chelsea Apartment

About

Located in one of New York’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods, this street-level Chelsea apartment is a rare, sun-filled home for a young professional. The owner has acquired the cellar unit below, creating an expansive living space. The renovation strategy decidedly was straightforward: maximize usable space while avoiding major modifications to the 150+ year-old structure and mechanical system.

This renovation though small in scale, emphasizes applying refined millwork details with discipline throughout the apartment. Integrated door pulls ensure seamless navigation without protruding hardware, while rounded countertop corners are designed to create an emotional resonance with the resident through the sense of touch. The consistent architectural and millwork language throughout creates a cohesive and unified aesthetic, ensuring the home is both functional and aesthetically calming.

The material selection was streamlined, focusing on limestone, quartzite, white oak, and simple white paint. The unique and durable quartzite countertops add a sense of understated richness and create an inviting surface. The light and airy material palette fosters a warm and congenial environment, complemented by expressive fabric selections, including Bouclé and leather, which are rich in texture and classically elegant. The original brickwork along the east wall has been repaired and whitewashed, preserving and revealing the building’s history.