Kerri Fukkai

The owners of this prewar apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan wanted to combine two dark and tightly configured units into a single unified space. StudioLAB was challenged with the task of converting the existing arrangement into a large open three bedroom residence. The previous configuration of bedrooms along the Southern window wall resulted in very little sunlight reaching the public spaces. Breaking the norm of the traditional building layout, the bedrooms were moved to the West wall of the combined unit, while the existing internally held Living Room and Kitchen were moved towards the large South facing windows, resulting in a flood of natural sunlight. Wide-plank grey-washed walnut flooring was applied throughout the apartment to maximize light infiltration. A concrete office cube was designed with the supplementary space which features walnut flooring wrapping up the walls and ceiling. Two large sliding Starphire acid-etched glass doors close the space off to create privacy when screening a movie. High gloss white lacquer millwork built throughout the apartment allows for ample storage. LED Cove lighting was utilized throughout the main living areas to provide a bright wash of indirect illumination and to separate programmatic spaces visually without the use of physical light consuming partitions. Custom floor to ceiling Ash wood veneered doors accentuate the height of doorways and blur room thresholds. The master suite features a walk-in-closet, a large bathroom with radiant heated floors and a custom steam shower. An integrated Vantage Smart Home System was installed to control the AV, HVAC, lighting and solar shades using iPads.

modern kitchen addition and living room/dining room remodel photos: Cesar Rubio (www.cesarrubio.com)

This project was simply furnishing the front room of a small Portland apartment. The apartment is north-facing so we chose a soft yellow for the ceiling to bring in a feeling of warmth and sunlight. The walls are a pale grey, and both colors find their way into the layers of Emily’s abstracted land and sea scape mural.

Cool colors were added with furniture to contrast the warm wood walls. A renovated kitchen and a new mudroom add to the homes flexibility and openness.

This contemporary renovation makes no concession towards differentiating the old from the new. Rather than razing the entire residence an effort was made to conserve what elements could be worked with and added space where an expanded program required it. Clad with cedar, the addition contains a master suite on the first floor and two children’s rooms and playroom on the second floor. A small vegetated roof is located adjacent to the stairwell and is visible from the upper landing. Interiors throughout the house, both in new construction and in the existing renovation, were handled with great care to ensure an experience that is cohesive. Partition walls that once differentiated living, dining, and kitchen spaces, were removed and ceiling vaults expressed. A new kitchen island both defines and complements this singular space. The parti is a modern addition to a suburban midcentury ranch house. Hence, the name “Modern with Ranch.”

Julian Bright

FRINGE STUDIO custom claro walnut slab table and interior design. Bocci lighting and Cherner chairs complete the space.

Master Remodelers Inc., David Aschkenas-Photographer

This custom home sits one a tiny 2,020 square foot triangular lot and features almost 3,000 square feet of living space. The form of the house reflects the marine environment below, evoking sails and hulls. Three bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms, open living, kitchen, and dining spaces, garages, a wine room and a work loft are all incorporated into a gull-wing shell that sits on a solid concrete base.

Daze Photography

Photo: Doug Hill

Joshua McHugh