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Houzz Tour: A Manhattan Studio Opens to Flexibility
A dilapidated prewar studio becomes an efficient, adaptable living space filled with sunshine in space-hungry New York City
A loft-like apartment that's 650 square feet but feels spacious, has generous light and is efficiently designed is a rarity in the dense landscape of urban sprawls. Which is why you might have to pick up your jaw off the floor after seeing how architect Robert Garneau has transformed what was a rundown prewar studio into a modern and adaptable open space.
"Although size was definitely a challenge, this project isn't what many typically call a micro apartment. It's a compact space that has a loft-like feel, one that requires the client to be selective in what he brings into the space," says Garneau. The apartment and everything in it are extensions of the values behind the design: multifunctional, compact and thoughtfully designed.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple in the design industry
Location: Chelsea neighborhood of New York City
Size: 650 square feet
Design challenge: Finding a private placement for the bed that was unobtrusive from the living room and the kitchen
"Although size was definitely a challenge, this project isn't what many typically call a micro apartment. It's a compact space that has a loft-like feel, one that requires the client to be selective in what he brings into the space," says Garneau. The apartment and everything in it are extensions of the values behind the design: multifunctional, compact and thoughtfully designed.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple in the design industry
Location: Chelsea neighborhood of New York City
Size: 650 square feet
Design challenge: Finding a private placement for the bed that was unobtrusive from the living room and the kitchen
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| The sleeping quarters needed to have access to privacy, not be directly next to the working kitchen and have some sort of division from the living room, where the clients entertain. Garneau's solution was a custom Murphy bed. In the open position it provides the comfort and luxury of a queen bed. Murphy bed: custom, Studio Garneau |
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| A floor-to-ceiling sliding door creates privacy for the sleeping nook. White on the outside and a luxurious oiled walnut finish on the inside, the wall instantly warms up the largely white bedroom canvas. "We engineered the sliding wall and the surrounding interior walls to be soundproof; they're made of high-tech acoustic products, which has the added benefit of creating a robust wall," says Garneau. Now you see the bed and the sliding wall ... |
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| ... and now you don't. The sliding wall can also close off and contain the living room area. When tucked away, the sleeping nook can be used as an extension of the living room or simply left empty. The negative space gives visual relief to the adjacent living room, making it feel more open and reflecting more light. Yanagi butterfly stool: Hive Modern |
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| Garneau has great respect for the thoughtfulness of nautical design, and applied its craftsmanship and meticulous detailing here. Every millimeter is accounted for in the unit. Instead of clunky bedside tables, niches were customized into the wall, giving the clients a place to store books and a bedside light. |
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The bathroom has a special place in Garneau's heart. "Bathing in here feels a bit like you're in a spa, with the blue tile and dual rain shower," he says.
Water use in the bath is reduced via low-flow faucets and showers and a dual-flush toilet.
Tile: cobalt, Nemo Tile Company
Water use in the bath is reduced via low-flow faucets and showers and a dual-flush toilet.
Tile: cobalt, Nemo Tile Company
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Most elements in the apartment are multipurpose — even the bathroom towel rack, which opens to reveal more cabinetry and a laundry hamper.
by Studio Garneau
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Garneau made the most of every surface area by converting it into storage for books, art supplies, linens, shoes and bathroom toiletries. The contrast of blue tiles and wood cabinetry is stunning.
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"The apartment shows how you can stretch the limits of customized design and really use it to work for you. Every storage unit or furniture piece is meant to be a long-term solution; nothing here is a quick, generic solution," says Garneau.
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The flush cabinetry and minimally intrusive drawer pulls conceal the shelving units. To the left of the image is the shower's sliding glass door, barely marked by the pull's hardware.
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| The clients are by no means embracing an ascetic lifestyle. Instead, they've chosen to pare down their belongings without limiting their daily rituals, which to them are still "both pleasurable and effortless." Here we see one-half of the closet, which occupies the entire wall; a slender cubby on the right even houses a steamer and an ironing table. |
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The closet takes advantage of its depth by incorporating a shoe shelf on the door, a closet rod that automatically lights up when the door opens and side shelving for bags and accessories.
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As can be expected, racks have to go vertical; a hook makes the hard-to-reach blouses on top accessible.
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Garneau managed to open up the space visually while keeping the kitchen in its original location.
Benches on wheels can be used with the dining table or rolled to another part of the apartment for entertaining.
Benches on wheels can be used with the dining table or rolled to another part of the apartment for entertaining.
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| The sofas, consoles and benches are all on lockable casters and contain storage within them, creating a multitude of seating and table arrangements. |
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"There were possessions that needed to be accommodated in the design and stored in a logical and easily accessible way without overwhelming the space," says Garneau. Books and decor have their place in the home and are flush against the wall; not once does a spine or curve interrupt the visual plane.
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| To combat the heat and humidity of New York summers, Garneau installed an energy-efficient ceiling fan. Green area rug: ABC Carpet & Home |
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| Here an image is projected from the back of the room. A wireless speaker system on the floor can be moved to different locations in the home. |
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The floor plan shows how each space in the loft is connected. For Garneau, the apartment's design boils down to a quality-of-life issue. "Small-space living naturally limits our consumer tendencies and forces us to think about what we truly love or enjoy."
Ideabook published on June 27, 2012.
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I especially covet the bathtub and the big dressing area... dreamy.
KUDOS!!!
If you want to live on a boat, buy a boat.
The wood used throughout is Walnut, sustainably harvested and Tung Oil finished.
The custom designed table is height adjustable to save space and add functionality, it also contains hidden drawers! It is available for purchase along with other furniture from our "Multi" product line.
The space behind the bed is storage that is accessible from the living room.
It looks like a good size storage/closet in the entrance for a place this size.
Is there storage behind the wall with the two little pictures next to the table? It looks as if there is.
It's lovely and the architect had amazing vision and creativity but sorry to say I feel it lacks personality or the look of comfort.
logg
Efficient design options like those in the bath make me all kinds of envious. I love efficient storage solutions that look organic to the space.
Those saying there's not much personality in the design, I think it's a bit personal. A painted wall, more vibrant art or cushions; some well-edited and placed curios, all would change up the 'feel'. I like the minimalism but especially appreciate the use of rich walnut/tung oil. It's timeless, and goes with most decor, as well as being forgiving when mixing other woods.
The thoughtfulness of this design is impressive!