It’s not often you can say you have both Rocky Mountain and Manhattan views, but in the case of one Colorado couple—acquiring a Hoboken pied-a-terre allowed for just that. It’s an upper floor in a recently completed high-rise waterfront building, and Joan Enger of J. Patryce Design was commissioned for the design. It features the hallmarks of her firm’s aesthetic: timeless yet modern, layered and still restrained.
“Our client’s main residence is a multi-generational ranch in Colorado with expansive mountain views but with the anticipated birth of their first grandson, they decided to set down roots closer to their growing family,” Joan says. “Finding an equally inspiring view for their home away from home was important to them; the skyline views with passing ships and sailboats made the decision easy. Their goal was to partner with a firm who could fully furnish the entire apartment while they supervised from afar. They wanted to space completely ‘done’ down to the objects and artwork…our ideal project!”
When Joan first toured the space, it was a basic white box. “The finishes were nicely done but the space lacked warmth and visual interest,” she recalls. “The unit had a long, wide entry hall with an adjacent hall connecting the bedrooms and kitchen.” They took advantage of the width and designed a custom built-in with storage and convenient bench seating. They also swapped out the recessed lighting with elegant Italian flush mounts and installed a taller, more interesting base molding throughout the hall—which also features a focal point with a custom linen lacquered console and vintage leather Karl Springer mirror.
The kitchen didn’t see a drastic change, aside from swapping out the modern light fixtures for a pair from Allied Maker. The open plan living and dining spaces were furnished with a combination of custom and vintage. “Comfort and functionality were important to our clients, along with good design so we paid careful attention to ensuring that the heights and placement of the pieces made sense,” Joan says. And though the apartment is technically a three bedroom, they converted the smallest bedroom into a cozy den—a space the designer says is one of the most coveted spots. “We added built in bookcases with a custom sofa nook and covered the walls in a handsome deep paint color and textured linen walls,” she explains. The primary bedroom was meant to feel like a luxurious hotel. “The palette is soft, yet moody and textural,” Joan says. For added comfort, the bedding is from Signoria Firenze.
“One of our JPD trademarks is our ability to source and place interesting objects and artwork in our projects” the designer shares. “We collected vintage and artisanal pieces throughout the process with specific locations in mind. We brought all of it to test for the final install and none of it came back to the studio with us!” The clients stayed in Colorado during the project, but they had full trust in Joan and her firm. “Considering we never met in person until after the final installation, it took a leap of faith on their part,” she admits. “Luckily, we exceeded their expectations in the end.”
