UPPER WEST SIDE
new york, new york
This Upper West Side apartment is a project I’m deeply proud of and led as a designer with Katie Lydon Interiors. It began its life as a complete gut renovation of an outdated 1980s Formica maze. The kind of space that felt heavy, compartmentalized, and far removed from how the client actually lived. From day one, the goal was to transform something tired into a home that felt timeless and rooted in a true midcentury point of view without becoming predictable.
The client came in with three non-negotiables: a modern, spa-like bathroom, a show-stopping light fixture, and a kitchen designed for entertaining. Her love of midcentury design paired beautifully with her existing art collection, which immediately gave the project emotional texture and direction. In the bedroom, we softened the lens, introducing a more glamorous layer while keeping the palette restrained and calm. That balance between tailored and inviting became a throughline across the entire apartment.
The dining table sits directly on axis as you enter the apartment, so we treated it as the moment. A LARIAT pendant by Apparatus drapes down over the table and cascades against the city view beyond, setting the tone instantly. Around it, vintage furniture and an Armadillo shag carpet soften the space, creating contrast against modern custom pieces and metallic fabrics. That same dialogue continues into the hallway, where a vintage Rug & Kilim runner grounds the transition and quietly reinforces the story of old meeting new. It’s glam and midcentury in constant conversation, just like the client herself.
The kitchen was fully custom and designed collaboratively by Katie and me. Clean lines and thoughtful proportions give it a tailored feel, while the monolithic Katonah hardware adds weight and warmth through the burnished brass finish—a tactile sense of luxury. Every inch was engineered for both beauty and practicality. This is a kitchen meant to host, to gather, and to be lived in daily.
The bathroom became its own serene escape: crisp, modern, and quietly indulgent. Soft finishes, sculptural lighting, and subtle texture give it a spa-like calm, a deliberate contrast to the richer layers throughout the rest of the home. And in the bedroom, layered textiles, soft neutrals, and gentle metallics create that subtle glam we were after: soothing, intimate, and deeply personal.
On a personal level, this project holds real meaning for me. It’s rare when a space not only feels like the client has lived there forever, but also feels like a pure expression of why I love to design. This home does both. It’s collected, not styled. Elevated, but never cold. And every design decision, from the largest architectural move to the smallest brass detail, has intention behind it.
This Upper West Side renovation is the kind of project that reminds me why I love what I do. It’s layered, intentional, and deeply personal, a midcentury dream built for real life. And one I’ll always be fond of.
Photography by Armen Alexander