Our California-based clients hadn’t intended to start a design project in New York. But when a water pipe burst in the laundry room of their Chelsea pied-à-terre, damaging the floors and walls, they suddenly found themselves facing an unexpected renovation. What began as a necessary repair quickly turned into an opportunity to reimagine the entire space—and they brought our team on board to help guide the transformation.
Drawing inspiration from the clients’ love of travel and layered, collected interiors, we set out to create a home that felt both worldly and personal. Our design philosophy centered on storytelling through materials, color, and texture—beginning with bold choices that would set the tone throughout the apartment.
The kitchen became a striking focal point, grounded in deep blue cabinetry. This bold color is balanced by walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Dimity, a soft off-white with subtle pink undertones that brings warmth and sophistication to the space. The interplay between the saturated blue and Dimity’s gentle tone creates a color story that flows seamlessly into the other rooms.
We curated an eclectic mix of vintage finds and artisanal elements, many inspired by or collected during the clients’ travels. These pieces bring soul and dimension to the apartment, weaving together memories and materials in a way that feels authentic and refined.
The living and dining areas are open and inviting, with a nook designed for cozy conversations and low-profile seating that encourages connection. Each space was considered not only for how it looks, but how it lives—supporting gatherings with friends, quiet mornings, and the rhythm of city life.
This Chelsea retreat now reflects our clients’ spirit—resilient, adventurous, and deeply connected to the idea of home. What started as a burst pipe became the catalyst for a transformation: a space where they can unwind, host, and feel grounded, even from thousands of miles away.
Team:
Interior Designers: Tannehill Interiors
Styling: Samantha Tannehill, Oliver Rumney and Susan Van Tassel
Photographer: Patrick Xiong
Materials Used:
Paint: Hale Benjamin Moore Navy Kitchen Cabinets
Diminity Farrow & Ball entry kitchen Living room and hallway walls.
Interior lighting: entryway semi-flush anthropology
Kitchen, flushmount anthropology
Pendant, dining nook sohohome
Side floor lamp: sohohome
Primary bedroom flush mounts: vintage 1st dibs
Primary bedroom sconces: soho home
Primary bathroom sconces: mcgee & co
Guest Bedroom: flush mount vintage 1s dibs
Guest bedroom wall sconces: McGee & co
Interior furniture:
Vase, vintage
Dining banquet, custom made
Accent chairs- soho home
Sofa-Lulu & Georgia
Built-in shelves custom
Rug- CB2
Lamps- soho home
Nightstands cb2
Floor lamp soho home
Cabinet hardware schoolhouse
Master bed : soho home
Guest bed: Lulu & Georgia
