After a decade in the same small New York City apartment, design pro Genevieve Gorder was itching for a change. So when the unit next to hers became available, she jumped at the chance to buy it and combine the two spaces. The 18-month project—documented decision-by-decision on the HGTV show Genevieve’s Renovation—didn’t lack surprises. “Let’s see, there were the uneven floors and the out-of-date wiring,” Genevieve recalls. “Oh, and did I mention the HVAC system that had to be ripped out and replaced? When you’re gutting a 160-year-old space, you have to expect the unexpected. You either go for it or you don’t, and I went for it!”

Her beautiful new home, which features three bedrooms and three bathrooms on two floors, is a haven for Genevieve and her daughter, Bebelle, 6. It’s filled with Genevieve’s favorite subdued colors plus lots of treasured finds she’s brought back from all over the world. “It feels refreshing, sophisticated, and very me,” she says. “I’m excited to watch Bebelle grow up here.”

With 14-foot-tall ceilings and light-flooded windows, this room could handle a dark wall color. Genevieve painted the walls black, then pumped up the space with pattern-rich textiles and timeworn furniture, including a 110-year-old cabinet originally from a bait and tackle store. The sofa is cream linen from ABC Carpet & Home. “Place anything in front of black and it becomes more beautiful, more dramatic, and more noticeable,” Genevieve says.

Not a fan of formal dining areas—”I don’t like rooms where you feel like you have to behave!”—Genevieve went with mismatched furniture for a more easygoing look. A local blacksmith made the zinc-topped table; around it sit a mixed bag of seats, including CB2 armchairs and a fuchsia bench from the ABC Carpet & Home outlet. Two pendants—a zodiac-themed globe and a brass egg shape—are hung purposely unaligned over the table.