Studioteka was asked to gut renovate a pair of apartments in two historic tenement buildings owned by a client as rental properties in the East Village. Though small in footprint at approximately 262 and 278 square feet, respectively, the units each boast well appointed kitchens complete with custom built shaker-style cabinetry and a full range of appliances including a dishwasher, 4 burner stove with oven, and a full height refrigerator with freezer, and bathrooms with stackable or combined washer/dryer units for busy downtown city dwellers. The shaker style cabinetry also has integrated finger pulls for the drawers and cabinet doors, and so requires no hardware. Our innovative client was a joy to work with, and numerous layouts and options were explored in arriving at the best possible use of the space. The angled wall in the smaller of the two units was a part of this collaborative process as it allowed us to be able to fit a stackable unit in the bathroom while ensuring that we also met ADA adaptable standards. New warm wooden flooring was installed in both units to complement the light, blond color of the cabinets which in turn contrast with the cooler stone countertop and gray wooden backsplash. The same wood for the backsplash is then used on the bathroom floor, where it provides a contrast with the simple, white subway tile, sleek silver hanging rods, and white plumbing fixtures.
