Project Designer: Valery Tessier http://www.houzz.com/pro/valerytessier/valery-tessier-case-design

Situated on a sloping corner lot across from an elementary school, the Boxenbaum House orients itself away from two perimeter streets towards rear and side outdoor spaces and gardens for privacy and serenity. (Photo: Juergen Nogai)

The challenge of merging contemporary design with a classic traditional interior is emblematic of the vitality experienced in the evolution of Philadelphia’s urban fabric. The design of this Center City apartment engages a rich discourse between the new and the existing, focusing on areas of the residence that contradicted the new owners’ aesthetic and lifestyle. The elevator opens to the center of the spacious living area that includes the foyer, kitchen and living room. The serene, geometric character of the foyer enhances the sense of arrival – offering a moment to contemplate the owners’ art, the interplay of the old and the new, and the subtleties of light. The kitchen, while fully functional, willingly and quietly participates in the composition. Symmetry and asymmetry are seamlessly woven. The depth and endurance of daily experiences are the ingredients that transform architecture into a vital framework for living. As it relates to a home, the framework requires a resonate balance of comfort and drama, achieved here with a cast of dynamic materials and details that subtly collaborate in simple composition. Barry Halkin and Todd Mason Photography

©lilan pan

http://doublespacephoto.com/

A white Caesarstone countertop on the new island and white walls and ceiling helped to lighten up the space and make it feel more expansive.

Bruce Damonte

© Alyssa Lee Photography

© Aaron Gang Photography