Mullman Seidman Architects were asked to create a pied-a-terre for contemporary art collectors that would be like a Chelsea art gallery. Located on a high floor in Midtown with views of Central Park, the large one bedroom was a dark cluster of small spaces with 80’s finishes. The space was gutted and reconfigured to be open, airy, and loft like. The focus was to make a light filled space, highlight the striking views, all while allowing various art pieces to be displayed throughout the apartment.
The existing dark narrow kitchen was completely opened and integrated into the living room. The wall separating the living room from the bedroom was reconfigured to create a sleeping niche for guests. The bathrooms were enlarged and redone.
The materials chosen were in keeping with the downtown gallery palette. The wood flooring was replaced with concrete-like tile. The concrete structural columns were exposed. The walls and ceiling were white with flush details throughout. The new kitchen was made of white glass – countertops, backsplash, and cabinet faces. This crisp white and concrete space became the backdrop for the art and furnishings. The basic palette was expanded in the bathrooms--stone mosaic flooring, bleached oak, stone countertops, ceramic and glass tiles—while maintaining the clean lines found throughout.
Bold color was introduced in the new furnishings set off against the glazed white Venetian plaster and rough concrete floor. These colors and the various textures and materials contrast elegantly with the minimalism of the spaces. Each piece of furniture was considered for its formal presence. The strong simple lines of the modern and contemporary furniture classics (new and vintage) were thoughtfully mixed throughout the spaces. Recessed gallery lighting was used to illuminate the art and the decorative light fixtures stand out as art pieces on their own.