An Upper West Side Apartment Receives A 1920s-Inspired Makeover

Some prewar apartments have the good fortune of retaining their early-20th-century charm. Others, like this reimagined Upper West Side abode, need help to regain it. Located within a stately 1920s Riverside Drive building, the residence boasts spectacular Hudson River views, yet its graciousness had been diminished long ago by a misguided renovation. Needing a complete overhaul, the space presented its new owners with the opportunity to create their dream home almost from scratch, under the guidance of their longtime friend and designer, Mona Ross Berman, and architect Margie Lavender. Uniqueness was a priority from the start: “I did not want it to look like anyone else’s apartment,” the wife recounts. “My husband and I wanted it to have flair, but also to be authentic to the historical context.”

The design team and their clients did not have to look far for inspiration: The building’s original lobby and architecture became the basis of the home’s contemporary riff. “This is a modern interpretation of Art Deco. It’s simplified and not fussy,” says Lavender, pointing to the gently stepped ceiling moldings that outline most rooms, a streamlined replacement for the style’s original jaggedness. Lavender also took pleasure in designing a series of stylized, geometric-motif doors, some of which conceal amenities when not in use, like a glamorous lacquered bar in the living area. “Design from the ’20s and ’30s often has these highly articulated jewel-box elements,” according to the architect, who closely collaborated with Berman and general contractor John Hite to weave those special moments throughout the home.

Reflecting the homeowners’ love of Paris, a French influence also infuses much of the design, starting upon entry. Reimagined as a welcoming library gallery outfitted with glass-fronted bookcases, the enlarged space boasts a herringbone-patterned oak floor, which Berman deems “very ‘Paris apartment,’ ” noting, “That’s where the idea came from.” Similarly, in a nearby family room, cerused-oak wall paneling in a midtone stain and sleek, sophisticated furniture recall those luxurious lounges for which ’30s French ocean liners were famous. The comparison is apt given the room’s intricately engineered millwork, which hides necessities like a closet and radiator. “It is a lot like a ship,” Berman acknowledges. “There are lots of secret compartments and jib doors. Paneling is great for that, because it allows for the opportunity to add those things.”

In fact, no space was too small or utilitarian to be meticulously crafted, says Lavender. “Every moment is a thoughtful design and a moment for beauty,” she notes. The powder room, for example, is fitted with vibrant blue wall paneling that conceals a secret shower stall, while the guest bedroom comes with its own surprise: a cozy bed nook lavished in colorful fabrics, which Berman likens to a folly. Now complete, the couple’s dream home has been receiving rave reviews for its good looks, naturally, but also its practicality. “Even those who are less aesthetic are taken with the smart functionality of the home,” the wife enthuses. “People are blown away.”