apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Curtis must be liking all this custom paint...

Maybe I'm just prejudiced against glass knobs- I have never liked them in any context. I think they look especially bad here. I agree with the comments about the furniture, but the velveteen fabric bothers me more than the traditional styling. Also, what is that on the walls in the bathroom and the closets? Is that the "faux-wallpaper"? Hate it. Looks DIY, especially the corners in the bathroom. The regular wallpaper looks good, but I think it will look very dated a few years from now (dated 2005, not 1830). Same with the mini-subway tile marble backsplash.

Love the fireplace and the range.

An enviable, beautiful grown-up space, sensitive to the original spirit but also very fresh at the same time. Big-time congrats.

If further additions (furniture, art, accessories) continue toward a younger, edgier bent, I'll love it all even more.

Reminds me of the work of (or the beginnings of the work of) DC Designer Thomas Pheasant.

And have always loved the Archetype Collection furniture done by Michael Vanderbyl for Baker, whihc I believe I spotted a piece of...

I was wondering where I can get a mirror similar to the ones in the top picture?

As much as this is not my style at all (if I were to buy a brownstone, for example, I would do a totally modern interior furnishings, kitchen, bath etc. while keeping moldings and baseboards as is) I do appreciate the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into this. The moldings are very well done/restored and there are lots of great details.

I particularly like the nook and built ins in the kitchen, the mirror in the hallway, the sconses in the guest bedroom and the dark floors where the stain hides the overly swirly grain that you get in oak plank/strip.

The kitchen works very well (again being almost the opposite of my taste with the exception of the Carerra marble) but the only thing I would have done differently is to go for the 700 series sub zero fridge which can be completely hidden with flush custom panels. The water dispenser is very useful and I do miss the one we had in our rental but the looks are important to me also and water dispensers in fridges ruin the look for me.

Finally, I hope we don't get the usual comments about how can ppl afford places like this and why are they on AT when the majority of nyc apartment dwellers live in tiny spaces etc.

Who cares whether it's affordable? I'm looking at it for color combinations and storage ideas, as the husband has a "thing" for Greek Revival, and I have a thing for cabinets. There's almost always a way to take a great idea into a budget-minded version for a smaller home.

Love it and will love it more when more details are added. As it is, the big furniture pieces are too "up front" for my taste (and too similar from room to room to room). Looks like much of it was bought on one shopping trip. But again, once all the little details are assembled piece by piece it will look like a place that is lived in and loved

Carolyn - I don't know where you could get mirrors just like those but you could buy a couple of frames and put mirrors in them.

gorgeous! this is actually much more my taste than a lot of the contemporary styles that usually populate AT. love both, but would love to live in this one. favs include the carrera backsplash and the light fixtures in the front hall. does the living room feel a little unfinished to anyone else? i know that i can't seem to finish/accesorize mine, but maybe i should stop and call it a day, if this one is done.

very well done, not my style but i could live here, and i think that's more important!

but i'd be frightened to see the bill for all this work!

The space itself is stunning. The furnishings are not to my taste (too traditional) and I agree with a previous poster in that the large furnishings look too similar but I love the period details, esp. the fireplace, archways and mouldings. It looks like a very serene, comfortable, beautiful home.

Would love to see some Todd Hase furniture in this space...

www.toddhase.com/

And/or Barbara Barry...

http://www.barbarabarry.com/

And then some super-modern art.

And, for some reason, masses of brilliant orange tulips. :)

Hey, thanks for the microwave-in-the-island idea! I like that.

Are those theaded porcelain tiles available all over the place now? I did some tile and stone floor projects a few years ago and didn't see that style of tile at all. Now I have seen it in this and a few other bathrooms on AT recently. I like them and hope they are around for the next bathroom project I have, whenever that may be.

ps: I love the velveteen fabrics.

...and those drum pendants in the hallway are drop-dead gorgeous. Source, please?

The runner on the dining room console (hey, I think that IS Barbara Barry already!) has to go.

But dear god, SUCH a small detail in such a gorgeous reworking.

yeah but is the microwave in the island at all practical? Looks like that would be a right pain to deal with. Esp if you had a bad back.

They do make microwaves that are made to be installed in the lower cabinets. The door folds down and the controls are on the top. Much better ergonomics.

Love the drum shades, wood effect painting, the glass knobs and the kitchen countertop. The furniture is not may taste.
The furniture and stenciled walls brings up a question I had when I bought my first place, which was a pre-war: Just because the architecture is traditional does by decor has to be traditional also? I struggled with that question continuously while I was in that space. I found that the British are very good at striking a balance between old and new.
That said -- great space overall.

*frantically takes notes on p(too)'s comments*

Michelle quoth: "Just because the architecture is traditional does by decor has to be traditional also?"

Having grown up in the 1970s, when SF Style involved a lot of 1920s details mixed with contemporary design, I totally think traditional architecture can "go" with modern furniture and vice-versa. You need some kind of link through color, proportion, and/or line, that's all.

Those Ghost Chairs that are suddenly everywhere probably constitute the Perfect Generic Accessory to link contemporary furniture with traditional architecture.

This is my dream house. I am in love.

I like the attention to architectural restoration, but the furniture seems out of proportion, most noticeably in the smaller upstairs room. That bed is too bulky for the space and that shelf serves no purpose with the slanted wall. I think a nice mix of contemporary furniture and architectural antique pieces would work nicely in there.

I'd frost the panes of the door from kitchen to dining room (at least the lower 2/3rds, to block the view of the kitchen when seated).

Love love LOVE the built-in seating in the kitchen. You could not pry me out of that spot.

I think just the tiniest bit of tuft-reduction on the furniture, and some modern accessories would be enough of an old-new bridge. Since they seem to be veering toward a fresh traditional, I think they need not go too far to uber-modern.

In an envelope this gorgeous, anything could work.

But I think they could stand even, say, one Saarinen white marble side table... the hip cousin to the mantles and kitchen counters.

And would still love to see big gusty art here and there. And a shot or two of "acid"... something that is a jolt, either of color, shape, severity or pattern... the paint treatment on the dining room walls is starting the ball rolling.

Again, just dreaming out loud about a seriously lust-worthy space.

Nice.

But, I'm even more interested in the link in the comments to Barbara Barry - I am IN LOVE with her 'dream' bed linens....where can one find those?

Yes, love the drum shades in the hall. Don't love the sconces tho.

But listen, these people have money. Throw up a couple Chuck Close photographs and other big name art and you're there.

Lovely job. I too was impressed with the rounded doorways - an unexpected detail that comes off very well.
I'm curious about the painted wallpaper. So much was used and to good effect but I'm wondering how that priced out. In my experience it is much more expensive to hand detail walls than to buy paper - even hand painted paper. Have you some wonderful craftsman at reasonable prices lurking in NYC? Do tell.
I'm also curious why the tile in the kitchen? Were wood floors nixed? I think those look so nice in prewar kitchens.
And I do agree with P(too) that frosting the glass between the dining room and kitchen would make for more gracious formal dining. But with some art and accessories ( and hopefully a few antique somethings generously tossed into the mix) this will be a show stopper! Well done!!

1st off, totally agree with everyone that artwork and accessories are very much a work in progress, but that said it isn't something that will be accomplished overnight either. I think that the best way to personalize one's home is to allow the owners to grow into it and develop their own voice.

To answer a few questions/comments:

1. ...and those drum pendants in the hallway are drop-dead gorgeous. Source, please? BARBARA BARRY BY BAKER FURNITURE (www.bakerfurniture.com)
2. I was wondering where I can get a mirror similar to the ones in the top picture? THOMAS PHEASANT BY BAKER FURNITURE.
3. Are those theaded porcelain tiles available all over the place now? YES, TILES ARE FROM A COLLECTION NAMED XILO BY AN ITALIAN MANUF. AND AVAILABLE AT WALKER ZANGER & HASTING TILES.
4. I'd frost the panes of the door from kitchen to dining room (at least the lower 2/3rds, to block the view of the kitchen when seated). FUNNY ENOUGH, DINING ROOM REQUIRED AN EXEMPTION IN ORDER TO PASS ZONING CODES SET BY DEPT OF BLDGS. A ROOM ISN'T A ROOM WITHOUT A CERTAIN MINIMUM OF LIGHT. SINCE DR DOESN'T HAVE ITS OWN WINDOW(S), A COMPROMISED WAS REACHED AND AS SUCH LIGHT COMING THROUGH CLEAR GLASS FRENCH DOORS OF THE KITCHEN WAS CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE. FROSTED GLASS PANES DIDN'T FLY WITH DOB.

Two things:

1. Microwaves in cabinets like that are actually ADA approved, as they are handicapped accessible.
2. HOORAY - the point has been made that stainless appliances are totally on their way out, plus they are a total b**ch to keep clean. I so prefer a clean white appliance.

Actually, yes, Curtis IS liking all this custom paint. Not sure exactly what I would have done if it were me, but I think it works nicely. And seriously, I prefer it to real wallpaper, because it just DOES seem cleaner than real wallpaper, and when I see paint, I think of the option of painting over it, whether it's re-sale or whatever. When I see real wallpaper, I see the kind of permanence that makes me VERY nervous.

The only thing that REALLY makes me think, though, is those rounded entrances which I KIND OF love for their timeless quality, making them classic and old-fashioned and yet strangely modern at the same time. However, it also kind of bothers me to see such a tiny space of wall between the arcs of them and the ceiling. Am I alone in this?

Jacquie--
Thanks for the sources, and congrats again on a seriously beautiful job. And yes, I do agree that a space should evolve. But we want instant gratification!!! :)

And if you frost the glass doors, WE won't tell the DOB. :)

Oh, and the blue color of the Aga was an especially inspired choice.

The issue with frosting the glass really is about enforcement. The DOB are not going to come in and check some time in the future so if you want to frost, then frost. It's not like you have an illegal basement bedroom without two means of egress.

WRT to SS being a b**ch to keep clean, I guess I'll bring up an old post:

"That old finger prints on the SS fridge chestnut again. Just like the old granite needs to be resealed every 6 months thing. I've already posted about my experiences with granite so I won't do that again and I'm pretty sure I've posted about SS and lack of fingerprints but I am going to post about that again.

As most of you know we had a subzero ss 650 and currently, in our rental, have a fridgidaire ss fridge. I have never seen fingerprints on either. Maybe some smudges where our kids have decided to paw them but nothing that I could classify as a unique problem to ss. In fact it's much easier to clean and it keeps its clean look far longer between cleans. Maybe it's the ss cleaner we use. Maybe ppl who have had fingerprint problems don't use a ss cleaner. Maybe (to coin a British phrase and apologies in advance to Laura) I'm just talking out of my arse - but I doubt it.

BTW, the ironic thing is our new place has a subzero 650 again but it is has white lacquer panels to match the cabinets. I know, the horror of white, but you all know that's my color.

Posted by jamie pup at 09/13/05 2:59 PM"

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/091305/appliances-large/big-chill-refrigerators-retro-style-and-for-the-kitchen-003887

Jacquie,
Any chance of giving up the juice on the custom paint work? I would really like to know how this priced out and if you have a contractor you really recommend.

Gorgeous, thoroughly thought out space--I am in love with the AGA-carrara combo and P2 is as always dead on about todd hase but seriously, who does not need a sitting room btwn their (master) bedroom and bath
ok maybe that is a bit of jealousy talking. congrats

Really like the damask paint work. Thinking about attempting to do that myself. Where do you find stencils like that? - Curtis "the paint guru" Have done a quick search online and all I can find are cheesy country kitchen ones.

David n DC -
I didn't do the paint work for that project, but since I see my name in your post, as if you're asking me, it sounds like you're just wanting to just find that general kind of thing.

What I DO know is that for a minute there a couple of years ago, Ralph Lauren had a line of stencils that Janovic was selling, and you MIGHT find some odd ones here and there in some of their stores.

But I did a quick Google of "Ralph Lauren stencil" and found some online sources for them, even though I think they're discontinued. One of which you'll see if you click on my name on this post.

Some of those are of a similar nature.

Curtis,
Thanks so much!! I knew you would have a lead for me.

Custom paint work - the base coat was from Farrow & Ball (Castle Gray), but I got the copycat mix from Benjy Moore instead (cheaper and not have to wait for shipment from Canada). The artists I used is called Les Deux Femmes based in CT. I gave them a photo of a stencil pattern my client liked, and the artists took it from there. Stencil was all handmade and cut on site, all in it took about 3 days (2 people) to do the room. There was the main repeat pattern, and they also cut out "filler" pieces used throughout the space. This is done so that the pattern ends nicely and neatly where it should instead of looking like it ran out of wall space.

Originally, I was going for wallpaper, but couldn't find the right pattern in the right color. Who knows, maybe wallpaper would have cost less or more than stenciling, but I never found what I was looking for anyway in wallpaper, so somewhat of a moot point.

JMC
It looks amazing! I have been looking at the Farrow and Ball wallpaper- Silvergate pattern - but they have a minimum of a 3 roll order. I don't need nearly that much. Thanks to Curtis I have found some damask stencils that look pretty good. Anyway - thanks so much for the inspiration. Great job!

David in DC -

If you're brave enough to tackle something interesting and don't mind a litle investment, and can completely ignore how completely horrific the "sample walls" are on the website, wwww.rollerwall.com sells this patterned rubber stamp kind of paint roller system that I used in my dining area. I used 3 colors on the same chip and actually used an actual proper stencil along with it to achieve a look that I liked in my own dining room, which I only just now realized that I had NOT put up in my flickr thing, but just now went ahead and uploaded, so if you click on my name, you'll see it.

Might give you another bit of an idea along those lines.

By the way... if you use REAL wallpaper, you're stuck with the choices that the companies make for you, but if you can get really creative AND really exacting with executing stencils, etc., you can make it EXACTLY the colors you want.

Curtis,
Thanks again for the tips. I found a damask stencil similar to the one in this dining room.
http://www.dresslerstencils.com/ShowView/product/128/37

I'm thinking about doing the technique in my bedroomm niche.
(link w/ my name) Using the existing gray as the background color. The stencil color would be the dove white I have in my living room. As you mentioned I can get the exact match in color. Excellent!

Dave -
What a great apartment, for one thing, but yeah, I think that pattern you found will look great like that. Just make sure that you measure the width of the pattern carefully, measure the width of the wall, etc. so that the pattern looks centered and even, etc.

Love the work space (I have that crystal bowl).

Thank you P2!! SOmeone FINALLY mentions the AGA! Unless I missed an earlier mention? MY DREAM oven and I was SHOCKED to see no mention of it before yours! You ROCK!

What a gorgeous renovation. If this were mine and money were no object, I would decorate it like Dianne Wiest's apartment in Bullets over Broadway.

The TV over the mantle in the bathroom made me sad, but I guess the owners like to watch TV in the bathtub. Go figure.

what is the colour/make of the light blue used in the living space? Is that castle grey too?

I bought a c1839 Greek Revival in upstate NY. I'm totally ripping off a bunch of these ideas. Dang, if you ever have a tag sale - please call me! xoxox

:)

I would like to know where the shelving in the office was purchased from - and also how it is supported. Beautiful Work.

Um, yeah, totally off topic but David in DC, I love your place! I am saving that picture of your cabinets in my style file as they are EXACTLY what I want in my (someday) kitchen remodel, hope you don't mind. Where did youfind the lovely photo mosaic? Is is a DIY? Because I would love to make something like that and if there are instructions floating around somewhere that would be sweet!

Anyways, this house is gorgeous, I love the little cararra tiles as backsplash and bathroom floor. Anyone have a source for those? Or are they relatively common? We've got a buddy that's a tile guy who owes us bigtime and we might finally do that nast master bathroom now...

Elise, you can find shelving similar to that in the home's office at Ikea in various finishes. It's called "Lack". Just finished hanging 150 linear feet of it in my apartment yesterday.

The renovation is really beautiful. I hope AT will keep us posted as it progresses.

Isn't the Carrara marble used on the kitchen's countertops and backsplashes suseptible to staining due to its porosity?

Jacquie,
If you're still looking at these posts -- How would someone get in contact with you. We're planning a restoration/renovation of an 1870 Second Empire home in Brooklyn - Spring '07. I think you're just what the Dr. ordered.

-wcbsjr

Utterly drool-licious!

My favorite is the sky blue Aga amidst all the cool gray fog of the carrrera marble.

Hi guys,

thanks for the kudos, and to JIll for reposting.

now onto the questions:

1) the blue color I used in the kitchen & bathrooms came from Home Depot Behr in Wave Crest.

2) the office shelves were custom millwork cut and stained by my carpenter. in order to hide support brackets, the carpenter devised a hidden wood dowel built into the plywood behind the sheetrock that runs the length of the office, and he cut out a slot behind the shelves to fit the dowel and the two parts were joined together with lots of carpenter glue.

3) the little marble tiles on kitchen backsplash came from Walker Zanger, my favorite tile store with great selections and prices, they're part of the Tribeca Collection in petite bricks. they came with a mesh backing and so were relatively easy to apply

4) it's been about 1 yr now since the owner moved into the house. the kitchen has gotten a lot of mileage, and I'd say the countertop has held up pretty well. yes, there are marks, and the surface isn't as pristine as it once was, however, I'm quite OK with that. it's living and breathing house, not a museum with velvet ropes. I try to tell all my clients to not be afraid of marble, and use it and clean it like they'd take care of the rest of the house.

all in all, I can't say that there's anything I'd do differently in the kitchen, except for maybe more countertop space (like closets, there's never enough!!).

and lastly, y'all can reach me at jcao@nyc.rr.com. again, thanks!!

I don't get it. The house is 1830s, yet the furniture is so Deco 1930s. If you want to nod to an historical period, why such a different one than the original?

Uh, is it just me, or is this a pretty boring house, in terms of the furniture and decor? Other than the dining room walls, I wasn't particularly excited about anything they've done here.

love the architecture and the restoration, the tiles, the marble, and the kitchen (except the frig profile which should be flush with the cabinets).....but not the colors or the furnishings. sorry, but nothing all that original, new, or fresh here. and i agree that some seem off scale.

jacquie clearly knows reno / contracting / planning / permitting /construction. but it looks undone with regard to furniture and art. i appreciate that the owners will grow into it but find it hard to believe that people with the money for this project don't own any nice art or as found pieces.

As somebody who used to work for a government cultural department advising people on how to sensitively restore and update their historic homes, I have to say that a number of the things done here are a no-no.

The renovation is guilty of architectural muddling through the introduction of the arched doorways -- the arches destroy the original bones of the house while introducing a foreign element that does not belong with it, all for a rather weak design "theme of round edges". The worst of it is the way it is done: it is made to look authentic, and not like a 2007 addition. It is a rather permanent element -- subsequent owners will have to re-do the walls to get rid of the arches (hopefully they realize that they are an inauthentic element).

The other things that don't belong are the cheap new coated brass hardware -- if you want to go with brass hardware, get the authentic stuff, uncoated, from an architectural salvage store -- there are lots of sources in N.Y. This isn't as big a transgression, and is easier to fix than the arches.

The bathrooms and kitchen try to reference designs that are at least younger than the house (it really looks silly when the bathroom or kitchen tries to make links with design elements that pre-date the house, a very common occurrence when people try to do a "sensitive" remodel), but it is a disappointment that they do not try to be honestly contemporary, the way the Europeans do it. And those little marble tiles were so trendy, that they seem very dated and tired.

I usually don't speak up when I dislike something, but I really, really dislike how this renovation has been done -- in every way -- the way it has been furnished too (if you're going to go for curvy velvet sofas, go with a Dialogica -- either a Diva or an Elle model).

Sadly, it is a missed opportunity that may not come around again for this building.

Carrara marble in the kitchen is a death sentence: you are always going to be in a panick the second anything falls on it, and you cannot ever totally seal it because those solutions just impregnate the stone, simply giving you more time to wipe any potential stains away.