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.

©Jeff Herr Photography, Inc.
Example of a transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor home bar design in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops and brown countertops

Custom built-in entertainment center consisting of three base cabinets with soft-close doors, adjustable shelves, and custom-made ducting to re-route the HVAC air flow from a floor vent out through the toe kick panel; side and overhead book/display cases, extendable TV wall bracket, and in-wall wiring for electrical and HDMI connections. The last photo shows the space before the installation.

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

Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Portland with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, metal backsplash and brown countertops

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

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

Spacecrafting
Inspiration for a large timeless carpeted and beige floor home bar remodel in Minneapolis with glass-front cabinets, distressed cabinets and matchstick tile backsplash

Example of a tuscan dining room design in Los Angeles

Kitchen pantry - coastal dark wood floor kitchen pantry idea in Tampa with open cabinets and wood countertops

Trendy home design photo in Barcelona

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

Keeping track of all the coats, shoes, backpacks and specialty gear for several small children can be an organizational challenge all by itself. Combine that with busy schedules and various activities like ballet lessons, little league, art classes, swim team, soccer and music, and the benefits of a great mud room organization system like this one becomes invaluable. Rather than an enclosed closet, separate cubbies for each family member ensures that everyone has a place to store their coats and backpacks. The look is neat and tidy, but easier than a traditional closet with doors, making it more likely to be used by everyone — including children. Hooks rather than hangers are easier for children and help prevent jackets from being to left on the floor. A shoe shelf beneath each cubby keeps all the footwear in order so that no one ever ends up searching for a missing shoe when they're in a hurry. a drawer above the shoe shelf keeps mittens, gloves and small items handy. A shelf with basket above each coat cubby is great for keys, wallets and small items that might otherwise become lost. The cabinets above hold gear that is out-of-season or infrequently used. An additional shoe cupboard that spans from floor to ceiling offers a place to keep boots and extra shoes. White shaker style cabinet doors with oil rubbed bronze hardware presents a simple, clean appearance to organize the clutter, while bead board panels at the back of the coat cubbies adds a casual, country charm. Designer - Gerry Ayala Photo - Cathy Rabeler