, which sees a custom chocolate leather and walnut banquette—perfect to sink into for a family meal—and [style] table with a bleached maple top.
Having worked with the clients for many years and on more than one property, we’ve built an aesthetic world together. It has meant that in the second-floor living room, many of the much-loved pieces that featured in their previous apartment, including a custom mohair sofa, Noguchi floor lamp, and Scandinavian lounge chairs, have hopped across the park from one room to another. It has also meant that we’ve been able to introduce new colours and textures in this house, such as the ebonized walnut and blue leather credenza by Egg Collective.
Between the living room and the formal dining room sits the walkthrough bar, a request that came from the client, which we believe, space allowing, is an entertaining essential. The warmth of the bar’s xxx oak millwork is contrasted by the slickness of black zellige and xxx, to create an elegant yet inviting space.
The entire second floor is designed for entertaining. But as this was a family home, it was important that any festivities could be entirely contained to this level. Hence, the inclusion of a powder room with a chocolate marble vanity and a hammered nickel sink.
Calming warmth was the brief for the dining room—a space to host impeccably and linger comfortably in. Neutral tones, including the xxx Heath Ceramic tiles used to surround the fireplace, the xxx Phillip Jeffries seagrass that clads the walls, and the custom Fort Street Studios rug, which looks a bit like moss, create a calm. While the xxx, xxx, and xxx of artwork and a vintage xxx chandelier bring a warm glow.
The xxx cabinet was designed specifically for the space. The more open side is used for serving—the central xx marble shelf is perfectly suited for dishes, hot and cold. While the other, more structured side, is used to store dining paraphernalia. Depending on the day, the sides can be concealed by a lacquered puce sliding door.
The clients wanted the third-floor primary suite to feel warm and immediately welcoming. To achieve this, many of their existing pieces, such as the xxx four-poster bed and lacquered chest of drawers, found a new home here. While the [color] and [color] ombre of the wool curtains, [color] seagrass wallpaper, [color] rug, and [color] and [color] of the husband’s custom wardrobes, radiate any time the sun shines in.
The walk-through bathroom separates the bedroom and the wife’s dressing suite and office. We covered the walls, and most surfaces, for that matter, with Carrara marble tiles to create a sense of division between the spaces.
Rather than place the primary bedroom at the front of the house, we opted for a dressing suite and office to avoid noise and gain privacy. The palette and materiality are an extension of the bedroom, but with the addition of xxx oak in bookshelves, which gives the room texture and height, and a custom oak desk with gently arced legs that fits perfectly in the bay window.
The fourth floor is the domain of the clients’ two children. Far enough away from any entertaining going on below, but close enough if something goes bump in the night. Each features a playful use of color. In the son’s room, various blue hues are paired with the yellows of xxx millwork and dinosaur chinoiserie. While in the nursery, it’s camo green that leads the way.
The townhouse’s fifth and final floor sees the guest bedroom and husband’s office. The office is an interpretation of the den in the client’s previous apartment, which they loved. Here, ebonised wood panels take the place of suede on the walls, while leather and other textures find their way into a custom ottoman and easy chair. One thing that makes a return is the piece by Caio Fonesca, its palette echoed by the custom tufted mohair sofa with integrated walnut side tables that sits below it.