Empty apartment transformed into a delightful masterpiece, a playground for designers, as one user articulated - delve into the craftsmanship-focused collaboration that unfolded within the unchartered space.
In the heart of the city, a media executive has transformed a raw, 4,300-square-foot apartment into a serene urban oasis. The project, a collaboration between interior designer Alexii Friedman, architectural firm DIGSAU, and renowned studio George Nakashima Woodworkers, has created a sanctuary that seamlessly blends artistic beauty and functionality.
Upon purchase, the apartment was a blank canvas, with just stud walls in place. To transform this space, Alexii Friedman was tasked with creating a retreat within the city. The owner's vision was to escape the urban hustle and bustle, and Friedman delivered with a design that exudes tranquillity and natural elegance.
The main living room, bathed in natural light, features a sleek gold floor lamp that adds height and a touch of modernity. The walls are adorned with a textured lime plaster finish, applied by architect Mark Sanderson, creating a warm and inviting ambience.
The apartment's standout feature is the loggia, designed with custom retractable windows that open to the leafy square below. To pay homage to the park, Friedman incorporated elements such as a table, grass-seated chairs, and a branching chandelier. The loggia's windows were designed to open fully, merging the space with the square during spring and summer.
A custom walnut dining table by George Nakashima Woodworkers was the key piece purchased before hiring Alexii. The table, with its organic form and beautiful woodwork, adds warmth and an appreciation for natural craftsmanship to the space.
The success of the project lies in the relationships between the artworks, artisans, and the close-knit team formed by the homeowner, designer, and architects. Pieces from the owner's art collection, including several Impressionist paintings, were reframed and complemented by contemporary artworks sourced by Alexii.
DIGSAU's involvement brought a focus on modern, eco-friendly elements. Reeded glass is used to help draw natural light into the home's core, while the apartment's windows, nine feet high and on only two facades, allow for an abundance of natural light.
Warren Holzman, a renowned blacksmith, was commissioned to create the apartment's blackened steel doors, exquisite bronze louvered shutters, home bar, and metal shelves. Stone accents were layered with soft furnishings in some rooms, similar to the lamps featured in the bedroom.
A New York chef was consulted to optimize the kitchen layout, with a change in floor height allowing the island to function as a standard work surface on one side and a dining-height table on the other. Simple, elegant glass vases filled with huge branches were used in the kitchen to add an organic statement.
The owner feels fortunate to have had the time and space to engage with every detail of the project, ensuring that every design choice, from the absence of doorknobs to the use of reeded glass, was thoughtfully considered. This urban oasis is a testament to the power of collaboration and a perfect example of how art, design, and functionality can come together to create a truly unique living space.
- Interior designer Alexii Friedman's vision for the apartment, a serene urban oasis, exudes tranquillity and natural elegance, aligning with the owner's desire to escape the urban hustle and bustle, creating a perfect blend of lifestyle and home-and-garden aesthetic.
- The main living room, with its sleek gold floor lamp and textured lime plaster walls, showcases an interior design that seamlessly integrates artistic beauty and functionality, transforming the raw space into a sanctuary that reflects the owner's enhanced appreciation for natural craftsmanship and artistic pieces.
