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.

The tile in the bathroom, including the shower, was custom made and antiqued to match the 1920s-style colors. The owner secured original plumbing fixtures, antiqued light fixtures, and mirror from the 1920s.

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The side of the island has convenient storage for cookbooks and other essentials. The strand woven bamboo flooring looks modern, but tones with the oak flooring in the rest of the house. Photos by- Michele Lee Willson

Interior Designer: MJB Design Group
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Photographer- Lisa Gotwals http://www.lissagotwals.com/ Designer- Alys Protzman http://www.houzz.com/pro/alysdesign/alys-design Aug/Sept 2015 Renewing Old World Charm http://urbanhomemagazine.com/feature/1405

This project features an award winning front facade make over. The existing mansard roof was framed over to create a new look that provides some solid curb appeal! The interior of the home did not need to be modified to accommodate this renovation, since all of the construction occurred on the outside of the home. John Ray Photography

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Modern Shaker Kitchen Pantry cabinet with breakfast station and pocket doors. Photography by Nick Smith
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Photos by Julie Soefer
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