hiepler, brunier

Jeff Amram Photography

Creative shelving above the stairs adds entryway storage in a fresh way.

whit preston

We maximized storage with custom built in millwork throughout. Probably the most eye catching example of this is the bookcase turn ship ladder stair that leads to the mezzanine above. © Devon Banks

Dan Cutrona Photography

Utilizing residual space under stair for laundry and pet nook. photo by Pk Langshaw

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

Expanded pantry into the basement stairway. Installed shelves provide space for storage of drygoods.

Photo : John Adderley

Blackbutt timber stair with concealed drawer storage under. Self closing drawers

Built in drawers for storage under the stairs includes a cat litter box enclosure. Pete Cooper/Spring Creek Design

photo:Frank Oudeman

The 16-foot high living-dining area opens up on three sides: to the lap pool on the west with sliding glass doors; to the north courtyard with pocketing glass doors; and to the garden and guest house to the south through pivoting glass doors. (Photo: Grey Crawford)

the stair was moved from the front of the loft to the living room to make room for a new nursery upstairs. the stair has oak treads with glass and blackened steel rails. the top three treads of the stair cantilever over the wall. the wall separating the kitchen from the living room was removed creating an open kitchen. the apartment has beautiful exposed cast iron columns original to the buildings 19th century structure.