Like a lot of New Yorkers, Manhattan-based interior designer Bennett Leifer “wasn’t really looking” for a new apartment when he came across the one-bedroom, prewar charmer that would eventually become his full-time residence. “I was immediately drawn to the floor plan,” says Leifer of its symmetry, and the novelty of a one-bedroom in the city’s Gramercy Park enclave with a big entrance foyer.
Leifer in front of his redesigned fireplace. “When I moved in, the whole thing was covered in a white glossy paint,” he offers of the mantel. “I had it finished to resemble limestone to match the large fireplace in the lobby, in keeping with the building’s heritage.” The designer painted the interior stone a chic matte black. Rock-crystal sconces from Phoenix Gallery flank the setup.
This, combined with the iconic neighborhood’s inherent allure, compelled the designer to schedule a viewing. But what greeted him on arrival wasn’t what he expected. “I’m just going to say it: It was a disaster,” recalls Leifer of his initial impression, mentioning that the apartment’s original details were disguised by layers of paint, mismatched finishes, and outdated fixtures. Still, the designer was sold on the “beautiful bones” of the neo-Gothic structure and its potential to transform into the inviting, airy home it has since become.
“I wanted a living room space that served all the functions of my lifestyle,” Leifer says. Here, a Maison Jansen club chair, upholstered in Stark’s Antelope Ax cut velvet, keeps with the neutral palette of the rest of the interiors. Minjung Kim’s Predestination is positioned on the wall above.
Thus the designer got to work. “My goal was to honor the heritage of the building while modernizing the aesthetic,” Leifer says. Luckily, the apartment didn’t need any structural changes, which expedited the process. In just seven weeks, the bath and kitchen were completely renovated; walls and ceilings were skim-coated and refinished, original crown profiles were replastered, and the oak flooring throughout was stained a rich, dark brown.
In the kitchen, the designer took inspiration from a previous project to create a custom black-and-white marble floor pattern.
Leifer took special interest in maintaining what was original to the building, even if, in some cases, previous updates had altered these details entirely. Double-hung windows installed in the 1970s were replaced with six-over-six windows, more similar to what might have existed when the structure was first erected. The fireplace, which was covered in layers of glossy paint, was stripped and finished to match a limestone mantel that stands in the building’s lobby.
A deep turquoise shade is introduced in the master bedroom, which features a custom rug by Tai Ping; the Parzinger lamps—long coveted by the designer—were scored at an antiques store in Sag Harbor. A challenge for Leifer was keeping his own home consistent with the rest of his portfolio while staying on budget, so he got creative. Here, he opted for a faux Roman shade in a luxurious Hermès fabric, in lieu of a fully functioning iteration.
Throughout the interior spaces, the designer settled on a neutral palette, enlivened by noteworthy finishes and an impressive ensemble of art and furniture pieces. The well-appointed interior reflects the sophisticated taste of its owner, “but it’s not all-important,” suggests Leifer, who points out pieces from Arteriors and RH that stand in company with more precious items, like a prized Marc Bankowsky bench. Leifer wanted a space that could function easily and comfortably for him but also accommodate regular entertaining, so he incorporated several occasional furniture pieces that can be rearranged quickly. The end result is a home that feels at once elegant and effortless. “I want visitors to put their feet up on the cocktail table while slouched on the sofa—and still feel positively chic.”
A dusty white Venetian plaster covering was used on the walls of the entryway, the only room without a window, to better reflect surrounding light. A covetable de Gournay screen stands beside a Damien Hirst print, Leifer’s first “important” art purchase. A rug by Edward Fields was custom made for the designer’s room at the 2015 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse and now grounds his foyer. “I think your furniture collection is a portfolio of your life,” he concludes.