How to Create a Modern but Warm Home with NYC Designer Threshold Interiors

This brand-new apartment required decor and lighting to capture the drama of the cityscape. Its modern interior makes this space look nice and cohesive. We added track lighting and chandeliers, built-in cabinetry, decorative paint effects, wallpaper, tile, and window treatments to tie it all together. Our biggest challenge, as the interior designers for this space, was the floor-to-ceiling windows and trying to provide privacy to our clients while maintaining the amazing view.

A challenge that many people have when designing a home is creating a modern aesthetic that doesn’t feel cold and sterile, but warm and inviting. This was the main impetus for this project: designing a space that was formal but comfortable.

1. For a Modern Interior: Use comfortable furniture

One of the most important things you can do to create a warm and inviting space in a modern interior is to use comfortable furniture. Stylish pieces can be fun to look at, but having a comfortable couch that you can cuddle up on goes a much longer way!

The concrete wall and pillar were design elements in and of themselves and were definitely jumping-off points for the monochromatic gray-beige color scheme. Because the space is quite open-concept, we used a rug in the living area to create separate zones between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The understated light fixture gives the space an industrial feel and doesn’t clash with the bolder light fixture in the dining area.

2. Play with different colors, textures, and silhouettes

There are a lot of different design elements in play in the dining area, and they all come together nicely to form a cohesive whole. The round dining table really helps to soften the aesthetic against the bold black leather chairs from Design Within Reach, and you can add plenty around the table without making it look busy precisely because of the round shape. This Agnes Chandelier from Roll & Hill features glowing glass tubes, and the long, linear design of the fixture plays nicely with the round silhouettes of the dining table and chairs. Artistic lighting is the perfect accessory in a more neutral, understated design space! It has a beautiful design impact both night and day.

The bold, black kitchen island contrasts nicely with the white kitchen cabinets, and its circular design plays well with the clean lines of the cabinetry. The metal light fixture is a different finish from the rest of the space, but actually pairs well with the steel window treatments. Lastly, the white backsplash has a unique but understated pattern.

3. Lighting is key

Lighting is the perfect accessory, and you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of natural lighting! The bathroom continues the simple, minimalist theme throughout the house. The floating vanity helps to not obstruct the light flowing through the room, while the beautiful mosaic backsplash that runs from floor to ceiling adds interest to the room so that it doesn’t look boring. The black window treatments not only provide a bold contrast to the muted white palette of the rest of the space, but also help to draw attention to the abundant natural lighting that the giant windows afford.

4. Introduce fun design elements

The bedroom is a calm and serene space with a warm, muted beige color palette. However, if you look closely, the wallpaper is actually quite vibrant with gold flecks running throughout the pattern. This pattern works well with the subtle color palette of the rest of the space, and compliments the gold hardware on the light sconces nicely.

The kid’s room was where the designers really had a lot of fun. The wallpaper is interesting, but not busy; it is fun, but also simple and rather minimalistic due to the black and white colorway. While we kept the main color palette and main furnishings simple and white, we used furniture like the laundry baskets and pieces like stuffed animals and kids’ drawings to incorporate fun pops of color. People tend to forget that things like stationery, books and personal knick knacks can also be used as design!

5. Prioritize both form and function

One of the most important things that make a space comfortable is its functionality. A space is warm and inviting if you get a lot of use out of it — and love it! While the master bedroom leaned more toward the beiges in this home’s color scheme, this bedroom swayed more toward the grays. The gray wall, office desk, and chair all tie together seamlessly and offer both form and function. The floating bookshelves are the perfect design element because it helps break up the gray space.

What did you think of these hints for creating a modern but cozy home? For more information, visit thresholdinteriorsnyc.com.