A bright UES apartment living room with a blue velvet sofa, beige armchair, light green rug, curved beige coffee table with flowers, abstract wall art, two lamps, a window with patterned curtains, wooden desk and chair, plus built-in bookshelves filled with books and decor.

ues apartment

During an insensitive restoration in the early 2000s, the previous owners of this 1925 apartment on the Upper East Side had entirely stripped historic moldings and detail away to replace them with cheap cabinets and track lighting. In addition, portions of walls were removed, and ceilings were extensively dropped for a senseless scattering of soffits and high hats. The new owners very much wished to reintroduce the Pre-War detail, including formally re-framing each room, and restoring the high ceilings and crown moldings. They had a good understanding of everything that was wrong with the prior renovation, and clear goals about which attributes of the apartment needed to be improved. As such, they commissioned Anik Pearson Architect to restore the apartment to a formal New York Pre-War classic while providing colorful and carefree spaces for daily activities in an open family room where dining, play and cooking could happen simultaneously. A more formal living room, adjacent but removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday activities, would offer a beautiful and comfortable place for quiet conversation, contemplation, or reading. To reflect more daylight into the apartment, deep mirrored paneled jambs were installed at the windows, which also offered an opportunity to seamlessly integrate built-in bookcases and radiator/condenser cabinets. To further enhance the feeling of lightness, neutral hues were chosen for the walls and trim, while pops of exuberant colors were infused in the upholstery for a sense of fun and modernity.

A blue oval mirror hangs above a wooden cabinet with books, a small white sculpture, a candle, and a potted white orchid. The background features blue-patterned wallpaper and some shelves are reflected in the mirror.
A cozy living room features a beige sofa with patterned throw, gold-framed mirror, floral pillow, decorative fireplace, modern floor lamps, green rug, two dark stools as tables, a vase of flowers, a bouquet on the mantel, and framed art with three figures in hats.
A small wooden table with books and a vase of purple flowers sits between two striped chairs. Behind is a built-in bookshelf filled with books and decorative items. Cream curtains with blue patterns frame two large windows, and a green patterned rug covers the floor.
A colorful living room with a blue patterned sofa, yellow couch, and blue coffee table. Shelves with books are between two windows. Patterned blinds, striped ottoman, lamps, decorative pillows, and a yellow side table complete the scene. Light walls and geometric rug.
A beige sofa with plaid pillows and a gray throw sits against a pale wall under a large photo. A blue table with flowers and bowls is in front. A lamp and books are on a side table. Blue-patterned chair and geometric rug complete the cozy living room.
Bright kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, red-orange patterned rug, marble countertops, fruit bowl, and a hallway leading to a teal console table with white vases, basket underneath, dark wood flooring, and soft ceiling lights.
Modern kitchen and dining area with a dark wood table, colorful upholstered chairs, a bench, a vase of red flowers, marble countertops, fruit, kitchen utensils, and a white sculptural chandelier above. Pale cabinets and herringbone wood floor complete the scene.
Elegant bedroom with a blue-patterned headboard, white bedding with blue trim, and patterned pillows. A white throw blanket is draped on the bed. Theres a blue-and-white ceramic stool, white orchid, and window with a roman shade letting in soft light.

ues apartment

  • Interior Design by Robin Henry Studio
  • Photography by Eric Piasecki
  • Featured in the Wall Street Journal snd Houzz