Gramercy Park Studio Remodel for Pied-à-Terre Design
In the heart of Gramercy Park, a design-savvy couple, Charon and Lex, embarked on their third renovation journey with Sweeten, transforming a classic co-op into a vibrant pied-à-terre. This wasn’t just another remodel; it was a masterclass in maximizing small spaces, featuring a hidden kitchen cloaked in mirrored doors and a bold color palette that defied the ordinary.
With a vision to create a welcoming haven for visiting family, they proved that even in a historic building, a modern, personalized touch can redefine urban living.
Written in partnership with homeowner Charon
My name is Charon, and I’m a graphic designer. Together with my husband Lex, we decided to purchase a co-op apartment and embark on a renovation journey.
Post your project on Sweeten for free and make your dream renovation a reality. Sweeten simplifies home renovation by connecting homeowners with top-rated general contractors, handling the vetting process and project management. To learn more about how we can help, check out our home renovation services. Sweeten brings homeowners an exceptional renovation experience by personally matching trusted general contractors to your project, while offering expert guidance and support—at no cost to you. We needed to update our apartment desperately—a Murphy bed was attached to the wall and we needed to revive the bathroom that was the original. Located in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, the apartment was situated in a building that was built back in 1929. A face-lift for the entire space was a good spot to start.
We have three adult children who occasionally visit us. Our vision was to begin the planning of a guest studio where they could stay comfortably. Having their own space was important to us, rather than having them sleep on the couch in our one-bedroom apartment. Additionally, we were quite fond of utilizing the studio’s terrace, which we planned to enjoy ourselves.
One aspect that excited us the most was improving the kitchen. We had a unique design in mind—enclosing the kitchen with mirrored doors, creating a surprise element. Moreover, when the doors were closed, the mirrors would reflect and open up the small studio, enhancing its visual appeal. We were also thrilled about the prospect of having a quiet and effective air conditioner that didn’t rely on a window installation.
Choosing the right materials was crucial, and we opted for vibrant and saturated tones throughout the apartment. We loved a glossy hunter green tile that we had used in a previous bathroom renovation. It would be featured again in this new bathroom. As for modernizing the kitchen, we wanted something eye-catching, so we selected bright blue cabinets and a colorful terrazzo counter, providing a fun, unexpected twist.
“I had used Sweeten in the past and it was a good fit.”
Although the kitchen turned out great, it did come with its fair share of complications. In an old building like ours, none of the walls were straight. So the kitchen is actually a box that was slid into the space. All of the measurements were very tricky.
Sweeten was our first thought when we realized we were going to need a contractor in Manhattan. I had used Sweeten in the past and it was a good fit. I knew that if I were to run into any problems during the project, Sweeten would help me. Having used Sweeten three times now, I can confidently offer some advice to future renovators: Use Sweeten. There are no downsides. You’re working with contractors who are vetted, and Sweeten is always there to step in if needed.
The kitchen truly became the highlight from the start of our entire renovation. In fact, I love every aspect of our transformed apartment. We are able to enjoy it as an entertaining area and our grown children can enjoy it as a place to stay when visiting the city.
Thank you, Charon and Lex, for sharing your pied-à-terre with us!
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