Room of the Day: See a 30-Day Makeover of a Manhattan Living Room
This rental unit in a newly renovated Garment District building gets dressed for success in a New York minute
While still under construction, a new condo building in a prime location caught the eye of a financial executive and his 25-year-old daughter. Close to his work and full of light, a brand-new condo in New York’s Garment District was too much to pass up, so he jumped at the chance to rent a unit.
But the all-white open-plan living room needed some life pumped into it before the family could move in the following month. Pressed for time, designer Rose Praino of YDC Designs worked to find in-stock furnishings and accessories to reflect the father and daughter’s different interests, personalities and needs.
But the all-white open-plan living room needed some life pumped into it before the family could move in the following month. Pressed for time, designer Rose Praino of YDC Designs worked to find in-stock furnishings and accessories to reflect the father and daughter’s different interests, personalities and needs.
AFTER: Praino sat with her clients and showed them photos of her previous design work. This helped her tease out a “sophisticated modern bohemian” look that fit the father and daughter’s personalities and lifestyles. The not-too-serious style strikes a delicate balance without overdoing it. “It needed to feel natural,” Praino says.
Most of the time, the father and daughter use the living room for watching TV, playing the guitar, reading and working on the computer. But as the condo is so close to the father’s work, it occasionally hosts after-meeting parties. Plus, there’s enough space to host a Super Bowl party or large holiday dinner. “The main goal was to create a comfortable space that could be enjoyed daily by two, and on occasion by 20,” Praino says.
Tolomeo Mega floor lamp: Room & Board
Most of the time, the father and daughter use the living room for watching TV, playing the guitar, reading and working on the computer. But as the condo is so close to the father’s work, it occasionally hosts after-meeting parties. Plus, there’s enough space to host a Super Bowl party or large holiday dinner. “The main goal was to create a comfortable space that could be enjoyed daily by two, and on occasion by 20,” Praino says.
Tolomeo Mega floor lamp: Room & Board
To make the space flexible, Praino added a pair of green swivel chairs and an area with a sheepskin rug and pillows underneath a palm tree.
The floor lounge area lets the father and daughter spread out with their newspaper and coffee and enjoy the sunlight. “It allows them to enjoy a unique perspective they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience,” Praino says.
Sheepskin rug: 6 by 6 in gray, One Kings Lane
Sheepskin rug: 6 by 6 in gray, One Kings Lane
Praino’s partner and project manager Frank Praino focused on overhauling the stark white palette and used color to highlight architectural elements. The eye-catching teal L-shaped ceiling feature hides ducting. Soft gray paint contrasts it and adds a bit of warmth to the once-stark white walls.
Paint by Benjamin Moore: Newburg Green HC-158 (ceiling detail) and Revere Pewter HC-172 (walls); horse artwork: White Horse Swimming, by Tim Lynch
Paint by Benjamin Moore: Newburg Green HC-158 (ceiling detail) and Revere Pewter HC-172 (walls); horse artwork: White Horse Swimming, by Tim Lynch
He used the same teal hue in the kitchen and dining room area and wrapped it to the upper level.
Praino replaced recessed can lights with a pair of chandeliers to lessen the impact of the 20-foot ceilings, which “can quickly lose their charm when you want to curl up and watch a movie,” she says.
Tom Filicia hemp rug in teal-blue, Kenzo coffee table in gray and Parsons coffee table (bench): One Kings Lane; Midcentury expandable dining table: West Elm; 90-inch Watson sofa with Tatum fabric in Oatmeal: Room & Board; Ethan 12-light iron and walnut chandelier: Murray Feiss; sisal rug: Pottery Barn
Praino replaced recessed can lights with a pair of chandeliers to lessen the impact of the 20-foot ceilings, which “can quickly lose their charm when you want to curl up and watch a movie,” she says.
Tom Filicia hemp rug in teal-blue, Kenzo coffee table in gray and Parsons coffee table (bench): One Kings Lane; Midcentury expandable dining table: West Elm; 90-inch Watson sofa with Tatum fabric in Oatmeal: Room & Board; Ethan 12-light iron and walnut chandelier: Murray Feiss; sisal rug: Pottery Barn
To meet the tight deadline, Praino had to make sure all of the furnishings were in stock and available for immediate delivery. She ordered many of the items online, and used the clients’ own media console and pair of round stools. The smaller colored rug on top adds a punch without the high price tag of a larger piece.
Since she saved money by buying online, Praino splurged on artwork, such as the two-panel piece over the sofa by photographer Gray Malin.
Swivel chairs: Amos with Vance fabric in emerald, Room & Board; artwork: Camps Bay Heart Diptych, by Gray Malin
Since she saved money by buying online, Praino splurged on artwork, such as the two-panel piece over the sofa by photographer Gray Malin.
Swivel chairs: Amos with Vance fabric in emerald, Room & Board; artwork: Camps Bay Heart Diptych, by Gray Malin
A feather installation adds dimension and texture to the TV wall. Praino hired an audiovisual company to conceal the TV wires in the wall for a cleaner look.
A wall of windows brings in ample natural light, while motorized shades help temper sun and heat.
An outdoor patio off the living room sports a hanging chair, and steps there lead down to a full-size terrace.
An outdoor patio off the living room sports a hanging chair, and steps there lead down to a full-size terrace.
Decorative accessories sit atop a small hexagonal table between the swivel chairs.
Hex side table in white marble and raw steel: West Elm
Project manager: Frank Praino of YDC Design
More: Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project
Hex side table in white marble and raw steel: West Elm
Project manager: Frank Praino of YDC Design
More: Decorating 101: How to Start a Decorating Project
Living Room at a Glance
Who uses it: A financial executive and his adult daughter, who works in management operations
Location: Garment District of Manhattan
Size: 440 square feet (40.8 square meters)
Designer: YDC Design
BEFORE: Having a blank slate actually made the one-month time frame to revamp the living room with new furniture, paint, artwork, lighting and window treatments more manageable. Praino’s clients had only one real demand: to incorporate a sizable TV and projector.