Dream Home Style

The house was built near a sometimes-noisy highway, but robust insulation and windows help minimize sound filtration, as does a foyer and hallway fronting the building.

The renovated living room gave the space a splash of white, icluding a fireplace makeover, but retained the original red oak floors.

The renovated second bedroom, outfitted with a wall of storage

One of two children's bedrooms

Architect Merritt Amanti Palminteri reinvented her family home to add volume, flow, and infinite charm without changing the footprint.

The interior lights are from Schoolhouse Electric.

The children’s reading area off their bedroom, affectionately called the book nook, has an eave skylight that Andrew made from a reclaimed piece of safety glass. The aperture opposite the skylight looks down into the living area.

An opening off the children’s bedroom (top right) brings in light and functions like a window looking over a courtyard, allowing the family to communicate easily from different levels.

The family room displays Ashley’s reference materials and heirlooms, including a porcelain vase made by her grandmother.

A sunken library houses Paul’s extensive Jane Austen collection. Built-in walnut seating, also by Lutz Wood, is covered in Cortina Leathers cushions. A 1960s Hungarian tapestry hangs nearby.

This nook was also engineered to function as a mini-singing hall so the grandparents can engage in vocal practice. The rammed-earth wall extends to the bedroom to soundproof this area, and the ceiling was tilted for acoustic purposes. "The narrow space gains a perfect effect of reverberation," says the firm.

A view of the master bedroom portion of the apartment illustrates how the designers made every square inch of the home multifunctional. The bed platform is surrounded by smart storage, including various drawers, and doubles as a stage for singing or extra seating on movie nights.