Prospect Park West by Vellum Studio

Designed by Ronit Lee, founder of Vellum Studio, Prospect Park West evokes undertones of a classic New York City loft yet is grounded in a feminine and understated design, offering a calm space to escape from a bustling city.

Prospect Park West is housed within a Classic Revival-style building from the 1920s, located on a corner overlooking a historic Brooklyn park. The brief therefore called for a design that responds to the views and hues within the surrounding locale. Also central to the project was creating a hotel suite-style haven and maximising space with bespoke storage and art solutions.

Balancing minimalism with brutalist details, the materiality is dominated by soft textures, custom millwork and metalwork.

Vellum Studio focused largely on spatial changes while carefully retaining the existing architectural details of the two-bedroom apartment. Custom closets and interior lighting were added to create a dressing area in the main bedroom and to separate the laundry and utilities spaces. Similarly, a bedroom is reconfigured into a home office with custom-designed wall storage and shelving that optimises space and provides a beautiful backdrop to the room.

Balancing minimalism with brutalist details, the materiality is dominated by soft textures, custom millwork and metalwork. This is complemented by a subtle and understated colour palette of soft red, burnt orange and blush, inspired by the autumnal tones of the trees that line the park across the road. “It was an honour to continue the long-term client relationship and reinterpret iconic pieces from a previous design project for the client’s new home with a new approach and a fresh colour palette,” says Lee.

The design thoughtfully includes furnishings from different eras, with stand-out pieces including a Jean Michel Frank cupboard in the entry alongside a bench by Vincenzo de Cotiis and custom cocktail tables by Jacques Jarrige in the living area.

The design thoughtfully includes furnishings from different eras, with stand-out pieces including a Jean Michel Frank cupboard in the entry alongside a bench by Vincenzo de Cotiis and custom cocktail tables by Jacques Jarrige in the living area. Artworks by Maja Ruznic in the bedroom and Marisa Purcell in the living area complete the softly textured interiors. Metalwork by Shelton Studios then cleverly conceals a television, and custom millwork by J. Pickens in the study includes shelving and cabinetry.

Prospect Park West feels airy, relaxed and contemporary. The beautiful harmony of tones, furnishings and materiality creates a tangible sense of warmth that responds to the apartment’s surroundings and the needs of the inhabitants.

Interior design by Vellum Studio.