Imagine the life of a busy playwright and her retired ad-exec husband. Their children grown, the couple divides their time between the most electric city in the world and a beloved old stone home in Pennsylvania. The goals for their apartment redesign revolved around modern and quietly luxury. Enter Dineen Architecture + Design, with a team effort from Joan Dineen and her colleague, Alyson Liss-Pobiner.
“The mood we wanted was a mix of masculine and feminine,” says Dineen. “Our clients like simplicity and, generally, an elegant late midcentury aesthetic. The bedspread is a bit of a wink and a nod to something grander and is the only such reference in the apartment.”
BEDTIME STORY | For the bedroom, Dineen tapped into the words “calm, restful, sexy and grown-up.”
“Nothing is meant to stand out except, perhaps, the bed covering,” the designer explains. “These are people very comfortable with who they are.”
The walls are painted strie, a faux painting that creates a softly streaked texture.“The
silk paper we wanted wasn’t available, so the decorative painter did a lovely version,” notes Dineen.
Because the apartment is on a sunny corner and the living room is light, the designers wanted deep contrast in the bedroom and den.
“I love dark walls,” Dineen shares.
“Everything looks richer against them. They make a room more forgiving in terms of composition; artworks are anchored visually, and smaller objects don’t get lost as easily.”
For a little romance, the team chose Flessas Design night tables made from antique mirror glass and wood.
LION’S DEN | “The den is the husband’s realm, so we wanted something more masculine,’’ states Dineen. It’s not primarily a TV room, though there is a hidden screen.
“I think we pushed sexy a little more here,” she tells. “It’s pretty small, so we had to stake out a strong position,” she notes. “We tried to express the easy sophistication of a couple so involved in theater, classical music and the city. They are ‘modern’ and relish simplicity, lack of clutter and cut-to-the-chase design.”
The space-conscious walnut side tables and shelves are the designers’ creation; double swing-arm sconces from David Weeks Studio keep things current. All play against dark plum Chandra Silk wall paper from Stark. For a flash of color, the design team incorporated a vintage red Orrefors lamp.
“Lighting can be a challenge in a dark room,” notes Dineen. “Concentrate on areas where tasks will take place.”
Now, whether for letter writing or emailing, the desk will be well-lit.
Photography Courtesy of Nick Johnson.
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