SubscribeSign In
Collection by Diana Budds

University Place Apartment

After a young couple purchased an apartment in New York City's Greenwich Village, they turned to Matthew Miller of local firm StudioLAB to rescue its dark, closed-off interiors. The 800-square-foot apartment was divided into two 400-square-foot levels. The ground floor originally had a closed-off kitchen and a living-dining room, and the basement level housed the bedroom and bathroom. Miller opted to open up the plan and brighten all of the surfaces—flooring, walls, countertops—to breathe some life into the space. Though the changes are dramatic, Miller faced challenges due to the fact that this wasn't a total gut-renovation. "New York City apartments are very much like a puzzle," he says. "The plumbing doesn't move, you have to consider the HVAC, and there is a certain number of doors and windows you have to work with. It's not like a house where you have more leeway..." Tour the apartment in the slideshow.

View 14 Photos
The kitchen features Caesarstone countertops, a Miele dishwasher and hood, SubZero refrigerator, and built-in microwave and oven by Wolf.
The kitchen features Caesarstone countertops, a Miele dishwasher and hood, SubZero refrigerator, and built-in microwave and oven by Wolf.
Here's what the kitchen looked like before.
Here's what the kitchen looked like before.
Opposite the kitchen is a dining area and living room, which can be partitioned off with a set of folding doors. The dining table is from Ikea and the chandelier is from Niche Modern.
Opposite the kitchen is a dining area and living room, which can be partitioned off with a set of folding doors. The dining table is from Ikea and the chandelier is from Niche Modern.
One of the home's boldest space-saving moves is this set of custom pivot-sliding doors, which offers the flexibility of a private room for guests without having to be permanently closed off from the rest of the apartment when not in use.
One of the home's boldest space-saving moves is this set of custom pivot-sliding doors, which offers the flexibility of a private room for guests without having to be permanently closed off from the rest of the apartment when not in use.
The doors are set on a track by Häfele and pivot 90 degrees.
The doors are set on a track by Häfele and pivot 90 degrees.
As they open, they fold and stack flush. There was no room for a pocket door since the oven is directly next to the partitioned-off space.
As they open, they fold and stack flush. There was no room for a pocket door since the oven is directly next to the partitioned-off space.
Here's the room with the doors fully opened. The sofa is by Ligne Roset.
Here's the room with the doors fully opened. The sofa is by Ligne Roset.
Here's what the living room looked like before.
Here's what the living room looked like before.
Now, cubbies are built into the wall to provide storage.
Now, cubbies are built into the wall to provide storage.
A stairwell featuring stainless-steel hand rails and glass connects the two levels.
A stairwell featuring stainless-steel hand rails and glass connects the two levels.
The original staircase.
The original staircase.
Here's the master bedroom on the lower level. The bed is from Blu Dot and the side table is by Mario Mazzer from Property Furniture.
Here's the master bedroom on the lower level. The bed is from Blu Dot and the side table is by Mario Mazzer from Property Furniture.
The bathroom features fixtures by Duravit and Hansgrohe.
The bathroom features fixtures by Duravit and Hansgrohe.