They’d been in the house long enough to know exactly what wasn’t working: the layout felt inefficient, there wasn’t enough storage, and the rooms lacked a cohesive design language. “What they asked for was simple, and it stuck with me,” Julia recalls. “They wanted a home that would feel right in ten years, not just now. Nothing trendy. Something that felt settled from the moment they walked in—the kind of house that would only get better with time.”

The solution was a comprehensive renovation paired with a thoughtfully integrated addition. “There’s something I really love about reimagining a home someone already cares about, rather than starting from scratch,” the designer shares. “For this one, we had the chance to rework the floor plan ourselves—expanding the footprint, adding a new primary suite, and opening up the kitchen and main living areas—before handing it over to the architect. Every interior decision—materials, finishes, millwork, furniture, lighting, art, accessories—ran through our studio, which is how we get a home to feel like one continuous thought.”

She says that the biggest challenge was making the addition feel like it had always been there. Because the family was so attached to the original house, every new intervention needed to feel seamless rather than separate. “Structurally, proportionally, in the way light moves through the rooms,” Julia lists. “A lot of the real work on a job like this is invisible: ceiling heights, sightlines, window placements. You want the finished home to feel inevitable. Like it couldn’t have been anything else.”

Throughout the house, every room has at least one piece Julia Goodwin Design custom-designed for the space. “Typically we’re the ones sourcing and commissioning those pieces, but every so often the client brings something to the table that we build around,” Julia says. ” In the family room, the client had a collection of fabrics she loved and had found—we turned them into a custom upholstered mirror in a patchwork design, so the pieces she loved got a new life in the home. That kind of dialogue between the designed and the discovered is what keeps a house from feeling like a catalog.”

The renovation took about two and a half years. “A year of design and permitting on the front end, then about a year and a half of construction and install,” Julia notes. “These projects take the time they take—and this one earned every month of it. When they walked in, the wife said, ‘This finally feels like our home.’ That’s the sentence I do this for.”

The result is architectural, but warm. “It’s layered, approachable, and lived-in,” Julia says, crediting the process for the project’s success. “Our work is rooted in collaboration—with the clients, with the architect and builder, with the artists and makers we bring in. Every project starts with a lot of respect for the house as it is, and for the life happening inside it. Our job is to really listen, then take what the client wants and give them something beyond it—a home that works for them, and surprises them, too.”

Thoughtfully expanded and carefully reimagined, the home now reflects not only how the family lives today, but how they hope to live for years to come.

Take a tour in the slideshow.

This house was built in the 1930s, and Lauren says it had been beautifully maintained by her clients. “It is a Traditional Colonial Revival home with shiplap siding, shutters, and so much original detailing throughout, including wainscoting, trim work, crown molding, and more,” she notes. “It has a lovely flow and excellent scale. However, the kitchen had been renovated without much personality, and the primary bathroom was neither functional nor particularly beautiful.”

Her firm, Design Assembly, was the perfect fit for the transformation. “Every once in a while, you win the lottery and get hired by someone who says, ‘I love your work, I love what you do, and I just want my house to look like a Lauren House,’ then gracefully steps out of the way and trusts your process,” she reflects. “This experience was exactly that.”

At their first meeting, Lauren and her client, Claire, discovered they had much in common and shared a love of many of the same aesthetics and traditions. “Claire lives here with her husband, Brian, and their adorable young daughter,” she tells us. “Coming into this project, she wanted to recreate the heart of her home and begin a new chapter after COVID—one where they could once again open their home and hearts to family and friends.”

Lauren’s goal was to infuse the kitchen with warmth, elegance, and a sense of timelessness that would honor the home’s inherent historic character. “Because the kitchen is petite, enclosing the corner windows with upper cabinets would have compromised both light and proportion,” the designer says. “Instead, I designed built-in banks of cabinetry that read as though they are part of the architecture itself. Their integrated appliances and clean sightlines allow the room to feel effortlessly tailored—intimate in scale, yet generous in storage and function. We used Portola limewash paint in Eastwood throughout both spaces, and the kitchen stone is a highly varied slab of Calacatta Viola. I especially love the gentle bullnose edge.”

She credits a carefully assembled roster of artisans and makers for the kitchen’s distinctive character: sconces by In Common With, pendants from Mullan, fixtures and hardware from deVOL, clay pavers by Orca, and Design Assembly’s talented crew of millworkers and stone fabricators. “The island felt like a small miracle—an online antique discovery that happened to be precisely the dimensions we needed, aligning perfectly with our drawings down to the inch,” she says. “To complement it, we fabricated reclaimed wood beams and stained them to echo its tone, creating a rich contrast against the soft, buttery cabinetry and earthen tile.”

In the bathroom, the team embraced the same sense of quiet restraint and material richness, creating a space that feels both grounding and luminous. A hand-finished limewash palette wraps the room in warmth, while the arched shower opening introduces a gentle architectural gesture that echoes the home’s historic character. “The integrated marble sink with stone-faced drawers reads as a sculptural block, which I love,” she shares. “I paired it with minimal, glass-front flush medicine cabinets. The freestanding tub sits beside a sheer linen curtain that diffuses light throughout the space.”

Every design element was chosen for its tactile calm and subtle presence, resulting in a bathroom that feels serene, elemental, and quietly luxurious. “We paired two matte Cle Tile shapes in the shower that have a beautiful organic edge, creating a look that feels elegant and clean without appearing overly modern,” Lauren explains. “On the floor, we used limestone cobblestone from Eco Outdoor in a grid pattern with a wider grout joint. We clad the shower curb in the same stone used on the vanity, Calacatta Caldia.” The tub is from Vintage Tub & Bath and features a matte white finish. Fixtures are polished nickel from California Faucets’ Montecito line. “I also loved the ornate Murano glass sconces I found on Etsy,” she says.

The renovation preserves the soul of the house while enriching it with thoughtful details that make everyday life feel a little more beautiful. See more in the slideshow.

The neighborhood is known for its vibrant mix of restaurants, galleries, and waterfront views, while the building itself stands as a modernist masterpiece distinguished by its graceful curved windows. “You feel calm and peaceful above the quick pace of the city below,” the designer notes.

Her clients sought to transform their newly purchased showpiece apartment into a family home that felt warm, inviting, and uniquely their own. “That required a full overhaul of the finishes from top to bottom, and the clients were up for the creative challenge,” she shares. “We integrated custom architectural moments throughout the space, such as a dramatic tiled fireplace and arched openings inspired by a sourcing trip to Morocco we took together. We also fabricated custom built-ins throughout to make the apartment feel completely tailored to my clients’ lifestyle and taste.”

The result is a material-driven interior layered with textured neutrals and punctuated by moments of drama through rich jewel tones and sculptural curves. While the home had already been thoughtfully conceived as a showcase apartment, Emma embraced the challenge of bringing a fresh perspective that felt like a natural evolution of the space rather than an intervention that overrode its existing character.

“When the clients first walked into the space we had worked on together over the past year, their ease and comfort were palpable,” she says. “Their home finally had a sense of ease and warmth that wasn’t there before.”

Take a tour of the home in the slideshow.

“What I love most about Dana Point is its effortless blend of coastal beauty and relaxed sophistication,” Kelsey says. Kaitlin adds, “Dana Point has this incredible sense of calm. There’s a quiet rhythm to life here that feels both grounding and restorative.”

Their client, a bachelor with two adult children, has lived in the home for many years. As his lifestyle evolved, he wanted the house to reflect a more refined, contemporary version of how he lives today—one that prioritizes openness, ease, and understated sophistication. A key priority was reimagining the main living areas, which previously felt overly compartmentalized and disconnected.

“He wanted to open up these spaces to create a more natural flow and a stronger sense of connection throughout the home,” the designers say, “transforming it into an inviting, comfortable environment for hosting family and friends.” Creating a cohesive gathering space that felt both elevated and effortless was also essential.

“The design evolved into a refined take on a midcentury modern bachelor pad, centered around a relaxed, music-driven lifestyle with dedicated spaces for record listening and lounging,” Kaitlin says. Although the project began as a remodel, it quickly evolved as the team uncovered the home’s full potential. “By rethinking the layout, removing walls, and opening up the floor plan, we were able to create a more fluid, connected environment that better supports both everyday living and entertaining,” Kelsey notes.

“I wanted clear cedar ceilings, no trim, and I fell in love with these midcentury pendants, but the ones I found were too small for the room,” says homeowner Richard Hart. To bring his vision to life, Uncommon Design Haus collaborated with Dana Creath to custom-design pendant lights that captured the same aesthetic as the fixtures he admired while being perfectly scaled for the space.

The designers say the most significant challenge was removing the load-bearing walls and vaulting the ceiling to achieve the desired sense of openness. “This required the installation of an approximately 29-foot steel I-beam—an impressive structural element that demanded careful planning and precision,” Kaitlin shares. “Coordinating the installation was no small feat, especially given the constraints of a narrow residential street, which necessitated the use of a large crane. In the end, however, the effort was well worth it. The resulting open-concept layout fully realized the client’s vision and transformed the way the home is experienced.”

From the initial meeting to move-in, the project spanned approximately 16 months—remarkably efficient for a full-scale remodel. “Every so often, a project aligns in just the right way,” Kelsey reflects. “With minimal construction delays and few product backorders, this was one of those rare instances where everything fell into place seamlessly.”

Take a tour of the home in the slideshow.

Viewed through the lens of New York apartment living, the art-forward pieces draw clever connections to the city in nearly every detail. A daybed with subtle arches offers a visual nod to the bridges that lead into Manhattan, while a screen takes inspiration from Harry Roseman’s Curtain Wall, located in JFK’s international arrivals terminal. A small stool references a familiar catch-all surface in Julio’s own home, capturing the everyday artifacts of city life. Coins, receipts, and transit cards are woven into the design, transforming ordinary objects into a playful motif.

As the collection took shape, Julio and Phantila—both immigrants—bonded over their experiences with the U.S. immigration system and the complexities of building a life in New York, themes that frequently surface in Julio’s comedic work. The result is a deeply personal yet delightfully surreal collection that reflects the objects, emotions, and liminal states that shape how people navigate a city and create a sense of home within it.

Explore the full collection at Sabai.

The property is idyllic, with a small pond, a lush garden, and even the occasional cow wandering through the grounds. “It gives the site a charming, pastoral quality,” Meredith reflects. “Working with Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects, we reconfigured the plan to bring in abundant natural light, retain key historic elements, and create a home that feels both lived‑in and carefully curated.”

Meredith Owens Interiors was enlisted for the full-scale renovation, maintaining the home’s original character while introducing European charm. “I would describe the style as Collected European Farmhouse,” she says. “A celebration of art, architecture, and heirlooms layered with vintage lighting, rugs, and thoughtfully sourced furnishings.”

Throughout the home, a careful balance of old and new creates a layered, visually rich interior. “Restored architectural elements like paneling and arched built‑ins, elevated materials such as marble and brass, and modern color moments like blush silk wallcoverings and emerald velvet,” the designer lists. “My favorite micro‑details are the vintage teal chandelier in the parlor, the marble hood over the range, the floral wallpaper paired with dark tile in the powder room, and the pink vanity on brass legs, these are small, playful risks that together give the house its distinctive, collected voice.”

The project took approximately three years from design through completion. “The biggest challenge was enlarging key spaces enough for modern living without significantly expanding the home’s footprint, while also preserving original elements like the staircase, paneling, and wood floors,” Meredith notes. “The clients were thrilled to be in their forever home and expressed gratitude that we not only designed the spaces but also sourced, procured, and implemented every detail for them.”

The result is a home that feels both timeless and personal, balancing the property’s rich history with the needs of contemporary family life.

Take a tour in the slideshow. 

 Set on a generous 14,000-square-foot lot, the property was thoughtfully designed to maximize natural light, incorporate high ceilings, and create a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. “We collaborated closely with the architect on space planning to ensure the layout supported both the aesthetic vision and the family’s lifestyle,” Ayshea tells us. “We managed the sourcing and selection of all finishes, fixtures and materials, conducted regular site visits and worked alongside the builder and trades to bring every detail to life.”

The home embodies a transitional style with a tranquil, earthy palette carried consistently throughout, while functionality and warmth remain central to the design. “One of their top priorities was having the children’s bedrooms on the main floor, in close proximity to the kitchen and living areas to support daily family life,” the designer recalls. “Ample storage, a spacious kitchen, and an abundance of natural light were all non-negotiable.” 

Entertaining was also a key consideration throughout the design process. “The clients love to cook, so incorporating both a primary kitchen and a fully equipped secondary chef’s kitchen was essential,” Ayshea shares. “Features such as double dishwashers, a 46-inch Wolf range, panel-ready appliances, and Miele refrigeration support both everyday use and larger gatherings.” Additional must-haves included a formal dining room with a fireplace, a large great room for family gatherings, and a functional mudroom connecting the garage to the outdoor deck. The design and build teams delivered on every detail.

The home unfolds through a series of thoughtfully designed spaces, each with its own character while maintaining a cohesive narrative. With tall ceilings, expansive windows, and layered soft lighting throughout, each space feels open and airy. “It’s strikes a balance between simplicity with richness,” Ayshea notes. “It’s clean yet layered, elegant yet still comfortable. Every design decision was made to ensure the home feels both beautiful and practical for everyday family life.”

An important challenge was working carefully with the mature trees on the property, balancing construction needs with protecting and preserving the natural landscape. “A key focus throughout the project was ensuring the completed home integrated seamlessly with the existing neighborhood,” the designer explains, “respecting and complementing the original architectural style while delivering a high-quality custom build.”

From initial planning through construction to final completion, the project took nearly two years to bring to life. “Seeing the finished home for the first time, the clients were overwhelmed with excitement and relief,” Ayshea recalls. “They were eager to finally move in and begin creating new memories in a space that truly reflects their vision and lifestyle.”

While the house itself had great bones and inherent character, it had been decorated quite eccentrically over the years. “My client’s goal was to scale things back and create a more cohesive, thoughtful interior that truly honors the architecture and spirit of the home,” she tells us. 

The client, a retired dentist who lives in Nelson full time, had a primary goal for both the overall interior design and the kitchen renovation: to ensure that every decision felt intentional and original to the home, rather than something that had been layered on over time. “He wanted the spaces to read as though they had always been this way, with nothing feeling like an afterthought,” Randall shares. “He was keen on incorporating an ILVE range as a focal point in the kitchen, preserving the existing wood-burning fireplace, and creating spaces that support both casual, everyday dining and more relaxed entertaining.”

Covet Interiors was brought on soon after the home’s purchase in 2020 and approached the renovations in phases. “Over the years, we updated furnishings throughout, completed a light refresh of the kitchen, and worked through new paint, bathroom finishes, and the primary bedroom, slowly refining each space while maintaining a cohesive vision,” the designer shares. “In 2024, we reconnected and the conversation naturally turned to the kitchen, which ultimately led to its full renovation.”

Randall was challenged with working within the existing footprint while minimizing the overall impact of the renovation on the home. The team was intentional about keeping demolition to a minimum and ensuring that key elements—like the plaster walls, tiled floors, wood burning fireplace, backsplash tile, and fir trim—continued to complement the new design. The ILVE range acts as a focal point, but in a way that still feels timeless and grounded. “I also love the breakfast nook we created within the existing bay windows—it’s a quiet, intimate spot that looks out onto the garden and really captures the spirit of the property,” Randall shares. “The breakfast nook table and chairs are by Four Hands, sourced through CF Interiors, and I had custom seat cushions made locally, with the toss cushions sourced from Tonic Living.”

A custom-painted island features tone-on-tone painted cabinet knobs, finished in Farrow & Ball’s London Stone. The walnut millwork is paired with unlaquered brass pulls and knobs sourced from Rejuvenation, with the intent that they will age with the home. A panel-ready Fisher & Paykel refrigerator and freezer were sourced through Midland Appliance, and the countertops are a White Pearl quartzite from Kootenay Granite. All of the millwork throughout was built by Forest Designs. 

“When the client first saw the finished space, he was genuinely pleased with how cohesive everything felt and how naturally the kitchen sat within the home,” Randall shares. “The reaction that stood out most was his sense of relief that it didn’t feel ‘new’ in a jarring way, but instead felt like a thoughtful continuation of the house’s original character, just refined and elevated for how he lives now.”

See more in the slideshow.

The 4,000-square-foot residence, located just across the street from their Manhattan flagship gallery, serves as a seamless extension of their curatorial vision. Every detail is carefully considered, with the experience of living beautifully always at the forefront.  

You arrive in the home through a private elevator entry, creating a cinematic arrival experience while establishing a sense of privacy and transition. From the moment the doors open, the apartment unfolds almost sequentially. Polo and Onuska tell us more:  

Tell us about the apartment. What do you love most about the building and neighborhood?
Our home is a reflection of the way we live and collect, personal yet deeply connected to art and design. We were drawn to the apartment because it offered a unique balance of scale and architectural significance, designed by Swiss architects Herzog de Meuron and described as “Villas in the Sky” along with breathtaking views of Manhattan. There is a sense of calm throughout the home, but at the same time, every room has a strong point of view. Each piece, material, and texture, along with music (usually Bossa Nova) and scent (usually Celine Palimpseste), contributes to an overall feeling of tranquility.

What we love most about the area is the energy and evolution into one of the city’s art and design destinations. We are surrounded by incredible architecture, restaurants, and art galleries, and yet the neighborhood still feels residential and relaxed, with many families and small children. There’s a rhythm to daily life here that feels inspiring but also very livable. We love being able to walk to dinner, visit exhibitions, or simply walk along the Hudson River Greenway to the Meatpacking District, Chelsea, and the West Village.

The space is constantly evolving. In your own words, how do you describe the style?
We would describe the style as curated, sculptural, eclectic, and warm modernism. We love the mix between classic and contemporary designs. While the architecture of the apartment is very clean and contemporary, we wanted the interiors to feel emotional and collected rather than minimal. The foundation is intentionally restrained, with rich woods, natural stone, soft tonal upholstery, and custom millwork, which allows the artworks and collectible design pieces to really breathe.

The interiors of our homes always feel timeless rather than trend driven. We are drawn to strong silhouettes, tactile materials and pieces that have an artistic presence. Because we work so closely with artists and designers through our gallery STUDIOTWENTYSEVEN, our home naturally became an extension of that world and at the same time our gallery an extension of our home. Many of the furnishings are a mix between contemporary, collectible design and classic, iconic works, which creates a sense of discovery throughout the apartment.

At the same time, comfort was extremely important to us. We wanted the home to feel sophisticated but never precious. It was important that people immediately feel relaxed when they walk in.

It’s inspiring to see how everyday life converges with such an impressive collection.We’d love to know your approach to the interiors, and your favorite details in the space.
The living room is probably the heart of the home and one of our favorite spaces because it really captures the overall mood of the apartment. The room is anchored by a collection of sculptural furnishings and artworks that create conversation from every angle, but it still feels incredibly serene. One of our favorite details is the way the natural light changes throughout the day and interacts with the materials — the stone, bronze, lacquer, and upholstery all take on different qualities depending on the hour. We also love how the space encourages conversation. Even though many of the pieces are collectible, the room feels inviting and comfortable rather than formal.

The dining area feels especially intimate and dramatic at night. The custom lighting creates this beautiful glow that transforms the atmosphere entirely. We designed the space to feel immersive and layered, almost like a private dining room in a boutique hotel.

The primary bedroom is probably the most restrained room in the apartment. We wanted it to feel quiet, enveloping, and restorative. The palette is softer, the textures are more muted, and there is an emphasis on comfort and atmosphere. One of our favorite details is the layering of materials — soft textiles, warm wood tones, and subtle lighting — which creates a sense of softness and escape from the energy of the city while still having it all on view.

See more in the slideshow.

This house belongs to returning clients of Jennifer’s eponymous design firm. “I designed their previous home several years ago, and when they purchased this new house, they asked me to design it as well,” she tells us. “One of their main requests was to incorporate some of their existing furniture from the previous home into the new design. They also have cats, so leather seating was a must-have for durability and ease of maintenance.”

She was tasked with updating the furniture, lighting, and accessories—and ensuring the space felt modern yet timeless. With expansive views on both levels, the layout and furnishings were intentionally oriented to heighten sightlines.

“When entering the house, you are immediately drawn to the living room and its grand view of the bay,” Jennifer notes. “I wanted the furniture arrangement to embrace that view rather than follow a traditional layout, so we selected a circular sofa that creates a welcoming and sculptural focal point in the space.”

The adjacent kitchen has darker finishes, so Jennifer treated the dining room as a transitional space between the kitchen and living room. “I specified an Arteriors lighting fixture above the dark dining table, and I love how its organic shape and color palette relate back to the circular sofa in the living room, helping tie the spaces together,” she says.

That circular, organic feeling continues with the rug selection as well. “Their lighter coloring helps brighten the rooms and highlight the surrounding furnishings,” Jennifer explains. 

Downstairs, there is a TV room and bar area with a round walnut dining table—and was a room that took some savvy planning. “This space incorporates more furniture from the clients’ previous home, much of which has a stronger mid-century influence,” the designer says. “It feels especially appropriate here, and we added white sheers to soften the room and create a more relaxed atmosphere. The walnut finishes in several of these pieces also connect beautifully with the walnut wall in the living room.”

The mix, though challenging at first, is what makes the space work well. “Much of the furniture from their previous home had a very specific mid-century character, while for this home I wanted to create a more modern, stylish palette with black-and-white tones,” she explains. “I was able to use the walnut finishes from the previous home to bring warmth into the new space and create a cohesive balance between the two styles.”

The overall project took about eight months to complete. “The clients were overjoyed when they saw the finished home,” Jennifer shares. “In particular, they loved the Arteriors light fixture, which felt to them like the perfect complement to both the interiors and the extraordinary view beyond.”

See more in the slideshow.