Deborah Berke Partners designed this West Village loft as a clearly defined, yet fluid dialogue between public and private spaces. The result is a study in refined urban living. The clients, a family of four, love to entertain and enjoy being in the heart of downtown Manhattan, but they also value privacy and quiet moments. This dichotomy is reflected in a balance of open and defined spaces. The architects set the tone of the loft as an inviting space by centering the open-plan living space around a zebrawood- and quartz-clad island. The bedrooms were designed as physically and conceptually distinct areas but maintain the streamlined elegance of the public spaces.
A palette of neutral tones and warm textures works with the loft's strong architectural lines to balance the clients’ collection of bright contemporary art. This juxtaposition is especially apparent in the corridor leading from the main public space into the more intimate rooms: rough cast-concrete walls lead towards a sharp, bright James Nares print in the master bedroom. Not only do the walls provide an interesting counterpoint, but they are also a reminder of the raw beginnings of this modern loft.