Dark Rooms Were Transformed Into Bright Living Spaces Inside This Remodeled Apartment

December 5, 2020
A modern remodel of a New York duplex apartment.

New York based architecture and interior design firm Studio F?r, have completed the contemporary remodel of an apartment that overlooks Central Park.

Stepping into the apartment, the entryway was dark, however, the new design includes light walls that continue into the living room, where a custom wood shelving unit runs along the wall and transitions into a bookshelf with LED lighting.

A 'before' photo of a dark entryway before being remodeled into a modern and bright space.
A modern living room with custom shelving and a grey stone fireplace surround.
A custom wood shelving unit runs along the wall and transitions into a bookshelf with LED lighting.
Wood shelves with a red backing and LED lighting.

The original living room had a dark grey wall with black floating shelves and a large metallic accent above the fireplace.

A 'before' photo of a living room with dark gray walls, a black fireplace, and metallic accent.

The new living room includes a gas fireplace by Spark with a light gray stone surround by SMC Stone. White walls keep the room bright, while the furnishings have a slight mid-century modern touch.

A modern living room that includes a gas fireplace by Spark with a light gray stone surround by SMC Stone.
A modern living room with mid-century inspired furniture.

Outside, there’s a balcony that overlooks Central Park and has views of the city skyline in the distance.

An apartment balcony with views of Central Park.

Back inside, and the original dining room kept with the darker, gray, and black theme that’s apparent throughout the interior. The newly updated dining room, which is open to the kitchen, has a circular light that hangs above a glass dining table.

A dining room remodel transformed a dark space into a bright and open dining area.

In the kitchen, dark wood cabinets with a black backsplash were replaced with custom gray kitchen cabinets, dark gray Paperstone countertops and backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and Plumen lighting.

A black kitchen before a modern remodel.
A modern kitchen with gray cabinets, LED undermount lighting, and Paperstone countertops and backsplash.
A modern kitchen with gray cabinets, LED undermount lighting, and Paperstone countertops and backsplash.
A modern kitchen with gray cabinets, LED undermount lighting, and Paperstone countertops and backsplash.

Back in the living room, we see there’s a staircase that leads down to the other level of the apartment. The original walls were burnt orange, while the stairs are made from metal. The updated stairs are much brighter, with wood treads and small lights built into the white walls.

A metal staircase before it was remodeled.
A metal staircase before it was remodeled.
Contemporary stairs with wood treads and small lights built into the white walls.
A staircase with wood treads opens up to a hallway with artwork.

At the bottom of the stairs, there’s a bright hallway filled with artwork.

A modern and bright hallway filled with art.

One of the original bedrooms had a wood-like material on the walls and ceiling, while the new bedroom has been updated with bright walls and minimal furniture.

A wood-lined bedroom before a remodel.
A bright and contemporary bedroom with minimal furniture.
A bright and contemporary bedroom with minimal furniture.

Here’s a look at one of the bathrooms before photos. There’s gray tile on the walls and floor, a white pedestal sink, and a shower/bath combo with white subway tiles. The newly updated bathroom has bright white walls, a simple wood vanity with a white sink, and a shower/bath combo with square turquoise tiles on the walls.

A bathroom before it's been remodeled.
A modern bathroom with bright white walls, a simple wood vanity with white sink, and a shower/bath combo with square turquoise tiles on the walls.

The other bathrooms have also been updated. Some of the key features are a deep soaking bathtub, shelving niches, marbled tiles, wood accents, and large mirrors.

A modern bathroom with white soaking tub, gray marble subway tiles, and shower and a shelving niche lined with square turquoise tiles.
A modern bathroom with white soaking tub, gray marble subway tiles, and a shelving niche lined with square turquoise tiles.
A modern bathroom with a wood vanity and radiator cover, and marbled tiles.
A simple bathroom with a gray and white vanity.

The apartment also has a home office, which was originally filled with black shelves, black curtains, a tv stand and desk, and dark floors. It’s now been transformed into a bright space with a simple desk and a sofa.

A 'before' photo of a home office/den.
A modern and simple home office with a sofa that can be used as a guest room.
After photography by Garrett Rowland | Architecture and Interior Design: Studio F?r | Contractor: Dean & Silva LLC