Name: Katherine (designer)
Location: East Village
Apartment Size: 2000 square feet
Favorite: "Working with a great client"
Katherine is neither the owner, nor the resident of this apartment but rather its creator. Although youd never know it, this was her first project.
Trained as an architect, with an incredible eye for scale, space, and style, Katherine successfully transformed a bulky 80s condo conversion into an open, bright, and fluid home.
Do you have an idea for a house tour? Let me know! jill@apartmenttherapy.com
The relationship between Katherine and her client was one of mutual respect and ease. Basically, he trusted her to make the right decisions and she did. Once in a while, Katherine gave her client a choice of such things as three different mosaic tile colors, but he would always pick the one that Katherine said she liked the best. Originally, the condo owner requested a modern space in which he could occasionally entertain. Although Katherine was more than willing to make it modern, she insisted on adding warmer elements to the space to establish intimacy and to lessen the potential pitfalls of severity and sterility. For Katherine, modernism means an economy of decoration but not by sacrificing the spatial experience.
The overall approach was to break down any and all existing walls, bring the storage to the perimeter and to flood the space with light. To maximize available space Katherine even removed the washer and dryer from the apartment. Every floor in the building has laundry facilities and Katherine figured that space was more of a premium than the bloated status granted to such modern perks as a washing machine. Instead of opaque barriers, rooms are often divided by signifiers such as an aluminum strip embedded in the wood, a frosted piece of glass, a porous book case, or shifts in flooring. Fluidity is particularly embraced in the transition from the kitchen to the adjacent bathroom. The two rooms share the same wall tiles and flooring, with a large piece of frosted glass as the only interruption.
As a designer, Katherine says, I cant control how they live. Im just defining the set for how they live. Because each client asks for something different, Katherine gets the opportunity she loves about her jobto learn clients lifestyles and idiosyncrasies and to give them a home that best fits those needs.
Originally Posted November 16th, 2005
Wow, Kathryn. Great job! Really lovely.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to innundate you with questions.
1. Where did you get the tile in both bathrooms?
2. Who did the painting/photo(?) of the horse and the other picture in the living room.
Great use of art throughout, and I love the dining room set.
Stunning and beautiful.
But, with such a minimalist aesthetic, does "defining the set" for those living a bit past minimalism ever prove frustrating?
I'd go ballistic if I saw a gorgeous glass railing strewn with clothes! Unless that was the by product of an extemely hot date. :)
*big sigh* Maybe it's time to go back to my childhood dream and become an architect to design a place like this for myself. Well done!!
That lightbox/stairwell solution is perhaps one of the most elegant, well-executed I've ever seen.
(But how did you get around railing code on the inside of it?)
Katherine... I have to stop now. I'm running out of adjectives of admiration! You should be incredibly proud.
(and I second Fiona's admiration of the stunning and interesting art collection)
Stunning. (I'm absolutely speechless.)
I'd also love to hear more about what led up to this project (and how you found a client like this!!)... what exactly does "first project" mean?
Beautiful!
Fiona - I think the horse pic is by Joe Andoe and I think the living room painting could be Darren Waterston.
Fiona - on second look, I think the horse in the bedroom is a photograph, so it couldn't be Joe Andoe. He paints horses so if interested you might want to check him out. But I can't see for sure.
Wow! Fascinating use of light and glass! Also lovely integration of bookshelves. There is so much sleek, built-in storage!
I'm another one who wants to go make the residents straighten up a bit. Or send them to community workshops on the importance of Three Dramatic Accessories rather than a slew of dinky stuff.
Wow! A truly amazing job. I have to admit that I'm shocked the client allowed removal of the washer and dryer, unless he sends all his laundry out of course. One of the luxuries for me in my last apt was having a washer and dryer. There's nothing like doing your laundry whenever you like (not having to wait for someone to collect their smalls) and wearing whatever you like or nothing at all while doing it!
Reef
Reef
The piece says there is a laundry room on every floor, so he just has to go out to the hallway, not down the street!
Thanks, Barbara! I'll check him out.
I second Patrick's question about "first project." I'm always intrigued by how/why people get started. I need all the inspiration I can get!
Michele,
I know it said there's a laundry room on every floor. Still, that would be something I wouldn't choose to get rid of from my apt, but then again I do seem to be forever doing laundry. On second thoughts, if he's single, perhaps it's advantageous to have shared laundry facilities.
Reef
Apt. is beautiful and probably cost a fortune, but it seems a little sterile to me. I thinkI would be depressed living there. Absolutely no color anywhere.
I lived in a building with washers & dryers on every floor, and it was great... much more convenient than it would seem. I'm also guessing in this specific scenario, he's not sharing the washers with too many other neighbors. In my old building, since I was virtually the only tenant on the floor without a housekeeper, I never had to wait for a washer, since I was the only person doing laundry after 5 pm.
With that experience, I would almost prefer that scenario to having a unit right in my apartment.
oy, "no color".
The owner would probably hate this idea, but I think you should make a whole dang building of apartments like this. It's beyond beautiful.
Katherine, this is beautiful!
And although the client seems to have abandoned strict minimalism in everyday living, there's something piquant about the anti-magazine-spread of the resulting photos. C'mon, most of us look at beautiful minimalist spaces and wonder, "where do they hide the gifts they can't part with out of sentiment? The People magazines they don't want their friends to know they read? How are they disciplined enough to always put things back in the closet? Where do you keep the toothpaste?"
We're sinners. We cannot live up to minimalism's standards.
Of course, if AT had been taking photos of my (imaginary) minimalist but cozy pad, I'd have hired a large team of fuss-pot cleaners. And I'd commit my sins in private. :)
Back when I lived in NYC in an apt with shared laundry facilities I remember always feeling a little embarrassed when I would jampack the washer or dryer with my clothes. I was a poor researcher. I was also single and although the idea of meeting someone in the laundry room was exciting, the fact that I was wearing the only clean clothes I had remaining, which tended to be some old things I'd never actually wear out, meant there wasn't much chance of that. Perhaps that's where my need for solitary laundering comes from.
Reef
oh my yes, sort of tearing up a little here... my own surroundings are starting to feel a little squalid. Is there some sort of "Best Apartment Ever" prize?
Oh and how could I forget...? That BED. That bed is amazing. Best. Bed. Ever.
Great apt - so many details and so beautiful plus it does feel like the ultimate new yorker apt.
I do love the details that make it so NY Beautiful kitchen with not a stain of use - but two blenders in the bar. Sleek bathrooms with Dornbracht faucets, Kielhs products and a green rubber ducky as decoration - crisp white linens against dark woods in the bedroom - modern art galore -
It all offers a sense of peace when you step in from the city -
Okay. can you tell me specifically what kind of floors those are? the wood ones in the main areas. I want this in my place.
Also, where can I get a door and frame like you use for the bathroom?
pleaaaasssssseeeee!
I also would love to know about the tiles...pray tell!
Stunning, absolutely stunning.
Personally though, I am horrified by the clothing strewn about.
It is rare that I am impressed by a space, but I was very impressed with this renovation (wish I could have seen the pre-demo photos).
I agree, that I would want more color in my home, but hey it works for the client.
I'm curious who did the kitchen cabinets? Are they boffi or just built by a cabinet maker? And what is the floor on the top little bar room? Very curious.
WOW!!!! Amazing job Katherine. Hard to beleive this was your first project.
Beautiful place. Best design I have seen so far here at AT. Clean and Livable. Except for the hanging clothes, the normal everyday clutter of the clients is fine and does not detract from the basic theme of minimalism. Especially if this was done five years ago. It has held up amazingly well. Nice bed. Favorite detail is the white I-beam-like expression of the stair within the frosted glass cube.
Where is the entryway?
Only complaint: 41 slides is a bit overboard. However, Kudos to AT for the new slide viewing arrangement.
I disagree-- 41 slides is not overboard!
However, one general suggestion. AT should take a hint from all the questions that accompany the house tour posts. How about an interview with the designer / owner? We want details: where was the backsplash fabricated? Where'd you get that faucet? What's the color number for those walls? Who customized those Bondi bookcases for you? The best part of Dwell Magazine is the "make my home your home" sidebars. Let's get into the nitty gritty of things. Otherwise good work AT!
Now I'm feeling like a slob. I didn't even notice the hanging clothes that so seem to horrify people. I guess even someone with a place like this struggles with the clothes drying issue? (Reference the good question section about hang drying.)
Hello! Thank you all for your kind words!
I'll try and answer some of your questions:
* jade glass tile is from hastings
* white mosaic tile is from bisazza - expo design center also carries this and also, there's bisazza
* yes, painting is by waterston
* wood floors are 4" wide oak with a dark stain
* bathroom door + frame - (not sure which bathroom) The glass sliding door has no frame. It sits on one side of the wall. It's on a hafele track, but there are many others that can be used. The wood door is detailed without a frame. It is detailed so that the wall on the inside is very simple and clean. hope this helps?
* the kitchen cabs are custom - we looked into bulthaup and boffi, which were v. pricy. 5 years ago there weren't as many nice options are there are now.
* stone floor is bateig azul from stone source - I love it because it looks like smooth soft concrete and has a beautiful warm tone.
* the painted wall is a benjamin moore coastal fog. It's nicely warm and neutral.
* yes, it was my first project out on my own. Though I had little building experience, I had a great team of people who were v. helpful.
best,
K
Beautiful job! As for 5 years ago, wow! To update for present, maybe a few changes.
Living room:
1.get rid of that white cube storage ikea-ish bookish used to define space. too many 20 somethings use it now.
2. 2 different couches seen. get rid of so many greyish pillows.
3. add some more stuff in living room-like furniture to warm it up a little. maybe a chair or something.
get some of the extra pictures off floor. pictures are very nice. bedroom with wood bed, horse picture, mirror, very nice.
glass stairs-cool.
kitchen:
1.kitchen-i like the 'no shelves above' idea. it opens up space and makes it seem less kitcheny.
2.how about changing white kitchen floor to all brown so it blends with room?
above stairs:
change white frame on wall to black so that area has some contrast in seating area.
great job-let's see some more designs recently.
Con razon. Like your eye katherine...
Love the bath tile and the inlaid shelf...I am glad I didn't have to put that in...You must have some good hands...
Love the wood steps on stairs to match the floor...
Did you really decide not to use the steel counter tops-or was it much cheaper! either way let there be steel....
here's to another designer I know from the 'hangin' sliding glass door school.
AT readers,
I am the lucky owner and resident of this apartment. I want to shamelessly plug Katherine Kim! I could not be happier with this pad! I feel I am living inside a beautiful, inspiring piece of art. It is my inner sanctum, a respite from the overstimulation of NYC. It is also very practical, with ample storage space. The bedroom is comfortable and inviting, and the second floor is perfect for entertaining.
Katherine is simply a joy to work with, and I believe is exceptionally talented. She is sweet, professional, prompt, and, for now, reasonably priced. This project was UNDER budget, and AHEAD of schedule, which is practically unheard of when renovating an apartment in NYC!
In retrospect, I really should have cleaned up before the shoot...Bartlett
Hi katherine,
great job. stunning. Could you tell me where I can get the materials of the "light box" (ie. the green proxy glass.) This is the exact material that I want for my wall and the sliding door. Thanks youuuu.....
Absolutely great place, but one very important thing is missing...a pooch. In a cold, contemporary place like yours, which I absolutely love, a fuzzy pooch will bring a special warmth.
I love this place soooo much that I look at it once a week. I am doing a reno and this is my inspiration. I have so many questions... the glass railing on the stairway. I want to repeat this. I would love to know how its done, how thick the glass should be(safety issue) and all about the paint colors...mainly the white paint color. Also, the name of the mirror in the bathroom. Could someone get the designer to answer some of the questions that have been brought up in the post? Also, the name of the mirror in the bathroom. Thanks....
This is an absolute DREAM apartment...and I am one picky ass dreamer.
The only thing I would have done is maybe add some very simple curtains to the living room windows to soften it up a bit. The way of creating a window in the upstairs bathroom is a brilliant idea- and I am sure the kitchen looks great at night with the bathroom light on filtering through into the dining space.
Amazing work!
Like virtually everyone else, I totally love this apartment and would be thrilled to live in a place that is so beautiful, intelligent, innovative and all of the other superlatives you can think of!
I know that I've seen it before, though. I'm certain that it was already featured in some magazine or other. Just out of curiosity, does anyone else remember where they've seen it? (and forgive me if someone has alredy mentioned it....I didn't read all the entries as carefully as I could)
It was great until pic. 40 - why would you ruin your beautiful slide show with a photo of a mattress thrown on top of a sofa?
Stunning!
Where did you find the wall mounted towel rack in the green tile bathroom? I've been looking for something similar, but unable to find it.
Mimi
Love it. One word that comes to mind regarding this place is 'thoughtful'. The only thing that may be considered a blemish is the air conditioner. But hell, I'm just nitpicking here. Great job, to both Bartlett and Katherine for funding and executing such a wonderful place.
I am so inspired by this space! I come back to these images frequently just to admire them.
Oh, it's an oldie! But a goodie. Any new work to show off Katherine?
I love love the stain on the floor and the bed can you please please give me the exact color of the stain, you had mentioned earlier that it was a dark stain but will you give me details. Also, is it sealed with a satin or matte? Thanks very very much!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this space!
And it is funny how many of the details are in line with what we have been doing in our own space -- i.e., the dark-stained oak floors (we had to have a custom colour mixed, which was a nightmare experience - would love to know what you used); the (green) tiles in the bathroom (please tell me that they are vidrotil!!!); the toilet and frameless glass divider, the use of glass mosaics in shower, the shelf, similar sink, etc.; the use of white.
We had decided to do a similar enclosed stairwell, but have been trying to decide between glass and some kind of acrylic panel. Now I think the glass would definately be more beautiful. And I am wondering about repainting our bedroom from light sagey green to mostly white, with only 1 sagey wall. Hmmm...
What an inspiration this place is!!
How about letting us see more recent work????
Love it! What a gracious space. Where did you get the black and white horse art piece in your bedroom. Absolutely stunning! I want it! (:
the story of Chuang-tzu and the butterfly.
also answers the following quoted question from an above comment.
"It was great until pic. 40 - why would you ruin your beautiful slide show with a photo of a mattress thrown on top of a sofa?"
So, so beautiful! I would give you carte blanche in my place anytime Katharine!
"rooms are often divided by signifiers such as an aluminum strip embedded in the wood, a frosted piece of glass, a porous book case, or shifts in flooring."
I can understand why you might want to differentiate different rooms but that white square for the kitchen in the beautiful dark floor just looks awful - they had done a similar thing to the kitchen diner in our victorian house and we immediately ripped up the flooring and made it one all over - that room would have looked so much classier with the dark wood floor right up to the kitchen cabinets
Hi Katharine,
We often come to NYC and we were wondering if you are available for consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Deborah
Deborah.jackson@credit-suisse.com
Awesome job! Everything goes so well together. Great taste!
The red piece on the wall...what is it? I am desperatly in love with it. Please let me know where did you get it from?
Thank you
Svetlana
why no answers to all the questions????????????????
Beautiful though
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