Jeff Xander

Brian Vanden Brink

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn

Photo credit: Holli Dunn

Billy Cunningham Photography & Austin Patterson Disston Architects, Southport CT

By: Blackband Design www.blackbanddesign.com 949.872.2234

© Michael Matsil Photography

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.

Beautiful French Colonial kitchen by Charmean Neithart Interiors, http://charmean-neithart-interiors.com/

3north

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

This built in leather banquette makes this breakfast nook the favorite place for the family to gather. Not just to share a meal but a comfortable place, so much more comfortable than a chair, more supportive than a sofa, to work on their laptop, do homework, write a shopping list, play a game, do an art project. My family starts their day there with coffee checking emails, remains their for breakfast and quick communications with clients. Returning later in the day for tea and snacks and homework.