Modern Chelsea Charm
Modern form is married with elegant function in this open-floor-plan apartment in the heart of Chelsea, NYC. Award-winning interior designer, Jo Ann Alston, transformed the outdated elements of this upscale unit to create a timeless, yet modern aesthetic, with clean, natural lines that bespeak both luxury and ease. This charmingly functional kitchen now serves as the focal point for cooking, convening, and entertaining, for the whole family and their numerous guests.
Careful planning and selection were required to effectively work within the parameters of the open floor plan to create a seamless flow from the kitchen to the living room. Modern cabinetry, strategically hidden appliances, and ingeniously concealed lighting and elevations all coalesce to create uninterrupted sight lines that engender a sense of harmony and aesthetic intrigue.
The existing cabinets, countertops, and appliances were all replaced, the wood flooring was refinished, and an elegant bar area was incorporated into the dining room, doubling as a bar for entertaining and a buffet for serving meals. In the kitchen, European, high-gloss lacquer was selected for the minimalist-modern cabinetry and coordinated with flooring and Dekton countertops, whose practicality and functionality are especially well-suited for NYC apartment homeowners with a penchant for entertaining.
For the sight lines from the living room to the kitchen to be seamless and uninterrupted, the refrigerator is concealed within the cabinetry and the range is hidden from sight behind the island. A dramatic light fixture above the dining room island and tasteful uplighting and downlighting offer especially compelling views of the kitchen when viewed from the living room, while glass cabinets with brass trim and accent lighting visually expand the width of the space.
Touches of luxury such as the brass faucet and brass-framed glass cabinets visually harmonize with the colors in the waterfall designed Dekton countertop, the game-stopper feature of the large kitchen island. A clean, light-wood back splash at the bar corresponds effortlessly with the newly refinished wood flooring, further enhancing the soft and natural vibe of the entire apartment.
This elegant stroke of design genius is proof positive that you need not compromise timeless elegance for practical, modern features in an uncluttered, even minimalist environment. The brilliance of this design is not limited to its balanced and graceful aesthetic appeal. It also includes the great many benefits coordinated between designer and client to ensure there would also be plenty of room for storage of kitchen items, abundant countertop space, and designated areas for enjoying company together comfortably throughout the space.
Anyone who walks through this space in the heart of Chelsea is bound to feel both inspired and at ease. This is the result of careful planning and attention to the smallest details that culminate in comfort, style, and design excellence.
