Loading... This 1930s West Village apartment gets a stylish update by NYC furniture guru

This 1930s West Village apartment gets a stylish update by NYC furniture guru

Christine Retlev, a furniture dealer specializing in antiques and contemporary handcrafted pieces, undertook a two-and-a-half-year project to transform two adjacent 1930s apartments in New York City's West Village into a three-bedroom home for herself and her young family. Her primary objective was to create a warm, inviting, and unique living space that reflects the bohemian essence of the West Village neighborhood, ensuring every room is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Retlev approaches each design project without preconceived notions, allowing the inherent character of the space to guide her narrative, which in this case, resulted in a design that harmonizes the apartment’s Modernist origins and Art Deco influences with contemporary finishes and personal touches. The entry foyer serves as a subtle introduction to the home's color palette, with walls covered in a rust-colored fabric by Muriel Brandolini, setting a cognac tone that recurs throughout the apartment. A large, round-cornered mirror styled with vintage brass sconces and a wooden console table by French sculptor Jacques Jarrige adds depth and character to this small space. The living room, designed as a calm respite, features a mix of Scandinavian mid-century furniture and contemporary handmade pieces. A cognac velvet sofa anchors the room, complemented by a coffee table from Rose Uniacke and sculptural plaster lamps from Blackman Cruz. Retlev personally designed the Art Deco-inspired Calacatta marble fireplace, which is paired with a mirror by Otto Schulz. The dining room is a focal point, featuring a deep blue mural wallpaper from Fromental, inspired by Jean Lurçat's tapestries and Japanese Edo period screens. This wallpaper not only informed the global mix of furnishings but also visually expands the room, which was originally a guest bedroom. The rich rust and blue colors of the wallpaper establish the apartment's overall color scheme, providing a lively yet balanced visual experience. The powder room, a testament to maximizing small spaces, features marble-clad walls and brass faucets. A large slab of marble creates a dramatic backdrop and an optical illusion, making the space appear deeper than it is, hinting at a blend of contemporary style and functionality. The family room, located off the living room, embraces deeper tones, with dark blue walls that create a cozy atmosphere and cleverly mask the room's irregular shape. This room showcases Retlev's dedication to sourcing unique pieces, exemplified by a vintage Khotan rug, which she spent two years searching for after being inspired by a similar one in Paris. The master bedroom exemplifies a rich tactile experience, with a textured pink wool rug by Elizabeth Eakins and a moth-printed fabric from Radish Moon on the wall behind the headboard, providing visual interest while maintaining a serene ambiance. The master bathroom continues the use of Calacatta marble for wall cladding, paired with soft taupe paint and custom-designed fittings by Retlev, featuring Waterworks and Urban Archaeology fixtures. For the children's bedroom, a porcelain-inspired blue and white upholstered bed frame and blinds are combined with yellow graphic artwork for a youthful touch, alongside an antique chest of drawers. The kitchen features custom deep blue cabinetry inspired by a pewter and brass bowl from Svenskt Tenn, complete with brass fittings and marble accents. A cozy seating area offers views of the city. The second bathroom deviates from marble, instead utilizing monochrome tiling from Ann Sacks, updated with a mirror identical to the one in the master bathroom and black accents to harmonize with the tiling, creating a cohesive design throughout the renovated apartment.

55 months ago

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