Gramercy Park Kitchen and Bath Remodel Puts Architect to the Test

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Thanks to a complete overhaul by JMA founder/principal Jorge Mas… Read More Thanks to a complete overhaul by JMA founder/principal Jorge Mastropietro and his team, the kitchen of a small apartment in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of New York was transformed from a  tight and cramped space to an open area complete with a pantry, which is a rarity in Manhattan. Appliances were updated and rearranged and walls surrounding the kitchen were removed, adding 5 feet to the room's dimensions and creating a more natural flow to the dining area.

With the walls now gone, the same white cabinetry is allowed to … Read More With the walls now gone, the same white cabinetry is allowed to flow from the kitchen to the dining room for a continuous and connected look while a bamboo countertop helps to quietly divide the two areas without imposing on square footage.

An elongated custom bamboo vanity and strategic lighting add dra… Read More An elongated custom bamboo vanity and strategic lighting add drama to the entry of this former powder room that now serves as a full bath for a growing family residing in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan.

JMA had to move a wall in order to fit the new shower, but a gla… Read More JMA had to move a wall in order to fit the new shower, but a glass door and infinity drain help to make the space appear larger. The same tile is used on the wall and floor to create a fluid design while a teak bench and cubby enhance the room with a spa-like treatment.

How long will the project take? It’s a common question remodelers often get from clients, so it’s not unusual for a contractor to work against the clock. But the biological clock? That’s another story.

However, even human nature sometimes can dictate a project timeline. Just ask Jorge Mastropietro. Recently, the principal of JMA Architects in New York was hired to design and remodel the kitchen and powder room of a small apartment in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan. With one stipulation: It had to be completed before the owner gave birth.

It was a tall order, but not one Mastropietro couldn’t handle. After consulting with the owners, he and his team devised a plan to transform the second story, 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath unit from a dark and cramped space to an open and airy one fit for a growing family. The new layout was based on how the clients used their kitchen, the kind of storage they needed, and the connection they wanted to the other living areas.

In addition to moving walls to eliminate the corridor feel, JMA replaced the existing dark color scheme with a white color palette to enhance the brightness, and also added soffit lighting throughout the kitchen and dining areas for a daylight effect at night. Touches of bamboo are found in the bathroom and kitchen for warmth.

In all, the project took 3 months to complete, and the team finished just in the nick of time–the baby was born a week early. Coincidentally, JMA finished the day before.

Learn more about the project and view the end results in the slideshow above.