Brooklyn Duplex

This project began with the need to combine a pair of ordinary one-bedroom apartments one above the other. All the original ceilings, walls, fixtures, and finishes were replaced with crisp, modern elements revolving around new modern stairs. These minimalist design elements coordinate effortlessly with the modern furnishings and contemporary African art collection.

The light oak floors and stair treads contrast with the coffee-colored wenge cabinetry. Etched glass and satin stainless steel elements provide luminous, shimmering accents throughout the project.

All images shown are by Christian Harder.

Cantilevered Stairs

The stairs are the centerpiece of this apartment combination and renovation. The floating oak treads match the oak floors but contrast with the exquisite stainless steel cable railing. The visual simplicity of the stairs belies the complexity of the structural and detail coordination needed to achieve this degree of minimalism.

NEW STAIR

MINIMAL DETAILS

UNIQUE SPACE

STAIR DURING CONSTRUCTION

Kitchen

The open kitchen was designed to reinforce the modern aesthetic vision for the apartment without sacrificing function. The kitchen is a three-dimensional composition of solids and planes in wenge and marble that calls to mind the work of early modernist, Gerrit Rietveld. The seams between cabinet panels are arranged in a cubistic pattern, while the etched mirror backsplash seems to dissolve that wall into an ethereal blur.

KITCHEN DETAIL

AFTER

KITCHEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

To preserve the visual serenity of the space, storage solutions had to be designed to manage the countertop clutter found in a typical residential kitchen. The monolithic wall of cabinetry seen here actually houses built-in refrigeration, a pull-out pantry, a microwave oven, and an appliance garage for other small appliances.

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Appliance Garage - Closed

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Appliance Garage - Open

Living Room / Dining Room

Crisp, minimal detailing and furnishings foreground the modern art and exceptional views. Motorized shades are concealed within all the window heads, and built-in cabinetry completes the visually quiet architectural features.

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Living Room During Construction

Foyer

An irregular grid reminiscent of paintings by "De Stijl" painter, Piet Mondrian decomposes the foyer walls. This grid also serves to minimize the appearance of the joints around the entry and coat closets doors, the pantries, and the powder room while providing a backlit niche for this exceptional painting by American artist, Calvin Jones.

Powder Room

The powder room is a somber combination of marble and wenge. The elegant, polished chrome washbasin contrasts with the visual weight of the wenge vanity and mirror. To either side of the mirror, etched glass plates seem to float in front of the marble walls concealing the light sources beyond.

Primary Bath and Dressing Area

The details and materials of the living floor are repeated throughout the primary suite: dark, rich wenge and creamy, warm limestone create a restful retreat while sliding translucent glass doors provide privacy without eliminating daylight. The visual serenity of the space is enhanced by the kindred detailing and alignment between the vanity and the built-in dresser, but the vanity appears to hover while the dresser is firmly anchored to the floor.

Visit Another Loft Apartment With Exceptional Harbor Views

If you enjoyed the Brooklyn Duplex, you will want to visit another exquisite Brooklyn loft that features elegant custom cabinetry integrated with sublime custom lighting solutions.