Before & After: A Gramercy Park Apartment Transformed

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A couple of years ago, musical theater actress Mary Bolt bought a Gramercy Park apartment next door to her aunt, who had scouted the property and knew it had good bones (despite its downtrodden state). Courageously, Bolt jumped in headfirst and enlisted the help of architect Denise Lee—a member of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory—to redesign the space. The problems were apparent: The apartment lacked storage space and had a dysfunctional layout, but it had pluses, such as 12-foot ceilings and original 1870s detailing. “It was clear from the beginning that the place needed to be gutted,” Lee says.

The happy ending? She managed to turn the 1,000-square-foot apartment into a fully functional home with two bedrooms, a sleeping loft, one and a half baths. And in the process, she uncovered original details that had been hidden over time and added vintage character to the updated spaces.

Photography by Devon Banks, courtesy of Denise Lee Architect.

wood kitchen cabinets concrete counters 3 — Above: Throughout the apartment, walls are finished in hand-troweled natural plaster. “Because we were trying to blend a modern renovation with the historic details of the building, we chose materials that would complement the patina of the existing elements,” Lee says. Hence the plaster walls and ceilings, which lend a characterful look to the space.

wood kitchen cabinets concrete counters 1 — Above: The kitchen countertops and backsplash are made of concrete, and the custom cabinetry is reclaimed white oak. Lee chose the combination for its organic modern look.

wood kitchen cabinets concrete counters 2 — Above: The kitchen faucet is Dornbracht Tara in chrome.

wood kitchen cabinets concrete counters 4 — Above: During demolition, the team found an original column—from the 1873 building’s original life as a bank—and designed the kitchen around it.

white kitchen loft bubble chandelier wood floors 1 — Above: In the living room, a sliding library ladder is suspended from a custom rail over the bathroom door. The small access door above the ladder leads to a mechanical room. The ladder can be moved to other rails throughout the apartment, like the one above the wine fridge and cabinetry. The green velvet sofa is a remnant from the former owners of the apartment next door.

living room bubble chandelier wood floors hide rug — Above: When not in use, the ladder hangs on a storage rail in the living room. The coffee table is a custom design made from the same reclaimed white oak used elsewhere in the apartment. The navy blue wingback chair is from Ikea.

wood open staircase storage loft white wall3 — Above: A custom storage staircase leads to the sleeping loft. The door to the half bath is on the right.

wood storage bookcase clothes closet 2 — Above: Under-the-staircase laminate-faced cedar drawers store clothes, shoes, and accessories.

lofted sleeping space in nyc loft apartment plaster walls 1 — Above: Bolt typically uses the sleeping loft as a place to read, but it doubles as an extra room when guests are in town.

white storage closet hallway apartment 2 — Above: An additional three closets are installed below the sleeping loft.

bedroom in loft worn wood floors globe pendant — Above: One of two full bedrooms. The architect retained the original window frames and wood paneling and stripped them of multiple layers of paint. The cast iron radiators are original.

bedroom nyc plaster walls wood floors — Above: The second bedroom is for Bolt’s roommate, who is also a musician. The original wood floors were mostly intact, buried beneath engineered wood flooring. They required only minor repair work, plus sanding and refinishing.

bathroom concrete countertop wood drawers vanity 1 — Above: A concrete countertop sits atop a custom white oak vanity. The wall-mounted chrome faucet is from Graff.

white vertical subway tile gray grout shower — Above: In the shower, white field tile from Heath Ceramics is installed vertically.

Before

For more transformations, see:

This post is an update; the original ran on June 13, 2017.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the article about?

The article is about the renovation of an actress's apartment in Gramercy Park, showing before-and-after pictures.

Who is the actress whose apartment was renovated?

The article does not mention the name of the actress.

What changes were made to the apartment?

The apartment's kitchen, dining, and living areas were combined into one open space. The bathroom was renovated with new tiles and fixtures. The bedroom got a new headboard and rug. New lighting fixtures were also added throughout the apartment.

What was the color scheme used in the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment features a neutral color scheme with white walls and natural wood accents. The furniture and accessories are mostly in shades of beige, gray, and black.

Did the renovation change the layout of the apartment?

Yes, the renovation changed the layout of the apartment by combining the kitchen, dining, and living areas into one open space.

What was the biggest challenge during the renovation?

The biggest challenge during the renovation was removing the existing tiles in the bathroom without damaging the underlying concrete structure.

What is the design aesthetic of the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment features a minimalist and modern design aesthetic with clean lines and simple, functional furniture and accessories.

What is the overall impression of the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment has a bright and airy feel with a cohesive design aesthetic that creates a sense of calm and serenity.

Are there any eco-friendly or sustainable elements in the renovation?

The article does not mention any eco-friendly or sustainable elements in the renovation.

Is the article intended for DIY renovation or professional renovation?

The article does not indicate whether the renovation was done by a DIY or professional renovation team.

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