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Houzz Tour: Creating Flow for a Family Apartment
Light, Texture, Accents and Glass Partitions Create Beauty and Function
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
A few years back, this Manhattan apartment underwent a renovation that erased most of the charming factory details of the loft-like space. It did not meet the owners' needs (they had two young boys) and they were unhappy with the aesthetics as well. All of the raw features of the space such as exposed brick had been covered up with drywall, a long narrow hallway created claustrophobia-inducing spaces, storage space was very limited, the kitchen and lighting were not pleasing, and the flow was simply not working.
Enter interior designer Valerie Pasquiou. With her eye for color, texture, lighting and flow, the space was transformed into a functional and beautiful home that let in the light, provided separate yet open spaces, had ample storage, just the right amounts of eye-catching colors and plenty of moves that celebrated the history of the building. Most importantly, the newly-renovated space suited the family's fun personalities to a T.
Enter interior designer Valerie Pasquiou. With her eye for color, texture, lighting and flow, the space was transformed into a functional and beautiful home that let in the light, provided separate yet open spaces, had ample storage, just the right amounts of eye-catching colors and plenty of moves that celebrated the history of the building. Most importantly, the newly-renovated space suited the family's fun personalities to a T.
One area covered with this striking wallpaper is plenty. Valerie advises, "if a space is small, keep the overall color palette in a light scheme and bring in color accents such as one wallpapered wall." By the way, this wallpaper is called "Elysian Fields" and Valerie found it at Flavor Paper in nearby Brooklyn.
The kitchen was opened up to the rest of the home and contains a small hidden desk area for the kids where they have their own Mac. (This keeps them away from Mom's.) In fact, it's so concealed, you cannot figure out where it is from this picture; pocket doors hide it and it's on the left side.
The light fixtures are by Lindsey Adelman. The Mademoiselle chairs are by Kartell and are covered in Missoni fabric.
The light fixtures are by Lindsey Adelman. The Mademoiselle chairs are by Kartell and are covered in Missoni fabric.
Valerie knows that light is very important, and this large window in the kitchen brings in a great deal of natural light. She also used a mix of open shelving, cabinetry with solid doors and glass fronts (near the ceiling) to keep the kitchen looking open and bright.
| The house was childproofed by choosing durable materials and a base of neutral colors that weren't too light (i.e. they don't show dirt and spills). Punches of brighter colors were brought in via the red dining chairs, a few accent pillows and the Missoni fabric on the kitchen chairs. |
Valerie loves to juxtapose materials that at first do not seem compatible. She plays with matte finishes versus glossy finishes and sleek elements versus rough ones. The strategy continues throughout this entire space and helps to tie everything together. Likewise, colors do the same; note the well-placed red accents — they help tie all of the spaces together.
"When you design a space and you work with an interesting and inspiring volume such as this one, it is key to choose materials that don't necessarily seem compatible at first but that can eventually tie in. On this project, I wanted to play with the rawness of the existing materials, such as the brick walls and steel structural brackets." She then contrasted these materials with "sleek and pure elements, such as the colored glass that separates the office from the living room."
As for furniture, Valerie advises, "study your space very well and spend some time living in it before choosing furnishings. This will insure that it is well thought out and not overdone."
This long cabinet provides a lot of storage in a sleek way and connects the living room space to the study space. The transparency of the glass divider does the same.
This long cabinet provides a lot of storage in a sleek way and connects the living room space to the study space. The transparency of the glass divider does the same.
Speaking of the divider, the glass is slightly mirrored on one side, which lets the light through while letting the parents have some privacy in the home office. At the same time, it keeps the space from feeling cramped or too separate.
This is the view back into the family room from the home office side. Depending on the lighting scheme and time of day, the glass takes on different hues.
This is the view back into the family room from the home office side. Depending on the lighting scheme and time of day, the glass takes on different hues.
"The reflection helped us 'push the walls' and give a sense of a larger room. The end result is that the kids love it so much that they look at themselves dancing on the coffee table!" Said coffee table is made of hard white oak, so it can take it!
Similarly, glass doors in the bathroom help extend the space visually and make it feel as large as possible. The walls are Italian limestone provided by the owner, whose family runs a major stone resale business.
Again, the one accent wall strategy works well in a tight bedroom, and a few accent pillows punch up the light colored bedscape palette. Extra storage is cleverly provided in a nook that is aligned with the windows — no floorspace-hogging bulky bookcase required.
The wallpaper is from Elli Popp in London.
Thanks so much to Valerie for taking the time to share this spectacular apartment with us! See more of Valerie's Work on Houzz
The wallpaper is from Elli Popp in London.
Thanks so much to Valerie for taking the time to share this spectacular apartment with us! See more of Valerie's Work on Houzz
Comments
Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors Great warmth in this space. Love the mix of style, color, and textures, too! Lovely tour, indeed!
2 years ago · Like
Molto Bene Studios nice space
2 years ago · Like
Kim Love these ideas
2 years ago · Like
samanthastevens Lovely space, especially the kitchen but I don't believe they have two children, not a toy in sight. How do people manage it?
2 years ago · Like
sopranocastaldo This is my friends apartment in NYC! Too funny. I love this website and never expected to see a home I knew in it!
2 years ago · Like
Becky Harris Small world Soprano! Once I realized a question on the questions board was from someone who was in my thesis seminar in college, and we caught up via Houzz!
2 years ago · Like
Becky Harris Samantha, there is a really cute playroom that is not shown in this tour where they can corral most of the toys! I think (but I'm not positive) that the homeowner designed it, so this designer did not include it in her Houzz portfolio.
2 years ago · Like
samanthastevens Thanks so much for your answer to the toy question Becky. Try as I might I can never limit the toys to one area. I am always stubbing my toes on Lego or tripping over toy trucks. This gorgeous home has made me feel a bit inadequate but I am telling myself that their playroom is probably a HUGE mess!!
2 years ago · Like
Becky Harris Samantha, keep in mind, if your house was going to be photographed, a professional photographer and photo stylist would be picking up all of those toys, and styling and lighting it to perfection.
2 years ago · Like
voyeur For many months, the kitchen in this apartment has been my Houzz favorite. It's nice to see the rest of the place. Love the imaginative mix and use of materials.
2 years ago · Like
Veranda Estate Homes & Interiors One of my favorite island designs I have seen in awhile for a modern look...it has been saved for reference on future projects!
2 years ago · Like
Danielle Great space! Samantha, when my kids were young I had awesome toy storage everywhere...now with baby grandkids I am having to again incorporate this into my design plans...not easy but having a place for everything really does keep everything in it's place!
2 years ago · Like
Danielle Forgot to add that storage benches are my all time fav hiding places for toys...they come in so many shapes and sizes you can pretty much find something for any room that needs toy decluttering...:)
2 years ago · Like
Tenshon, LLC I really love the interior brick, but I always feel like I am trying to hard when it is not an already existing element.
2 years ago · Like
jennq Beautiful Work. I love the mix of materials and colors. Well Done!!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 13, 2011.
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