CHELSEA RESIDENCE

WHAT: Renovation of 2-bedroom apartment in former school

CHALLENGE: Livening up a dark, generic, and inefficient apartment and adding a bathroom

STRATEGY: Moving the hallway gets rid of an annoying “tunnel-effect” and inefficient circulation
space, and it allows for storage lost by the addition of the bathroom to be re-allocated. A series
of colorfully lacquered and upholstered built-ins livens up the spaces, while walls of curtains soften,
and strategically placed lighting brightens them.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Karen Wright
CONSTRUCTION: HDR Remodeling & Co.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Ben Rahn, A-Frame Studio

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

A bench “cubby” with a textured backdrop gives the long entry hallway a focal point, storage, and a place to take off your shoes. The client likes word art, so wallpaper reminiscent of graffiti adds visual punch. A skinny long sideboard at the door gives him a place to put his keys and adds another splash of color.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

Where there used to be the hallway to the rest of the apartment (see last slide for plans), there is now a wall terminating the kitchen, giving the eye a place to rest and connecting the kitchen to the seating/island. Massive reclaimed wood shelves hold glasses and liquor. The upper cabinets were kept white so they wouldn’t compete with…

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

..the colors and patterns across the room.

A hint of blue visually leads into…

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

…the new hallway, which is clad in blue panels on one side, some of which are fixed, and some of which are doors. The other side is made up of movable, translucent glass panels allowing light into the hallway. They can be opened up completely to connect the smaller bedroom…

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

…which serves as a meditation, guest, and TV room.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

Behind the blue panels are linen closet, Laundry/Storage, and
Guest Bath.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

The Master Bedroom has a custom Headboard made from the same reclaimed white oak found in the kitchen shelves and island, and the back of the entry cubby. It contains lights and storage and anchors the bed.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

The Master Bath, located in the former walk in closet, has a sliding door of the same translucent glass, letting in as much natural light as possible, and remaining open unless privacy is required.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

The stripes on the far wall in the Master Bath were inspired by the Paul Smith fabrics used for several pieces of upholstery.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

The floating banquette becomes a sideboard past the dining table.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

The backsplash references the boldness of the graphic art, but its neutral color combination works with the rather subdued materials in the kitchen.

CHELSEA RESIDENCE

Floor plans BEFORE (above)
and AFTER (below)