The New York Social Diary showed off the gorgeous, newly renovated Upper East Side home of AD100-listed decorator David Kleinberg on Friday, but while the article had plenty of photos of its current state, it lacked any "before" pics for comparison. The apartment, once the bottom floor of composer George Gershwin's palatial duplex, began as a jumble of colors, heavy drapery, an aging kitchen, and heavy wood furniture, installed by the previous decorators, Robert Denning and Vincent Fourcade, but was transformed into a bright, modern, and soothing environment at Kleinberg's hand, not that the original lacquered chinoiserie panels in the dining room (above) hint at the outcome.
? The grand living room impressed even before the renovation. The 580-square-foot space is highlighted by rare 13-foot ceilings—created by reducing ceiling heights on the floor above—along with a series of ocular windows, two pairs of floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto juliet balconies, a broad casement window along the far wall, and an original marble mantlepiece. Kleinberg told the NYSD that he had his eye on the apartment for years because of this living room. "I just want one nice room," said Kleinberg, "Find something with a pretty living room and I'm fine but they usually come in ten-room apartments and I can't afford one of those."
? In the bedroom, green patterned wallpaper was swapped out, in favor of a beige pin-stripe linen. A custom-made polished wood bed was installed and a cluster of soft and welcoming seating provides a private lounge. Dark wood moldings and paneling received a coat of white paint. Gauzy white window panels allow light to pour in while obscuring views of a particularly "nasty-looking brick building" across the way.
? The designer converted the second bedroom into a library, with a nook converted into a built-in bookcase and swing-arm reading lamps installed on linen-paneled walls. The custom-built sectional has a queen-sized pullout to accomodate guests. Chintzy wall coverings and heavy window treatments went by the wayside, with new mirrored panels on the window frames, this room seems much brighter than its northerly orientation would suggest.
? For all the changes, Kleinberg decided to retain the existing paneling in the dining room. Originally installed by Denning and Fourcade, the beautiful lacquered chinoiserie panels hide plenty of china storage. That's not to say everything in this room remained the same, as the new owner hung a red lacquered frame on the mirrored wall above the fireplace, replaced the stone chandelier, and brought in a light wood table.
· House: David Kleinberg [New York Social Diary]
· DKDA [official site]
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