A Resourceful NYC Renovation Modernizes a Pre-War Apartment

Renovating a family home often means finding a balance between fostering togetherness and allowing for privacy. And that's exactly the type of challenge architect Lauren Rubin faced when she was hired to help one navigate the renovation of a pre-war apartment in Manhattan. The owners, a young couple with two children, were determined to transform their address's quirky layout in a way that would make everyone happy — including the building's conservative co-op board. "There is great history in this apartment, and we paired the pre-war details with modern interventions that are appropriate for the space," Rubin said. Her first priority was giving the entire home a more open and airy aesthetic, but because of building restrictions, Rubin had to work with the existing architecture. She refurbished the doors and floors, and later brought in a neutral palette accented with rich textures and sculptural lighting. Then, Rubin individualized areas for each member of the family: she created whimsical and colorful bedrooms for the son and daughter, and a tranquil master suite for their parents. Now, the property's longstanding elements are in tune with a 21st-century family.