Project Reveal: Pied-a-Terre en Ciel
So excited to reveal a project I've been working on for about the past six months. You may have seen a few of my postings on IG under #projectpiedaterre . I finally finished and photographed this beautiful petit a.p.t. in the sky.
I-Phone 6 Photo via @lindsaysaccullointeriors Instagram.
A referral from an old colleague, when I first met this couple, I liked them instantly. He is originally from California, and she from Mexico City, with their home base now in Connecticut. They purchased a one bedroom one bath in a Columbus Circle high rise as a pied-a-terre. Such a great place to relax after a long work day in the city (and not have to commute home on the train!), enjoy on the weekends, and use as a possible future apartment for their two college-age sons. It's a beautiful full-service building (I have become besties with the doormen, porters and super over these months - they're wonderful!) but it's the large windows and beautiful views of the Hudson River and city that really seal the deal on this place.
I know, right? Just stunning.
First things first, we had to rip out the pre-fabricated "floating" wood floor which had become bouncy and creaky underfoot. Also the color was pale and lifeless (just like my winter skin in the photo below!) and could not be refinished, so it had to go.
Buh-bye, pale pre-fab!
Hello to some brand new beautiful white oak. (Yet to be sanded and stained in the pic):
Phew! Such an improvement already, even unfinished. (And maybe I'm a little less pale?) It was definitely worth the extra money to put in new floors to add value, durability and beauty to the space.
The rest was easy! The clients requested a neutral yet warm palette and simple yet elegant furnishings, with the main focus being on the breathtaking views. I put together a scheme of warm beiges and creams (and successfully convinced them to get some signature LS gray in there!).
Since it's a small space, we didn't want to "over-furniture" so the floor plan was simple as well. A few of the pieces have dual purposes to maximize the small space. Below are the results!
A "skinny" yet functional console table in a warm leather sits in the entry. The drawers add function and the space beneath is perfect for storing bags and shoes upon arrival.
Two shallow (yet stunning!) shelves adorn a small wall between the kitchen and the entry and provide additional storage and display, without projecting into the room too much.
My client's weren't too in to area rugs, because they have adorable little pups who like to piddle on the carpets. But I was able to convince them to go for some smaller sized inexpensive rugs to define areas within the space and add warmth and texture.
This sofa is by far the most comfortable sleeper sofa I've ever come by. And the pull out mattress is Temperpedic. No more uncomfortable thin mattress springs to interrupt sleep! The darker gray fabric is durable and forgiving.
A burled-wood credenza by the window adds interest and provides a good amount of storage. It also provides another surface area and frames the beautiful view nicely with minimal/sleek accessories!
I'm in love with the client's original art (by a famous Mexican artist whose name escapes me at the moment!). It happened to blend perfectly with our scheme of warm beiges and grays and fit perfectly as a gallery installation over the sofa.
The mirrored coffee table is a modern parsons-style with a touch of tradition in the champagne giltwood accents and antiqued mirror. It's long and narrow, mimicking the shape of the room, and also bounces additional light around the room. We had two custom ottomans made to fit perfectly under the coffee table to provide additional pull-out seating while looking pretty as well!
We loved the mix of brass, glass and wood on these end tables, and the fact that they had a shelf to provide additional storage.
The bistro table is sculpturally stunning and the glass top is easy for cleaning, which my clients liked a lot! The glass top also helps it not to feel too heavy in the smaller space.
I fell in love with this modern greek key fabric and klismo style chairs, so I'm glad my clients did as well!
Before, with the previous owner, this room was just an empty white box. Layers of texture and a simple floor plan provide warmth and create a cozy escape.
These mini accent tables were the perfect size for nightstands in the somewhat confined bed area. Just a little surface area with a drawer. The taupe lacquer and brass accents blended very well with our neutral + mixed metals scheme. The reading sconces with individual controls provide light without taking up surface space on the night stands. (And the greek key motif is a little nod to our favorite fabric in the dining area!)
The textured grasscloth wallpaper with the ultra-suede bed make for a cozy combo.
The desk was previously at my client's CT residence, but happened to work perfectly in this scheme and floor plan.
The kitchen is a mix of Carrera marble (a personal fav!) and beige and white lacquer cabinetry. As a nod to the gray in our living/dining scheme, we painted the wall gray. It pulled everything together, as the kitchen opens into the living space.
So, there you have it! I love how this all came together. Do you? I'm so grateful that the clients trusted me to design their space and that it turned out like the neutral, functional little jewel box I had envisioned! It was such a pleasure working with these lovely, super easygoing clients. Truly the best kind. Maybe they have some friends in SF!?!
How do you pied-a-terre? #goals.
~L.S.