Crosby Street Apartment
At Crosby Street Apartment by Ember Studio, neutral hues and tactile surfaces culminate in a home that deftly balances dramatic proportions with a palpable sense of serenity.
Ember Studio’s Stephanie Betesh was engaged by her clients and long-time family friends to reimagine their Soho loft. The couple’s decision to enlist Betesh can be traced to a hand-painted watercolour card she gifted to them prior to their wedding – the design of which influenced the invitations to their ceremony at the luxury hotel Amangiri in Utah, and ultimately, the interiors of their new home in Soho.
Though the loft boasted desirable heritage architectural details including high ceilings, large windows and original timber beams, it was lacking a design sensibility, and Betesh worked closely with her clients to introduce character and consistency. “They wanted a calm, quiet and cosy place where they could relax away from the hustle and bustle of New York, so the goal was to create a cohesive space that felt open, but that also prioritised family and having people over,” says Betesh.
The full gut renovation involved creating a new material palette, reworking parts of the existing layout, dropping the ceiling in places and exposing it in others and generally creating a newfound sense of light, space and cohesion throughout. Guided by her eye for materiality, Betesh has introduced soft, limewashed walls, white oak millwork and plaster finishes. The effect is cocoon-like and soothing, both in the naturally lit spaces and moodier pockets.
Betesh’s granular scope also included sourcing all the furniture, lighting and objects, many of which were collected by Betesh and her clients on trips they took together to antiques fairs. “It was really high touch, which was great,” says the designer. Layered on top of this extensive curation are several deeply personal items, including family relics reframed by Betesh, and an old book, which was a family heirloom, that she had rebound. “That contrasts against the architecture in a way that’s really beautiful because you have the clean, minimal architectural expression with these old objects that really tell a story and have a history.”
The reimagined floor plan places the “spa-like primary suite” and nursey towards the rear. These spaces have access to natural light and high ceilings; however, they express an intimacy and cosiness fitting for their respective programs. The primary bathroom exudes luxury with a custom white oak and limestone vanity, hand-trowelled Marmorino plaster walls and a white oak dropped ceiling above the shower and tub.
This approach to materiality continues in the open-plan kitchen living and dining area where neutral tones coat the space. Located beneath soaring windows, the space is defined by its volume and light. The cleverly re-worked floor plan allows for an office adjacent to the dining area. Concealed behind custom slatted white oak doors suspended from a hidden track, it can be discreetly closed off and doubles as a guest bedroom.
Betesh’s rigorous approach can be seen throughout, and it undoubtedly elevates the project. Minimal and highly resolved, the space is compelling in its commitment to quality finishes, authentic design finds and meticulous detailing. This includes custom built-in pieces thoughtfully scaled to the loft’s proportions, hidden tracks and HVAC units, recessed U-channels for shower panels, mitred tile joints and trim less reveals. They are but a handful of the highly specific details that, combined at Crosby Street Apartment, make for a decidedly calm and beautifully resolved home.
Interior design by Ember Studio. Build by H Interior Design Construction. Artwork by Stephanie Betesh, D-Haene Studio, Rebecca Major, Paul Meyer, MONDAYS, Morgan Peck, Kian Shabestari, Joseph Skoby, Soft Skills and TOV/RA.
