In the vibrant heart of New York City, a truly remarkable metamorphosis unfolded within the confines of a prewar edifice nestled in Brooklyn’s delightful Greenpoint neighborhood. The New York Apartment that stands today as a testament to the remarkable artistic vision of designer Daniel Lonnstrom.
Originally hailing from Sweden, Daniel Lonnstrom now calls New York home, where he resides with his partner, Elly McGaw. Together, they undertook the ambitious task of reinventing their living space, imbuing it with a unique blend of history, artistry, and timeless charm.
Located in Brooklyn’s charming Greenpoint neighborhood and nestled within a structure dating back to 1930, the apartment is a sanctuary of artistic expression. Its walls, once adorned with an orange peel texture, underwent extensive preparation to achieve the desired finish—a testament to the dedication and vision of Daniel Lonnstrom. The result is a canvas of lime-washed walls, bathed in earthy tones, which infuse the space with a sense of movement and depth.
Lonnstrom’s design philosophy is rooted in the art of balance, artfully combining disparate elements to breathe life into a dynamic environment. Warm and cold elements, such as wood and metal, hard and soft surfaces, all coexist harmoniously. The overarching goal was to create a tranquil and inspiring refuge amid the urban hustle and bustle, and this was achieved through a carefully chosen, soothing palette.
One of the defining pieces of the apartment is the 1940s French oak Charles Dudouyt table, acquired by Lonnstrom in a last-minute auction. This table, while initially chosen with a touch of spontaneity, became the linchpin upon which the entire color and texture scheme was built. The true magic of this space emerges from the layering and meticulous attention to detail, where elements like art with hints of burgundy, a sumptuous caramel mohair armchair, and an iron and leather settee in the style of Jean-Michel Frank, alongside a Schumacher zebra print, harmoniously coexist without upsetting the overall equilibrium.
The apartment is a showcase of carefully curated pieces that converse subtly with one another. A primitive African stool finds its place next to a Daphine Terra floor lamp by Tommaso Cimini. Alvar Aalto’s 66 chair and a Mario Botta Prima chair by Alias rest on a Nordic Knots rug, accompanied by vintage ceramic vessels in the background. A Francisque Chaleyssin chair from 1940, resplendent in new mohair fabric, is complemented by a Pierre Chareau SN3 side table.
Intriguingly, Lonnstrom’s designs reflect a sense of age-old character, even in projects freshly completed, embodying the concept that interiors have a timeless quality and appear as though they’ve been lived in for generations. He has a keen eye for marrying various materials and textures, which extends to custom-made artworks and aluminum wall sconces.
Describing his New York apartment as “a piece of my European heritage in New York,” Lonnstrom has ensured that the space remains visually captivating without overwhelming the senses. He recognizes the challenge of working on one’s own home, acknowledging that it is a project that is never truly finished. Instead, it serves as a canvas for ongoing experimentation and a platform for communicating a myriad of ideas.
