A dark, dated apartment is no match for a lively family of four who love to travel. So the globe-trotting bunch enlisted Toronto-based designer Ali Budd, star of Hulu’s House of Ali, to gut renovate their home base in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood to better match their lifestyle.
“The apartment was stripped down to its studs and completely rebuilt with meticulous attention to detail,” Budd, who worked with general contracting company TC Browne & Co., says.
Throughout the 3,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home, custom cabinetry satisfies every storage need. Walls were moved to make way for covetable features, including a primary walk-in closet. Water vapor fireplaces, one of which acts as a divider between the dining and living areas, fuel the home’s warm, luxurious atmosphere.
Budd wove high-end materials sourced from around the world into every space. In the living room, vintage Italian chairs reupholstered in natural shearling feel ultra cozy. A custom travertine table cut into an organic shape stands out in the dining room. Marble slabs add durability and drama throughout.
The calming color palette of whites and light browns is elevated by subtle patterns and a variety of textures. Painted in Portola Paints Blondie limewash, the plaster dining room accent wall and breakfast nook wall panels with brick insets supply inviting interest. In the bedroom, a Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and a bench in a neutral, geometric patterned fabric create a tranquil retreat.
The updated residence fits the family’s need for a functional oasis that reflects their sophisticated style. Whenever they return from a getaway, they’re surrounded by elevated materials reminiscent of their travels.
Entry
A sculptural credenza by Studio Boheme, which is made of baltic birch plywood with a mappa burl veneer and steel knobs, brings warmth and playfulness to the entryway.
Sconces: Apparatus Studio. Wall paint: Blondie (limewash), Portola Paints. Wall art: client’s own.
Living Room
Pictured on main.
A custom white oak built-in by Elephants Custom Furniture displays treasured objects, while custom white sofas by Cooper Bros. in Holly Hunt fabric brighten up the space.
The water vapor fireplace acts as a room divider between the living and dining areas.
Window treatments: custom, by JNB Design, in Threadcount fabric. Rug: Art + Loom. Wall paint: Blondie (limewash), Portola Paints. Coffee table: Monc XIII.
Kitchen
The Calacatta Vagli Oro marble countertops and backsplash bring durability and elegance to the cook space. The dramatic surfaces contrast with the plaster vent hood. Custom cabinetry by Precious Woodwork Inc. ensures ample storage.
Light fixtures: Kelly Wearstler. Counter stools: Thomas Hayes Studio. Range: Wolf. Cabinetry hardware: Shayne Fox Hardware. Faucet: Waterworks.
Breakfast Nook
Wall paneling with brick insets painted in Portola Paints Blondie limewash provides a subtly detailed backdrop in the intimate corner, which is outfitted with a custom banquette by Lf Upholstery.
Pendant: Trueing. Dining table: custom, by Cabinet Inc. Chairs: Thomas Hayes Studio, in Threadcount (backs) and Pavoni (seat) fabric.
Wet Bar
The burnished brass metal built-in cabinet by Elephants Custom Furniture contrasts the glossy white tile, each of which “was broken by the installer and then installed to create a shattered look,” Budd says.
Side table: 1stDibs. Faucet: Cocoon.
Dining Room
The custom plaster wall creates an almost cave-like accent and complements the chandelier by Crosland + Emmons.
Sideboard: Agnes Studio. Chairs: Stahl + Band. Dining table: custom plaster bases by Cabinet Furniture, with travertine slab from Bas Stone, fabricated by International Stone.
Bedroom
Rift-cut white oak cabinets with an integrated design, a Phillip Jeffries wallcovering, and a bench by Nathan Anthony Furniture in Élitis fabric provide strategic, subtle patterns throughout the bedroom.
Ceiling light: South Hill Home. Sconces: Adam Otlewski from 1stDibs. Nightstands: custom by Cabinet Inc., in Designers Guild fabric. Throw blanket: Banana Republic. Rug: Elte. TV: Samsung. Bed: custom, by Cooper Bros., in Threadcount fabric. Bedding: client’s own.
Closet
For a dramatic, ethereal moment, the custom closet by Elephants Custom Furniture features a forest-inspired wallpaper by Pierre Frey.
Wall paint: Sensational Sand, Sherwin Williams. Rug: Mellah. Stool: Arno Declerq from 1stDibs. Pedestal: D-Haene Studio
Bathroom
Calcatta Viola marble surfaces from Artistic Tile exude sophisticated drama. Walls painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace ensure a soothing balance.
Sconce: Lindsey Adelman Studio. Faucet and shower fixtures: Phylrich. Tub: Kohler. Chair: Banana Republic. Cabinetry: Elephants Custom Furniture. Mirror: custom.
Q&A
House Beautiful: Did you encounter any memorable hiccups, challenges, or surprises?
Ali Budd: Our client has very particular taste and style and wanted very special pieces curated. Whenever you’re sourcing from artisans on another continent, there is a lot of time and logistics involved. Our clients really wanted fireplaces throughout the home but did not have access to a gas line in the existing condo. We aren’t big fans of electric fireplaces, so we pivoted to water vapor, which we had never used before. The existing main room was extremely different from a space-planning perspective previously. It took a lot of convincing to place the fireplace as a room divider and move the dining area to the back.
HB: Where did the majority of the budget go?
AB: Custom furniture, slabs, and tile throughout. And the plumbing, [which] was Waterworks in the kitchen.
HB: How did you save money/DIY/get crafty?
AB: What’s DIY? Lol.
HB: Any other memorable details?
AB: The team incorporated stunning, one-of-a-kind custom pieces, such as a dining table featuring an organically cut travertine top with chiseled sides. It’s a striking centerpiece in the space. Throughout the apartment, slabs sourced from Artistic Tile and Bas Stone add further sophistication and cohesion to the design. [Another memorable detail is] the pair of vintage chairs from Italy that were reupholstered in natural shearling from a local New York supplier.
Styled by Benjamin Reynaert
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