When Kalyn moved into her now-husband Todd’s apartment, the two were practicing lawyers. Kalyn was unhappy with her busy career, so Todd encouraged her to pursue her passion for design. With that extra push, Kalyn’s brand Effie’s Paper—a fun and feminine stationery and gift company — was born. Like the brand, Kalyn and Todd’s home is filled with a touch of glamour in every corner: the entryway is covered in metallic wallpaper, the dining room is illuminated by ornate chandeliers, and sleek furniture and accents add a shine to the space.

The couple is now married, so Kalyn helped transform the apartment to what it is today — a modern, luxurious loft with no shortage of glam. “My weaknesses are diamonds, pretty stationery, Hermes scarves, sequins and metallics,” Kalyn says on the Effie’s Paper website. “I love a little touch of glam!”

Though she’s added her personality to the apartment, she makes sure to maintain Todd’s aesthetic as well. “The grays and modern elements are him, and the pops of color and glam are all me,” Kalyn adds. And though Kalyn is responsible for a lot of the design, Todd also puts effort into making the space beautiful, evident in his DIY renovation of the balcony. “He’s done a great job of bringing the outdoors in, with lounge chairs that take me back to the French Riviera, beautiful flowers, greenery and herbs. It’s our own little piece of heaven in the middle of a sometimes chaotic block.”

Kalyn’s home was recommended to us by Angela Belt, whose home we toured earlier this year. Angela is a fellow designer and dedicated to the importance of positive Black imagery in interior design.

Our Style: Modern

Inspiration: Modern with a touch of whimsy

Favorite Element: The whimsical legs on my desk.

Biggest Challenge: Our apartment building was originally some sort of factory or mill like many of the buildings in this neighborhood. The original walls were all red brick. Our biggest challenge was making the apartment feel sleek without covering up all of the brick. In the end, we decided to sheet rock some of the walls, but did it in a way that the sheet rock can be removed without damaging the walls.

What Friends Say: Our friends often comment on the openness of the apartment. I think the white walls and the open loft layout really help it feel larger than it is.

Biggest Embarrassment: Often my [Kalyn’s] desk area. Although I now have a studio space, I often work from home and my days can be quite hectic. I might spend the morning doing a photo shoot by the window, then run out for meetings and come home to a mountain of emails. The last thing I want to do is cleanup after myself. I’ve gotten better, but some days, my desk area is a true eye sore!

Proudest DIY: Todd’s transformation of our tiny Juliet balcony.

Biggest Indulgence: Definitely the dining room chandeliers. They’re by Jergen Bey for Moooi and they just make me smile every time I turn them on. We saw a much larger version at the Mondrian South Beach Hotel and I fell in love with them!

Best Advice: Take your time and find pieces you love. We truly love coming home to our apartment every day.

Dream Sources: DDC and the A&D Building

PAINT COLORS
Benjamin Moore —Decorator’s White

ENTRY
Table — West Elm
Bowls/elephant — Picked up while in South Africa
Painting — Parvez Taj
Artwork covering intercom — JHill Design

LIVING ROOM
Couch — Desirée
Side table — Minotti
Chairs — Desirée
Side tables — Patricia Urquiola for Kartell
Coffee tables — Design Within Reach with custom marble tops
Credenza — Jesse
Rug — Ligne Roset
Pillows — Madeline Weinreb

OFFICE
Desk and shelving — Custom
Chair — Arper
Lamp — Phillipe Starck for Kartell

DINING ROOM
Bench — Minotti (fabric is Paul Smith for Marham)
Chairs — Cite
Table — Ligne Roset
Chandeliers — Moooi
Credenza — Ligne Roset
Lamps — Kartell
Frame — Areaware

KITCHEN
Cabinetry — Custom from Townhouse Kitchens
Linens — Leontine Linens
Black ice bucket and glasses – Vintage

BEDROOM
Credenza — Ligne Roset
Couch — Custom
Side tables — West Elm
Moroccan poof — Serena and Lily
Lamps — FLOS
Pillows — Jonathan Adler, Trina Turk, West Elm, ABC Carpet & Home
Rug — West Elm (similar)
Side chair — Vintage (found online and recovered)
Chandelier —2097 Gino Sarfatti
Bedside chandeliers — Philippe Starck for FLOS
Bench — Custom
Bed — Custom
Bedding — Frette
Dresser — Design Within Reach
Bookcase — AllModern
Nightstands — Minotti
Wallpaper — Phyllis Morris
Light fixture in bedroom hallway — Foscarini
Artwork —MoMA

BATHROOM
Sink — LaCava

⇒ House Tour & House Call Submission Form

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