Tour an Upper East Side Abode that Used to be Three Distinct Units

What started as three separate apartments has now been stitched together into one dazzling family haven by New York-based interior design firm Annie Leslau.

Located in the heart of the Upper East Side, this 4,000 square-foot home features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a living room, den, dining room, playroom, and a balcony. But when Leslau, the creative brain behind the project, first laid eyes on it, it was three distinct apartments.

“We had to get creative,” she recounts, in order to merge the three of them while maintaining an open and airy feel.

“Instead of walls, we used custom millwork to keep the space open and inviting.” This approach addressed structural beams in the living room and ensured the home could withstand the rigors of family life and frequent entertaining.

The homeowners, a couple with three children, desired a Zen-like atmosphere connected to nature. “When they’re not in New York, they’re by the water, so it was crucial their city home felt tranquil and natural,” she adds.

The home is packed with meticulously crafted, functional design elements that blend Manhattan chic with a touch of Italian flair. Take the dining table. “We designed a solid walnut table that extends from 12’ to 16’ with the push of a button,” Leslau says. The table, paired with a Giopato & Coombes chandelier and Suite NY dining chairs, anchors the dining room.

The living and entertainment areas are social hubs designed for gatherings. The living room features Poltrona Frau chairs, a Moroso sofa, travertine coffee tables, Joe Henry Baker artwork, and a rug from The Invisible Collection. Custom marble side tables and alabaster wall sconces add a touch of elegance.

In the den, you’ll find custom rugs, millwork, a marble side table, and a wood coffee table, along with a custom Kvadrat fabric chair. The entryway boasts a Hiroko Takeda artwork above a marble shelf, lit by a Lindsey Adelman sconce, and an Allied Maker pendant.

The bedroom is a sanctuary with Maharam wool wallcovering, custom Kvadrat bedding, Allied Maker pendants, a Radnor alpaca rug, Lawson Fenning nightstands, and custom millwork. The main bath features marble and porcelain with walnut vanities.

Lighting is key throughout. “Ambient, task, and accent lighting not only highlight the architecture, but add sophistication,” Leslau says. Fixtures from Allied Maker, Lindsey Adelman, Apparatus, Giopato & Coombes, and Roll & Hill create a warm and inviting ambiance.

The colour palette is subtle, but impactful, focusing on natural materials such as marble, alabaster, stone, live-edge wood, and walnut. This brings elegance, graphic interest, and organic warmth to the home.

The playroom features a Moroso sofa and stools with Flos lighting, while the kids’ bedrooms have custom millwork, Blueprint and RBW lighting, and custom rugs. The second entryway sports a rustic console, a Roll & Hill sconce, and custom millwork.

Photo courtesy of Joshua McHugh