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A Cramped NYC Apartment Becomes a Light-Filled Loft

CHUA were hired to transform the 800-square-foot Level Apartment from a cramped, post-war apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan into a light-filled loft that felt more spacious. The first step was to gut the small, two bedroom, which began with removing the existing bedroom walls and swapping them out with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. The new doors allow the client to change the space as needed from a one-bedroom suite to a more intimate, two bedroom for a growing family.

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Keeping the color palette simple with materials in matte black, warm walnut, white, and a deep blue, the consistency creates a cohesive feel throughout. The kitchen appliances are all disguised behind custom oil-rubbed walnut millwork. The countertops, backsplash, and upper cabinets are made of a 100% recycled black paperstone, while the floors are made of a Brushed Pearl bamboo.

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In order to open the interior up, the kitchen now flows to the living room maximizing the natural light.

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For additional storage, custom blackened steel shelves were designed to flank the door to the terrace.

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All-black fixtures were used in the bathroom to create a spa-like retreat.

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Photos by Matthew Chua and Vincent Chin Photography.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.