Central Park South Residence
New York, New York

This 900 square-foot apartment overlooking Central Park was designed as a weekend residence for a longtime client who frequently visits New York. Conceived as an intimate, casual cocoon suspended between Manhattan's most tranquil and most bustling landscapes, the space enhances both inward and outward perspectives.

Minimal partition of the basic rectangular floorplan creates a gently circulating momentum through public and private spaces. A simple color palette of warm gray defines the floor, walls, and ceiling. While this monochromatic palette directs attention toward the ever-changing tableau of Central Park, it unifies the interior as a serene whole. Lighting and electronic elements subtly enrich the living spaces without detracting from the environmental harmony and restraint. For example, wall-mounted halogen sconces supplement the natural illumination, and fully concealed stereo speakers within the wall provide audio to the living room and bedroom.

The generously proportioned, naturally-lit living room opens out from the elevated entry area. A full-height mirror wall reflects the soft northern light and further expands the space. Furnishings-including Kjaerholm chairs and a custom-designed coffee table composed of a stainless steel box and a gray granite slab-complement the spatial geometry and deepen the feeling of casual ease. The living room also functions as a quiet backdrop for a selection of the client's modern sculpture and art collection.

The bedroom offers a more private retreat. The bed itself was refinished to reflect the understated sumptuousness of the entire apartment; its frame and headboard were covered in snug Italian Ultrasuede. At the northern wall, a large window with a motorized shade faces the park at treetop level. The other end of the room contains a softly glowing volume. The bathroom, representing a crystalline box in which to enjoy the pleasures of bathing, is enclosed in translucent, low-iron content glass. Honed slabs of Jet Mist granite form the interior bathroom surfaces and exterior trim. Flush-mounted fluorescent planes, halogen accent lights, and lamps behind the floating mirror illuminate the volume and create the lantern-like effect experienced from the bedroom.