Boasting views of the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, the Beaux Arts and French Renaissance style building built in 1900 was once home to a luxury hotel. Over the years multiple hotel rooms were combined into the larger apartment residences that exist today. The resulting units, while large in size, lacked the continuity of a single formed space. StudioLAB was presented with the challenge of re-designing the space to fit a modern family’s lifestyle today with the flexibility to adjust as they evolve into their tomorrow. Thus, the existing configuration was completely abandoned with new programmatic elements being relocated in each and every corner of the space. For clients that are big wine connoisseurs, the focal point of entry and circulation lies in a 400 bottle, custom built, blackened steel and glass, temperature controlled wine cabinet. The once enclosed living room was demolished to create one main entertaining space that includes a new dining area and open kitchen. Hafele bi-folding pocket door slides were used in the Living room wall unit to conceal the television, bar and display shelves when not in use. Posing as kitchen cabinetry, a hidden integrated door opens to reveal a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Down the hallway of wide plank ebony stained walnut flooring, a compact powder room was built to house an original Paul Villinski installation of small butterflies cut from recycled aluminum cans, entitled Mistral. Continuing down the hall, and through one of the walnut veneered doors, is the shared kids bedroom where a custom-built bunk bed with integrated storage steps and desk was designed to allow for play space and a reading corner. The kids bathroom across the hall is decorated with custom Lego inspired hand cast concrete tiles and integrated pull-out footstools residing underneath the floating vanity. The master suite features a bio-ethanol fireplace wrapped in blackened steel and integrated into the Tabu veneered built-in. The spacious walk-in closet serves several purposes, which include housing the apartment’s new central HVAC system as well as a sleeping spot for the family’s dog. An integrated URC control system paired with Lutron Radio RA lighting keypads were installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades all by the use of smartphones.

Southwest one-story stucco exterior home photo in Salt Lake City with a metal roof

Photography by Oliver Irwin
Minimalist kitchen photo in Seattle

Trendy blue tile gray floor and double-sink bathroom photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount tub, an undermount sink, white countertops and a floating vanity

Small and quaint eating area. Photography by Mike Schwartz.
Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Chicago

Design: Monica Fairbairn Photo: Daniel Nystedt

Entryway - mid-sized craftsman porcelain tile and gray floor entryway idea in Chicago with blue walls and a white front door

Shiplap Fireplace
Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor, multicolored floor and vaulted ceiling living room design in Atlanta with white walls, a standard fireplace and a shiplap fireplace

Inspiration for a modern patio remodel in Seattle

Home bar - contemporary medium tone wood floor home bar idea in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, quartzite countertops, multicolored countertops, medium tone wood cabinets and mirror backsplash

Dry bar - mid-sized galley dark wood floor and brown floor dry bar idea in Chicago with no sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash and white countertops

Enclosed kitchen - large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in New Orleans with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Family room with vaulted ceiling, photo by Nancy Elizabeth Hill
Elegant light wood floor living room photo in New York with beige walls

Example of a mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor entryway design in Miami with beige walls and a glass front door

Master bedroom with wallpapered headboard wall, photo by Matthew Niemann
Inspiration for a huge timeless master light wood floor bedroom remodel in Other with multicolored walls

Example of a large mountain style formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Other with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Photo of a large modern drought-tolerant and full sun hillside gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

Example of a mid-sized cottage dark wood floor dining room design in Salt Lake City with white walls

Example of a tuscan dining room design in Los Angeles