Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Shapes a Manhattan Living Room
In Central Park South, this before-and-after shows how a mid-century modern living room remodel transformed a one-bedroom apartment through custom millwork, a Carrara marble feature wall, and an electric mid-century modern fireplace, a cozy focal point that Manhattan residents love for city living.
- Homeowners: Geoffrey, an architect, and Alicia, who works in operations at a FinTech startup, posted their living room remodel on Sweeten
- Where: Central Park South, Manhattan, New York
- Primary renovation: A reimagined living room with a Carrara marble feature wall and a mid-century modern fireplace, custom oak millwork, and a desk niche designed to maximize apartment functionality.
- With: Sweeten general contractor
- Homeowner’s quote: “Sweeten was an invaluable resource in helping us find an initial list of contractors. I had access to reviews and see their work, all in one place. It was also great to know that they had my back if something went awry.”
Written in partnership with homeowner Geoffrey. “After” photos by Kate Glicksberg.
An opportunity to invest in Central Park South
During the pandemic, we saw a lot of people giving up on New York, and thought it was the perfect time to double down. We drew a box around the southern half of Central Park and started searching. A lot of units had recently been taken off the market but we reached out to realtors to see if the sellers were still interested in making a move. We found our home in an ideal building and location, and made an offer.
Our 1,000-square-foot apartment is in an iconic mid-century building on Central Park South, which we felt offered us the best of all worlds. The Upper East and Upper West sides were easy to get to, and we love being able to spend our weekends alternating between the two.
Planning to renovate? Get free cost estimates from our partner GCs!
Get matched with our vetted general contractors and receive at least 3 quotations for free! You can also find endless home renovation inspiration, detailed guides, and practical cost breakdowns from our blogs.
A love of pre-war layouts
In the past, we’d always lived in pre-war buildings with architectural character and well-defined floor plans. You don’t get a lot of that in modern buildings like the mid-century one we landed in, so we created our own. We posted our project on Sweeten, and hired our general contractor.
We wouldn’t be adding molding, chair rail, or opening up the kitchen, which are so popular these days. Instead, our plan was to define the layout in discrete ways that would create separate zones—a proper entry foyer, a generous space for dining, and a desk niche.
Our apartment’s original living room was 13 feet across and more than 30 feet long, so we had plenty of space to work with. Our goal was to create a more intimate and purposeful space that could be used for entertaining as well as a dedicated workspace for those work-from-home days.
Creating niches in a modern living room remodel
Like most New Yorkers, this was all about maximizing the available square footage. We had an opportunity to divide the extra-large living space for different purposes. By adding a small wall near the entrance to the apartment, we created a foyer on one side and an office area on the other.
In the living room, the focal point was a 14-foot wall with custom-designed millwork crafted from European white oak and marble. The single slab of Carrara marble houses a mid-century modern fireplace and a recessed TV. 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. Renovate to live, Sweeten to thrive!
“[M]ake sure that you’re aligning your own expectations with the kind of money that you want to spend. You can’t expect million-dollar work on a thousand-dollar budget.”
During the winter, the apartment could feel a bit dreary (our courtyard views prevent us from getting a ton of natural light). Installing a fireplace would turn up the dial on cozy, and we designed the entire living space around that idea. We couldn’t do a real fireplace and weren’t interested in dealing with the hassle of gels or fuel logs. We chose a beautiful electric fireplace that was the most convincing artificial unit we could find.
The white oak used throughout the renovation featured strong horizontal lines echoing the building’s iconic mid-century exterior. The material also helped brighten up the space. Bump-outs of the walls near the window created a defined dining area.
Marble slab realities
The single biggest issue during the renovation was with the large slab of Carrara marble that would clad the front of our fireplace and media wall. It was 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide, and we insisted that it have mitered corners. We had no idea what an ordeal it would be—the mitered corners were fragile, and a slab that size was very unwieldy. Maneuvering it through the parking garage and up the freight elevator was a half-day exercise that culminated in hours of positioning, tweaking, and polishing. We were scared the entire time that this 500-pound piece of marble would break and we’d have to start all over!
Align your budget and your expectations
Sweeten was an invaluable resource in helping us find an initial list of contractors. I had access to reviews and see their work, all in one place. It was also great to know that they had my back if something went awry.
My advice to renovators? Really dig into the contractors you’re interviewing. Make sure that you’re 100% sure that they can do the kind of work that you want, and make sure that you’re aligning your own expectations with the kind of money that you want to spend. You can’t expect million-dollar work on a thousand-dollar budget.
In terms of our budget, we did pretty well and came within 1% of the projected cost. It was about $35,000, including the fireplace. Overall, we couldn’t be happier. The space is doing everything we wanted it to, and we’re excited to cozy up in front of the “fire” this winter.
Thank you, Geoffrey and Alicia, for sharing your living room with us!
Renovation Materials
LIVING ROOM: Custom millwork and Carrara marble: Sourced by general contractor. Ignite XL 50” electric fireplace: Dimplex. George Nelson large Bubble Pendant light fixture: Herman Miller.
Reader questions and answers
1. Why did they choose an electric fireplace for their Manhattan apartment?
They chose an electric fireplace for their Manhattan apartment because building rules often restrict vented units and open flames. Electric fireplace models simplify installation and eliminate the need for fuel storage.
2. What model electric fireplace was used for the feature wall in this Manhattan apartment?
The model used for the fireplace feature wall is a Dimplex Ignite XL 50-inch electric fireplace. It was integrated into custom oak millwork and a Carrara marble slab.
3. How was the TV incorporated into the room?
The TV was incorporated into the room by being built into the millwork and recessed beside the marble panel. This keeps the focal point balanced with the fireplace.
4. How much did the mid-century modern fireplace renovation cost?
The mid-century modern fireplace renovation cost about $35,000, including the living room refresh and custom millwork. The project finished within one percent of the projected budget.
5. How to include a built-in desk niche in a living room?
You can include a built-in desk niche in a living room by planning a recessed area or millwork wall that integrates a work surface, shelving, and concealed storage sized to your layout. Coordinate power, data, task lighting, and cable management with your electrician and match finishes for a seamless look.
6. Can I install an electric fireplace in a Manhattan apartment?
Yes, you can install an electric fireplace in most Manhattan apartments. Ventless fireplace models are often easy to recess into or mount on a wall or use as stand-alone units with minimal construction, but verify placement and approvals with your contractor before you buy.
7. How can I connect with contractors for my custom millwork and stonework renovation?
You can connect with contractors for your custom millwork and stonework renovation by working with Sweeten. In New York City, most projects of this nature will require a licensed general or home improvement contractor. They will use their millwork and stonework subcontractors to help you achieve your goal.
Updated on October 10, 2025
—
Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.
