Project posted by Denise Lee Architect
Living room where ladder is stored when not in use.
Living room where ladder is stored when not in use.
Open kitchen with reclaimed white oak cabinets with sliding doors,
Open kitchen with reclaimed white oak cabinets with sliding doors,
Kitchen sink detail
Kitchen sink detail
Loft stair with hidden pull-out storage
Loft stair with hidden pull-out storage
Loft stair with hidden pull-out storage
Loft stair with hidden pull-out storage
Sleeping loft
Sleeping loft
Master bedroom
Master bedroom
Guest Bedroom
Guest Bedroom
Bathroom with custom reclaimed white oak vanity and concrete vanity top
Bathroom with custom reclaimed white oak vanity and concrete vanity top
Heath tile with shower niche
Heath tile with shower niche

Details

Bedrooms
2
Full Baths
1
Partial Baths
1

Credits

Photographer
Devon Banks

From Denise Lee Architect

This Manhattan loft space is located in a building originally constructed as a bank in 1873. Because of this, the space wasn't particularly well set up as a home, but it had enormously large windows, beautiful original woodwork and flooring, and an ornate structural column mostly still in tact. Maintaining and celebrating these original details and blending them with the client's more minimal personal taste in a way that felt natural and gracious became the heart of this project.
The previous layout was congested and awkward, giving little sense of the volume and light beyond. The new layout opened up the main living space, allowing more light to reach the farthest corners, while maintaining two bedrooms, integrating storage seamlessly, and adding a sleeping loft and half bath in the master bedroom.

The wall and ceiling finishes are natural hand troweled plaster for a softer look to complement the patina of the original elements in the space. The custom cabinetry is a combination of reclaimed white oak and white lacquer, creating a similar play between old and new.