Sister design duo Jayne and Joan Michaels of 2Michaels Design update a dreary, low-ceilinged Upper East Side duplex apartment with clever cabinetry, a bright palette, and an array of vintage Scandinavian and American furnishings.
In the living room, a bland gas fireplace was elevated by creating a custom mantel to surround it, and flanking it with built-in bookcases; the vintage furnishings include a tete-a-tete by Edward Wormley, a cocktail table that converts to dining height by Van Keppel and Greene, and a Harvey Probber side table. The rug is by Kasthal, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore's Winter White. Photos: Emily Gilbert.
The pair of Compass chairs are by Alan Gould, the sofa is by Kerstin Hörlin Holmqvist, and the floor lamp is a Josef Frank design; the photograph is by Sam Samore, and the mirror is Swedish.
In the master bedroom, the oppressive ceiling beams were minimized by the addition of an over-scale Noguchi pendant light; the headboard is from ABC Home, the vintage secretary and bedside tables are Swedish, the desk chair is by George Nakashima, and the walls are painted in Donald Kaufman's DKC5.