A pied-a-terre (a weekend or vacation home) for a couple who lives in Australia and whose daughter resides here, this 1,400 sq ft apartment in New York conceptualised by Pembrooke & Ives takes its design cues from the couple’s love of classic modern elements as well as inspiration from French interior designer Jean Michel Frank and the Bauhaus movement.
There is also a semblance of the couple’s home in Australia, which imbues it with a sense of familiarity for the owners. Wide glass windows make for bright, airy interiors with a view of the cityscape.
As the design brief was to achieve a space that was timeless with soft hues and subtle textures, and where the owners could ‘put their feet up’ after a long flight, the design team at Pembrooke & Ives kept away from anything that was too loud or which made a strong statement.
Instead, they went for a quiet, neutral and harmonious palette complemented with textures that include boucle, velvet, wool and cerused wood.
The mood is contemporary in the dining space, with the dining table and chairs from Knoll. Glossy built-in cabinets along its perimeter offer ample storage while remaining stylishly concealed.
A striking abstract art piece draws the eye and creates visual impact while tying in with the overall elegant, classic ambience.
In place of walls, glass panels establish a relationship between the living space and kitchen. It alludes to the apartment’s modern and roomier feel, while allowing natural light to reach both the kitchen and the entryway.
A unique storage component that spans the kitchen and the dining room features drawers on either side. It also doubles as a work surface in the kitchen, and a place to lay out food in the dining space.
Within the kitchen, an intimate breakfast nook with a custom built-in floating banquette that conjures a cosy spot for hanging out or for enjoying a morning coffee. Outdoor fabrics by Link are used for the pillows and cushion seats for their durability and ease of maintenance and cleaning.
Inside the only bedroom of the abode, the modern classic aesthetic continues. A soft wash of colour, light silvery grey with white accents – envelopes the space.
This monochromatic approach with coordinated touches was thoughtfully conceived to bring about a calming effect and is seen applied to various aspects of the room; the headboard of the bed is upholstered using the same wool sateen by Rogers & Goffigon that is used for the drapery. Even the closet doors, bedside tables and chest of drawers are finished in a high gloss lacquer of the same colour.
For textural contrast, the silver-grey wall-to-wall carpet from Vanden Loom bears a subtle strie effect (a negative glaze technique that produces a soft natural striped texture).
The bathroom is outfitted with white Glassos crystallised glass, custom white Corian solid surface shower walls and Dornbracht fittings. The result is a sleek space that can easily be cleaned and maintained.
The renovations took a total of six months to complete and the homeowners moved in last year.
Interior designer: Pembrooke & Ives
