Climbing the stairs of an unassuming rowhouse just off the hubbub of Eight Avenue does not prepare you for the hushed zen vibe within. It’s no coincidence that the owners live a bicoastal existence. While the home is deeply rooted in the history of the nearby theater district, the quiet use of natural materials, volume of tall ceilings and play of light across gleaming floors evoke a meditative calm one might more usually associate with a Big Sur retreat.

Prior renovations had bit-by-bit combined smaller units into an expansive floor-through duplex with considered modern lines. But the earlier kitchen iteration never fully took advantage of the enlarged space.

Now, the kitchen lives up to the thoughtful architecture. A warm mix of blonde and ebonized oak, walnut, brushed brass and stone unites and calms the palette, highlighting its best features, such as the unique staircase and dual fireplaces. A steel balcony door is now paired with a matching black frame that acts as a shoji screen to disguise a radiator. The large chandelier is the opposite of typical statement lighting: large but self-effacing, and see-through to let all the light in.

Hell's Kitchen Kitchen