The New Design Project’s Upper East Side Apartment Has a Downtown Industrial Vibe
At first glance, this urban-chic apartment with its industrial vibe and cool pops of geometric colors definitely appears to be located in trendy Soho or any up-and-coming section of Brooklyn. But it’s actually in the neighborhood that’s often considered the most unhip of all–the Upper East Side.
A creation of The New Design Project, this 400-square-foot Uptown apartment was inspired by the urban features that the design team uncovered during the renovation at the landmarked Cherokee Apartments. Exposed brick walls and metal frames were left raw and are juxtaposed with bold colors, geometric patterns, and custom artwork. As the firm states, “the result is a space that does not take itself too seriously, where each room has a strong personality that delivers a happy experience.”
In the living room, an old oak window frame found at a local salvage yard was repurposed as a coffee table by adding industrial casters to the bottom and black steel to the edges and whitewashing it all over. The natural pattern of the steel beams on the brick wall is mimicked with a contemporary black tape design on the adjacent white wall. Since the homeowner was on a budget, the sofa was found on Craigslist, the standing lamp is from Ikea, and the vintage black armchair and metal cabinet were found at JUNK thrift store in Williamsburg.
The kitchenette is on the opposite side of the living room and gives the space its necessary pop of color with striking blue cabinets and hexagonal backsplash tiles. The old photos displayed on the brick wall were glued on plexiglass sheets with distressed chains and hooked on the steal beams to create a gallery.
In the bedroom, The New Design Project created a custom art piece inspired by the building’s heritage and installed concrete blocks to serve as an interesting yet functional side table.
The previously bland bedroom dresser was upholstered in black and white Ikat fabric. A wood and metal ladder from Etsy was painted and set up to function as open shelving. As far as color goes, the real standout is the bathroom thanks to the white and chartreuse graphic tile work and the blue accent wall with matching sink.
Like this apartment? See more creative work from The New Design Project here.
Photos via Alan Gastelum
