Decorating Guides

Boasting views of the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, the Beaux Arts and French Renaissance style building built in 1900 was once home to a luxury hotel. Over the years multiple hotel rooms were combined into the larger apartment residences that exist today. The resulting units, while large in size, lacked the continuity of a single formed space. StudioLAB was presented with the challenge of re-designing the space to fit a modern family’s lifestyle today with the flexibility to adjust as they evolve into their tomorrow. Thus, the existing configuration was completely abandoned with new programmatic elements being relocated in each and every corner of the space. For clients that are big wine connoisseurs, the focal point of entry and circulation lies in a 400 bottle, custom built, blackened steel and glass, temperature controlled wine cabinet. The once enclosed living room was demolished to create one main entertaining space that includes a new dining area and open kitchen. Hafele bi-folding pocket door slides were used in the Living room wall unit to conceal the television, bar and display shelves when not in use. Posing as kitchen cabinetry, a hidden integrated door opens to reveal a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Down the hallway of wide plank ebony stained walnut flooring, a compact powder room was built to house an original Paul Villinski installation of small butterflies cut from recycled aluminum cans, entitled Mistral. Continuing down the hall, and through one of the walnut veneered doors, is the shared kids bedroom where a custom-built bunk bed with integrated storage steps and desk was designed to allow for play space and a reading corner. The kids bathroom across the hall is decorated with custom Lego inspired hand cast concrete tiles and integrated pull-out footstools residing underneath the floating vanity. The master suite features a bio-ethanol fireplace wrapped in blackened steel and integrated into the Tabu veneered built-in. The spacious walk-in closet serves several purposes, which include housing the apartment’s new central HVAC system as well as a sleeping spot for the family’s dog. An integrated URC control system paired with Lutron Radio RA lighting keypads were installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades all by the use of smartphones.

The opposite wall in the living room features a wet bar that includes two full-sized wine refrigerators, sink, storage cabinets, and shelving, as well as plenty of open floor space to entertain. The tall dark blue painted cabinetry helps to visually balance the room, as a large, bold design element opposite the fireplace wall. The inlaid brass detail on the cabinet doors adds a touch of glamour to this more formal space. The focal point of the wet bar is the illuminated book-matched marble backsplash with custom floating brass and glass shelves.

Southwest one-story stucco exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a metal roof

Bedroom - mid-sized cottage guest medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Other with white walls and no fireplace

With Summer on its way, having a home bar is the perfect setting to host a gathering with family and friends, and having a functional and totally modern home bar will allow you to do so!

Photography by Oliver Irwin
Minimalist kitchen photo in Seattle

Mid-sized transitional white two-story stucco exterior home photo in Dallas with a mixed material roof

Trendy blue tile gray floor and double-sink bathroom photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount tub, an undermount sink, white countertops and a floating vanity

Entryway - large traditional beige floor and limestone floor entryway idea in Orlando with beige walls and a dark wood front door

Small and quaint eating area. Photography by Mike Schwartz.
Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Chicago

Design: Monica Fairbairn Photo: Daniel Nystedt

John Granen
Example of a mid-sized minimalist one-story wood exterior home design

Entryway - mid-sized craftsman porcelain tile and gray floor entryway idea in Chicago with blue walls and a white front door

Shiplap Fireplace
Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor, multicolored floor and vaulted ceiling living room design in Atlanta with white walls, a standard fireplace and a shiplap fireplace

MASTER BEDROOM SOFT COLORS WITH WOOD PANELING
Example of a large minimalist master marble floor and white floor bedroom design with multicolored walls

Michael J. Lee Photography
Example of a large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room design in Boston with gray walls and no tv

Enclosed kitchen - large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in New Orleans with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Amazing front porch of a modern farmhouse built by Steve Powell Homes (www.stevepowellhomes.com). Photo Credit: David Cannon Photography (www.davidcannonphotography.com)

Example of a mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor entryway design in Miami with beige walls and a glass front door