1145 Park Ave

We were brought on to re-think and reconfigure the space; planning and interior design of this Historic, Upper East Side, five-story townhome.

After a flood, this Upper East SIde Townhouse was in need of a full gut renovation, and the owner decided to use the opportunity to reconfigure the layout to create a modern modern floorplan, reconfiguring the spatial planning to make it more appropriate for contemporary living.

To make better use of the parlour level, we installed a new main staircase that we tucked behind a custom millwork piece made of walnut ribs secured to the floor the ceiling, providing sightlines while creating depth. We connected the living and dining rooms with custom oak and glass-paneled sliding doors which feature brass hardware. The arch, while new, speaks to the historical language seen throughout the rest of the home while adding contemporary language to the space.

We moved the kitchen from the garden level, typical in older, Upper East Side townhomes, up to the parlour floor and created an extensive kitchen with custom millwork and panelled appliances. The kitchen design is classic, and pared back, with painted flat-panel cabinets, and built-in appliances. Natural light and the adjacent garden the focal point of the room. The kitchen features a floating island with a hood ducted to the outside. The glass ceiling and access to the terrace flood the space with light and creates a bright environment for a family to gather. White cabinetry and quality hardware create a sleek. We chose simple grey marble countertops with a linear vein that offset the white and black diagonally checkered floor for an elevated, but simple look.

One floor down, we turned the old kitchen into a gym and office, lined with floor to ceiling custom cabinetry to optimize the storage below the stair.

Each floor has its own treatment for the bathrooms. The ground-level powder room features a hammered silver floor with a pink onyx floating sink and contemporary, rounded lighting.

The master bath was moved to take advantage of space at the core of the building, without natural light. The material selection was paired-down, and features handmade white zellige tile on the wall and a white marble floor. The contemporary, wall-mounted fixtures offset the handmade feel of the tile and are juxtaposed against wood mirrors hung above floating white vanity with ample storage. The bathroom also features a freestanding shower with a recessed linear drain and a freestanding contemporary tub and floor-mounted tub-filler. There is a separate, discreet toilet room tucked away at the entrance closest to the master bedroom. On the upper floors (kid's floor) the material selection was refined, while luxurious. The grey and white natural stone showers feature silverleaf porcelain tile and are complemented by wall-mounted faucets, contemporary sconces, and floating teak vanities. The upper stories feature a guest room along with a spa bath, which we finished with dark grey natural marble on both the floor and walls, alongside pewter bath fixtures and teak elements throughout. The shower drain is hidden beneath a slatted-teak floor that is discreetly tucked behind a fixed glass panel.

Plaster detailing can be seen throughout the home. And, custom-made brass door hardware is featured throughout.

This Upper East Side townhouse renovation was an exercise in restraint and careful material selection. The interior design worked to subtly upgrade the homes’s livability while preserving it’s historic character and appeal.