This 1830s New York “Duplex-and-a-Half” Got a Cozy, Colorful, “Slightly Chaotic” Makeover

“The moment I crossed the threshold, I was captivated by the apartment’s bones,” Olivia continues. “You enter into the main kitchen and living space, where the original 10-inch pine floors tell stories of countless inhabitants before me. The room bathes in natural light, thanks to south-facing windows that capitalize on the low-rise buildings across the street.”

“Adjacent to the wood-burning fireplace — a feature that still makes me swoon — a short ascent leads to what I affectionately call “the jewel box,” an office space that doubles as a sunny perch for my dog, Flan. She’s made it her mission to keep watch over our neighborhood, greeting passersby from the window. A spiral staircase descends from the living room to reveal a generous primary suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet.”

My approach to personalizing the space has been deliberately measured. While I immediately updated the bedroom flooring to echo the historic pine planks above, I took time to understand how I would inhabit each room before making further changes. Over 18 months, I methodically selected paint colors for walls and trim, chose window treatments that balanced light with privacy, and incorporated custom millwork to showcase the various objects and books I’ve collected over the years.

The stairway to the office now features built-in shelving, thoughtfully designed to display the cherished items that tell my story. Even the laundry area received careful consideration, with a custom millwork enclosure concealing the washer and dryer while maximizing storage. Working with California Closets, I transformed every awkward nook in the primary bedroom closet into purposeful space, ensuring that this historic home meets modern living demands while preserving its inherent charm.

My home reflects my warmth as a host and my deep appreciation for personal history. The color palette — rich reds, deep browns, and warm beiges — pays homage to cherished memories of my grandmother’s pre-war Upper West Side apartment. Every object tells a story, from carefully chosen artwork and family photographs to thoughtful gifts and travel mementos, like a whimsical painting of martinis by Grace Percival, that I picked up on Maison Flaneur. In my bedroom, I embraced the natural darkness, using warm beige walls and dark accents to create a cocoon-like sanctuary that encourages restful sleep well into the morning hours.

• “The Jewel Box” Wall Color — Farrow & Ball’s “Preference Red”
• Living Room — Portola Paints’ “Mission” in Limewash

• Rug — Cold Picnic
• Bench — Chairish
• Desk — 2Modern
• Sconces — Anthropologie
• Lamp — Noguchi Shop
• Wallpaper — Calico
• Art — Avery Wheless, Catherine Repko, Carly Burnell

• Gianfranco Frattini Nesting Tables — Design Within Reach
• Sofa — Sixpenny
• Ottoman — Noe Duchaufour-Lawrence, “lovingly borrowing from my parents”
• Top Rug — Mush
• Bottom Rug — Rugs USA
• Light pendant — Noguchi Museum
• Shades — The Shade Store

• Dining Table — Knoll

• Bed — Article
• Rug — Beni Rugs
• Dresser — Good Behavior

Thanks, Olivia!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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