This 5,000-Square-Foot Pre-War Penthouse in NY's Upper West Side Had Custom Furniture Craned In Over Manhattan — It's a Unique Retreat From the City
Connected to the floor below, this family-friendly home is filled with warmth, character, and clever design details
Following a chance encounter on Instagram, CA-based interior designer Lindye Galloway, founder of her eponymous design studio, was tasked with redesigning this 5,000-square-foot historic pre-war penthouse in New York's Upper West Side, in collaboration with Foubister Architects.
The clients, a couple with two young children, purchased the penthouse and the floor below it wanting to connect the floors to create a modern home that was unique, family-friendly, and inherently functional.
From the ceiling treatment to the wall behind the fireplace, this seating space is filled with texture.
The clients wanted the home to be filled with design and character while also maximizing every inch of space. The custom millwork and marble features that are carried throughout the home, from cozy nooks to built-in storage, add modern warmth and elegance.
"My favorite element of the design process was being able to envision this home with the cityscape all around while creating a space that was calming, had statements, but also gave the city line the ability to be a strong feature," says Lindye.
Soho Home's Winnie Armchair is reminiscent of the armchairs featured in this space, and is a great choice for adding comfort and warm sophistication to any room.
There are so many subtle details that add interest and warmth in this modern kitchen.
The wood kitchen cabinetry is crafted from rift white oak in a dead-flat finish for a more natural look, and the delicate paneled detailing adds a refined texture to the design.
"The lighting is a cluster of custom lights we designed with beautiful glass that creates a subtle statement," explains Lindye. "The island is very long, so this gave a unique look to the lighting element that felt less traditional and made a statement in the long space."
"The kitchen pendants give a beautiful clustered, structural feel while not overwhelming the space," says Lindye.
The idea to connect the dining area to the kitchen island was to create a more intimate feel within the expanse of this larger open-plan space. "It also gave the great room two designated areas, which felt more appropriate for the size of the penthouse, versus lots of furniture floating in the middle," explains Lindye.
The ceiling treatment in this seating area was created to make the space feel like a "designated spot" in the wider open-plan living area. "We felt like this ceiling treatment defined that side of the great room. This helped give it uniqueness and consistency to the two seating areas," says Lindye.
Amp up the cozy factor with one of H&M's fringed throw blankets.
The redesign was not, however, without its challenges. As the home is in a pre-war building, the elevator was small, meaning the only way to bring in the large, custom pieces of furniture was by crane. "Almost every piece was craned over Manhattan and into the penthouse," says Lindye. "In addition to it being the top floor, there were additional issues we had to work around, one being the post in the kitchen and living room."
This living room is quietly elegant with subtle details that add character.
Image credit: Mike Van Tassell. Design: Lindye Galloway
As with all the wood used in this project, the wood detailing in the entryway is crafted from rift white oak.
Image credit: Mike Van Tassell. Design: Lindye Galloway
"The downstairs living room creates a cozy additional hangout area that I think is really nice for intimate gatherings," says Lindye of her favorite room in the home. The earthy color palette carried across the project ensures the calm, cozy feel is felt from one room to the next in this cohesive design. "We used custom stains on the millwork but kept [the color palette] pretty consistent throughout, so that there was a nice thread across the two stories of the home," shares Lindye.
Skylights were added to the hallway, along with a great deal of built-in storage. "We created the hallway extra wide so it didn’t feel like a tunnel," explains Lindye.
The custom-built niche in the primary bedroom adds real design flair to this space.
"The primary bedroom furnishings give a real custom, built-in feel with a serene touch," Lindye says.
The cozy bedroom offers multiple areas to lounge and relax, true of every space across the home, from the seating arrangement at the foot of the bed complete with a small coffee table, to the elegant, built-in niche with integrated bench seating and delicate wall lights. It's layered with texture, adding depth, comfort, and warmth.
The curved headboard has a wood border with floral-patterned upholstery for a true statement piece.
The guest bedroom's dramatic, custom-built headboard makes for an elegant focal point. "It was built in three separate pieces and then individually hung to the wall. It creates a statement on the entirety of the wall, and we love how it connects the bed and nightstands, says Lindye.
The curved design of Soho Home's Avery Bedside Table is an effortlessly elegant piece that will add softness and warmth to your bedroom.
"We wanted to create a unique niche instead of a blank wall," explains Lindye, of the primary bathroom wall viewed from the bedroom. "We like that the arch gave it character, and it added additional storage. It created a pretty focal point in the bathroom." The conservatory-style shower gives a spa-like feel to the space and a unique point of interest.
The overall feel of the home has a characterful, retreat-like quality — a place to escape to for calm and comfort away from the chaos of the city below.
For more inspiring home tours and design ideas, why not subscribe to the Livingetc newsletter?
