This Small 1920s NYC Apartment Was Designed Around a Striking 7-Foot Long Family Heirloom

“We had our hearts set on the Upper West Side — a neighborhood that offers a welcome pause from the intensity of midtown, with its tree-lined streets, classic architecture, and easy access to Central Park. It struck the perfect balance of energy and calm,” says Kelsey, who shared this 800-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment with her husband, Michael Matyas, and their dog, Maple.

Before moving in, Kelsey described the space as having a lot of potential (with “beautiful oak wood floors and warm white walls.”) “It was a blank canvas ready for it’s facelift,” she writes. Perhaps most importantly, this was going to be the couple’s first home together, and Kelsey says she knew from the beginning that the “space had to feel like ours, not just mine or his.”

“Creating a sense of balance was key. I leaned into gender-neutral tones and accents — soft but grounded, warm but not overly styled — so that every corner felt welcoming and considered for both of us. It wasn’t about compromise; it was about creating a home that reflected who we were becoming, together,” Kelsey continues.

Besides size, budget, and the fact that it was not their forever home, a challenge for the couple was fitting a treasured heirloom into the one-bedroom apartment: a beloved 7×3-foot family heirloom desk.

“[M]y husband’s grandfather was an architect, and the associate vice president for construction at Cornell University,” Kelsey writes. “As a retirement gift, he was given this beautiful custom desk that reaches 7 feet long and 3 feet deep. It’s a work of art and a beautiful statement. It was passed down to my husband and has become our single most important piece of furniture we own.” 

• Bedroom — Benjamin Moore “Gray Mirage”
• Living Room Accent Walls — Benjamin Moore “Abyss”

• Console — CB2

• Harris Sofa — West Elm
• Coffee Table — Alder & Tweed
• Rug — West Elm

• Bed — West Elm

Thanks, Kelsey!

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

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