{"id":42139,"date":"2025-07-28T07:55:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T07:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/42139\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T07:55:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T07:55:32","slug":"explore-how-an-empty-apartment-became-a-beautiful-collaboration-rooted-in-craftsmanship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/42139\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore how an empty apartment became a beautiful collaboration rooted in craftsmanship"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nothing jarring about this apartment \u2013 every material has been carefully chosen to create a soothing aesthetic that belies its urban location. \u2018The owner asked us to design a sanctuary from the city, within the city,\u2019 recalls interior designer Alexii Friedman of Studio Friedman<\/a>, who collaborated with Mark Sanderson and Harris Ford of the architectural firm DIGSAU to bring this house design<\/a> to life. \u2018The ground floor of the building houses one of the area\u2019s busiest restaurants, but when you step into this apartment, you immediately feel a sense of calm,\u2019 she adds.<\/p>\n

\"Neutral<\/p>\n

SITTING AREA: The knocked-back palette is punctuated with darker accents including the lounge chair and beautiful bronze louvred shutters at the windows. Vintage lounge chair by Jind\u0159ich Halabala, 1stDibs<\/a>. Bespoke sofa in Pebble wool in Birch, Maharam<\/a>. Coffee table (inspired by the Mesa table by Robsjohn-Gibbings), The Philadelphia Woodworking Company. Tabouret Berger stools, Charlotte Perriand at Cassina<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

The owner, a media executive with two adult children, was relocating from a large suburban property to this 4,300-square-foot apartment on the second floor. When she bought the space, it was completely raw \u2013 just stud walls in place. \u2018This was a fresh start for her, and she wanted it to fully reflect who she is and how she wants to live now,\u2019 explains Alexii. \u2018She gave us a blank canvas, which is every designer\u2019s dream. It was a unicorn.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

DINING AREA: The vast live-edge table brings an organic element. \u2018There was that constant pull and play of how the furniture and architecture would sing together,\u2019 Alexii notes. Minguren II table and grass-seated chairs, George Nakashima Woodworkers. TG-10 Sling dining chairs, Gratz. Agnes chandelier, Lindsey Adelman<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

Before hiring Alexii, the owner had purchased one key piece: a custom walnut dining table by George Nakashima Woodworkers<\/a>. This design, which honors the natural beauty of wood, became the starting point for a project deeply rooted in craftsmanship. \u2018She wanted an emphasis on quality and makers \u2013 and if we could collaborate with local artisans, that would be a bonus,\u2019 says Alexii.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

One such artisan is renowned blacksmith Warren Holzman<\/a>, who was commissioned by the architects to create the apartment\u2019s blackened steel doors and exquisite bronze louvered shutters that provide privacy for the nine-foot-high windows.<\/p>\n

Warren also crafted the home bar<\/a> in the living area and the metal shelves in the entryway<\/a>. These, along with sculptures placed on travertine plinths, give the space the refined atmosphere of an art gallery. Behind the shelves is a wall of reeded glass. \u2018The apartment is large but has windows on only two facades, so the glass helps draw natural light into the home\u2019s core,\u2019 Alexii explains.<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

The textured lime plaster finish on the walls is another example of exceptional local craftsmanship. \u2018Rather than using the walls as blank surfaces for art, we treated them as counterpoints to the art\u2013artful elements in their own right,\u2019 says Mark, who applied the same finish to the striking fireplace that anchors the home\u2019s public spaces. \u2018The owner wanted it to blur the line between sculpture and structure,\u2019 he adds.<\/p>\n

\"Large<\/p>\n

KITCHEN: A monolithic quartzite island has a luminosity that positively glows. Gent dining chairs, Gubi<\/a>. Cristallo Champagne quartzite, BAS Stone. Tap, Vola<\/a>. For vintage armchairs by Milo Baughman, try Vinterior<\/a>; armchairs in Soho Plush in Ink, Pollack<\/a>. 1949 table in Nero Marquina, Piero Lissoni at Cassina<\/a>. Bespoke extractor, Cavo.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

To optimize the kitchen layout<\/a>, a New York chef was consulted. The design includes 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.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

LOGGIA: The kitchen work surface extends into this space to create a cozy bar area. High stools, Mater<\/a>. Rock table; Neil Twist chairs, all MDF Italia<\/a>. Montrose lounge chair, Lawson Fenning<\/a>; in Pebble Beach in Pewter, Pollack.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

Next to the kitchen<\/a> is the apartment\u2019s standout feature: the loggia. The architects designed custom retractable windows that open the space fully to the leafy square below. \u2018In spring and summer, the tree canopies feel like they\u2019re part of the home,\u2019 says Alexii. \u2018We paid homage to the park with elements like the table and grass-seated chairs, and the dining room\u2019s branching chandelier.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

Pieces from the owner\u2019s art collection, including several Impressionist paintings, were reframed to fit their new setting and complemented by contemporary artworks sourced by Alexii. \u2018We wanted the pieces to speak to each other,\u2019 she explains. Indeed, the success of this project lies in the relationships \u2013 between the artworks, the artisans, and the close-knit team formed by the homeowner, designer, and architects. \u2018It was a fantastic collaboration,\u2019 says Alexii.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

MAIN BEDROOM: Upholstered panels continue across the ceiling for an enveloping feel. The chandelier wrapped in off-white leather cording casts a magical light at night. Supra Bubble chandelier, Pelle Designs<\/a>. Travertine table lamps, 1stDibs. Suede headboard fabric, Joseph Noble<\/a>. Bespoke rug, Crosby Street Studios<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Sean Litchfield)<\/p>\n

The owner agrees. \u2018We debated for hours over doorknobs\u2013and in the end, we didn\u2019t use any at all!\u2019 she laughs. \u2018Most of the design choices came out of conversations like that. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the time and space to engage with every detail of this project.\u2019<\/p>\n

Shop the look
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\"Gold<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Pottery Barn<\/p>\n

Metal Floor Lamp<\/p>\n

A sleek gold floor lamp adds height to the main living room. This minimal design would create a similar look. <\/p>\n

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\"Colin<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Dot around any room for a flexible surface that’s the ideal size for coffee table books and a stylish coaster for drinks.<\/p>\n

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\"Wrought<\/p>\n

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Create the same look as this kitchen and fill simple, elegant glass vases with huge branches to add an organic statement.<\/p>\n

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\"Joss<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Similar to the lamps featured in the bedroom, stone accents layer wonderfully with the soft furnishings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There\u2019s nothing jarring about this apartment \u2013 every material has been carefully chosen to create a soothing aesthetic…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":42140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[228,226,227,229,88],"class_list":["post-42139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}