Jersey Flat : A Design Preview

The Jersey Flat project was my first bachelor pad design and my client’s first private apartment. My aim for this project was to create a space that helped celebrate & commemorate this milestone in my clients’ life. I remember my first apartment very well, and it colored so many beautiful memories at the beginning of my adult life. I wanted my client’s backdrop to be in sync with the great memories he would create here.

First and foremost, I have to say, my client is an old friend, we went to Architecture school together at NYIT (The New York Institute of Technology). This is important, because most people think an Architect can do the job of an Interior Designer, but while an Architect is focused on the bigger picture, a designer focuses on the details, spatial planning, and the way a human interacts with interior space. So, he sought my expertise when it came to designing his space, and actually admitted I did things differently (and better) than he would have thought to do himself. Kudos to us!! haha

Ok, back to the apartment…

When you enter the studio apartment through the front door, I wanted the visual focus to be the “living space”. I added a tailored futon-sofa to accommodate any guests, finishing the area with a warm teak coffee table, corduroy tan pillows, and patterned drapes to soften the view. We struggled with finding artwork here, so the client took it upon himself to create the abstract artwork featured here, which encompasses all of the blue, white, gray, and camel colors throughout the room. Our goal here, was to design a multi-functional space, with clear separation of Living & Personal areas.

In the bedroom area, my client and I agreed on a walnut wood murphy bed that helped to divide the living and personal sections of the studio. The fold-up feature of the bed opens up the space when hosting guests and conceals the messiness of a private sleeping area. We added intimate warmth with refined bedding, an industrial style nightstand, tall table lamp and tall floor lamp to balance the height of the Murphy bed, while making space for a layer of moody nighttime lighting.

Since the bed and sofa components take up most of the main room, I sectioned the shared space off with a graphic rug that was complimentary to the warmth of the walnut wood bed. Finally, I added gray ottomans with tan leather straps that are easily moveable to create more seating when entertaining guests.

Finally, as a project manager for a well-established development firm, my client needed a dedicated space for work. I planned to tuck in a desk beside the Murphy bed, for additional privacy and focus. The desk, featuring white lacquer with walnut elements, added to the cleanliness and masculinity of the space while still being functional. We added finishing touches through ledge walnut shelves for frames and décor.

We brought this space together beautifully, and the client was both surprised and very well pleased. We hope the design frames many milestones through this moment in our clients’ life. Stay Tuned for the full reveal, coming soon!