When it comes to compact New York City apartments, every inch counts.

​

But maximizing a tight space is easier said than done, so one young couple knew they needed professional guidance to make the most of their new Madison Square Park digs. The finishes were brand new throughout, so there was no need for a full-service interior designer. Instead, they sought out Athena Calderone to help transform their awkwardly-sized dining nook and blank box living area.

​

“I originally came across her website and was obsessed with her aesthetic,” the client shares. “When I saw she was on The Expert, I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is perfect because I want my space to have her touch and feel to it.’” The couple was inspired by the view out their windows of a European-style prewar building, so they asked Athena to channel a modern Parisian vibe.

​

Athena made sure to incorporate chic French flair wherever possible and shared one last recommendation before signing off: a built-in media center. After browsing The Expert site for inspiration, the couple turned to Jessica Gersten to make this idea a reality—the white oak piece brought the whole home together, proving (once again) that two Experts are better than one.

​

Incorporating a Dining Bench

As frequent dinner party hosts, the couple was unsatisfied with the inefficient four-chair setup in their small dining niche. Athena suggested incorporating a built-in dining bench that would add seats and coziness to the nook, so they took to Pinterest to get acquainted with the concept. When they came across a photo of Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus’s antique mirrored alcove, they were sold.

​

“We showed the picture to Athena and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm good friends with them. I can totally help you recreate this in a way that would be cool for your apartment,’” the client remembers. “She actually got us the name of the company that did the mirrors on their back wall, which is the exact same one that we used.”

​

Athena also found the vintage travertine table that anchors the corner, along with the contemporary In Common With pendant and the durable Perennials velvet material for the custom banquette. The fabric’s silvery brown hue informed the color palette for the rest of the great room.

​

Balancing Splurges with Saves

When Athena introduced the couple to the pricey-but-worth-it vintage Angelo Lelli-style chandelier that hangs in the living room, she also convinced them to reupholster a set of old armchairs from their parents’ basement rather than buying new ones. With a layer of fresh white shearling, the hand-me-down seats look just like the Crate & Barrel version the couple had been eyeing.

​

“As a young couple, we didn't have the budget to go super, super high end on everything,” the client admits. “I really, really loved working with Athena because she was able to find stuff that worked with our own goals and needs.”

​

Crafting a Built-In Media Center

The couple had another consultation, this time with Jessica—whose creative built-in designs they admired—to fill the big, empty wall with a full-scale media center. “In her portfolio, there was this super cool floating bookcase,” recalls the client. “It felt like this piece of art.” It also had a bar, which the couple loved because there was no other space for a bar cabinet and they love to host friends and family.

​

Jessica mapped out a similar white oak built-in media center for the couple, complete with the stylish asymmetrical shelves and functional bar that they wanted. But instead of hovering above the ground—which would have added many dollar signs to the final bill and required reinforcing the wall—the piece includes a base of cabinets for very necessary storage. The Expert procurement team was instrumental in bringing this design to life, facilitating everything from the design of final plans to ordering the materials and overseeing the installation.

​

During their call, Jessica made sure to teach the couple not only how the built-in should look, but also how to style the open shelves. She even steered them towards objects that would pair well together. The result is a thoughtful, curated look.

​