PC Residence

The PC Residence is an 18-foot wide 1899  triplex and garden apartment townhouse in historic Stuyvesant Heights.   The home was designed for a gallerist’s family, who contributed to the design with their unique furnishings, artworks, and love and enthusiasm for design.   The kitchen at the rental apartment on the garden level was updated with new millwork, finishes, and appliances.  Work on the parlor level included opening and integrating the kitchen to the dining and living area.   It previously was separated from the dining room.  The kitchen is a natural gathering point for this family and they wanted to allow for a more free-flowing and generous connection.   Attention was given to creating a space for entertaining, a comfortable family living area, and space to display their extensive collection of modern art.  The incorporation of the kitchen started with the idea of an “anti-kitchen”, where the design would downplay the standard looks of a typical kitchen: no upper cabinets, no monolith walls of built-ins, the use of unobtrusive cooktops and the use of a built-in downdraft.  The kitchen consists of three furniture-like units clad in a raw hand-brushed aluminum finish.  The crafted material has a reflective quality that changes and casts the colors of the surrounding materials and light.   The island acts as a sculptural piece that becomes the focal point with the use of a vivid and bold Calcutta viola marble.  Zellige tile surround the walls to create a rippled, slightly imperfect charm from their variations in tone, shine and depths.  The back of the parlor level was transformed with the insertion of custom wood and glass windows and door to help forge the connection between outside and inside.