Seeking refreshing designs and a casual vibe, these longtime clients welcomed bold prints and thoughtful textures into their new home.
Overlook the city from this Rittenhouse Square perch’s elegant yet California-casual living and dining area.
When JAB Design Group’s (jabinteriors.com) Joseph Berkowitz was called to reinvent this modern Rittenhouse Square residence, an avant-garde result was certain. “My concept was to give the apartment a little bit of a California-casual feeling,” says Berkowitz. “We used a lot of neutral fabrics and soft touches, and we didn’t overdo anything.” For Berkowitz, the project was like an artistic playground, as he and his team had the freedom to play around with new and inventive designs. “This particular client and I have a really great relationship, and that tends to make the client much more trusting,” states the designer. “I can pick pretty fabrics and put nice furniture together all day long, but I don’t often have that approval to just do my own thing.” After about one and a half years of renovating, the 3,400-square-foot space transformed into a contemporary creation, dotted with bespoke furnishings and breathtaking designs. At a glance, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows provide an abundance of natural light while doses of bold patterns and textures make for a creative and lively ambiance. As you enter the home and wander down the grand foyer, you are free to roam through one of three wings. To the left , you will find a gorgeous gallery embellished with bronze, latticelike wallpaper and a playful ink-blotted ceiling by Porter Teleo (porterteleo.com). Through here, a spacious living and dining area awaits. Light wood floors and a beige geometric wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries (phillipjeffries.com) ground the room, while various showstopping furnishings slip into the forefront, like a dreamy sectional by Thayer Cogg in (thayercoggin.com) and a dramatic white cocktail table from Christopher Guy (christopherguy.com). From the dining area, guests are met by a kitchen that flaunts pristine white quartz countertops and a custom built-in, along with an eye-catching upholstered wall. “It was a way to soft en the kitchen a little bit. Most kitchens are all flooring, countertops and cabinetry, but I really wanted this to feel a little warmer and inviting,” he explains of the design. Journey a few steps through the foyer, and you are met by a ravishing office space and deluxe primary suite. Th e office evokes a cool yet sophisticated appeal, boasting a large desk and custom built-ins adorned with charcoal and cerused oak finishes. Adjacent, the primary suite hosts a range of amenities, like an en suite bath and two spacious walk-in closets. The star of the show, however, is a three-dimensional walnut wall by Duchateau (duchateau.com). The geometric design consists of interlocking panels of wood, adding thoughtful texture behind a full wall-to-wall custom upholstered headboard. Aft er the project’s completion, Berkowitz popped a bottle of Champagne while leading the clients through their dream apartment for the first time. “I think we spent a couple hours just walking through and talking, discussing how we got here and the process,” he recalls. “It was a long project, so it was a really great way to welcome them into it.”
Photography by: Sargent Photography
