There was a lot to love for a visionary in this space, when Kaja first showed it to the McCarthy family, the developer working on it had it down to the studs. It was a four unit building converted to a two Duplex building, so it offered spacious living with tons of storage, which was a rare find for how far uptown it’s located. They saw the possibilities and worked with Kaja to create a bright and modern stunner perfectly suited to the urban family’s lifestyle.
“We loved the square footage, and the rooftop that features a gorgeous view of New York at night,” the roof was one of Jessica’s favorite features. They previously lived in a brownstone with the typical winding staircases that proved impossible for their toddler. The duplex’s normal staircases, large basement storeroom, and stroller/shopping friendly elevator delighted Jessica as it felt more like a home.Kaja worked with Jessica to tweak the developer’s floor plans with resale in mind.
They were thoughtful about upgrades, and added elevated touches like lighting for more impact, bringing in a fresh and airy feel. But one of the biggest contributions to the space was adding high-end closets.
“The developer didn’t have any special plans for the closets, so we made the decision to add a linen closet and upgrade the closets for everyone in the house as well as the pantry.” Kaja collaborated with California Closets on the design, and the result was a “Carrie Bradshaw” style wardrobe masterpiece.
It was a four unit building converted to a two Duplex building, so it offered spacious living with tons of storage, which was a rare find for how far uptown it’s located.
They spent most of their time in the kitchen and living room area, and given the gorgeous space, you can see why. For a family of four, open concept is usually a must. The openness of the space made it the perfect “hang out” space for family life, and this unit boasts an especially large living and dining room. “It’s very long, so the kids could really run around,” Jessica explained. Kaja suggested adding a wall to make a guest room. By choosing a glass wall to divide the large space it served a dual purpose, as a playroom as well as a guest room, which was a huge win. The result is both functional and modern. A toy room where you can always see what your kids are up to instead of wondering what “that noise was” or “why is it so quiet” is ideal for any mom.
The kitchen, with its added beverage cooler and Waterfall Island in honed quartz is dreamy in its simplicity. The clean lines and minimalist styling keep it timeless, while touches like two-tone cabinetry and dramatic lighting give it life. Kaja’s design features the counters in plain quartz and offsets them with a dramatic backsplash in the honed quartz, the result is fresh and elevated.
While the half bath downstairs turned out to be a practical addition, the master bath upstairs with its heated floors and shower/tub combo is the true standout. The simple white tiling with a clashing pattern twist brings interest to the classic, clean design.
