Refined outlook

Close attention to materials, reflections, finishes and textures has transformed this apartment without the need for major structural changes

View of living area, carpeted flooring, couches and ceiling, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, gray — View of living area, carpeted flooring, couches and coffee table, recessed lighting, accessories.

View of powder room, dark stained veneer vanity bathroom, countertop, floor, flooring, interior design, room, tile, wall, black

View of living area, carpeted flooring, couches and ceiling, home, interior design, living room, property, real estate, room, window, window covering, window treatment, white

View of dining area, tiled flooring, dining table architecture, ceiling, daylighting, house, interior design, light fixture, real estate, table, white

View of kitchen, custom designed kitchen island with architecture, countertop, floor, home, interior design, kitchen, property, real estate, room, table, window, gray

View of kitchen, custom designed kitchen island with ceiling, countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, white

View of master bedroom with leather wall panels, bed frame, bedroom, ceiling, floor, interior design, property, real estate, room, suite, wall, white

View of master bedroom with leather wall panels, bed frame, bedroom, ceiling, floor, home, interior design, mattress, property, real estate, room, suite, wall, gray, black

View of hallway with leather wall panelling. - apartment, architecture, ceiling, daylighting, floor, flooring, home, interior design, lobby, property, real estate, room, wall, window, brown, gray

View of hallway with leather wall panelling. - apartment, architecture, ceiling, daylighting, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, house, interior design, laminate flooring, lighting, lobby, property, real estate, room, tile, wall, wood, wood flooring, gray

Completely reinventing a space doesn't always entail a great shuffling of rooms. Adroit structural touches and close attention to the look and feel of furniture and finishes can be enough to effect a total transformation.

The apartment on these pages was renovated by designer Thomas Bucich in close collaboration with the owner. Bucich had worked on other projects with the owner, giving him a feel for the look the client required from this space modern, comfortable and opulent.

"The original 1990s interior had a rather dowdy feel, with lots artefacts and a lack of light," says Bucich. "The kitchen, which now looks out over the dining area and living area to views, had been walled off in the existing space. Two of the few structural changes we made were to open up the wall between the kitchen and dining area and introduce a tray ceiling over the dining table."

In the central living areas, hall and bedrooms Bucich brought about a comprehensive change through custom furniture he designed for the home and a focus on luxurious materials and finishes.

"Reflective surfaces are an important part of this renovation achieving both lightness and a sense of space," says Bucich. "For example, the two storage pieces I designed for the living area are in dark walnut and mirror. These pieces, inspired by Mondrian's geometric artworks, tend to recede before the eye, creating a light, airy presence."

The mirror set between the two cabinets adds to this effect, as do the metallic finishes on the sofa and the sheer fabric of the curtains behind. A centrally placed traditional carved table provides a contrast to the predominating reflective surfaces.

Another reflective highlight is the stainless steel edging on the tray ceiling in the kitchen. When Bucich designed this feature he echoed the frame of the owner's Philippe Starck stainless steel mirror. Even the floor in the kitchen and dining area is in a highly polished stone slab.

Opulent materials are featured throughout the home. Both the master bedroom and hallway have padded walls in rich leather and brilliant stone.