Fuelled by the pulsating energy of New York, this contemporary apartment in Manhattan is a palatial retreat for the discerning, where soft textiles intertwine with the artful geometry of sculptural design.
Drawing inspiration from New York’s eclectic mix of new and old buildings, this pre-war apartment in Manhattan underwent a complete renovation to transform its dated and choppy spaces into a home that’s contemporary and functional.
‘I wanted this home to feel abundant, confident and a celebration,’ says interior designer Ruchi A Mohan, founder of DesignbyRUCHI. ‘My client is self-made, decisive and pragmatic, and I wanted her to come home and smile every time she walked in. We created a light, airy apartment to address all functional needs, and filled it with sculptural furniture, art and colour.’
During the renovation, the formal dining room was converted into a bedroom and a dining area, while one bedroom was used as a primary en suite, another as a guest bedroom, and the third bedroom as a home office. The most challenging space was the kitchen, which was originally narrow with almost no counter space and all sorts of pipes meandering in different directions.
Functionality was at the heart of the kitchen’s redesign, with the inclusion of green shaker cabinets, high-end panelled appliances, custom millwork, a wide sink with a statement faucet, and an endless countertop. The kitchen’s diamond- patterned, Carrara and Bardiglio tiles in contrasting marbles ground the green cabinetry on either side, while the brass hardware brings another layer of classic design to this modern kitchen.
‘I opted for a natural-honed marble with some green undertones that pick up beautifully against the green cabinets,’ adds Ruchi.
The home’s living room takes its lead from the kitchen: a neutral palette with pops of colour, with green as its main colour accent. This spacious room is anchored by a deep sofa in beautiful linen and flanked with accent chairs on either side.
The drapery along the windows frame the room perfectly, and the travertine coffee table from Ferm brings a touch of Japanese minimalism to the space. The coffee table’s sand-coloured travertine also provides a rawness and tangibility that highlights the architectural character of the piece in an understated way.
Lastly, the smoked glass chandelier, the jewellery in the room, brings in a third colour to tie everything together. The apartment as a whole exudes soft simplicity to encourage a calm atmosphere, as the muted colour scheme, varying textures and purposeful design choices converge to invite a sense of refined tranquillity.
The primary bedroom has an equally subdued and calming feeling to the rest of the home, although Ruchi opted for pale lavender tones instead of green to give this room its distinct personality. The Gema Bed from Lazzoni features solid wood legs in a unique tapered shape that references the best of mid-century modern design, while the glossy night stands on either side are adorned with textured table lamps by Made Goods.
The en-suite bathroom has lilac marble wall tiles to create a luxurious feeling, and this colour palette is carried into the bedroom with the pillows, drapes and an accent wall. In the home office, all the custom millwork was kept neutral with blue accents throughout.
The homeowner is a senior executive at a reputable global company who often works from home, so it was essential that the home office was comfortable and functional. The room features ample built-ins for her books, and the closed drawers below seamlessly hide her printer, shredder and files.
The Duca reclining sofa in blue denim from Natuzzi makes for a relaxing retreat for her to de-stress during the work day, and it’s no surprise that this space is the homeowner’s favourite room in the house.
‘This home takes you on a journey of materiality,’ says Ruchi. ‘The two slabs I used in this home are my absolute stars. I used a quartzite stone called Botanic Green in the dining room tea area, for both the countertop and the backsplash, while fluted glass in the millwork adds some sparkle.
The honed vessel sink in the guest bathroom in natural marble is also a delight to touch.’ This contemporary and comfortable apartment finds its identity in the range of materials used throughout the home, including terrazzo, lilac marble, fluted glass, a mix of bronze, brass and nickel metal finishes, and rich woven leather.
This creates an element of personalisation in each room – unifying the house within its overall colour palette alongside a motif of walnut wood finishes. The use of subtle tones and soft textiles makes this Manhattan apartment a soothing sanctuary amid the city’s buzz.
Text by Shai Rama.
