Once in awhile, I am lucky enough to be asked to design a space in a NYC building that I adore. Huys is just such a building. Located in the heart of NoMad , on Park Ave South, Huys is a neoclassical building dating from 1917. This building underwent a huge conversion from commercial offices to 58 luxurious and elegantly detailed condominiums . It was designed by the world-renowned Piet Boon . This charming apartment is a pied a terre for a lovely couple that actually live upstate NY. I am very proud of how it turned out. I very much enjoyed designing the interiors, I hope you enjoy seeing the results!
NEW PROJECT IN NOMAD, HUYS BUILDING
Located in the heart of NoMad , on Park Ave South, Huys is a neoclassical building dating from 1917, with neighboring stately mansions from NYC's Gilded Age. This building underwent a huge conversion from commercial offices to 58 luxurious and elegantly detailed condominiums . Developed by the prestigious Dutch Kroonenberg Groep, designed by the world-renowned Piet Boon and renovated by the well-established construction management firm Sciame. Huys is one of the my favorite buildings. This is one of the incredible apartments I was asked to design. The amazing iron windows and light brushed oak floors were already in place. Photo Credit: Beckerman Photograpy
RAVISHING ANTIQUE / VINTAGE EYE CANDY
One of the real bonuses of working in this field is watching the clever, creative, gifted people (I happen to know) come up with incredible new ideas. One such idea was the first brick and mortar space for the online giant 1stdibs. Jim Druckman was the genius behind it!
This all took place years ago. 1stdibs is now a destination for many designers and collectors alike. It is an eclectic mix of over 54 different dealers from around the country and world that occupy the entire 10th floor of 200 Lex in 33,000 sq feet of space. It is one of my special, wonderful secrets. There is ALWAYS something new and exciting here!!!! The following are just a few of my latest favorite things....
PAINT THE TOWN RED!
I am just back from a gorgeous Valentine's weekend in St. Barths and I just can't get the color red out of my mind! This incredible Island is covered in hints of red everywhere you go. From the rooftops to the flowers, this beautiful color made me giddy with joy. Red is a great color to bring into the home as well. Wether it is just a touch in a corner or covering a whole wall, this elegant, rich color will brighten up your day!
Eden Rock Hotel
*Note: The images contained in this blog are not property nor work of New York Interior Design, Inc. They are strictly images acquired for inspiration and admiration of the industry's talent. New York Interior Design, Inc. does not claim rights to any of the works pictured above. All photos in the portfolio section of nyinteriordesign.com are the work and designs of New York Interior Design, Inc.
FLATIRON GLAM
Once in awhile as a designer you come across that perfect project. The space, the location and the client are all very interesting and exciting. That was the way I felt about this beauty in the center of the Flatiron District. The apartment is in a Landmark building on very desirable Fifth Avenue with oversized windows and 10.5-foot ceilings allowing light to flood the apartment. The highest level of finishes complement this fully restored 1897 Beaux Arts building. Located in a very cool area surrounded by new interior design shopping destinations and incredible restaurants, This building is one of downtowns finest new conversions . It was renovated with a more traditional style in mind and the highest level of finishes. The cherry on the cake is the fully restored copper cupola and curved plate glass windows...
Doing the interior of a space like this comes very easily, it was conceived of totally with my client in mind and the way she lives her life.. exciting, adventurous ,colorful and worldly... Photo credit : Beckerman Photography
THE DORILTON
One of the most rewarding experiences I have had as an interior designer is to decorate an apartment in a prewar landmark beauty. I have just been honored with decorating such a gem. The Dorilton was constructed in 1902 and designed by Janes & Leo, the New York City-based architectural firm of Elisha Harris Janes and Richard Leopold Leo for real estate developer Hamilton M. Weed. It is located on the Upper West Side of NYC.
The building is noted for its opulent Beaux-Arts style limestone and brick exterior, featuring monumental sculptures, richly balustraded balconies, and a three-story, copper and slate mansard roof. The exterior masonry, decorative terra-cotta work and chimneys and roof were expertly restored in 1998 by the Walter B. Melvin architectural firm.
This is our latest project... I am so excited to share it with you! Please Enjoy!!!
All photos of this exceptional exterior and interior are by: Jonathan Beckerman
A SUCCESSFUL BATHROOM RENOVATION
People always ask me what goes into renovating a full bathroom, so I will explain in very simple terms the steps that are involved... First, hire an Interior Designer. Even if all the plumbing is staying in the same place you will need to select every surface, plus plumbing fixtures and hardware... Next hire a Contractor, most of the time your designer will recommend someone trustworthy and reliable . Make sure you have great photos of the "before" bathroom. You will also need a floor plan of what the bathroom looks like now, and if you are changing any square footage or moving plumbing you need a floor plan of the new intended space. My personal inspiration comes from the trade market, there is always something new and cutting edge . Next, it is time to go shopping! I like to start with selecting the floor and wall tile first. There are wonderful new products out there, things that were unimaginable a few years back. Texture is the newest trend! I usually do tile or marble all the way up to the ceiling in a master or kids bathroom. (tile half way up the wall is out of style) I also will use wallcovering in master baths, and powder rooms. If wallpaper is applied correctly in a bathroom it will not come down as some people believe... If for example there is enough pattern on the floor with a gorgeous marble, sometimes only paint is needed on the walls. Just like with everything else in this industry, every bathroom has different parameters , design visions and budgets.
After you know what palette your floors and walls will be you need to shop for all of your plumbing supplies. Having your designer take you to reliable sources is key. Otherwise you could wait a LONG time for items that never ship... You need to select your shower body first, there are decisions to be made such as temperature control and pressure balanced systems.. You need to select your bathtub, and your toilet. All these items have many details that your designer will explain. All the faucets in the bathroom will follow suit with the shower body. Are you selecting the new modern brass? (which is my favorite) Satin nickel ? or polished chrome? Remember that warranties are given in reliable showrooms with proven track records, the internet is NOT a good place to shop for these products.
Most important advice: PLAN AHEAD, HAVE ALL TILE, MARBLE, FIXTURES, VANITIES, MEDICINE CABINETS, FAUCETS, DRAINS, LIGHTING, ACCESSORIES (toilet paper holder, towel bars or hooks) DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME BEFORE the DEMOLITION BEGINS!!! This way your contractor can be in and out of your home quickly!!! If all products are there, and if your contractor shows up EVERY day as he or she should, all work should be complete in about three weeks... unless there are unforeseen complications. USE Professionals!!!
So plan that new spa, that place to relax and unwind in , that special oasis especially for YOU! If you hire the right people everything should flow just like cascading water.. The following "Before"and "After" photos are of my latest bathroom project. ENJOY!
BEFORE PHOTOS
DEMO
IN PROGRESS
AFTER PHOTOS
Photo Credit: Beckerman Photography
BE MINE
Be Mine Design
presented byAccess to Design™
"For the month of February, the New York Design Center’s Access to Design™ designers have curated a collection of products from their most adored New York Design Center resources. Travel the 16 floors to discover what these tastemakers have selected for Be Mine Design and find something to make yours. Pick up a handout in the lobby to navigate Be Mine Design at 200 Lex and visit the Access to Design™ office in Suite 424 for more information on how to work with a designer." I am honored to have been selected to participate in this fun endeavour. I choose Profiles at the NYDC ( http://www.nydc.com/) as one of my favorite showrooms. I also was asked to select some of my favorite items. The following photos show some of them, for the real impact you must visit the showroom with a designer. http://www.nydc.com/news/be-mine-design/Thank you so much Jim Druckman! I truly enjoyed our beautiful breakfast in the Christopher Guy showroom. Come experience this wonderful building with 16 floors of new and cutting edge style, trends and fabulous merchandise and people. This is NYC at it's finest!
ARTS & CRAFTS STYLE
This home is an architectural dream, a truly special place. It's dwellers are just as special and delightful. Built in 1938 in Roslyn Estates I can say without knowing him that Frank Lloyd Wright would have admired this house. In design it is always a treat to work on something out of the box, something unique and not run of the mill, that was this house. All decorating and designing aside, her bones spoke for herself in every part, in every corner. The detail, the architecture was flawless and just simply left us in awe. Over the year we worked on this, the beauty just seemed to unfold before our eyes at every step of the way. This to me is design at its best, when you walk into a home and not everything hits you in the face all at once. Its slow and subtle, and takes your breath away slowly. We just enhanced what was already existing inside the home. It's almost like the house spoke to us and told us what it needed. Some places it screamed for movement on the walls while in others it was dying for african themed sculptures...While this is definitely a specific style, it may not be for everyone and thats just fine. We just ask that you observe, take in and appreciate the beauty that lives here, because it is here and it is something to look at. These walls tell a story, one that this family will be able to tell over for years to come.
ANTIQUE SHOPPING STAMFORD STYLE
Stamford Connecticut is one of the best place to antique shop. I always love going there for clients. When you find incredible, one of a kind pieces for someones home it's a feeling like no other. Not only are you bringing elements into their homes that are rare and special, you are also bringing in something old that tells a story. I love finding out what period each find is from and knowing the background behind them all. I usually have a rule that I never shop for myself when I am out with a client, however there were such amazing things this time that I just could not help myself and snagged some incredible pieces:)...
THE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS
One of my favorite things to do when I am lucky enough to get down to Miami is to visit the Bal Harbour Shops in Bal Harbour Miami, Florida. http://balharbourshops.com/ I live in cold gray dreary New York in the winter. Just getting off the plane into the sun changes everything. Bal Harbour is rich in every sense of the word. For me it is rich in inspiration. Just when I think this winter is never going to end, there is color, beauty and shopping, shopping, shopping. I love looking into almost very shop. The Bal Harbour Shops are so bright and beautiful . Only the best lighting, flooring, and fixtures are used. I have always gotten great inspiration from fashion. Spring 2013 here we come!!!!
ANKASA
People always ask me "where are your favorite places to shop?" One of my favorite places is Ankasa, www.anaska.com . They just opened a new retail store on Madison Ave. between 87th & 88th streets. They carry mostly high-end accessories, pillows, lighting and small pieces of furniture.. They have a very glamorous look, their merchandise always intrigues me. Ankasa's pillows always look handmade. They use wonderful textiles, like cashmere and lace, skins and embroidery... Their products would help finish off any room in your house, check them out the next time you are in the Upper East side of Manhattan.. Happy Holidays!!!! Enjoy!!