{"id":113898,"date":"2026-01-27T14:56:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T14:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/113898\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T14:56:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T14:56:36","slug":"in-the-heart-of-manhattan-a-historic-rental-gets-a-bold-no-reno-refresh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/113898\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Heart of Manhattan, a Historic Rental Gets a Bold No-Reno Refresh"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every home renovation comes with its own set of challenges, but taking on a rental apartment often presents more complex restrictions. That wasn’t enough to stop Isy Runsewe’s adventurous new clients, though\u2014they wanted their new 2,500-square-foot apartment in the heart of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to feel like a home, no matter what.<\/p>\n

Clearly, demolition was out of the question, so the founder and principal designer of Isy’s Interiors<\/a> had to work with the bones she was given. “We found the central living space really, really challenging,” Runsewe tells House Beautiful. It’s a long, narrow corridor with beautiful ceiling details and stunning archways, but her clients needed multiple uses out of the space. “It was actually the final space we tackled, as we just couldn’t work out the best use of the layout,” she adds.<\/p>\n

Another challenge when working in an apartment? Neighboring units that have their own quirks. “Halfway through the project, the entire ceiling in the living room fell! Not due to us, thankfully\u2014there was an electrical fault in the ceiling that finally blew,” Runsewe explains. No one was hurt, but her clients did have to live with scaffolding in their living room for the following two months as it got repaired.<\/p>\n

We love elements of fun and surprise, like adding bold playful tassels to the drapes and pillows to bring whimsy.<\/p>\n

Since she couldn’t take down any walls and reconfigure the footprint, Runsewe worked with what was already there, focusing much of her design on stunning crown molding and ceiling embellishments. So as not to muddy the details, they chose not to paint over the walls, keeping them the same white color as when her clients moved in, which is something the designer rarely does. Her team is well known for their use of colors and patterns, but Runsewe knew she could still dial the space up without them.<\/p>\n

She brought in all new furniture, letting the rich hues and vibrant prints do the talking when it came to showing her clients’ personalities. The apartment was a huge jump up in size from their old place, so all new furnishings were necessary, adds Runsewe. In the living room, they “went much darker than we typically go with the furniture to ensure it felt cosy and inviting,” she says, making it feel more fun with streams of lilac and yellow running from this space throughout the home.<\/p>\n

Custom millwork was another way she brought in character, working with Great Circles Woodworking<\/a> on many of the projects. “Cost-wise, yes, it was a little more expensive for the clients; however, instead of adding multiple freestanding pieces of furniture, we really made this space feel unique and special with the custom millwork pieces,” the designer adds.<\/p>\n

In the end, Runsewe brought moodiness and even more charm to this pre-war apartment, using only cosmetic differences to make it a fully personalized home.<\/p>\n

FAST FACTS

Designer: Isy Runsewe of Isy’s Interiors<\/a><\/p>\n

Location: New York City<\/p>\n

The Space: A 2,500-square-foot apartment with two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a walled outdoor space<\/p>\n

LIVING ROOM & BAR<\/p>\n

Separate zones allow for more activities in this narrow space. <\/p>\n

\"livingKirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Accent chair: Anthropologie. Sectional: Pottery Barn. Coffee table: Lumens. Rug: A Rum Fellow.<\/p>\n

\"livingKirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Wallcovering: Thibaut. Light fixture: Arhaus. Rug: Etsy.<\/p>\n

The living area was the most challenging part of the renovation. It’s long and narrow, and Runsewe’s clients wanted a lot out of this space: an entry drop zone, a work-from-home spot, a cozy living area, and an at-home bar. It’s also a major circulation point from the front door to the kitchen to the stairs leading to the garden level. “As you move through the space, we wanted to define activities while maintaining the open flow,” the designer says.<\/p>\n

Since they left the walls their original white color, she chose darker furnishings for the lounging area to ensure it felt cozy and inviting. “The only request from the client here was a comfortable sofa, so we opted for a deep, plush J-shaped sectional in a bold merlot color, with a rug to anchor the space,” she says. It’s luxe but doesn’t feel untouchable, and the moody hues make it an easy spot to relax in.<\/p>\n

Bookending the central living area is the cocktail zone, complete with custom bookshelves and twin swivel chairs from Soho Home. This wall is opposite the bar cabinet and is the perfect spot to sit for a nightcap and a quiet conversation.<\/p>\n

OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM<\/p>\n

Earthy tones and soft textures offer a quiet refuge in an urban jungle.<\/p>\n

\"livingKirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Wall decor: Etsy. Sectional: West Elm. Coffee table: Crate & Barrel. Chair: Rove Concepts. Rug: Annie Selke.<\/p>\n

Runsewe extended the footprint of the primary bedroom by creating a living area in the beautiful walled-off garden. Using plush, low-to-the-ground furniture and nature-inspired tones to give it a modern bohemian feel, it’s an ideal place for her clients, and their Bernadoodle named Pesto, to lounge. The two spaces are separated by sliding glass doors that stack all the way open.<\/p>\n

KITCHEN & DINING<\/p>\n

Flower motifs tie together the gathering spaces.<\/p>\n

\"house\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Paint: Newburg Green, Benjamin Moore. Chandelier: Arhaus. Barstools: Worlds Away.<\/p>\n

Runsewe’s team didn’t touch much of the kitchen, but the changes they did make were quite impactful. The original crown molding is the star of the space, so they kept it white but drenched the rest of the walls in a deep teal, offsetting the white cabinetry and adding depth.<\/p>\n

\"house\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Dining table: Soho Home. Dining chairs: Anthropologie. Window treatment: The Shade Store, with Samuel & Sons trim. Rug: Perigold.<\/p>\n

\"fireplace\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Lamp: CB2. Fireplace screen: Ballard Designs.<\/p>\n

Linen drapes with tassel trim keep this sunny spot hidden from neighbors while still letting light filter through. The doors open out to the back balcony and overlook the garden.<\/p>\n

“A fireplace in every room had us seeking unique fireplace screens that spoke to each design,” Runsewe says. This botanical screen in the dining room speaks to the chandelier above the kitchen island.<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BEDROOM<\/p>\n

Spa-like colors encourage ultimate relaxation.<\/p>\n

\"bedroom\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Paint: Teresa\u2019s Green lime wash, by Farrow & Ball. Bed frame: Lulu & Georgia. Chair: Interior Define. Nightstand: McGee & Co. Table lamp: Pooky. Artwork: Anthropologie.<\/p>\n

The chocolate and aqua color palette picked for this primary retreat was taken from the Lee Jofa fabric covering the lumbar pillow on the bed. Rounded edges and lime wash on the walls further push an organic feel. Behind the curtains is a screen door that leads to the outdoor living area.<\/p>\n

GUEST BEDROOM<\/p>\n

A master class on pattern drenching.<\/p>\n

\"house\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Wallcovering: A-Street Prints. Paint: Old Gold, Benjamin Moore. Bed frame: Lulu & Georgia. Nightstand: Anthropologie. Lamp: Wayfair, with Penny Morrison shade.<\/p>\n

\"house\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Chair: Castlery.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019ve used yellow accents throughout the home and decided to punch it up in the guest room by painting all of the trim and lower half of the walls in a buttery yellow,” Runsewe says of this guest room, which doubles as an office. To up the charm even more, she wove in classic blue accents and didn’t shy away from pattern-mixing.<\/p>\n

PRIMARY BATH<\/p>\n

Linen drapes enclose the tub, creating a serene cocoon.<\/p>\n

\"house\"Kirsten Francis<\/p>\n

Artwork: Anthropologie.<\/p>\n

“The primary bathroom already had some fun features but was lacking in coziness,” Runsewe explains. They painted the walls in the same color as the bedroom (Teresa’s Green by Farrow & Ball), brought in a vintage stool to match the wooden tub wrapping, and hung artwork to make it feel more personal.<\/p>\n

About the Designer<\/p>\n

Before opening her interior design firm in 2020, Isy Runsewe worked in the art world, specifically for some of London’s most prestigious auction houses. Since starting Isy’s Interiors<\/a> in New York, Runsewe has taken on over 100 residential projects, succeeding in her goal of bringing joy to her clients through highly personal and bold designs.<\/p>\n

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram<\/a> and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n