Do you have to renovate your entire apartment at once? Not necessarily. For this Lenox Hill apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, we recommended a phased renovation strategy that allowed the home to evolve over time. By guiding each decision in sequence, we transformed a dark apartment into a warm, contemporary home while making the renovation process as rewarding as the finished result.
When our client first came to us, she was refreshingly honest: “I’ve never worked with an interior designer before. Tell me what I need.”
Recognizing that a full-scale renovation can feel overwhelming, we recommended a phased approach. Rather than redesigning the entire apartment at once, we developed a plan that established priorities, reduced decision fatigue, and allowed every completed space to inform the next. As the renovation progressed, our client gained confidence in both the process and the design, resulting in a home that feels cohesive, deeply personal, and perfectly suited to the way she lives.
We began by creating a strong architectural foundation throughout the apartment. We installed custom white oak flooring to unify every room and introduced ethereal pale blue grasscloth wallpaper to brighten the hallways and living spaces, bringing texture and luminosity to the dark interiors. We then layered soft blues, warm neutrals, and delicate pastels to create an airy backdrop for curated furnishings, contemporary art, and natural materials.
Adding a one-of-a-kind quality, we designed custom furniture specifically for the apartment, including a bespoke coffee table and demi-lune bar that reflect both the scale of the rooms and our client’s lifestyle. An apricot velvet sofa anchors the living room with warmth and softness, while we collaborated with Mason Lane Art Advisors to source a large-scale contemporary artwork that provides drama, personality, and a striking focal point.
For the primary bathroom, we built the design around stunning Rosa Aurora Fantastico marble, allowing its expressive movement to guide every material decision. A custom burgundy lacquer vanity with an integrated marble sink creates bold contrast, balanced by travertine-clad walls and floors that provide a neutral, textural backdrop. The result is a compact space with remarkable presence.
Rather than replacing the kitchen, we looked for opportunities to elevate what already existed. We refinished the cabinetry in Benjamin Moore Thornton Sage, completely transforming the room while preserving both our client’s budget and the existing quality craftsmanship. We selected striking Breccia Vino marble for its rich merlot tones and delicate green veining, then incorporated clever integrated storage solutions that maximize functionality without sacrificing beauty.
Our vision for the primary bedroom was a serene retreat from the pace of Manhattan. Jill Malek ombré horizontal striped wallpaper envelops the room in a soft, atmospheric landscape. Wood furnishings, velvet upholstery, and layered textures create warmth and relaxed sophistication.
Together, these elements balance subtle glamour with practical elegance, creating an inviting city sanctuary in the heart of the Upper East Side.
This Lenox Hill full apartment renovation reflects our belief that exceptional interiors are built as much through process as they are through design. By approaching the project in carefully considered phases, we helped our client make confident decisions while creating a home that evolved naturally over time. The finished apartment feels collected rather than decorated, timeless rather than trend-driven, and uniquely reflective of the person who lives there.
Project Details
Project Type: Full Apartment Renovation
Location: Lenox Hill, Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York
Services: Interior Design, Space Planning, Material Selection, Custom Millwork, Custom Furniture Design, Furniture & Art Procurement
Featured Materials: Rosa Aurora Fantastico Marble, Breccia Vino Marble, Travertine, Grasscloth Wallpaper, Custom White Oak Flooring
Wallcoverings: Jill Malek
Art Advisor: Mason Lane Art Advisors
Photography: Tim Williams