Doryn’s Glamorous Return to the City

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Name: Doryn
Location: West Village, New York
Size: 4000 square feet, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath townhouse
Years Lived In: 7 months

After a few years of adhering to the widely held belief that having kids means moving to the suburbs, Doryn and her husband decided they could no longer live with that choice, and moved back to Manhattan.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

At entrance looking up towards second floor (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Fortunate enough to be able to afford a comparable square footage to that of their suburban home, Doryn and her husband found a townhouse they could love. Because it was very modern and — more often than not — designed to feel like a cheesy office space, Doryn did a lot of gutting and restarting.

A former interior designer and a long-standing design professional, Doryn knew exactly what she liked. Doryn set out to redo all the bathrooms and the kitchen, to refinish the closet doors in white lacquer, and to add more traditional baseboards — also lacquered.

Along the way, Doryn made sure to accommodate the needs of her children. Doryn grew up in a home that was meticulously arranged — Doryn inherited many of her mom’s design skills — but did not necessarily make it easy for a child to find a place to play. Not all of the house is kid-friendly, but in the places that matter, Doryn made sure to create easy choices that her young children would feel good making. For example, rather than make handprints all along the glass wall supporting the stair banister on the left, the kids love to use the lucite banister on the right side. It’s made to fit their hands and installed at a child’s height.

Doryn’s home is relentlessly beautiful. It’s full of personal touches, great art, drama, and color. And it makes one not want to leave.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey

Style: The lines of the home are very contemporary but I tried to add elements of traditional style here and there to warm up the space.

Inspiration: So many things inspire me. Hotels, travel, restaurants, magazines & my Mom!

Favorite Element: I love how the lower level has skylights that are built in to our outdoor space. Most townhouses in the city are very dark downstairs and it’s great having this bonus!

Biggest Challenge: Our biggest challenge was unexplained leaking in the walls on the lower level. I had to redo the walls and baseboards in the lower level twice! The wallpaper down there was also tricky and that had to be completely redone as well.

What Friends Say: I love when my friends come over because I know them so well and know how genuine their response is to my work. It makes me feel so proud!

Biggest Embarrassment: Our “cheesiest tee shirt” wall!

Proudest DIY: I am really proud of the photo wall.

Biggest Indulgence: The motorized television bracket in our living room/breakfast table area. It’s one of our favorite things (and our 15 month old’s favorite things).

Best Advice: Design your home for YOU. Don’t ever worry what anyone else thinks. Your home should reflect your personalities, lifestyle and what makes you smile when you walk in the door.

Dream Source: 1st Dibs

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Resources:

LIVING ROOM

MASTER BEDROOM

FORMAL DINING ROOM/LIVING ROOM

OFFICE

LOWER LEVEL POWDER ROOM

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Doryn!

Images: Jill Slater

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