My Houzz: Personality Radiates Through a Sunny Manhattan Apartment
Sculptural lighting and eclectic artwork give a creative couple's New York City apartment personal flair
The beauty of this Midtown Manhattan apartment is its balance between function and flow — a concept that designer Kate Cummings, who lives here, employs often in her business, Freestyle Restyle. "When you walk in," she says of the apartment, "I want you to see that this is the home of two working professionals in creative fields."
Cummings shares this airy apartment, just a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal, with partner Griffin Stenger, creative director and co-owner of the ad agency Concept Farm. Chunky organic pieces, open shelving and personal details highlight a warmth and personality unique to the couple, while creating an inviting environment for friends, family and clients alike.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kate Cummings and Griffin Stenger
Location: New York City
Size: 1,200 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Cummings shares this airy apartment, just a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal, with partner Griffin Stenger, creative director and co-owner of the ad agency Concept Farm. Chunky organic pieces, open shelving and personal details highlight a warmth and personality unique to the couple, while creating an inviting environment for friends, family and clients alike.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kate Cummings and Griffin Stenger
Location: New York City
Size: 1,200 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
"We bought [this art piece] years ago out of a box truck in an alley outside the Puck Building at the Outsider Art Fair. The artist, [Ross Brodar], was so outside that they would not even let him in," Cummings says, "but the funny part is that now he’s a major draw at the fair. I call her 'Alley Girl.' It’s made from raw materials the artist’s friends gave him — a door from a kitchen cabinet and the top of a linoleum floor. I carried it home on the subway. I got some pretty strange looks for that one!"
"We love this table," Cummings says. "I am such a fan of big, chunky, organic pieces. Our friend Matt Frangola from Board & Beam made it and the bench from salvaged wood."
The light above the table is called Blue Light, by Ingo Maurer; it takes its name from the fact that the filament has a bluish hue when viewed through the gold panel. "It’s also great because you can turn and shift it and change it into different shapes," she says.
The light above the table is called Blue Light, by Ingo Maurer; it takes its name from the fact that the filament has a bluish hue when viewed through the gold panel. "It’s also great because you can turn and shift it and change it into different shapes," she says.
Holding true to keeping the living space multifunctional, the dining table doubles as an office space. "I love working at this table, because it’s so big, I can really spread out and organize," Cummings says. The images and artwork on the wall are an evolving and revolving collection of inspirational works. "I try to collect ephemera and work with photo montages, collage, anything that can really add a pop of creativity and personality," she describes.
This little area of the apartment is a nook Cummings refers to as her altar. "This is my little corner where I do yoga and try to meditate. The plan is to try to do it daily, although sometimes it does not happen," she says.
As a designer, Cummings understands the art of display. Instead of boxy cabinets in the kitchen, she opted for open shelving.
Vent hood: Bosch; stove: KitchenAid; shelving: custom from Alpha Restoration
Vent hood: Bosch; stove: KitchenAid; shelving: custom from Alpha Restoration
Cummings says a lot of what she does as a designer is akin to similar to what a stylist does. "I look around and try to find patterns or themes in what you already have," she says. "If you collect ceramic figurines or cat pictures or whatever, if it's important to you, then it's important to highlight. The trick is creating the space while keeping in mind function and flow." Throughout her home, as in this open shelving in the bedroom, Cummings highlighted the personal things that inspire her.
"I always do lighting in my design projects last to cap off the space," she says. "Lighting can be a great accent, space filler or just a way to illuminate the little dark corners."
Light: Milk Bottle Lamp, Tejo Remy for Droog; dresser: Anders, Room & Board; artwork: Saul Steinberg print
Light: Milk Bottle Lamp, Tejo Remy for Droog; dresser: Anders, Room & Board; artwork: Saul Steinberg print
"I am a big fan of a high-low aesthetic with the caveat of not having anything too precious, meaning if something has character but is broken or not perfect in some way, it can still be fantastic," says Cummings. For example, the nightstands are tables salvaged from a public school in Chinatown.
"It’s a green ideology: Have a vision and a little faith, and you can work with what you already have before jumping to buying something new," she adds. The felt artwork that doubles as a decorative headboard was made by Anis Stenger.
Lamps: Industrial Task Table Lamp, West Elm; framed photograph: Paul Cargnello; bed: Hastens
"It’s a green ideology: Have a vision and a little faith, and you can work with what you already have before jumping to buying something new," she adds. The felt artwork that doubles as a decorative headboard was made by Anis Stenger.
Lamps: Industrial Task Table Lamp, West Elm; framed photograph: Paul Cargnello; bed: Hastens
The unit's only bathroom has a countertop made of dark stained butcher block and a custom shelving unit from Alpha Restoration.
Sink: Aquamedia, Lacava; light fixture: Y Lighting
Sink: Aquamedia, Lacava; light fixture: Y Lighting
Custom glass sliding doors from Alpha Restoration separate the living space from the bedroom area. "They typically stay open when it's just us, but they're great for providing a bit of privacy when we have overnight guests," she says.
Couch: Togo, Ligne Roset; coffee table: Ikea; lamp tripod base: Pottery Barn; lampshade: Just Shades; carpet: Surya Contentinal, Rugs Direct