From Outdated NYC Apartment to Contemporary Dreamscape
When designing a refreshed contemporary space in an old Manhattan apartment building, facing specific design challenges (like how to fit the pieces through the doors) is inevitable. For designer Jodi Berger of JLA Designs, this obstacle involved many custom and creative solutions, from pieces made specifically to get through the hallways to craning up the drywall through the windows.
Still, the completed project feels nothing but effortless, featuring unique natural stone, renewed architectural details, and a mix of cozy textiles that soften the home’s contemporary lines. Scroll on to see how Jodi took this NYC apartment from outdated to a sleek entertainer’s dream.
Design: JLA Designs | Photography: Kirsten Francis
A Timeless Contemporary Palette
Although the clients envisioned a contemporary and fresh space, they wanted to ensure the finishes were durable enough to grow with their family. Jodi selected timeless materials in a lighter color palette to keep things airy and open, adding some unexpected elements through the natural finishes.
To add some dimension to the kitchen tones, Jodi fabricated two-tone counter stools by Thomas Hayes, mixing boucle and faux leather for easy cleaning.
Creative Size Solutions
Due to the limitations of the older apartment building, transforming this project into the sleek contemporary home it is today didn’t go without challenges. Because of the building’s original bones, one major obstacle was navigating around the very narrow doorways. To complete the space, Jodi and her team had to deliver drywall through the windows with a crane and carefully measure furniture to ensure it would fit into the unit.
Customized With Furnishings
Custom furnishings are often the secret behind a truly unique home, and in this project’s case, some of them were also necessary to ensure that the items fit perfectly in the space (and through the doors). Jodi designed many custom furnishings for this project, including the primary bed, the nightstands, the dining table, the games table, and the entrance console table.
Scroll below to see more from this project and shop the look!
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY