A New York City Apartment Renovation, Inspired by Modern Hotel Design

Home Tours / February 4, 2022

A New York City Apartment Renovation, Inspired by Modern Hotel Design

“The arrangement of Flos Aim pendants overhead add a sculptural quality to the dining area and draw the eyes up to the expansiveness of the opening to the loft above, while the 9’ cactus injects life and energy into the space.”

“We commissioned a large scale, slightly arched mirror to enhance the dining space. It was important to seat as many people as possible in a small footprint. The double height windows and large-scale mirror make that possible while also maintaining a sense of openness.”

“The kitchen was expanded and became a stylish part of the aesthetic instead of an afterthought hidden in a corner as it was before. We created a two-toned custom Italian kitchen.”

“We selected Krion, a modern, solid surface material, for the counters, integrated sink, and the backsplash.”

“A restrained use of materials and colors minimized visual interruption, which made the space feel larger.”

“The living room is intentionally sparse and serene. She did not want a traditional piece of art above the sofa. We created interest with the floating shelves to the left of the sofa and the three small paintings on wood blocks just offset to the right.”

“This arrangement has interest while still leaving enough white space to give the sense of serenity we were trying to achieve. We used a small rug to ground the seating arrangement and offset it for a modern look.”

“The stairs were relocated to the other side of the living area. We chose a stair tread to match the bleached oak flooring throughout to keep the materials consistent. The custom steel handrail was re-designed to complement the minimalistic and modern look of the furniture.”

“The bedroom is amongst my favorite [spaces]. It has great bones and is filled with special furnishings as well. It is flooded with light, and the custom metal railing is a nice architectural feature. I also love the composition of the cables from the dining fixture below and the views out to Hanover Square and beyond to the East river.”

“There are only a few pieces of furniture in the room, but each one was carefully selected or designed. We commissioned a custom bed, upholstered in a quiet and sophisticated wool textile.”

“The petite steel side tables from ABC Home are functional but small enough to give the space breathing room. The sculptural floor lamp doubles as art. I love the simple white linens which we accented with an oversized lumbar pillow and coordinating throw at the foot of the bed. This created a layered and inviting bed but kept it unfussy and functional.”

“The chest of drawers was also custom because we envisioned a specific nude tone that was just not readily available on the market. The art pictured above it is a Samsung Frame TV. I suggest these to all my clients because who wants to stare into a black void when you have the option of a customized piece of ever evolving art?”

“In the bathroom on the first floor, the tub was replaced by a walk-in shower with a floor to ceiling built in recess to house product in a chic and intentional way. We used a single glass pane as the shower partition to maximize the space, and selected large scale tiles with a concrete aesthetic to incorporate a polished, yet industrial look.”

“The vanity wall is a study of geometry with our large scale, round mirror, which we offset above the vanity and had span most of the wall. The slender, blackened steel floating shelf created a perch for a decorative object and the pendant above punctuated that arrangement.”

“The [upstairs bathroom] is similar to the main floor bathroom in its aesthetic. The color palette is a lighter, warm griege. Continuity is key in this minimalistic home.”

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Copy: Kelli Lamb

Interior Design: Gianna Marzella of GiaMar Interiors

Photography: Seth Caplan

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“My clients are a young and energetic couple who were newlyweds when we started our work together,” designer Gianna Marzella of GiaMar Interiors told us. “They are both fun and stylish. They are native New Yorkers and embody the quintessential Manhattan lifestyle. We wanted to create a calming space to recharge when the opportunity to stay in presented itself. They love to travel and were inspired by the minimalism and serenity often embodied by modern hotel design.”

Located in New York City’s financial district, the two-story loft is in one of the first buildings in FIDI to be converted to full residential use. “It played a pivotal role in transforming New York’s financial district into what it is today,” Gianna explained. “A revitalized neighborhood filled with residences, restaurants, bars, and shops, which all now coexist with what remains New York City’s financial hub.” The couple contacted Gianna just after they’d purchased it. Though it was outdated (think lots of small, constricted spaces, an electric blue spiral staircase, and parquet floors), it was full of potential. The project ended up being a complete renovation that included a change in layout, the addition of a second bathroom, and staircase relocation. That said, one of the very best architectural features was left untouched: the huge windows. At nearly 18’ tall, they flood the apartment with sunlight and frame a beautiful, tree lined view of Historic Hanover Square and the East River. “Luckily, the couple was able to see the untapped potential of this unique space,” Gianna shared.

For the interiors, the designer pulled inspiration from the One Hotels in both Miami and Brooklyn, the Hotel Sanders in Copenhagen, and the Public Hotel in New York City, so the vibe of the home is very Danish in its aesthetic. “The lines are uncomplicated but very beautiful and sculptural in their forms,” Gianna quipped. There’s a uniform and neutral palette in the architectural finishes — bleached oak floors and white walls create an unfussy and airy backdrop for the streamlined and ever so slightly color tinged furnishings, while the simple white linens of the bedding echo the vibe of slipping into crisp hotel sheets. “The idea of this uniform palette and style was to turn the whole apartment into what feels like one giant hotel suite,” she explained. “Once space flows seamlessly into the next.”

The designer-client relationship was very much a collaboration. “I have certainly had many projects where clients weren’t sure what they wanted and looked to me for most of the answers, but she was heavily involved and I give her a lot of credit as to what the final outcome of this space was,” the designer recalled. “We have very similar styles and I must say agreed on almost everything. It was a fun process because there was almost immediate trust and a great workflow.”

The couple considers themselves minimalists, which is reflected in the design via the sleek lines of both the architectural design as well as the furnishings. Gianna explained, “Being minimalistic not only means owning less, but it also means only possessing objects you love. This is truly reflected in the furnishings and accessories. Every item was as important to them as it was to me. Often, people want to furnish and decorate quickly and be done with it. When one slows down and really gives every selection its proper consideration, the end product is a space with longevity.” In this spirit, there was no big reveal at the completion of the 18 month project — the space continued to evolve long after the clients moved in. “But once the final accessories were purchased, she made sure to tell me that they absolutely love their home every time they step into it,” Gianna concluded. “They are as happy there when it is just the two of them as when they have a house full of guests. To me, that is the goal. Home is the backdrop for the everyday. Its purpose is to recharge us and hold the stories of our lives. I am so happy they chose me to help them make that happen.

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