The comprehensive renovation of this classic-six apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side involved opening up a rabbit warren of small rooms to create a large living space (or great room) for a contemporary lifestyle while retaining the gracious pre-war detailing. The owners, empty nesters relocating from the suburbs to the city, wanted a peaceful oasis for the two of them that would also be a welcoming and comfortable place for family gatherings and overnight stays by their adult children. Located on an upper floor, with a Hudson River view, the apartment, built in the early 20th century, reflected the living style of that era: the service quarters (kitchen and small maid’s room with tiny bath) were tucked away from the family living quarters, a series of small rooms (living room, formal dining room, two bedrooms) connected by a narrow corridor. In the redesign, the living room, dining room, and corridor were combined to form a single large living space, anchored by a long open-island kitchen. A third bedroom and large bathroom with laundry facilities were carved out of the original kitchen and maid’s quarters. The apartment’s original architectural detailing, including French windows opening to a Juliet balcony, and nine-foot-plus ceilings, is showcased in the redesign but updated: the woodwork and moldings are light and clean; the artisanal plaster cove ceiling that unifies the great room is a simplified reinterpretation of the original.