AREA Interior Design revamps the apartment with an Oscar de la Renta banquette in Lee Jofa Fabric in caravan forest, a pair of Barovier Murano Venetian glass sconces among other dazzling items. Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS
AREA Interior Design revamps the apartment with an Oscar de la Renta banquette in Lee Jofa Fabric in caravan forest, a pair of Barovier Murano Venetian glass sconces among other dazzling items.

Janine Carendi MacMurray of AREA Interior Design adds a splash of sparkle to Fifth Avenue, breathing new life into an Upper East Side abode while preserving its storied past.


The living room of this Fifth avenue home includes a pair of two tier side tables in Ico Parisi, vintage Belgochrom 23-Karat coffee table and other chic decor. Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS
The living room of this Fifth Avenue home includes a pair of two-tier side tables in Ico Parisi, a vintage Belgochrom 23-Karat coffee table and other chic decor.

THE PROJECT

The apartment, steeped in the historical elegance of its Rosario Candela-designed origins, was set to undergo a transformation that honored its architectural heritage while infusing it with a fresh, modern aesthetic. Janine Carendi MacMurray from AREA Interior Design, in collaboration with CREATE and Zacco Construction, the apartment was carefully updated while retaining its historic charm. “We joined the project at the outset, working closely with the architect and general contractor,” Janine Carendi MacMurray of AREA Interior Design. “I particularly enjoy projects where we’re involved from day one, as there’s immense satisfaction in witnessing a home transform from the studs up.”


The bedroom of the home incorporates vintage elements to make the home feel far more elegant with a Murano ceiling light, sofa pillows in Kravet fabric in curly and Kravet bed fabric in lacing alabaster. Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS
The bedroom of the home incorporates vintage elements to make the home feel far more elegant with a Murano ceiling light, sofa pillows in Kravet fabric in curly and Kravet bed fabric in lacing alabaster.

THE DESIGN

The revamp included a reimagined floor plan that maintained the generous proportions of formal rooms, introduced a spacious kitchen and redesigned bedrooms to provide enchanting views of Central Park. “Each room reflects the architectural language while maintaining its unique personality,” said Janine Carendi MacMurray. “This approach makes the apartment feel intimate and comfortable, even though the rooms are much larger than typical NYC spaces. The result is a home that balances efficiency with glamour, serving as a sophisticated family residence.”


Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS

Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS

THE DETAILS

Each apartment corner was redesigned to incorporate contemporary elements that blend seamlessly with the apartment’s original grandeur. The library features lacquer and leopard print for a quiet reflection, while the living room’s green accents invite conversation and relaxation. Custom details can be found throughout the apartment, from glass fixtures in the dining area to vintage touches in the primary bedroom, each chosen to enhance the home’s elegant atmosphere.


Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS

AREA’s redesign included a modernist hand blown Murano glass “Pulegoso” sconces with brass fittings and large Murano glass flower flushmount by Ernst Palme. The library features pops of blue through the Farrow & Ball paint. Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS
AREA’s redesign included a modernist hand blown Murano glass “Pulegoso” sconces with brass fittings and large Murano glass flower flushmount by Ernst Palme. The library features pops of blue through the Farrow & Ball paint.

THE OUTCOME

The renovation spanned nearly two years, hosting weekly on-site meetings and a deep engagement with every aspect of the apartment’s redesign. The project is a testament to the importance of early and comprehensive involvement, ensuring every detail, from the placement of light switches to the intricate design of plaster moldings and millwork, is meticulously planned and executed. This renovation journey underscores the possibility of creating a modern, comfortable living space that respects and revitalizes historical elegance, achieving a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary design that meets the needs of a modern family.


The dining room follows the green color scheme with dining chairs and pillows in Schumacher fabric. Photo KIRSTEN FRANCIS
The dining room follows the green color scheme with dining chairs and pillows in Schumacher fabric.

Design Details

Type
Single-family co-op

Location
Upper East Side

Interior Design
AREA Interior Design, Janine Carendi
MacMurray
areainteriordesign.com

Architect
Frankie Campione
CREATE Architecture Planning & Design
createworldwide.com

General Contractor
Zacco Construction

RESOURCES

Stark
Rug
starkcarpet.com

Pierre Frey
Wallpaper, drapery fabric, stool fabric, arm chair, poufs
pierrefrey.com

Pumas Upholstery Corp
Custom banquette
pumasupholsterycorp.com

Doorman
Annette Oval Dining Table | Walnut
doormandesigns.com

1stDibs
Oscar Torlasco
Brushed Brass 5 Arm
Sconces (Dining Room)
Pair of Barovier
Murano Venetian
Glass
Sconces (Living Room)
Karl Fagerland for
Orrefors Bubble
Crystal
Wall Sconces
(Powder Room)
Great 18 Palmette
Shallow Flush Ceiling
Mount, Murano
(Upstairs Hall)
www.1stdibs.com