ENVELOPMENT IN TONE WAS THE KEY TO THIS RENOVATION OF AN UPPER EAST SIDE CO-OP FOR A YOUNG FAMILY IN A 1930S BUILDING BY THE ARCHITECTS ANTHONY DEPACE AND SAMUEL JUSTER. THE APARTMENT WAS BLESSED WITH BEAUTIFULLY PROPORTIONED ROOMS, INCLUDING A SPACIOUS LIVING ROOM AND LIBRARY, BOTH WITH WORKING FIREPLACES. AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION WAS DONE WHICH INCLUDED A NEW KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS, CUSTOM MILLWORK AND LIGHTING, AND THE INSTALLATION OF HISTORICALLY ACCURATE CASEMENT WINDOWS WITH ENERGY-EFFICIENT GLASS PANES ENCASED IN FRAMES OF BLACKENED STEEL.

IN THE DINING ROOM, ONE OF THE MOST VISUALLY DRAMATIC ROOMS OF THE HOME, WALLS ARE WRAPPED IN A RICH CHOCOLATE-COLORED LEATHER. THE ADJACENT LIVING ROOM IS JUST THE OPPOSITE: BRIGHT AND AIRY WITH WHITE SILK WALLS AND FURNISHINGS IN LIGHT, NEUTRAL TONES. THIS LEADS INTO THE DEN, WHERE THE MOOD IS WARM AND TEXTURED, WITH WALLS IN GREIGE PLASTER AND FURNITURE AND FLOORS IN AN ANALOGOUS PALETTE. THE MODERN KITCHEN—BRIGHT WHITE, WITH ITS MARBLE ISLAND AND BACKSPLASH AND PALE WOOD CABINETRY—ONCE AGAIN LIGHTENS THE MOOD. THE SOOTHING PRIMARY BEDROOM IS LINED IN CHARCOAL GREY GRASS CLOTH, WITH A HEADBOARD AND BEDSPREAD IN BURNISHED METALLIC VELVET.

IN ADDITION TO THE PLAY OF LIGHT AND DARK, THE APARTMENT IS A STUDY IN JUXTAPOSITIONS: LIGHTING AND HARDWARE IN HARD-EDGED BLACKENED NICKEL COEXIST WITH FINE SILK VELVETS AND LUXURIOUS WOODS, ALL OF WHICH IS, IN TURN, DRESSED DOWN WITH CARPETING IN NATURAL SISAL. THE END RESULT COMBINES THE GRACEFUL NOTES OF PREWAR ARCHITECTURE WITH A CONTEMPORARY SENSIBILITY.

PHOTOS: ERIC PIASECKI