A few posts back, I wrote about my fabulous sister-in-law Sandy Saccullo and her innovative shoe company OneClique. (If you missed that post, you can read it here). Today, I'm so excited to share this petite gem of an apartment I designed for her.
I often consult Sandy as my personal stylist, so I was more than happy to dive in when she enlisted me to decorate this glorious three bedroom, two bath duplex just off Central Park West. Sandy and her two kids (my adorable niece and nephew!) had previously been living in a modern high-rise (featured in the West Side Color Story portion of my portfolio). When her lease was up, she decided she wanted something with charm and character that felt more like a true home. Great networker that she is, she found all that and then some!
Situated on the fifth floor of a prewar building (with an elevator!), this duplex gets tons of natural light. It doesn't face the street, so it's a quiet and serene oasis in the heart of the ever-bustling Upper West. Just a few steps down the block is Central Park. But who needs the park when you have two (yes people, I said TWO), outdoor spaces. Stay tuned, as that is the next phase of our project- creating a cozy outdoor haven on the massive outdoor roof space just in time for summer.
With just a few small requests from Sandy, mainly to divide the living space into two areas - work and relax, to keep most of her favorite pieces of furniture and art, and make the space feel "cozy yet clean", I set to work. My goal was to maximize storage space throughout without sacrificing on aesthetic. This proved somewhat challenging, as the rooms are on the smaller side and have tricky layouts with the placement of radiators, closets and windows. However as you know, I love me a good small space challenge! Good things come in small packages. (More on that here.) I embraced these characteristics into my design as the charming architectural details that they are.
The result? A personable, cozy, livable space, with just a touch of glam shining through. So, come clique off your heels, relax and enjoy the tour!
~L.S.
How cute is this petite staircase? It was originally a bad wood finish. I had it painted grey-white, and we added a grey textured stair runner. Great small space idea: turn the space under your stairs into a tiny mudroom with a rug, shoe bench, baskets and hooks for coats and hats.
Small Space Division: I made the living room the ultimate workhorse by dividing it with the sofa. It's counterintuitive, but breaking up the room with furniture often makes it feel larger by giving it more depth and multiple functions.
To the left of the sofa is the "office" and to the right is the "living room". The mirror in between the two windows reflects light and makes the space appear larger.
A small rustic bistro pedestal table acts as a side table to the sofa and the dove grey Thonet style chairs also make it a functional dining table.
Subtle Sparkle...
Whenever possible, a desk by the window is always the way to go!
A mirrored wardrobe and bedside table provide storage and reflect light in the master bedroom.
The bed boasts additional storage - woo hoo!
The all-white bed and bedding really pops against the dark charcoal walls. Small space tip: using dark colors in small rooms often makes them appear larger - and in this case, glamorous!
The all-white but textured bedding provides interest and the bedside sconces are not only functional and space-saving but also add a touch of shine.
The best part of having a staircase? It's the ultimate excuse for a gallery wall!
The use of black, white, silver and gold frames in different shapes and sizes provides an eclectic yet polished look.
Little Picasso's: The kid's artwork framed and dispersed into the gallery wall is adorable and adds just the right splash of color.
I kept the second floor hallway simple with an indoor/outdoor area rug for high traffic. The iron ceiling fixture ties in with the beautiful iron scrollwork on the door. What lies beyond: one of the most amazing private rooftops - stay tuned!
The kids wanted to share a room (how cute is that?) and use the third bedroom as a playroom instead.
A Toy (Storage) Story - toys are organized in wire mesh baskets that fit perfectly under the bunk bed.
Never underestimate the power of a pretty storage basket. Ever.
The blue for boy/pink for girl bedding is unified by the same pattern with the same gender-neutral duvet covers and shams.
What little sportsnuts, huh? These kids clearly love their basketball! Hence the playroom theme. The two floor cushions pushed together act as a little love seat in the nook and can either fold or extend. Perfect for watching the game!
Play ball! Balls, bats, baskets and bins galore.
Go Celtics! I mean Nets, I mean Knicks! Er, sorry kids!
Entry organization - the key to my heart.
So, what cliques, I mean tricks, do you use in your small space?
