When designing a Downtown Brooklyn space for a Scandinavian family, architect Joseph McGuier of JAM Architecture and designer Nina Garbiras of FIG Interior Design didn't have to look far for inspiration. The duplex apartment was located in a 1929 building that had been converted from offices to apartments in the late 2000s. "The clients loved the fact that the apartment is in a landmarked art deco building and wanted the apartment design to reflect that, but in a modern way," says McGuier.
But in order to infuse more of the history of the building into the space, they first had to fix the awkward layout. "We ended up taking everything out back to the exterior walls of the building and re-envisioning the space with more regular, well-proportioned spaces," says McGuier. The clients wanted to use the apartment for entertaining and hosting family, and asked the team to create two bedrooms to help accommodate guests. They also created a sunken living space on the lower level, which was perfect for entertaining and gave the room a higher ceiling.
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McGuier and Garbiras then brought in 1920s-inspired elements, both in the architecture and decor. "We began exploring ways to weave in the curves, step backs, finishes, and colors redolent of the art deco age," says Garbiras. The apartment's materials — including fluted glass, glass mosaic, and herringbone floors — channel the era, but are balanced with modern accents such as abstract art, open shelving and sculptural lighting. The finished pied-à-terre feels historic and anything but old fashioned.
