Frederick Tang Architecture Rethinks a Small Manhattan Condo
Access Dropbox Press Kit
Frederick Tang Architecture (FTA) has completed the space planning and interior design of a 639-square-foot Manhattan condominium project for a first-time homeowner who needed to make the most of her small unit. FTA’s solution prioritizes flexibility and custom-designed furniture made to fit perfectly and maximize the space.
Since the client enjoys entertaining, she wanted a space that was warm and gracious for guests. While there were no architectural interventions, the designers used their spatial expertise to rethink this standard one-bedroom apartment with a revised open-plan layout that allows for guest to gather before and after dinner. A new furniture selection includes several custom-designed pieces such as a sofa sized to fit the living room, making the entire apartment feel bigger.
A new dramatic lighting scheme accentuates design details such as a revamped kitchen island, Italian Travertine and brass dining table, and a custom headboard in the bedroom. Shimmering, translucent drapery adds a wash of metallic blush in the main living and dining space. The client wanted to avoid rustic earth tones, so FTA conceived a refined palette of rich colors including blush, burgundy, and deep teals with accents of brass as well as black and white.
In the living room, a custom L-shaped sofa designed by FTA fits perfectly between the bedroom door and one of three exterior window bays, matching the scale of the space and making the room feel larger. By reorienting the living room so that it opens into the dining room, the space flows together in an open plan arrangement, adding even more space to the rooms. Custom living room poufs by FTA in hand-selected fabrics can easily be rearranged as needed to allow the room to adapt to many different uses. The TV is a lightweight standing unit that can be easily tucked away and hidden when guests arrive, turning the focus of the room onto the artworks on the wall and the furniture in the living and dining rooms.
Nestled in the corner adjacent two large windows, the dining area is centered around the six-person glass-top Italian travertine and brass table. Above is a burnished brass chandelier designed by Kelly Wearstler. A bar cabinet adds storage space and spare counter space for dinner parties. Floor-to-ceiling rose gold translucent drapes contrast with the solid colors of the black chairs and blue bar cabinet. The Kitchen island also offers space for gathering with two stools and a spacious marble countertop.
The centerpiece of the bedroom is the FTA-designed custom headboard in a Boucle fabric that spans the length of the wall and backgrounds side tables and geometric Wearstler-designed lamps in black, gold, and brass. The ceiling was painted a darker raspberry color to complement the custom, rose-colored metallic wallpaper by Sarkos.
Barbara Reyes, FTA’s Director of Design, Interiors, says: “The best clients are the ones that understand and appreciate what thoughtful spatial design provides over simply shopping. This client wanted a new perspective, which was important for a smaller space. We made strategic moves that became impactful moments, and incorporated a rich palette with luxe touches that further transformed the white box. The client loves it, as do we, but most importantly we love that her new space makes her happy.”
Photography by Gieves Anderson:
Project Credits:
Interior Design: Frederick Tang Architecture PLLC
Photography: Gieves Anderson
Finishes and furnishings by room:
Living Room:
Custom Sofa Design by FTA
Sofa Fabric: Great Plains Dole in Winter White from Holly Hunt
Custom Poufs Design by FTA
Pouf Fabric: Eden 005 in Nightshade from Maharam, Kauai in Blush from Kravet
Pouf Fabric: Prediction in Smoke Screen from Pollack, Radiance in Burgundy from Knoll
Side Table: T Marble Side Tables, Tall + Short, in Natural from CB2
Floor Lamp: Houtique Wink Floor Lamp in Burgundy, Gold & Delicacy from Do Shop
Art: Cy’s Ghost by Julie Korneffel
Rug: Monu Rug in Silver by Linie Design
Paint (Walls): Simply White OC-118 by Benjamin Moore
Drapery Fabric: Party Line in Rose Gold from Standard Textile
Dining Room:
Bowl: Saturn White Ceramic Bowl by Light and Ladder
Vase: Pink Glass Medium Magnolia Vase from SSENSE
Dining Table: Italian Travertine and Brass Dining Table from Beyond Vintage Home
Dining Chairs: Kir Black Cowhide Dining Chairs from CB2
Credenza: Marcelle Bar Cabinet in Navy from Anthropologie
Pendant: Nodes Wide Chandelier in Burnished Brass by Kelly Wearstler
Paint (Walls): Simply White OC-118 by Benjamin Moore
Drapery Fabric: Party Line in Rose Gold from Standard Textile
Kitchen:
Vase: Serax Purple Wind and Fire Vase from SSENSE
Cups: De Espresso Cups by Ann Demeulemeester
Jars: Pink Miss Marble Calacatta Jar from SSENSE
Counter Stools: Afteroom Counter Stools in City Velvet by Audo Copenhagen
Pendant: Kelly Wearstler Cleo Pendant in Burnished Brass and White
Paint (Walls): Simply White OC-118 by Benjamin Moore
Bedroom:
Custom Headboard and Bed Design by FTA
Headboard Fabric: Au Courant in Framboise from Pollack
Bed Base Fabric: Montage Mohair in Onyx from Kelly Wearstler
Nightstands: Ema Bone Inlay Nightstands from CB2
Dresser: Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Drexel Dresser from 1stDibs
Table Lamp: Minimalist Medium Table lamp in Brass and White Marble by Kelly Wearstler
Rug: Scallop Hide Rug from CB2
Paint (Walls): Soft Sand 2106-60 by Benjamin Moore
Paint (Ceiling): Grape Juice 2074-10 by Benjamin Moore
Wallpaper: Topio in Pearl, Custom Color by Sarkos
Drapery Fabric: Growth Spurt in Birch from Knoll