Upper East Side Apartment Combination
1,700 sq. ft.
New York, New York, United States
SLAVICA NOVAK NIKOLIC ARCHITECT / SNNA
Photos © Image Works NYC and SNNA
Designer: Slavica Novak Nikolic
www.urbanbondcreative.com
- COMBINE TWO NEIGHBORING APARTMENTS
- RECONFIGURE ENTRY HALL
- CREATE A SPACIOUS LIVING AREA THAT REFLECTS THE GRAND NATURE OF THE BUILDING
THE DESIGN, WHICH COMBINES TWO ADJACENT APARTMENTS INTO ONE, LIVES UP TO THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE BUILDING THEY BELONG TO.
“The project combines two neighboring apartments on the twenty-third floor of a recently built Michael Graves luxury condo building on the Upper East Side. The client wished to create a comparable lavish space in the spirit of the building. The entry lobby was redesigned with decorative niches and flooring detail to give a formal and elegant feeling to the apartment.
“The main area is stately and sophisticated, with lighting as one of the most important design elements. Lighting, both natural and artificial, works on two levels: first, it brightens up the entire place and second, it accentuates specific areas and architectural features. Juxtaposed with the lighting opulence is an almost frugal color palette—whites and natural wood—which allows for a rich play of shadows. Lighting is also an integral part of the design of key elements such as the kitchen island, enhancing form and materiality. Overall, the materials are simple yet effective choices. They contribute to the creation of the desired elegant décor and relaxed atmosphere.”
New floor plan with adjoining foyer
A. |
Entry |
B. |
Bathroom |
C. |
Bedroom |
D. |
Dining area |
E. |
Kitchen |
F. |
Master bedroom |
G. |
Master bathroom |
H. |
Walk-in closet |
I. |
Living area |
Existing floor plan
A. |
Entry |
B. |
Bathroom |
C. |
Bedroom |
D. |
Living/dining room |
E. |
Kitchen |
F. |
Master bathroom |
G. |
Master bedroom |
The original layouts of the apartments consisted of small enclosed kitchens and tight living–dining areas. This constrained feeling was minimized with a new layout that combines three bays into one large living and dining area with windows on two sides.
A grand entry hall was devised to reflect the character of the building and give a taste of the spaciousness. The newly created foyer with decorative niche and flooring medallion detail gives a formal luxurious feeling to the apartment.
Sketches of kitchen island
The kitchen consists of two areas: a functional wall lined with maple wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances and a sculptural island, which constitutes the social part of the kitchen, more integrated into the living and dining area.
Dropped ceilings, punctuated with different types of lights, help differentiate the spaces. Lighting is an integral part of the island design, reinforcing its form and turning it into a focal point in the open area.
The bathroom is simple, clean, and elegant. The statuary white marble and dark-stained cherry vanity on one side and a storage bench of the same materials on the other accentuate the horizontality of the room. This is further emphasized by the storage bench turning into a shower seat opposite the glass.
Sketch of master bathroom
Credits
Architect: Slavica Novak Nikolic Architect / SNNA
www.urbanbondcreative.com
Appliances and Materials
Appliances: Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking
Bathroom fixtures: Kohler, Toto, Hansgrohe
Cabinets: Neymar and SNNA
Floors: Oak floor with custom made medallion
Kitchen backsplash: “Baton Pavarotti Pearl”, mix of gloss and satin stilato mosaic, Opera Glass Collection, by Artistic Tile
Kitchen cabinetry: Maple cabinets by Kraftmade
Kitchen countertops: “Yucon Blanco” by Silestone on countertop, island, and stone cladding
Lighting: Artemide and Flos
Walls: Paint and Venitian stucco in foyer