An apartment in the heart of Manhattan inspired by ’70s design

In a historic district of the Upper West Side in the heart of Manhattan, interior designer Crystal Sinclair has transformed an apartment into a modern, eclectic residence. Inspired by ’70s design, the renovation has given the home a harmonious mix of geometric shapes, warm tones, and vintage décor.

 

A modern apartment in the heart of the iconic West End Collegiate-Historic District

Located in the iconic West End Collegiate-Historic District, the building at 393 West End Avenue was designed by Goldner & Goldner and built in 1927 with collegiate gothic detailing. Dating from the 1920s, these details have been preserved by the CetraRuddy studio. A spacious apartment in this building has been painstakingly transformed by interior designer Crystal Sinclair, adapting it to the needs of modern family life.

 

>>> Discover also the New England-style cottage with a minimalist, functional personality designed by SISSY+MARLEY Interior Design on the east coast of Connecticut

 

A home full of life designed for a young family

The apartment includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms. For the project, Sinclair focused on combinations of geometric shapes, warm tones, and predominantly vintage finds. “The design was adventurous and fun,” says the designer. “This project is particularly close to my heart because it truly reflects my current design aesthetic.” Even though this is a model apartment, Sinclair envisioned it as a young family’s home bustling with life – a family that in many ways mirrors her own. The spaces are designed for five people: two parents, four-year-old twins, and a fifteen-year-old girl.

At the heart of Sinclair’s inspiration are two photos, one of a woman in a taupe woolen trench coat and high boots, and the other of a clay tennis court surrounded by smoke trees. Her design combines both of these images. “I felt the room needed a splash of color,” she said. Hence the wood-veneered wallpaper in a soft taupe that envelops the entryway and the pink ceiling in the living room, which has added a touch of drama and warmth to the space.

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

 

>>> Architect Oshir Asaban designed his own home in Tel-Aviv, a penthouse with large open spaces and a green terrace

 

Eclecticism and vibrant patterns as main design themes

The house combines a collection of vintage, contemporary, and custom-made furnishings that evoke the spirit of the seventies. Wood, leather, bouclé, and wool create a bold atmosphere that’s both feminine and masculine. Parquet was chosen for the floors, laid in the Hungarian style in the living area and in planks in the bedrooms, while the bathrooms are covered in marble. Different textures and colors provide a backdrop and highlight the artworks and vintage furnishings around the home.

The apartment has a welcoming feel thanks to its warm tones and many soft furnishings, such as the curved, plush sofa that invites you to sit down, combined with a custom walnut dining table, and the wool, hand-woven Moroccan rug with its triangle design from the Crystal Sinclair Designs collection. Vibrant wall patterns and decorations, such as the two tapestries from the 18th and 19th century (the first in the living room and the second in the master bedroom), are the main themes of the design.