Christeleny’s Elegant and Eclectic Upper East Side Home

Name: Christeleny Berner
Location: Upper East Side; NYC, NY
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Owned

Christeleny’s love for design and style has resulted in a seriously gorgeous apartment. The home did not come together without hard work, though; the apartment went through significant renovations which took years to finish.

Once renovations were complete, Christeleny set to furnishing her home using her strong eye for design and her patience, which was challenging at times.

“Only buy things you love, even if you have to live and entertain in a partially furnished home for the foreseeable future. In previous apartments, I’ve rushed into things and was left with a lot of regret. I really took my time with this space and I’m so glad I did. I love everything in it.” Her patience has certainly paid off.

My Style: Eclectic

Inspiration: Pinterest was relatively unknown when I bought my apartment so, at the time, I spent hours cutting up magazines and categorizing clippings in a binder. Needless to say, when I discovered Pinterest just as my renovation started, it was game-changing. It really helped me hone my vision for the space.

Favorite Element: The wall colors are exactly what I wanted because they’re easy to work with but still add personality. Also, my mom is a very talented artist and she recreated almost every piece of artwork in the apartment based on images I found online. (Editor’s note: As Christeleny has pointed out in the comments below: “My mom is a wonderful artist but she’s not as confident about creating original pieces. That’s her ultimate goal, but she’s been trying to learn the basic skills of painting in different mediums and styles by recreating things she loves. These aren’t pieces she sells or profits on in anyway shape or form.”)

Biggest Challenge: The living/dining room layout was tricky. I love to entertain so I wanted to maximize seating without making the room feel cramped. Instead of buying chairs for the living room, I use the captain’s chairs from my dining table in both spaces.

What Friends Say: It’s nicely designed while still feeling comfortable and cozy.

Biggest Embarrassment: Until a couple weeks ago, I had a very large chest of drawers that only had three legs and a bookcase that was cracked in half. Both of the pieces broke when I moved in and it took me two years to replace them.

Proudest DIY: I really wanted bronze shelving units for the den but everything I found was out of my price range. I didn’t know if it would work, but I took some Zinsser and a bronze rub to a pair of chrome CB2 shelves I had, and it turned out so well! Just the look I was going for.

Biggest Indulgence: Despite buying them on sale, the Lillian August china cabinets in the living room were on the pricier side.

Best Advice: Only buy things you love, even if you have to live and entertain in a partially furnished home for the foreseeable future. In previous apartments, I’ve rushed into things and was left with a lot of regret. I really took my time with this space and I’m so glad I did. I love everything in it.

Dream Sources: Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris and Bungalow in Westport, CT.

• Entryway: Benjamin Moore Stormy Monday
• Living room: Benjamin Moore Silver Chain
• Master bedroom: Benjamin Moore Silver Chain
• Master bathroom: Benjamin Moore Silver Chain
• Den (above): Benjamin Moore Soot

• The mirrors, the chest of drawers, and the bench are antiques found in Brimfield and Connecticut at The Antique & Artisan Gallery and Hamptons Antique Galleries.
• Sconces: Arteriors

• Sofa: ABC Home
• Kilim Pillow: Christian Rathbone
• Armchairs: Restoration Hardware
• China cabinets: Lillian August
• Runner: Etsy—but the shop I bought it from is closed.
• Bench: antique
• Fireplace surround: Urban Remains
• Mirror: antique
• Whale watercolor: painted by my mom (Editor’s note: See note above about her mom’s artwork under “Favorite Element”) —original is from Unitedthread on Etsy.
• Large abstract painting: painted by my mom (Editor’s note: See note above about her mom’s artwork under “Favorite Element”) —I can’t find the original artist.

• Dining table: Crate & Barrel
• Dining chairs: Restoration Hardware
• Chandelier: Arteriors

• Barroca Soapstone: M. Teixeira
• Glass-front refrigerator: Sub-Zero

• Bed: West Elm
• Sheets: Anthropologie
• Nightstands: Brimfield
• Rugs: ABC Carpet
• Lamps: Lillian August Warehouse
• Vanity: Pottery Barn, painted with Benjamin Moore Black Satin
• Chair: ABC Warehouse
• Mirror: Brimfield
• Egyptian watercolors: by Hidayet Chiraz

• Glass shelves: Restoration Hardware
• Mirror: West Elm
• Shelving: Brimfield—the dealer has a booth in The Antique & Artisan Gallery.

• Shelving: Brimfield—the dealer has a booth in The Antique & Artisan Gallery.

• John Timlin of Westpoint Construction—the best contractor ever

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