Good Vibes
Subtle changes give this space a more open appearance
Like the subject of an episode of What Not to Wear, this tiny New York co-op needed a style makeover. First, the entry was cramped and confining: As you walked in the door, a wall straight ahead blocked sight lines. To the left, another wall, angled across the floor, housed an ill-planned closet. The dining room's mirrored walls created the dizzying effect of a carnival ride. And the ceiling fixture suffered from what was described as "enthusiastic bad taste."
But the building had good bones. Starting life in 1929 as office space, it was converted to residential housing during an era of superficial veneers. "Everything was artificial back then," says homeowner Marianita Meyer. So in 2001, when she moved into the co-op with her husband, Robert Spragg, she started updating with paint.
It soon became apparent, however, that color wasn't enough to open up the spaces, and bigger changes were in order. The painters on the job recommended Clare Donohue, a kitchen and bath designer with a flair for carving more out of less. All it took was for Robert to say, "You're in charge," and Marianita made her move.
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