Natalie Guisinger, After: Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
For the eighth iteration of our Ideas Home series, we embarked on a dual mission: to revamp not one, but two residential spaces. Picture this: while the posh high-rise One Park Row was taking shape in Lower Manhattan, we secured a four-bedroom penthouse and a two-bedroom apartment just a few floors beneath. Our strategy was clear: the penthouse would be adorned by the crème de la crème of designers, while the apartment would be transformed by our favorite design influencers, showcasing their DIY masterpieces. This ambitious project spanned several months, and in the early stages, the building was still incomplete, with some exterior walls yet to be constructed!
But the building finally came together, and the units were prepped for our creative team to dive in. To illustrate the dramatic transformations, we captured the “before” shots of each room. As you’ll soon see, they were like blank canvases, brimming with potential. Keep scrolling to marvel at the stunning before-and-after transformations.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
When you gaze upon this grandiose space and ponder how it could be transformed into a cozy living room, we understand your skepticism. We shared the same concern, thinking it might resemble a majestic atrium more than a relaxation haven. Enter Jason Saft, a New York City home staging wizard, who turned the challenge into an opportunity. He leveraged the panoramic view (hello, One World Trade Center at 1 o’clock!) to craft an inviting sitting area that harmonizes with the breathtaking skyline. “I aimed for each piece to be both sculptural and supremely comfortable,” he explains. He opted for a plethora of textures and rounded elements that mirror the room’s curved walls.
Jason also had the task of grounding the dining room, an extension of the living space, and giving it a distinct character. First, he filled the expansive wall with three matching brass consoles: “I wanted a continuous line to avoid a gaping void,” he notes. Then, he crafted a gallery wall, introduced a colossal table, and accessorized with flair. His decision to skip an area rug under the table was a bold one, but he believed it helped to make the space feel more expansive when the living and dining areas were part of a single, open expanse.
In New York City, one of the perks of a newly constructed building is the promise of a spectacular kitchen. This one was no different, as evidenced by the after photo.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
We’ll be honest: This room didn’t hold much promise at first glance. But Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, the beloved organizer on Instagram, turned it into a showstopper with a touch of paint and some IKEA shelving.
And speaking of rooms that seemed to have little going for them! The primary bedroom, as seen in the before photo, was a surprise gem. Part of a larger suite with a massive closet, a private hallway, and a stunning bathroom, Alvin Wayne, a New York City designer celebrated for his luxurious aesthetics, chose an earthy plaster for the backdrop, allowing the stunning views and dappled light to take center stage.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Candace Griffin, a Chicago-based designer known for her playful yet sophisticated spaces, turned this plain rectangle into a kids’ room that’s brimming with curiosity and joy. She adorned the walls with checkered grasscloth wallpaper and reeded panels, painted in a deep navy blue, and introduced curvy furniture and accessories to add a sense of motion.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Mandy Cheng, a Los Angeles-based designer with an eye for the extraordinary, managed to make this room feel expansive even when fully furnished. A clever mirror-and-frame checkerboard design on the wall behind the sofa reflected light, while open shelving contributed to an airy ambiance.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
What would you do with this lofty space that overlooks the main living room? We were stumped at first! But Alexandra Gater, a Toronto-based DIYer and home design expert with a knack for small spaces, came up with a brilliant plan. She transformed it into a snug den, complete with a faux fireplace, and even repurposed an awkward corner into a clever game nook.
Phoebe Flynn-Rich
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
We tasked our cover star, Drew Barrymore, with designing a wellness room, and she delivered with a “feel-good” space. Her room was a blank slate when she began, but she wasted no time in painting it an earthy terracotta hue (as seen in the mid-makeover photo!). She envisioned a sanctuary where one could unwind, indulge in spa water, and snack on nuts.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
The before photos of this outdoor space exuded a corporate terrace vibe. Noz Nozawa, who traveled from San Francisco, added warmth with a variety of textures and ample seating areas, creating distinct zones for lounging, a firepit, and dining.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
In the DIY Annex, which we affectionately refer to as such, Drew Michael Scott filled his expansive white box with vintage finds from his Los Angeles-based furniture and home goods store, Lone Fox, aiming to give the space a worldly feel.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Valeria Jacobs, a Bay Area DIYer, wanted her space to feel like it had been meticulously decorated for years, and the grasscloth wallpaper was the starting point for her vision.
Natalie Guisinger
Kelly Marshall, Prop Stylist: Sophia Pappas
Mallory Fletchall, a Brooklyn-based design influencer, faced a similar challenge, as she usually works with older spaces with original details. So, she added her own twist! She installed crown molding and modified IKEA cabinets to mimic built-ins, complete with additional molding.
