topic Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment in Home

Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

NYCLatinaMe — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:23:23 GMT

I saw a piece in the NY Times about an apartment for sale that was most recently rented as a studio by the recently deceased architect Rafael Viñoly in the TriBeCa neighborhood in Manhattan, one of the most expensive in the country. His wife was interior designer Diana Viñoly. Prior to Rafael Viñoly taking it over as a studio, it was his son's home for many years, so this is really a residential apartment. The apartment is near what was his main residence, and he would use this space to work on his building designs.

What struck me the most about the apartment was the open kitchen and dining area, because the kitchen is all cool grey, and the rest of the space is dominated by custom warm white oak shelves with a connecting dining table and desk along the wall. They staged the dining area with rattan chairs. To me, the cool grey and white oak represent a striking contrast. The breakfast bar and countertops are made of IceStone, a recycled glass composite. The apartment's kitchen, bathroom and foyer are covered with Noraplan Uni rubber flooring, while the rest of the apartment is done up in white oak. I did not include photos of the bathroom and bedroom, because there is nothing interesting about them IMO.

The third photo, opens up the space to show the living room, and the fourth photo shows the work area at the other end of the floor. The windows, I believe, open to the street, West Broadway.

The white oak shelves and floor go all the way from the end of the kitchen to the exterior wall, and incorporate the connecting desk near the end.

The 1,406 ft² apartment is on sale for $2 million, and there is a monthly maintenance of $2,182.

A different angle:

Below is the building's exterior, erected in 1867. It originally

housed garment manufacturers and dealers. In the 1970s, artists started moving in, because the large open spaces with big windows were suitable for studios. Eventually, housing was legalized in this area, but I believe some parts can only be occupied by artists. The exterior is landmarked and can't be changed. It's not too far from Taylor Swift's much bigger home.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

Etoile308 — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:27:45 GMT

Interesting. Not my taste, but looks easy to keep clean.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

pigletsmom — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:11:24 GMT

I'm not crazy about this look but I think I need to see actual pictures which I don't think these are. These are computer generated photos like if you were pre-selling something new it seems. I think I could like this more if it didn't look so stark in person. Maybe. Or they could be actual pics that have been overly photshopped I suppose.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

Love my grandkids — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:17:41 GMT

Too cold and spare for my taste. Nothing homey at all. Couldn't be comfortable in that setting. The grey is cold and stark.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

Kachina624 — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:18:08 GMT

@Etoile308 wrote:
Interesting. Not my taste, but looks easy to keep clean.

@Etoile308. lol, That's quite a glowing testament to the architect's taste. I agree.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

ECBG — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:58:28 GMT

I don't care with the white walls and honey toned wood. at all' same goes for the straight lines of the furniture.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

NYCLatinaMe — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:46:16 GMT

Yes to everyone about the sparseness. But the cold grey and warm white oak next to each other I thought was interesting. That is what caught my attention. I thought it was an interesting choice. I guess it is a blank canvas for whoever purchases it. The bedroom has white oak built-in headboard, and the bathroom is boring black and white and glass.

Remember this was studio space, a pied-a-terre. The son told the NY Times that along the wall opposite the shelves, the elder Mr. Viñoly had installed a mounting system for large-format sketch paper where he would draw. Since Viñoly was also trained classical pianist, he also kept a Steingraeber & Söhne concert grand piano in the middle of the room because he loved to play. These things were removed.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

NYCLatinaMe — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:53:30 GMT

@pigletsmom wrote:
I'm not crazy about this look but I think I need to see actual pictures which I don't think these are. These are computer generated photos like if you were pre-selling something new it seems. I think I could like this more if it didn't look so stark in person. Maybe. Or they could be actual pics that have been overly photshopped I suppose.

@pigletsmom

What do you think is photoshopped? Why are you questioning it? This was reported in the NY Times. Were they snookered? These people are solid New Yorkers. This is not new construction.

The wood columns, ceiling beams and 13-foot-tall ceilings are from the 1867 original construction, and still remain.

The white oak shelves running along the wall with attached dining table and desk are real. The white oak and Noraplan Uni rubber flooring are real. The stainless-steel appliances are real, the IceStone breakfast bar and countertops are real, the grey wooden cabinetry in the kitchen is real. The recessed lighting is real. I am not vouching for the tchotchkes, chairs, couch, or standalone tables.

The building looks real to me. I am familiar with the neighborhood. You can see a picture on google maps, 137 West Broadway.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

NYCLatinaMe — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:58:16 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I don't care with the white walla and honey toned wood. at all' same goes for the straight lines of the furniture.

I prefer light color wood and modern style myself. I have noticed your home is dark. But modern style is lighter.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

spiderw — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:11:44 GMT

I love the building and the space of the apartment. However, it isn't my taste as far as furnishings and decor is concerned. I would redo it all and make it warm and comfortable, add color and perk it up. Just my taste.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

Oznell — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:52:32 GMT

The exterior is so striking, and how fortunate the apartments are to have those generous windows.

I'm always for the preservation of original wood details. I don't care for the direction they went in with the interior design, yet it's fun to imagine what they could have done with such a space.

I do like to see even spaces that don't have personal appeal for me--- helps me "hone" my own preferences, etc.

So I enjoy it when others post interiors that, for whatever reason, have caught their eye. Thanks for posting, @NYCLatinaMe , and giving all the interesting back story on this apartment.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

AuntG — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:09:18 GMT

No to the gray kitchen. I'd rather the interior be reflective of the exterior. It's such a drastic contrast.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

Skyegirl21 — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:35:49 GMT

It looks interesting but minimalistic. Not much charm or warmth to me (which is what I prefer)-

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

LdyBugz — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 00:44:53 GMT

No thank you. I don't care for any of it. Too cold, stark, harsh and uninviting to me. I could never relax in that environment.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

pigletsmom — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 01:24:52 GMT

@NYCLatinaMe No I don't think anyone was snookered. The Times got the pitures right from the listing. I went to the listing and I think maybe it's just that they ramped up the brightness or something. Like it's too perfect in some spots or edges are softened. Maybe it's just the lighting in the place and there are a couple of other pictures on the listing that look normal so maybe it's tough to photograph. And now I'm checking out the other listings I can't afford and I think they just brighten up the pics.

Just saying I don't think I can get a real feel for it from these pictures. It looks like a great space and in person I might like it. I'm probably a heathen but I'm not sure I like the shelves. Or maybe just something different for paint. Not loving that combo. I actually like the kitchen

Now I'm off to figure out how I can buy a different place in Tribeca for the bargain price of 1.8 million!

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

PINKdogWOOD — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:22:50 GMT

This is what I thought too @Love my grandkids sterile, cold, unimagintive yet I'm guessing very expensive due to the locale.

As someone else here said, easy to clean because there's little in this apt to clean.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:35:08 GMT

I really like this a lot but would add a few more items and color to warm it up and give it a little more cozy or homey feel. It wouldn't take much though.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

CANDLEQUEEN — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:08:28 GMT

Not my style, but very beautiful. That kitchen is gorgeous!!! Love all the windows too.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

wagirl — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 15:33:44 GMT

I love the place and especially the kitchen--all the colors appeal to me alot. It's very spacious for NYC--and altho very neutral, it is open to pops of color all over.

Re: Interesting design in NYC architect apartment

faeriemoon — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 16:07:44 GMT

I don't see anything unusual about mixing the wood tones with the grey kitchen. Warms (although I don't think this wood tone is particularly warm) and cools are often mixed together to create a balanced look.

That being said, the only thing I like about this apartment is the exterior.