BEFORE: The team spent a tremendous amount of time on the floor plan and the furnishings for the space in order to create a “wow” moment that also maximized functionality.
BEFORE: “Designing the transition from the entry into the rest of the home was a big challenge,” says Gabriela Gargano. “Initially, this area was book profits dark with low ceilings, minimal storage, and poor sight lines into the rest of the house.”
AFTER: “While I’ve thoroughly loved seeing the house filled with people over Sunday brunches, at the end of the day it’s hard to beat the sense of relaxation I get from lighting a fire on a cool night with the terrace doors open,” says Clayton Orrigo.
“Early on, we realized that our aesthetics overlapped in an uncanny way, and long before we took on a project together, we regularly shared pictures from our travels to boutique hotels, a beautiful apartment I was selling, or a new lighting designer that we discovered during our late-night internet rabbit holes,” says Clayton. “She was the only person I shared my design inspirations with and was the logical choice to help execute my vision for this apartment.”
DURING: “We fully gutted the apartment, so starting with a raw canvas is always difficult, as there are a million possible directions to go in,” says Clayton.
For the yearlong project that included a full gut renovation of Clayton’s Manhattan apartment, the longtime friends began by figuring out the architectural elements that were important to highlight and restore. “From there, we moved into feeling and vibe, i.e., how Clayton imagined using the space and the atmospheric quality he wished to achieve,” says Gabriela. “A notable element was the bioptimizers coupon code decision to create a more traditional progression of rooms instead of an ample loft space, thereby adding intimacy amidst the 11-foot ceilings.”
“The jewel-box kitchen, which showcases floor-to-ceiling oak cabinetry and is framed by steel casement doors,” says Gabriela. “This achieves the open-and-closed kitchen concept seamlessly.” The pendant is by Apparatus Studio, and the vintage table is from City Foundry.
“The details of this space, such as the exposed hinges, drainboard carved into the marble counters, Lacanche range, and a row of vintage style sconces, balance the contemporary and classical elements in a nuanced way,” Gabriela adds.
” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pVBya.umNjo6cqeFpZ_Rjw–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTQ2OC41NjI1NjU1MzY1MjU3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/architectural_digest_422/13ad2ef1f78051df80b4e8208cfb2f51″ class=”caas-img”/>The kitchen space has inspired Clayton to learn new cooking skills.
“The broker in me kept chanting, ‘Volume, volume, volume!’” says Clayton, who wanted to make the most of the rare high ceilings and incredible views in his West Village apartment. “That meant keeping doorways extra tall, bringing certain millwork all the way to the ceiling to emphasize the volume, and scaling the furniture appropriately.” His other nonnegotiable was a closed kitchen. “While it was a hot debate, in the beginning I became fixated on creating a closed jewel-box kitchen that would be flanked by steel casement doors and outfitted with a Lacanche French oven. At the time, I barely cooked, but I figured, ‘If you build it, they will come,’” he adds.
” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zMW_1N2X2dktQHAms1GcJQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTk0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/architectural_digest_422/8aeb2c25ba0c667d8c5ad3b2b932b3a1″ class=”caas-img”/>BEFORE: The original layout of the apartment made everything feel a bit cramped and crowded.
” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/2Jt7rTd8BWwmfz63LfJucQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTk0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/architectural_digest_422/cdb006c6010d19fddd15c74aa9b3883c” class=”caas-img”/>BEFORE: The incredible views served as a great source of inspiration.
“The final design of the wood-burning fireplace, an essential feature to the home, was completely unexpected,” says Gabriela. “Overall, the wall felt disjointed and hectic instead of a focal point. After exploring various ideas to create symmetry, we decided to embrace the original design by adding bricks to the right side wall, creating a singular surface texture along the wall. To unify the space, we painted the bricks white, replaced the stone hearth with blackened steel, and skipped adding a mantel. The result pays homage to the original structure of the home, while the lack of decorative elements adds a sense of modernity.”
“In terms of palette, we kept the overall design neutral with whites, taupes, grays, and a range of metals to allow his art collection to bring in color,” says Gabriela. “To add warmth and organic quality, we incorporated a lot of white oak and walnut, alongside wools and linens for the upholstery and bedroom walls. The furnishings blend our preference of mixing contemporary designs like the De La Espada dining table and Bassam Fellows sofa with American and French midcentury, such as the Paul McCobb dining chairs. Overall, there’s a philosophy of few but better pieces.”
Gabriela thinks the sight line between the master bedroom and bathroom is a great element to the space. “When facing the bed, you see gorgeous views of the West Village and Hudson River on the right and an exquisite slab of Calacatta Nero in the master shower to the left,” she says.
“The master bathroom is my favorite space by far, and Gabriela, with the help of our architect BuiltIN Studio, perfectly synthesized my vision to create a hotel-like aesthetic,” says Clayton. “We wanted the millwork from the rest of the apartment to carry through so it felt extremely custom and, despite the clean and minimal lines I desired, would still feel warm.”
” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jDrdxRz_8mQJAuYhqU7x.w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTEwNTcuNQ–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/architectural_digest_422/577b88f662a57455f67111cf96924c74″ class=”caas-img”/>“I purchased two slabs of marble from Italy well before we started construction, and these served as the first design dominos to fall for the entire apartment,” says Clayton. “The shower became a real moment for the apartment, and every morning when I wake up I can see it in the distance, and it feels like a piece of art.”
“Clayton wanted to have a beautiful and comfortable guest bedroom. However, the dimension of the space proved challenging to accommodate a bed, closet, and seat. We replaced a standard closet with two floor-to-ceiling cabinets flanking the bed. A shallow ledge behind the headboard has integrated outlets for charging, and a statement sconce by Wo & We provides beautiful and functional lighting,” says Gabriela.
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