This Historic NYC Townhouse Has a Fascinating Past

The stately red brick building at the corner of Prince and Mott streets in New York City's Nolita neighborhood was built in the 1820s; back then, it housed both the school and the convent of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Two centuries later, it's The Residences at Prince — but its original atmosphere is still palpable.

When designer Juliet Gold was called in to reimagine the building’s five-bedroom townhouse, she kept that vibe in mind. “The space felt somehow sacred to me,” she says. Join us for a look at how Juliet made this home heavenly with her colorful, contemplative transformation.

So, how difficult was it to bring modern comfort to a quirky, landmarked space? “One learns to improvise,” Juliet says. "I engaged the New York Couch Doctor [specialty movers who 'perform surgery' on beloved furnishings that can’t be squeezed through doorways or into elevators] to disassemble the sofas, move them into the living room and reassemble them. The room cried out for larger sofas, but without taking such a step, there was no way to wrestle a 10-foot sofa (never mind two of them) into the living room.” If your heart is set on a seemingly impossible arrangement, in other words, don’t give up too easily. “There is always a solution!”

The geometric decanters and gleaming accessories Juliet chose for the stealthy wet bar behind an accordion door in the living room prove that minimalism and hospitality can go hand in hand.

Recessed lighting, a clean marble-topped peninsula and understated cabinetry (with no hardware) make the kitchen feel expansive and crisp. If you're lucky enough to have a space that can be as uncluttered as this one, count your blessings and keep it that way.