New York City
Townhouse

Rationalizing the floor plan of an apartment within a historic house for a young family who valued the architecture of the original building.

BRIEF

Swain Street and Co. (SS &Co) was asked to design a functional and historically informed home in the upper floors of a New York City brownstone for a growing young family. 

The original architectural details and dividing walls had been stripped to create an open minimalist floorplan - vaguely Japanese in inspiration. Nothing of any architectural value had been saved with the exception of the original staircase. Occupying the second, third and fourth floors of the townhouse the apartment needed to accommodate a family of five and a live-in nanny. Neither the open floorplan, nor the existing design aesthetic jived with the clients’ lifestyle. Among many programmatic challenges: the wife, an accomplished chef with two New England restaurants, wanted a large eat-in kitchen and separate formal dining room, and the husband, who works in finance, needed a quiet retreat when he worked from home. On that same level they wanted a formal drawing room that flowed into a TV room/snug for family as well as more formal entertaining. Similar floor plan reworking was needed on the foyer and bedroom floors to accommodate all the storage requirements of three growing children.

Swain Street & Co oversaw the full decoration of the house incorporating the client’s existing furniture and art in addition to designing a range of bespoke built-in furniture.

A modern dining room with a white marble kitchen island, black chairs, a built-in bookshelf with decorative objects, and a vase of blooming branches on the island.
A dining room with green paneled walls, a wooden table, and six woven-back chairs. A gold chandelier hangs from a decorated ceiling, and a bouquet of flowers on the table.
A bright, elegant kitchen and dining area with white cabinets, a marble countertop, and a round dining table with a vase of branches and pink flowers, surrounded by various decor and books.

DESIGN

SS&CO created a visual narrative to reflect the clients’ needs and the building’s history. Rather than simply turning the house back in time the studio’s approach was to conjure crisp and contemporary spaces influenced by British Edwardian design.

A sophisticated palette of materials, pigments and wallcoverings was deployed throughout the triplex. Lacquered walls, French and English wallcoverings as well as accents in stained walnut and white oak. Shades of pale pink, cream and green with touches of pale blue created a bright but warm environment.

The mid-century yellow oak floors which resembled those found on basketball courts were replaced with walnut stained herringbone oak throughout the three floors. 

Three adjacent city buildings with brownstone and brick facades, steps leading to entrances, trees, and a sidewalk.
Sketch of a customized storage design inspired by Edwardian architecture with labeled sections for cabinets, closets, storage benches, and shoe cabinets, including decorative features and a clock.

The entry to the apartment, the space that would have been the brownstone’s original entrance hall, was allocated to the property but only included the stairs and a narrow awkward hallway to nowhere. This previously wasted space was repurposed to provide necessary storage for the family while at the same time restoring a sense of grandeur that would be harmonious with the floors above. This was achieved via a skillful combination of cabinetry that added architectural interest, new black and white marble floors in the spirit Edwardian taste and carefully placed mirrors. 

A living room with a white built-in bookshelf surrounding a fireplace, decorated with a framed landscape painting, a large black and floral ceramic vase on a red wooden cabinet, a plant in a basket, and golden wall sconces.

On the second floor a separate living room and snug were created. Limited by the available square footage every detail needed to have a function beyond the aesthetic. A raised hearth that was part of the building’s structure was maintained for practical reasons but was modified to fit the new decorative scheme. Custom millwork and details were designed and reinstated to reflect what may have previously existed in the house. The living room is a formal yet inviting space. A traditional architectural envelope is furnished with relaxed elements such as a custom sisal rug and contemporary sofa made in a mid-century style and paired with modern campaign chairs. A purpose-built niche to enhance a favorite piece was incorporated in the room’s design. 

The snug is given added functionality with a generous custom sofa that fits two adults and three children comfortably for TV viewing as well as hosting more formal occasions. 

In the atmospheric new dining room, walls were lacquered to reflect light and a glossy wallpaper which shimmers by candlelight was applied to the ceiling. 

A living room corner with a beige sectional sofa with brown and beige pillows, a woven rug, a black coffee table with books, a window with blinds, and a wallpapered wall with a nature scene of trees and birds.
A cozy bedroom with a large bed, patterned pillows, and a light-colored textured bedspread. The room features a blue upholstered headboard, wall-mounted lights on either side of the bed, a nightstand, a built-in bookshelf with framed photos and books, a window with patterned curtains, and a wooden dresser with framed artwork above it.
A cozy bedroom corner with a window, white curtains, a vintage wooden dresser, an acoustic guitar, a plush cream-colored armchair, and a bed with a textured beige blanket.

The third floor accommodates the master bedroom, dressing room and master bathroom suite. Architectural interest was restored via built-in cabinetry, new crown moldings and wall panels. To create a quiet cocooning environment, a wool/silk carpet was paired with fabric covered walls which have a sound softening property. The bookcases are lined in a wallpaper mural to add color and depth. Throughout the space there is a harmonious blending of color and pattern, the bedroom’s environment is calming without being flat. 

In a small master bathroom, the studio maximized storage. Custom deep medicine cabinets provided extra generous storage. Wall-mounted faucets were specified to create more clear counter space. Little details like this made the most of the space available. A simple marble floor and baseboards, a nod towards Edwardian elegance, were restored.

The fourth floor was designed around the children’s needs with an eye to evolving into a space for young adults in the future. A family playroom and plenty of storage for games and seasonal items is at the center of the floorplan. Two bedrooms and a shared bathroom make the most of the challenging eaves ceiling height.

SS&Co’s level of architectural intervention and intelligent spatial planning made the most of the property, returning the feel of a full house. The furniture strikes a balance between formality and livability and the clients use all the rooms in the apartment.

Living room corner with large window, cream curtains, white bookshelf filled with books, a wooden cabinet, potted plant, armchair with floral pillow, and a woven rug.

A purpose-built niche to enhance a favourite piece was incorporated in the room’s design.

Bathroom sink with marble countertop, a small red vase with flowers, a mirror above the sink, and patterned wallpaper in the background.

To create a quiet cocooning environment, a wool/silk carpet was paired with fabric covered walls which have a sound softening property.