Dramatic Transformations: Bright Contemporary Apartment

Traditional furniture and hardwood floors made this home seem dark and cluttered. To revive the interior, Jay Britto drew on recessed light, marble surfaces and bold, modern furniture. Now the Pre-Depression Era apartment feels bright and polished.

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August 24, 2016

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

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Photo By: David Giral

Before Hallway in Pre-Depression Era Apartment Before Renovation

Designers transformed this traditional look to something more contemporary to reflect the style of the homeowners.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Ambient Light and Modern Art Collection Update Pre-Depression Era Hallway

Before renovating this pre-Depression era apartment, the spaces in the home were very dark and traditional. To remedy this, designers added ambient light to brighten up the space. In this hallway, they restored the neoclassical plasterwork to highlight the architectural elegance of the space and added modern art to match the homeowner's personal style. These efforts highlight the history of the building, perfectly blending it with the modern style of the homeowner.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Living Room Before the Renovation

Before the renovation, this living room was very traditional. The space was dark, lit only by sconces and the odd lamp, and it felt very cluttered. Designers have simplified the space and modernized it so that it now feels open and light.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Intimate and Sophisticated Living Room

From dreary and dated to calm and sophisticated, designers restored the neoclassical plaster work in the living room to reveal a luxurious, yet comfortable space. They removed the old fireplace that was dark and too heavy for the space and replaced it with a monolithic slab of real marble and a fully functioning fireplace that is light and inviting. The room’s lower ceiling lends the space an intimate feel that is enhanced by the absence of a television, putting the emphasis in this space on face-to-face family time.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Pre-Depression Era Kitchen Before the Renovation

Before the renovation, this kitchen was dark, claustrophobic and outdated; however, designers turned this space into a modern masterpiece.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Polished and Functional Modern Kitchen in Pre-Depression Era Apartment

Since the homeowner's main focus in the design of his home was spending time with his family, designers created an open plan kitchen with plenty of space to prepare, cook and enjoy meals together. State of the art appliances and tech features have been cleverly hidden behind cabinet doors and in the kitchen island to maintain the design's seamless and polished appearance.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Pre-Depression Era Library Before the Renovation

Wall to wall green was not a good look for this pre-depression era library, but designers have revamped the space, restoring it to the intellectual haven it was always intended to be.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Modern Library with Retractable Screen

This library space was once a sea of wall-to-wall green with gold accents and cluttered bookshelves. Now, the space is elegant and calming. The home's original molding and wainscoting has been restored and highlighted in this sleek, new design, and the bookcases have been cleaned up and stocked with myriad books. The luscious, overstuffed furniture gives the family a great place to relax and read, but this space has also been equipped with some tech savvy gadgets, such as a projector with a retractable screen, so that the family can watch their favorite soccer matches in style.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Bedroom in Pre-Depression Era Apartment Before the Renovation

The bedroom in this apartment before the renovation was very traditional and very dark, so designers redesigned the space to include luxurious features an an open floor plan.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Acadia's Master Bedroom Gets a Modern Facelift

This master bedroom was once dark and traditional, but now, it is light and modern. To brighten the space, designers added sheer curtains that allow light into the room instead of blocking it. Heavier curtains were hung on a rod just outside the sheer, though, to block light and add privacy when desired. The modern headboard is the statement piece in the room, with the nightstands built into it, and the footboard doubles as a cabinet to house the television and conceal it when not in use.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Bathroom in Pre-Depressino Era Apartment Before the Renovation

The traditional look of this bathroom before the renovation is a little stuffy, so designers modernized it and made it an oasis. See it at hgtv.com.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

Modern Master Bathroom with Plenty of Light and a Large Soaking Tub

This master bathroom used to be dark and claustrophobic, so with the renovation, designers added plenty of light to the space with canned lighting and a modern light fixture. The modern tub gives the homeowner plenty of space to soak after a long day, while the double vanity gives the space plenty of storage.

From: Jay Britto & David Charette

HGTV Faces of Design

Dramatic Transformations: Bright Contemporary Apartment

Related To:

Shop This Look

Before Hallway in Pre-Depression Era Apartment Before Renovation

Ambient Light and Modern Art Collection Update Pre-Depression Era Hallway

Living Room Before the Renovation

Intimate and Sophisticated Living Room

Pre-Depression Era Kitchen Before the Renovation

Polished and Functional Modern Kitchen in Pre-Depression Era Apartment

Pre-Depression Era Library Before the Renovation

Modern Library with Retractable Screen

Bedroom in Pre-Depression Era Apartment Before the Renovation

Acadia's Master Bedroom Gets a Modern Facelift

Bathroom in Pre-Depressino Era Apartment Before the Renovation

Modern Master Bathroom with Plenty of Light and a Large Soaking Tub

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