Explore an elegant apartment in Manhattan's Upper East Side
The new build apartment feels charming, with wood panelling and eclectic interiors that blend together vibrant pattern and wallpaper, bold colours, vintage paintings and antique furnishings...
The Property
This New York apartment sits in 130 East End Avenue in Manhattan's Upper East Side. The modern home blends together vibrant pattern and wallpaper, bold colours, vintage paintings and antique furnishings.
The new build apartment wasn't working for the family, so they brought in designer Bella Mancini to help them reconfigure the layout in a way that worked better for the family.
The apartment measures 2,500 square feet, with three ensuite bedrooms plus a maid's room. The living room was reconfigured, and the kitchen and maid’s room were gutted, as was the master bedroom. It's now a family home, and every space is used daily.
Entry
The foyer / entrance hallway welcomes you with a beautiful marble console and a bright piece of art. The foyer table is by James Devlin and the light fixture is vintage.
Living room
The living room, the largest room in the apartment, was underused. Each night the couple’s two teenage boys would retreat to their bedrooms to watch TV. Bella Mancini reimagined the space to include a hidden television, comfortable seating and a huge ottoman to put their feet up on.
The owners wanted their apartment to reflect their love of textiles, antiques and entertaining. They wanted it to be equal parts comfortable, practical and elegant.
With a mix of furnishings, they've now got a traditional inspired interior which still feels modern and family friendly.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
The living room has a carpet from Lebanon, where the husband’s family is from. The artwork is large and abstract, adding a modern juxtaposition to the otherwise traditional space.
There are also built-in bookcases and a grand piano.
An antique cabinet acts as a home bar.
There's a mix of artworks throughout the home, with pieces including family portraits, artworks by the homeowner's mother who is a trained artist, some artworks by Richard Serra plus modern abstract pieces thrown in the mix.
Kitchen
A small white kitchen features a peninsula island, marble countertops and brass details.
Across from it is a cosy breakfast nook, with an eat-in table and banquette corner bench.
Dining room
The dining room is a bright and colourful space, owed to the green velvet dining chair seats, the patterned curtains and matching bolster cushion, the vintage rug and a pop of red coming from the glossy table lamp.
Home office
The former maid's room is now a cosy home office space.
Powder room
The home office leads through to a powder room / cloakroom.
Kids' bedrooms
The couple have two teenage sons. Both of their rooms feature grown-up, sophisticated schemes with wall mounted lights, framed art and quality furniture pieces.
See Also: Teenage boy bedroom ideas, Teenage girl bedroom ideas and Sharing room ideas
Master bedroom
Family antiques, a 40’s French light fixture and an upholstered grey velvet headboard add elegance to the master bedroom.
Ensuite bathroom
A small ensuite bathroom feels light and airy, owed to the white bathroom colour scheme.
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
-
9 Decorating Decisions Making Your Home Look Cheap — Avoid These Interior Faux Pas to Retain the Charm of Your Space
If you're worried about dulling the elegance of your home, here are some common mistakes interior designers caution against
By Amiya Baratan Published
-
I’m a California Native — And This Coastal-Inspired Serena & Lily Duvet Is At Top Of My Christmas Wishlist
Let’s just say I know my linens (and a thing or two about luxury). Serena & Lily’s Sale of the Year is here, and I’m finally taking home the duvet of my dreams
By Julia Demer Published