West End Avenue Apartment
Location
New York, NY
Photography
Lesley Unruh
The owners of this Upper West Side prewar apartment—a Pulitzer Prize–winning music critic for The New York Times and his wife, a former New York Times editor—commissioned BAAO to transform their home into a refined and deeply personal residence. Central to the renovation is a dedicated library designed to house the husband's extensive music collection and showcase his Steinway grand piano.
The design also reflects the wife's love of animals through elegant, integrated spaces for the family's two cats. Throughout the apartment, distinctive details—including an antique mirrored-glass tile foyer, a full-wall mural of Vietnam's Halong Bay by artist Glenn Palmer-Smith, and bird and squirrel motifs in the bathrooms and hallways—introduce layers of personality and whimsy.
A custom folding door system by Billy Cotton provides a flexible separation between the library and living spaces while serving as a sculptural architectural element. Contemporary lighting is thoughtfully integrated with the owners' collection of family portraits, antiques, and a Karl Springer goatskin game table, balancing historic character with modern living.
The design is organized around a dedicated library for an extensive music collection and a living room anchored by a Steinway grand piano.
