Designer Kathryn MacDonald fully transformed a Manhattan condo from basic to bold. The client? Her sister.

Tasked with the full renovation of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the West Village, Kathryn MacDonald, the principal designer of KJM Interiors, worked to add life and warmth into the very bones of the home. MacDonald’s client was Laura MacDonald, her sister, and the entire process of transforming her home took just over two years.

The pair worked in harmony throughout the process to ensure that their visions and needs were met; they started discussing the project more than four years prior. Starting with the flooring and going all the way to the final accessories, the two worked together to utilize every inch of space in the condo. The aesthetic of the home turned from simple to chic: Bold tones of blue and gold act as perfect complements to the beige walls and light flooring. Waterworks provided custom cabinetry and storage solutions throughout the space, and Ralph Lauren lighting and wallpaper act as stellar accents.

Tub chairs near the window allow for taking in the cityscape.

Because of the nature of working with limited space inside a full condo, the sisters had to be creative in the way they updated the home. “We were looking to add warmth, sophistication and character to what was essentially a white and gray box,” says Kathryn. “While we didn’t move any walls, it was a gut renovation.” The result is a cohesive aesthetic that has a classic urban feel while paying homage to its location.

The common area is more inviting and warm than it once was.

Despite collaboration being a key component to the design of the home, Kathryn had to work remotely from San Francisco where she is based while her sister was in Manhattan, which made for some technical difficulties. Partnering with brands she works with often like Carlisle and Amuneal for custom flooring, shelving and more allowed Kathryn to rise to the occasion. Their physical distance is not evident in the final result at all, as the two were able to work wonderfully together.

Waterworks custom cabinetry and hardware along with quartzite countertops by ABC Worldwide Stone in Brooklyn.

As the home came closer to being finished, Kathryn was able to have lots of fun while picking the finishing touches with her sister: “I worked with a trusted partner in San Francisco, Christina Maybaum of the Maybaum Gallery, to source a critical piece of art that really spoke to our entire palette and the view from the windows [the ‘Williamsburg’ painting by Hadas Tal above the bar cart]. It turns what was a bit of an eyesore—a large column housing building mechanical—into its own beautiful moment with the bar cart and painting.” Kathryn’s sense of style and taste make the home an absolute triumph in design, and working with her sister imbued the entire space with a sense of joy.

“Williamsburg,” an original oil painting by Hadas Tal, hangs above the bar cart.