Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Serenity and Harmony Above Manhattan
City chaos stays well outside this soothing apartment, designed to be luxurious but low maintenance for a family with twin boys
Plenty of space and a serene style help this couple and their 5-year-old twins take the time to relax. Set above the legendary MacDougal Street in Manhattan, their apartment has warm textures and natural materials and a soothing color palette. Designer Betty Wasserman and her team combined beauty and practicality, upholstering fine furniture in durable fabrics and sticking with stunning but easy-to-clean surfaces for a surprisingly low-maintenance home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their twin boys and their dog
Location: New York City
Size: 4,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their twin boys and their dog
Location: New York City
Size: 4,000 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Heptagon Creations, a custom furniture maker in Brooklyn, is responsible for many of the apartment's custom features, including the steel fireplace surround, the shelving and the credenza behind the living room sofa.
Table: Heptagon Creations; chairs: Holly Hunt; chair upholstery: Donghia; sofa: Room; sofa upholstery: Pierre Frey
Table: Heptagon Creations; chairs: Holly Hunt; chair upholstery: Donghia; sofa: Room; sofa upholstery: Pierre Frey
"We focused on layering, texture and materials rather than color," says Wasserman. "There's a richness without having a busyness or any real pronounced colors."
Window treatment fabric: Romo; rug: Odegard; sofa pillow fabrics: Edelman, Cowtan & Tout; sculpture: Joel Perlman
Window treatment fabric: Romo; rug: Odegard; sofa pillow fabrics: Edelman, Cowtan & Tout; sculpture: Joel Perlman
Almost every room in the home has a clear view of Washington Square Park. The large windows become the immediate focal point in each space.
Dining table: Heptagon Creations; chairs: Dennis Miller; window treatments: Romo; chair upholstery: Moore and Giles
Dining table: Heptagon Creations; chairs: Dennis Miller; window treatments: Romo; chair upholstery: Moore and Giles
While the living, dining and kitchen areas remain open to one another, Wasserman divided the main living space from a slightly more private family room with this custom end-grain screen divider by Heptagon Creations.
Wasserman made sure that everything was upholstered and finished with durable and washable materials. Having two twin boys around made this even more important. Wasserman even had the walls covered in plaster instead of paint, since it's easier to clean.
Sofa: Suite NY; sofa upholstery: Pierre Frey; artwork: Dudley Zopp; custom swivel chairs: Doreen Interiors
Sofa: Suite NY; sofa upholstery: Pierre Frey; artwork: Dudley Zopp; custom swivel chairs: Doreen Interiors
Many custom light fixtures balance the light throughout the home, including these custom pendants from HelenBilt.
Custom cabinetry makes up part of the couple's closet. Separate cabinets, drawers and built-ins encourage ultimate organization and tidiness.
A striped runner separates the closet space from the bedroom. Wasserman made use of the narrow space with a built-in desk.
A striped runner separates the closet space from the bedroom. Wasserman made use of the narrow space with a built-in desk.
The custom bed stays within the clean lines of the rest of the home. The master bathroom is just visible through a side door here.
Daybed: Pucci; rug: Odegard
Daybed: Pucci; rug: Odegard
A spa-like master shower with multiple showerheads, marble details and a warm teak floor is one of the home's most impressive features.
Tile, countertop: Stone Source
Tile, countertop: Stone Source
Elegantly curved sconces from John Wigmore draw the eye across the bathroom to this custom vanity from Heptagon Creations.
The colorful, happy and playful twins' room has plenty of storage and space for art. Since the two love helicopters and planes, Wasserman commissioned a custom mural for the walls with those images. An extra-cushy rug encourages playtime on the comfortable floor.
Beds: Bellacor; ceiling light: Moooi; nightstand: Blu Dot; rug: Odegard; wall murals: Louise Crandell
Beds: Bellacor; ceiling light: Moooi; nightstand: Blu Dot; rug: Odegard; wall murals: Louise Crandell
Chandelier: Bocci