Shop
Vibrant Color, Family Style, and Rock-and-Roll Charm in a New York Apartment
On East 77th Street in Manhattan, two neighboring apartments inside a historic 1928 building became the canvas for a bold new family home. Designer Emily Del Bello brought the space to life with vibrant colors, unexpected details, and a dash of rock-and-roll charm.
When a family of four snapped up two side-by-side apartments inside a 1928 Rosario Candela-designed building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, they saw the chance to create a true forever home. With the help of designer Emily Del Bello, the two units were completely gutted and transformed into one personality-packed space, full of vintage finds, pops of color, custom millwork, and a playful rock-and-roll edge that nods to the family’s love of music and vibrant living.
Design: Emily Del Bello Interiors | Photography: Max B Photo | Contractor: T.C. Browne & Co.
Gutting for a Clean Slate
To combine the two neighboring apartments into a single, functional home, Emily and her team started with a full gut renovation. Walls came down, floor plans merged, and the once-disconnected units were reimagined as one cohesive space. Throughout, a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore’s Super White on the walls set a crisp, clean foundation, allowing the colorful layers to come later.
In the main living area, iron and glass partitions now help define the dining and lounge zones without sacrificing light or openness—a small move that makes a big impact in a New York apartment. The room is complemented by a Blueprint Lighting fixture overhead, a Restoration Hardware sofa, tables by Gestalt, a Stark rug, and a diamond mirror by Robert Sukrachand.
Building Custom Moments
From the start, storage was a top priority. Custom millwork threads through nearly every room, carving out hidden nooks, display shelves, and built-ins that feel as much a part of the architecture as the original 1928 detailing. (It’s no surprise that customization was one of the biggest design trends we predicted this year, and this project is full of it.)
In the breakfast nook, a custom banquette with a Caesarstone table on wheels serves as both a dining spot and a secret storage hub. Around every turn, you’ll find handcrafted cabinetry, custom desks, and thoughtful built-ins designed by Emily and crafted by T.C. Browne.
Playing with Color and Texture
Rather than play it safe, the design leans all the way into bold color and tactile materials. The den is painted top-to-toe in a primary pop of saturated blue (Benjamin Moore’s Kensington Blue), with high-gloss millwork adding even more drama. Throughout the apartment, lush upholstery, graphic wallpapers, and artwork, along with vintage pieces, add depth and texture without feeling fussy. Every choice, from the Holly Hunt fabric on the window treatments to the moody Phillip Jeffries wallpaper in the second living room, adds just the right amount of personality and visual interest to the home.
Personalizing Every Inch
What really makes this home sing are the personal touches baked into every room. Cherished Phish posters from the clients’ many concerts together create an art moment in the home that’s as colorful as it is meaningful. The twin daughters each got an imaginative bedroom tailored to their unique style with custom trundle beds, millwork, and desks that will grow with them. And each fixture brings its layer of character, echoing the family’s creative, rock-and-roll spirit.
Scroll through to see more from this home tour and shop the look below.
BY: Daniela Araya
Shop
