--- title: "521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/521-atelier-interiors-and-lighting-design-pfvwus-pf~437510294 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~437510294.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/1c63541a04a81c1c_7617-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "New York City, New York, United States" latitude: 40.7143 longitude: -74.006 phone: "(610) 731-9123" website: http://www.521atelier.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 99 last_updated: 2026-09-07 --- # 521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design Original Houzz profile: [521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/521-atelier-interiors-and-lighting-design-pfvwus-pf~437510294) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** New York City, NY - **Serves:** Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Manhattan - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2018), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves 521 Atelier, an award winning lighting and interior design firm specializes in elegant residential interiors. We frequently light art collections, pools and landscape. Therefore, your residence inside and out, will be beautifully integrated. Principal Claudia Librett, is a graduate of Tufts University (BA cum laude English), and Parsons School of Design (BFA environmental design and lighting) and has studied the history of decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum and The Cooper Hewitt Museum. ### Services Provided - Lighting Design - Art Lighting - Interior Lighting - Landscape Lighting - Pool Lighting ### Areas Served - Philadelphia - Bryn Mawr - Manhattan ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 15,000,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | 521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design | | Address | New York City, New York, United States | | Phone | (610) 731-9123 | | Website | http://www.521atelier.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 99 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/521Atelier - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/LibrettClaudia - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/pub/claudia-librett-iesna/b/986/856 - Blog — http://521atelier.com/files/index.html ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [521 Atelier Interiors and Lighting Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/521-atelier-interiors-and-lighting-design-pfvwus-pf~437510294) - **Website:** http://www.521atelier.com/ - **Phone:** (610) 731-9123 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Illuminating Engineering Society Award. - Preservation Alliance Award. - Women Owned Business Certification. - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2018), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — sbach14, Aug. 2015** > About twenty-five years ago we hired Claudia Librett to completely redecorate and refurnish our home and office. This was an extensive job involving a living and dining room,t wo bedrooms, kitchen, office and waiting area, computer room, etc. We were totally gratified and astonished with the result. This was not an ordinary decorator redo but a totally creative re-structuring of the space in ways we could not have imagined but done in close consultation and collaboration with us. There was a considerable amount of custom casework, custom wallpaper, a beautiful fireplace screen, special furniture, etc. We were a bit taken aback at the cost but realized it was fair for the exceptional quality of the work. Man years later it still remains intact, enduring and beautiful and still elicits admiring remarks from first-time viewers. It has proven in pleasure and endurance worth far more than it cost. > Last year we needed some help with a room whose purpose had changed over the years. We again turned to Claudia and she again showed herself to be amazingly creative in adapting the space for new purposes. She had a desk custom built for us at a price far less than it would normally have cost. She also seems to have access to highly skilled, reliable carpenters, electricians, wallpaper hangers, etc. who have been a pleasure to deal with. > Claudia’s work is very original and not like everyone else’s. But if you want someone to help you achieve your vision and perhaps even more than you could imagine, we have not found a more creative, helpful, practical and talented person than Claudia Librett. **★★★★★ — billth2, Feb. 2015** > Claudia was recommended by a friend for a renovation of my apartment on Riverside Drive. Little did I know that it would be possible to create tons of closet/storage space from what appeared to be nothing. French doors made a bedroom into a multi-purpose spare bedroom/office/dining room (which interchanges seemlessly). Enhanced lighting throughout was strategically placed so that we don't need any table/floor lamps. A renovated bathroom respected the historic nature of the space and fixtures while adding modern touches. All that plus Claudia's design for a new sofa and love seat and we couldn't be happier with her work. **★★★★★ — smadelon, Feb. 2015** > We have worked with Claudia Librett for over 30 years on 3 different projects.because of budgetary constraints, our first project was limited in scope. Our most recent project had fewer financial limitations.She orchestrated a complete renovation of our apartment:new kitchen with cabinets and flooring, new bathrooms, study, master bedroom. living room all with extensive lighting and several items of custom designed furniture. > > Regardless of the project size, has always been able to convert an ordinary apartment layout into a gracious space.It would be tempting to say that Clsudias expertise all aspects of lighting is her real forte, but her skills go beyond this and are actually quite broad and deep.She has an ability to create a master plan and then design particular spaces that are different yet flow together to make a coherent whole. She also has a comprehensive knowledge of available materials, reliable venders, color paint .fabric.. tiling and window treatments. > > Our dialogue with Claudia was always animated and interactive.She was sensitive to our desire for feel that was both ethnic-primitive and sophisticated and as we got older specific types of ambient and focused lighting. > > We appreciated her definite ideas doe how to accomplish all of this.She knew where it was necessary to educate us and push us out of our comfort zone.She was patient with our need to go back and forth between the big picture and minute details.She helped us go beyond our discomfort with custom designed furniture : the result was a beautiful teak table. > > Lastly, Claudia was always tough 'hands on' supervisor to our GC and accepted responsibility for the few problems that arose,handled problems with venders and arranged for convenient deliveries.She kept this large project on track and had it completed in under one year. > > We are happy to recommend her without reservations. > > Doug and Madelon **★★★★★ — C.benditt@comcast.net Benditt, Jan. 2015** > While I have worked with Claudia on minor interior design projects and enjoyed her creative fun input, I have seen major transformations of several historic homes that she has undertaken. Claudia seems to see all the best ways of finding space that we could not see beforehand such as relocating kitchens or stairs, opening up views and making light everywhere. The finishes and materials are always wonderful. It is such a bonus to have an expert in interiors and lighting in one designer! As an experienced Realtor, I know when someone has magically added so much value to a home. **★★★★★ — janetspecter, Jan. 2015** > A new master bedroom and bathroom were reconfigured from existing space. The designer did an incredible job listening to my needs and desires and translating them into a magnificent and functional space. Claudia has a vast knowledge of lighting and what is available in the marketplace. She selected beautiful fixtures and furnishings while being very cognizant of my budget. I would highly recommend Atelier 521. **★★★★★ — House of Heydenryk, Jan. 2015** > I have known & successfully worked with Claudia of 521 Atelier for over 20 years. In addition to being a brilliant & inventive interior decorator, she is also one of the most skilled & knowledgeable lighting designers in the business. She has a sharp attention to detail and cares for and works with her clients to give them the absolute best within their deadline and budget. I would strongly recommend Claudia to anyone who is interested in her exceptional services. **★★★★★ — Nancy Librett, Jan. 2015** > Atelier 521 did a complete renovation on our master bath from gut to finish and updated several rooms with custom furnishings and new lighting design. The results were far beyond our expectations. It's difficult to find this class of work in Philadelphia. The quality of the design is incomparable. Not only do they offer and understand current lighting technology and architectural space planning, they take a project from initial consultation through detailed finishes and furnishings. The owner, Claudia Librett, is New York born and trained. She is a perfectionist who leaves no stone unturned. We couldn't have been happier. > > -Homeowner on the Mainline of Philadelphia ## Selected projects - [Florida Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/florida-residence-pj-vj~2827477) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Upper West Side Neoclassical townhouse interior design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-west-side-neoclassical-townhouse-interior-design-pj-vj~863717) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: While this family expanded as did their art collection, the home was renovated to incorporate more of the whole house as a single residence. We chose early 20th century Italian pieces that scrolled forward with the expansion, adding some custom light fixtures, new custom rosewood, teak and walnut tables, custom upholstery and rugs. - [Caribbean Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/caribbean-retreat-pj-vj~863772) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: Cliffside multi-building compound for which we designed all the lighting of interiors, terraces, pools and gardens. - [Urban Pied a Terre/lighting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-pied-a-terre-lighting-pj-vj~1633426) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: Note the various lighting techniques in this urban pied a terre with black millwork and kitchen. We used all led sources incorporating semi recessed, surface mount, linear undershelf lighting, a carbon fiber pendant, custom sconces, and high power cove lighting to compensate for the dark walls. In the bath, are tiny leds, adjustable recessed, and linear fixtures installed in the marble slab walls, creating subtle illumination and adjustability for an evolving art collection. - [East Hampton Warehouse Conversion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/east-hampton-warehouse-conversion-pj-vj~863526) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: We converted this early 19th century barn/warehouse to a spacious, 5 bedroom beach house. Before the conversion, it was literally an empty shell. All millwork (teak), floors (recycled barn boards), cabinetry (teak), railings (iron), awnings (iron and industrial wire glass), and light fixtures are custom as are the large steel windows we used to retain the commercial sense of the building. The large quarter sawn oak dining tables are custom. We even mixed the marble dust color for the pool and te… - [Brownstone Duplex Lighting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brownstone-duplex-lighting-pj-vj~1290932) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 5 - Description: This duplex renovation combined the parlor floor and garden floor of a Manhattan Brownstone. We made sure that all of the spaces, even interior ones, were bright and had the sense of daylight penetrating. The use of discreet yet efficient LED sources with sparkle and great color rendering contributes to the success. - [Gladwyne Historic Carriage House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gladwyne-historic-carriage-house-pj-vj~1313557) - Location: Gladwyne, PA - Photos: 4 [See all 7 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/521-atelier-interiors-and-lighting-design-pfvwus-pf~437510294) ## Ideabooks - [Lighting for your art collection](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56654055/list/lighting-for-your-art-collection) — 2 ideas - [Hand Woven Fabrics as upholstery](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53524006/list/hand-woven-fabrics-as-upholstery) — 1 idea - [Glass tables](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51134203/list/glass-tables) — 1 idea - [Handmade Felt Rugs, lovely in combos of natural and dyed wool](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/49708354/list/handmade-felt-rugs-lovely-in-combos-of-natural-and-dyed-wool) — 1 idea - [Art lighting from low concrete ceilings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45955722/list/art-lighting-from-low-concrete-ceilings) — 5 ideas - [Custom lighting for special ceilings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42546854/list/custom-lighting-for-special-ceilings) — 3 ideas - [How to illuminate water features](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/40080628/list/how-to-illuminate-water-features) — 4 ideas [See all 7 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/claudia-librett) ## Community Q&A **Q: island Light fixture** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me the spec for this fixture, please? A: Its from a European company but no longer manufactured. **Q: Lighting in kitchen** *(in Photo Questions)* Please advise where I could get the lighting in the kitchen from? A: Its an Italian manufacturer that we bring into the country. Its carbon fiber so very light and thin. **Q: Can you please tell me about these hardwood floors? Species and stain?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: white oak. no stain. just satin polyurethane. **Q: Living room rug** *(in Photo Questions)* Where can I purchase the rug from the living room? Thanks. A: This is a custom piece made in Kyrgyzstan via a source in England. Are you interested in having one made? --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-07.*