Life

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.

Hallway - mid-sized transitional light wood floor hallway idea in New York with white walls

This spacious kitchen in Westchester County is flooded with light from huge windows on 3 sides of the kitchen plus two skylights in the vaulted ceiling. The dated kitchen was gutted and reconfigured to accommodate this large kitchen with crisp white cabinets and walls. Ship lap paneling on both walls and ceiling lends a casual-modern charm while stainless steel toe kicks, walnut accents and Pietra Cardosa limestone bring both cool and warm tones to this clean aesthetic. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry, built ins, walnut countertops and paneling by Studio Dearborn. Architect Frank Marsella. Interior design finishes by Tami Wassong Interior Design. Pietra cardosa limestone countertops and backsplash by Marble America. Appliances by Subzero; range hood insert by Best. Cabinetry color: Benjamin Moore Super White. Hardware by Top Knobs. Photography Adam Macchia.

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

Photography by Oliver Irwin
Minimalist kitchen photo in Seattle

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

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

Design: Monica Fairbairn Photo: Daniel Nystedt

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

Kitchen - coastal light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops and granite countertops

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

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

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

Example of a tuscan dining room design in Los Angeles

Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This view shows the play of the different wood tones throughout the space. The different woods keep the eye moving and draw you into the inviting space. We love the classic Cherner counter stools. The nostalgic pendants create some fun and add sculptural interest. All track lighting was replaced and expanded by cutting through beams to create good task lighting for all kitchen surfaces.

Exterior of our house on Cherokee. We did a major renovation in 2008-2009 and have been doing incremental improvements ever since. The house was built in 1888. All photos taken by Chris Brown, my husband.

home visit
Huge trendy gender-neutral dark wood floor and brown floor walk-in closet photo in DC Metro with open cabinets and white cabinets

The new bunk room created over the second unnecessary staircase.
Example of a mid-sized beach style gender-neutral carpeted and multicolored floor kids' room design in San Diego with gray walls