Elizabeth Dooley

This home renovation turned out to be our crowning jewel! It's absolutely incredible. Be sure to look at the before/after pictures.

Built in 1925, this 15-story neo-Renaissance cooperative building is located on Fifth Avenue at East 93rd Street in Carnegie Hill. The corner penthouse unit has terraces on four sides, with views directly over Central Park and the city skyline beyond. The project involved a gut renovation inside and out, down to the building structure, to transform the existing one bedroom/two bathroom layout into a two bedroom/three bathroom configuration which was facilitated by relocating the kitchen into the center of the apartment. The new floor plan employs layers to organize space from living and lounge areas on the West side, through cooking and dining space in the heart of the layout, to sleeping quarters on the East side. A glazed entry foyer and steel clad “pod”, act as a threshold between the first two layers. All exterior glazing, windows and doors were replaced with modern units to maximize light and thermal performance. This included erecting three new glass conservatories to create additional conditioned interior space for the Living Room, Dining Room and Master Bedroom respectively. Materials for the living areas include bronzed steel, dark walnut cabinetry and travertine marble contrasted with whitewashed Oak floor boards, honed concrete tile, white painted walls and floating ceilings. The kitchen and bathrooms are formed from white satin lacquer cabinetry, marble, back-painted glass and Venetian plaster. Exterior terraces are unified with the conservatories by large format concrete paving and a continuous steel handrail at the parapet wall. Photography by www.petermurdockphoto.com

Marian Riabic

The challenge of this modern version of a 1920s shingle-style home was to recreate the classic look while avoiding the pitfalls of the original materials. The composite slate roof, cement fiberboard shake siding and color-clad windows contribute to the overall aesthetics. The mahogany entries are surrounded by stone, and the innovative soffit materials offer an earth-friendly alternative to wood. You’ll see great attention to detail throughout the home, including in the attic level board and batten walls, scenic overlook, mahogany railed staircase, paneled walls, bordered Brazilian Cherry floor and hideaway bookcase passage. The library features overhead bookshelves, expansive windows, a tile-faced fireplace, and exposed beam ceiling, all accessed via arch-top glass doors leading to the great room. The kitchen offers custom cabinetry, built-in appliances concealed behind furniture panels, and glass faced sideboards and buffet. All details embody the spirit of the craftspeople who established the standards by which homes are judged.

Matthew Harrer Photography

Peter Landers

Opun

When Barry Miller of Simply Baths, Inc. first met with these Danbury, CT homeowners, they wanted to transform their 1950s master bathroom into a modern, luxurious space. To achieve the desired result, we eliminated a small linen closet in the hallway. Adding a mere 3 extra square feet of space allowed for a comfortable atmosphere and inspiring features. The new master bath boasts a roomy 6-by-3-foot shower stall with a dual showerhead and four body jets. A glass block window allows natural light into the space, and white pebble glass tiles accent the shower floor. Just an arm's length away, warm towels and a heated tile floor entice the homeowners. A one-piece clear glass countertop and sink is beautifully accented by lighted candles beneath, and the iridescent black tile on one full wall with coordinating accent strips dramatically contrasts the white wall tile. The contemporary theme offers maximum comfort and functionality. Not only is the new master bath more efficient and luxurious, but visitors tell the homeowners it belongs in a resort.

Photos by Alan Blakely

Client's choice to eliminate the glass enclosure was mitigated by lineal trench drain and floor heating.

Walk-in shower with marble faced porcelain tiles, recessed niche and overhead LED lighting and contrasting grey floor tiles.

Solène Ballesta

Kids bathroom with corner windows. Wall paint color: "Bunny Grey," Benjamin Moore. Photo: Whit Preston