This downtown penthouse project focused on bringing warmth, softness, and personality into a modern home while building on thoughtful work that had already begun. Phase one included the primary bedroom, primary bath, guest bath, hallway, entry moments, dining room artwork, and styling throughout.
My goal was to create cohesive, livable spaces that feel layered and personal — softening the clean architecture of the penthouse through textiles, art, lighting, and meaningful details that support how this family lives day to day.
Rather than starting from scratch everywhere, I intentionally honored existing elements where it made sense, allowing the home to evolve naturally while still feeling fully designed.
The Hallway: From Pass-Through to Design Moment
Hallways are often treated as purely functional, but they offer a huge opportunity to set the tone of a home.
Here, I transformed a long corridor into a warm, welcoming moment by layering in a patterned runner, upholstered bench, storage baskets, and a gallery wall of meaningful family photographs. Each element was chosen to add texture and visual interest while still feeling calm and intentional.
The result is a space that no longer feels like a transition — it feels like part of the home’s story.
Entry Styling: Balanced, Functional, and Intentional
At the entry console, the focus was on creating a composed first impression without clutter. A sculptural mirror, table lamp, and curated ceramics work together to bring softness and balance, while practical styling elements like trays help corral everyday essentials.
These quieter moments are often what make a home feel finished — thoughtful layers that support daily life while elevating the overall look. Stay tuned for additional styling and accessories as we continue into phase two.
Dining Room: Art + Styling an Existing Bar Cart
In the dining room, I introduced vintage 1920s art deco artwork to add warmth and visual interest to the walls while keeping the clients’ existing bar cart in place. Rather than replacing pieces that already worked, the goal here was to enhance what they owned.
The bar cart was styled with glassware, bottles, and citrus to create a functional yet inviting entertaining moment — one that feels intentional, lived-in, and ready to be used.
Primary Bedroom: Softness and Comfort
The primary bedroom was designed as a calm, grounded retreat. New bedding, lighting, nightstands, drapery and layered textiles bring warmth and depth, while thoughtful proportions and placement keep the space feeling relaxed and balanced.
The emphasis here was comfort — creating a space that feels restorative without sacrificing visual interest.
Bathrooms: Elevated Through Thoughtful Layers
Both the primary and guest bathrooms received updates focused on textiles and finishing details. Shower curtains, rugs, towels, and small accessories were selected to soften the spaces and create a more cohesive experience.
These rooms are a great example of how impactful thoughtful layers can be — no major renovation required, just intentional choices that bring everything together.
Guest Bedroom: Thoughtful Updates + Layered Finishing Touches
The guest bedroom was originally designed by another designer in the clients’ previous home, and my approach here was to honor that foundation while layering in thoughtful updates. By rearranging pieces they already owned and adding new lamps and poufs, the space feels refreshed, cohesive, and connected to the rest of the home without starting from scratch.
Nursery Styling: Personal, Playful, and Flexible
In the nursery, I focused on styling the shelves using pieces the clients already owned, while layering in a few new elements and playful picture frames to bring in warmth and personality. The result is a space that feels meaningful and sweet, with styling that can easily evolve as their child grows.
A Layered Approach to Design
Design doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Often, it’s about understanding what’s already working and layering in the right elements to create cohesion, warmth, and personality.
Phase one of this downtown penthouse project focused on exactly that — building a foundation through thoughtful design decisions that support both function and feeling.
A Sneak Peek at What’s Next
Here’s a small preview of what’s coming in phase two — beginning in the living room. We’ll be layering in new pillows, a rug, lamps, side tables, a coffee table, poufs, a shelving unit, a console, and thoughtful accessories throughout to bring warmth, balance, and function to the space. The primary bedroom will also receive additional artwork to further complete the room. More to come as this next phase takes shape.
