Architect and interior designer Carol Kurth took cues from New York City's skyline to craft an artful abode on the Upper West Side.

Paolo Castelli’s My Lamp rectangular chandelier hangs in the dining room.

THE PROJECT

Look to the east, and Central Park takes center stage. To the south, the Freedom Tower reveals itself, and the Hudson River awaits at west. Inside this Upper West Side home, every angle offers picturesque views—and that’s exactly where architect and interior designer Carol Kurth found inspiration for crafting this pied-a-terre for her clients.

“With an elevated perspective above the skyline, the home reflects the culture of NYC through materiality and framed views,” says Kurth.

“The design of the apartment takes advantage of the sweeping views and dynamic architectural design while creating a retreat 45 floors in the sky,” says Kurth, principal of Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors. “With an elevated perspective above the skyline, the home reflects the culture of New York City through materiality and framed views.” Renovated by the previous owners, the space offered Kurth and her team beautiful bones to build upon but a floor plan that needed some work. “Our firm created a more open and modern floor plan that maximized the views and allowed a flow throughout the space,” she adds. “I introduced wood elements that repeated throughout the project, giving a cohesive sense of design.”

A duo of paintings by Ewa Bathelier pair with a bronze ballerina sculpture by Estella Fransbergen.

THE DESIGN

“Lighting played a key role in this apartment,” Kurth says. “I emphasized the effect that shadows play upon surfaces and developed a custom lighting plan to highlight the clients’ art collection.” Art was also central to the design. The homeowners’ own pieces plus a selection of commissioned pieces populate the space and add a personalized flair. “Art brings personality to the home, and we had a lot of fun procuring the art on this project,” Kurth adds. “Our close relationship with the clients allowed for real-time dialog while on art sourcing travel, which enabled us to forge relationships with galleries and local artists who were open to creating custom commissions for spaces envisioned with certain dimensions and art specifications such as color and materiality.”

Michelle Y. Williams’ “Neutral Cuts” series (left) and “The World XVI” by Victoria Kovalenchikova

THE DETAILS

“Layers of textures and a neutral palette contrast with the pops of color punctuated by the artwork commissioned for the space,” Kurth says. “A pair of mixed-media works by artist Max Ryan punctuate the tonal-hued living space and are placed adjacent to brass ring lights that emulate the shape and glow of the Revson Fountain at Lincoln Center—and blur the line between sculpture and jewelry.” Many pieces from Kurth’s furniture collection are also seen throughout the home, such as the dining table inspired by the skyline and a velvet-clad headboard that’s evocative of a brick building’s facade.

The bedroom features an inviting color palette.

THE OUTCOME

After opening up the floor plan and curating the space with her expert eye, Kurth completely transformed the shell of a home into a luxurious oasis of elegance. “At the intersection of art and architecture, the home was designed with a gallerylike concept,” Kurth says. “In this project in particular, art is where the home is; home is where the art is.”

In a guest bedroom, a Carol Kurth headboard and bed detailed in cut velvet.

A Carol Kurth desk in embossed leather

Lighting and shadows played a pivotal role in the design process.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE

Apartment

LOCATION

Upper West Side

DESIGNER & ARCHITECT

Carol Kurth, Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors, carolkurtharchitects.com

BUILDER

Norman Project Management 718.383.6790

CARPENTER

Peter’s Carpentry/360 Millwork 203.326.0805

RESOURCES

A. RUDIN

Entry wall mirror in primary bedroom, arudin.com

CABERNET CARPETS INC.

Rugs throughout, cabernetcarpets.ca

CAROL KURTH

Furniture throughout, carolkurtharchitects.com

CLIFF YOUNG

Kitchen chairs, cabernetcarpets.ca

HOLLY HUNT

Kitchen lighting and swivel chairs in family area, hollyhunt.com

PHILLIP JEFFRIES

Wallcovering in guest room, phillipjeffries.com

POLIFORM

Family area sofa, poliform.it

RH

Lighting and night tables in guest room, rh.com