Frances Mildred is an architectural and interior design practice founded by Brian Papa and Lauren MacCuaig. The pair share a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, qualities that are beautifully expressed in this loft renovation within a converted factory building in Tribeca.

“Tribeca is defined by contrasts that are visual, experiential, and historical,” Brian explains. “Its industrial history remains visible in the architecture and streetscape, while a new layer of restaurants, residences, and cultural destinations has transformed the neighborhood in recent years. The coexistence of grit and sophistication is what makes the area so appealing—and what made it such a fitting backdrop for this project.”

Their clients divide their time between California and New York, traveling frequently for work and maintaining strong ties to both locales. “Tired of staying in hotels, they wanted to create a true home base in the city,” Lauren shares. “A space that reflected the relaxed sensibility of California living while embracing the grit and energy of New York.”

Early in the design process, drawing from inspiration the clients brought to the table, the Frances Mildred team looked closely at the work of artists Raymond Pettibon and Casper Brindle. The contrast between their practices became a source of inspiration for the apartment: Pettibon’s delicate, hand-drawn linework and textured imagery set against Brindle’s luminous color fields and highly controlled surfaces.

“The tension between the handmade and the precise, the rough and the refined, became a guiding principle throughout the design,” Lauren notes. “Exposed concrete and brick are paired with polished metal, richly figured stone, and carefully detailed millwork, creating a material language that carries through the entire loft.”

Since the clients are often on the road, comfort was central to the design approach, and the resulting interiors feel calm and restorative. At the same time, entertaining was equally important. “The space had to function as well for quiet evenings alone as it did for hosting friends, colleagues, and out-of-town guests,” the designer adds.

“The elevator opens directly into the apartment, where you’re immediately greeted by a large window overlooking the Hudson River,” Brian says. “In the afternoon, the light pours into the space and becomes one of the defining features of the entry sequence. To capture and amplify the light, we finished the entry door in troweled brass. The surface has a subtle texture that catches and reflects its surroundings throughout the day, creating a richness and warmth that is constantly changing.”

To preserve the spirit of the loft, the team retained the exposed concrete columns—stripping away thick layers of plaster to reveal their original character—and maintained the open floor plan, while introducing a tactile material palette that brings depth and texture to the interiors. “The result is a relaxed, sophisticated loft that balances warmth and livability with the raw character of both the building and the neighborhood,” Lauren shares.

The project took just over eighteen months to complete, and was largely successful thanks to Scordio Construction’s collaboration and attention to detail. “The clients were regularly involved throughout the process, so there wasn’t really one dramatic reveal where they were ‘wowed,’” the team recalls. “But after their first stay in the loft, they told us it felt like a perfect manifestation of their two personalities.”

See more in the slideshow.