Although being published out-of-sequence, this post will be the third of a series to show how an Upper East Side Manhattan apartment has been furnished by different owners. This shows the current incarnation, as decorated by interior designer
David Kleinberg as his own residence. Except for the images noted as being from
DKDA, the photographs are by Eric Piasecki for
Architectural Digest.
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| Another view of David Kleinberg's Living Room. |
David retained the Living Room's handsome paneling but painted it cream and white to provide a more contemporary background. The suspended spiral light in the first image was designed by Swiss architect Max Ernst Haefeli in 1937.
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| The end of the Living Room. |
David uses the end of the Living Room as a library.
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The Entrance Hall.
Image: DKDA. |
In the Entrance Hall, the barrel vault ceiling remains but the recessed downlights of the previous owners are replaced with a new linear light designed by David's firm, DKDA. Also, the smoked glass mirrors are removed.
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| The Dining Room |
David uses the coromandel paneled library as his Dining Room. The rug is made from squares of cowhide.
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| The Master Bedroom. |
A custom-made bed is the dominant feature of the Master Bedroom. The walls are upholstered with the same striped fabric as the curtains. The mirrored shutters from the previous owners remain.
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| David Kleinberg's Dressing Room. |
Folded shirts and sweaters are stored on shelves in the oak Dressing Room.
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| The Bathroom. |
In the Bathroom, the striations of the marble provide pattern and color in the otherwise primarily white space. The iron chair from the 1930s was designed by Jean-Charles Moreux.
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| The Study. |
The walls of the Study are covered with upholstered linen panels decorated with nailheads. Vintage armchairs by Edward J. Wormley are upholstered in leather.
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| The Kitchen. |
The Kitchen shimmers with cabinet doors and appliances of stainless steel. Countertops and backsplashes are Calacatta marble. The floor is faux wood tile from Ann Sacks.
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| The Breakfast Area of the Kitchen. |
A Breakfast area features a classic modern Saarinen table.
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David Kleinberg.
Image: DKDA. |
More of David's work may be seen in the book TRADITIONAL NOW: INTERIORS BY DAVID KLEINBERG available at a considerable discount
here. Part II of The Apartment which shows the Robert Denning decoration of the previous owners may be seen
here. Part I will be shown in a future post.
Terrific group of posts, I can't imagine part 1. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteTerry, I apologize in advance for the detour that will cause a delay in Part I.
DeleteThere's so much to like in this incarnation. The oculus is much more effective, and I am very impressed with the lighting device in the barrel vaulted corridor.
ReplyDeleteColumnist, yes the new light makes more of the vault. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI really love comparative designs on same spaces. In fact, the space compared like is really shows the effects of decorating. There was a piece in the nytimes you may have seen about 6 months ago that did the same with a studio but it was still very interesting. Look forward to the third part.
ReplyDeleteCSW, as much as I think that is architecture that defines the character of the space, it is the decorating that can make or break it.
DeleteWhat a fascinating comparison contrast opportunity, both rich in creative selection and editing. Mr. Kleinberg's efforts clearly and elegantly force the interior into the 21st century.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I personally really like traditional interiors but appreciate the successful mix of the contemporary with the classic, as shown here. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteIt's such a pleasure to see recessed lighting REMOVED rather than installed such as that narrow hallway. Is there anything more office-ey or bland than recessed lighting?
ReplyDeleteStefan, I could not agree more. I appreciate your comments.
DeleteThis has been a fascinating series. I like the current incarnation, and the fact that David Kleinberg has retained several elements like the coromandel paneling. I do find it strange that to access top shelf books in both his living room and study, one needs to stand on upholstered furniture.
ReplyDeleteMark, those high shelves are undoubtedly an answer to a desired proportion. Surely there is a ladder stored away somewhere. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteIn this age of 'Throw Out the Baby With the Bathwater' gut renovations, Mr. Kleinberg's renovation of this apartment is a beacon of taste and sanity.
ReplyDeleteD.E.D., it is indeed wise to save the good stuff and not just change for the sake of change and put one's imprint on something. The painting of the Living Room paneling is a good example of this by David Kleinberg. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteInteresting to see that David Kleinberg retained the lacquered panels installed by Harry Bailey in the apartment's dining room, without compromising the sleek, architecturally rigorous look that is his own trademark. In fact it is Mr Kleinberg's approach which strikes me as the purest of the lot. Bob Denning had a regrettable tendency to tart things up and his work here is no exception--those fabric covered panels are as wrong as wrong can be.
ReplyDeleteToby, I agree. The coromandel room makes an interesting contrast with the rest of the apartment, and it was a wise choice to keep it and make only some decorative improvements to the other elements. The fabric panels in the Living Room really did not add anything -- except an increase in the commission -- did they? I do not object to 'gilding the lily' on occasion if it really improves the décor.
DeleteI have admired David Kleinberg's work for some time, but I think that my admiration for him grew once I saw that he retained the lacquered panels in the apartment's dining room.
ReplyDeleteJohn, this is a great series of posts!
TPoC, too many designers often just rip out the evidence of previous occupants for the sake of change, so it is commendable that David recognized the value of the panels without compromising his own decorative vision, isn't it? Thanks for commenting.
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