Hoteliers Turn a Cozy NYC Apartment into a Moody, Hygge Paradise

Timothy and Nico, both hoteliers, have created an apartment full of mood and atmosphere. They both wanted to try and create that feeling of hygge, and they did it thanks to cozy textiles, moody colors, and atmospheric light choices. Interesting decor details both big and small round out the small and stylish home, from the gold feather bookmark on the concrete coffee table to the bold diagonal paint line (used to create a transition between the dining room and kitchen area). All elements working together to imbue warmth into the space.

Despite grappling with the tension of “wanting to go full-on maximalist” the couple managed to create a simple, refined space that’s not too cluttered but also isn’t minimal, either. And by leaning into creating surprising moments, they’ve created a home where there are plenty of opportunities to appreciate their design choices (perhaps while sipping a martini).

Our Style: It’s pretty eclectic. There’s always got to be a feeling of warmth, or hygge, whether that’s achieved through tactile fabrics, muted colors, and considered lighting. I enjoy some surprising moments, whether it’s a color choice, pieces of art, or tchotchke that add something unexpected in each room. There’s always a bit of fracture between wanting to go full-on maximalist and stripping things back to clean, simple lines.

Inspiration: I’m often inspired by vintage furniture stores, or their Instagram feeds. Favorite styles include mid-century, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. I’m often inspired when we’re out and about, whether it’s at an interesting cocktail bar or at design-forward hotels.

Favorite Element: When lying back in the bath, with a Martini in hand, the evening light catches the wall-to-ceiling blue in the sitting room beautifully. I also never tire of the elegance of the curves of the Cherner pretzel chairs.

Biggest Challenge: The apartment is relatively small, so achieving a sense of transition from the dining area to the kitchen without it being too abrupt was a challenge. The solution was to carry the white from the hallway into the dining space, and then use a bold diagonal paint line from the baseboard to the top of the first kitchen wall cabinet.

What Friends Say: Yes, I’d love another cocktail.

Biggest Embarrassment: The apartment is in a 1920s building so doesn’t come equipped with built in A/C. I really don’t like visible window A/C units—however they are not easy to hide. I’m planning to construct a cage to go around them to conceal them more effectively.

Proudest DIY: Umm… none?

Biggest Indulgence: Vintage furniture design classics.

Best Advice: If you have the opportunity to live in an apartment with some original features, be sure to embrace them as they provide so much charm to a space. Also, have fun pimping your place—it’s your space so be your own inspiration.

PAINT & COLORS
All Sherwin-Williams Historic Collection

• Hallway — Classic Light Buff
• Kitchen — Classic Light Buff & Studio Blue Green
• Sitting Room — Bunglehouse Blue
• Bathroom — Classic Light Buff
• Bedroom — Classic Light Buff and Light French Grey

ENTRY

• Pair of Vintage Monoliths — Cure Thrift Shop
• Vintage Vases — White Trash

LIVING ROOM

• Gray Arden Sofa — Beam
• Anthony Russo Paintings — Regan & Smith
• Hugo Guinness Lithographs — John Derian
• Artwork — Diggy Lloyd
• Vintage Marble Side Table and Wooden lamp — Porter James
• Frederick Weinberg Style Bar Cart — Van Der Most Modern
• Concrete Coffee Table — AllModern
• Brass Sputnik Chandelier — AllModern
• 1958 Pair Alfred Cherner Chairs — Open Air Modern
• 1970 Crylicord Floor Lamp by Peter Hamburger for Knoll — White Trash

DINING ROOM

• Walnut and Marble Dining Table — Article
• Leather School Chairs with Black Base — Michele Varian
• Sculptural Birch Wood Pendant Lamps — Van Der Most Modern

KITCHEN

• Cream ’50s Retro Style Refrigerator — SMEG
• Vintage Vases — White Trash
• Various Plants and Pots — Sprout

BEDROOM

• Pair of Jordi Canudas Dipping Table Lamps — MoMA Design Store
• Vintage Framed Artwork — Cure Thrift Shop
• Pair of 1951 Diamond Chairs, Harry Bertoia, Knoll Associates — Bi Rite Studio
• School Pendant Lamp — Rejuvenation
• Sheeps Skin Throw — One Kings Lane
• Faribault Throw — Assembly

⇒ House Tour & House Call Submission Form

See More:
⇒ Recent House Tours
⇒ House Tours on Pinterest