For this couple of art lovers and seasoned travelers, finding a home which would comfortably house a lifetime of collections was imperative. This light-filled unit in a vintage Gold Coast building had the right balance of openness and wall space. At the far end of a gracious living area, a sunny nook overlooking Cedar street was the perfect place for their Biedermeier dining table and chairs, and sideboard. Views to the street are screened by new sheer draperies. (Sourced from The Shade Store).

A mix of classic furnishings including a vintage leather sofa by Cassina and an Eileen Gray table anchor the living area, with views thru the foyer to the library/family room beyond. The clients fell in love with Benjamin Moore “Sun City” for the walls, and we had the inset trim painted in the same color to keep the emphasis off the trim and on their extensive art collection which includes a pair of Richard Misrach photographs on the back wall.

Cased openings lead off the foyer in three directions. The entrance from the living area is framed by a pair of sconces from Hudson Valley Lighting, where a Mackintosh chair also finds a home. The “mesh space” pendant form Resident New Zealand is suspended from the foyer’s original vaulted ceiling.

Art Deco period pieces from the couple’s travels to Paris accessorize the living area fireplace. A new floating credenza recedes off to the left where a television is placed, keeping the central focus of the room on the fireplace.

On entry to the apartment, the Owners’ vintage table and mirror occupy an intimate hall extending toward the bedrooms. The red lacquered storage chest was purchased new just for this space.

In the library, existing floor to ceiling millwork was painted a very deep blue, “Evening Sky” from Benjamin Moore, and updated with new hardware. The door at left leads to the study, while the door at right opens to the kitchen with a vintage nickel wet bar. We purchased new lighting from Modern Forms and also the Baker sectional and matching ottoman to give plenty of comfortable seating for reading. Light pours in from the left, where a radiator was outfitted with a new custom wood screen and topped with upholstered cushions, giving extra seating for parties.

Vintage door hardware was kept throughout the apartment, as seen on the French doors to the right. An Eames lounge chair grounds one corner of the library along with pieces from the Owners’ modern photography collection. A second television for family gatherings is nestled into the bookshelves among the many books on art and history.

A bright sunny corner between the study and the kitchen is made into a cozy breakfast with a new custom banquette, paired with the Owner’s Saarinen table and chairs. The theme of deep blues, pale yellows and vibrant reds is echoed again in the rug.

Modern stools from a resale shop back up to the kitchen island. Backsplash tile from Tile Bar was chosen to bring the midcentury spirit of the furnishings into the kitchen. A very thin suspension fixture from Pure Edge Lighting replaced the formerly very decorative lighting over the island to open up views between the seating and cooking areas for conversation.

Inside the master bedroom, an intimate grouping of black and white family photos stands out above one of a pair of vintage dressers the Owners sourced from Christopher Anthony Ltd., a vintage furniture shop near the couple’s home in Palm Springs. Bedside lighting is switched with vintage inspired hardware from Meljac, and the bed itself was purchased by the clients from Restoration Hardware.