These soon-to-be empty nesters had been living in a classic Colonial home in the suburbs and decided to come back to New York for the decades between their kids leaving home and full retirement, and chose this compact Jane Street apartment for their new life.

The clients gave us free reign to explore their well-honed vision of warm Scandinavian modernism punctuated with surprising and unexpected touches that always draw the best kind of attention to a space. We organized their vision around words like “fresh, new, refined, tasteful,” and also “fun and playful.”

The renovation replaced a warren of individualized spaces with a seamless flowing space that’s perfect for a couple relaxing after a day out in the city; a son (or three) coming to visit; or a quietly sophisticated dinner party.

Photography by Nicholas Venezia.