Upper West Side Apartment Transformed by Casey Kenyon to Maximize Space and Style

Upper West Side Apartment Transformed by Casey Kenyon to Maximize Space and Style
SLUG: casey-kenyon-upper-west-side-apartment-transformation
EXCERPT: Interior designer Casey Kenyon has masterfully renovated a compact Upper West Side apartment, overcoming the challenges of low ceilings and tight spaces with bespoke furniture, curated art, and a keen eye for proportion.
CATEGORY: Interiors
TAGS: Casey Kenyon, interior design, New York City, Upper West Side, apartment renovation, bespoke furniture, art collection, sustainable design
SEO_TITLE: Casey Kenyon’s Upper West Side Apartment: A Masterclass in Small-Space Design
SEO_DESCRIPTION: Explore how interior designer Casey Kenyon transformed a challenging Upper West Side apartment into a stylish and functional home, featuring clever design solutions and a curated art collection.
MEDIA_QUERY: interior of a stylish Manhattan apartment with low ceilings, featuring bespoke walnut cabinetry, a curated art collection, and carefully chosen furniture
IMAGE_ALT: Interior view of a living space in a New York City apartment, showcasing a sofa, coffee table, and artwork on the wall.

A New York Challenge

Interior designer Casey Kenyon has successfully transformed a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, demonstrating that even diminutive spaces can become stylish sanctuaries. The project, undertaken for a couple who divide their time between the city and upstate New York, presented a series of “proper New York challenges,” according to Kenyon. Low ceilings and the need to navigate the city’s notoriously narrow hallways and limited elevator capacities required innovative solutions.

Maximizing Perceived Space

Kenyon’s approach focused on careful consideration of scale and proportion to counteract the apartment’s low ceilings. Larger, imposing furniture pieces were deemed unsuitable, prompting Kenyon to opt for lower-profile furniture to create an illusion of greater height. This strategy was crucial in ensuring the space felt open and airy, despite its physical limitations.

Bespoke Solutions for City Living

The constraints of the building’s architecture necessitated bespoke furniture design. Key pieces, including the sofa and a television cabinet, had to be designed to be delivered and assembled in parts. The custom walnut television cabinet, featuring teal gloss doors and vintage handles sourced by Kenyon, exemplifies this tailored approach. Kenyon notes that incorporating vintage elements, like the hardware, adds a layer of patina that softens the newness of an object, contributing to the apartment’s warm and inviting atmosphere.

Creating Social Hubs

Beyond functionality, the design emphasizes creating inviting social spaces. A bespoke dining nook opposite the kitchen features a striking plaid wallpaper and a mounted Picasso plate, serving as a focal point. This banquette seating is designed for versatility, accommodating both intimate takeaways and larger gatherings. Throughout the apartment, upholstered pieces showcase a carefully calibrated palette of complementary, yet not matching, colors. Kenyon’s preference for complex colors that shift with the changing light adds depth and dynamism to the interiors. The subtle difference in the off-white shade between the living room and bedroom acknowledges the distinct lighting conditions in each space.

A Curated Art Collection

The couple’s impressive art collection plays a pivotal role in infusing the apartment with personality and richness. Works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol and Diane Arbus are prominently displayed. Kenyon observes that while not intentionally curated as such, the collection features several works by queer-identifying artists, including Hugh Steers, Peter Hujar, and Nick Hoover, adding another layer of narrative to the home. The serendipitous discovery of a Genieve Figgis painting in the living room, which perfectly echoed the colors of a custom burgundy rug, highlights the organic evolution of the design process. A small bronze figurative sculpture, discovered at a Paris flea market and purchased after an enthusiastic client exchange, adds a unique, personal touch to the bedroom.

Dialogue Between Softness and Rigidity

Kenyon aimed to foster a dialogue between harder materials and softer embellishments, allowing for subtle revelations as one moves through the space. Examples include the juxtaposition of a floral vase with a black steel side table, or a glass-topped coffee table positioned opposite a textured cloth. This interplay between softness and rigidity, as Kenyon describes it, contributes to a sense of authenticity and lived-in comfort within the apartment.

Datos clave

This project is a compelling example of how thoughtful design can overcome spatial limitations, transforming a challenging apartment into a highly personal and stylish home. It matters to our readers as it showcases innovative solutions for urban living, emphasizing the power of bespoke design, art integration, and a nuanced approach to materials and scale.

Fuente: Wallpaper – https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/interior-design/casey-kenyon-upper-west-side-apartment