This Fashion Designer's 3600-Square-Foot NYC Loft Is Her "Sanctuary in the City"

Imagine managing a gut renovation and total redecoration of a 3600-square-foot home in New York City from Los Angeles while pregnant. As daunting and arduous as it sounds, that's exactly what fashion and interior designer Erin Fetherston did when it came time to redesign her three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath Tribeca duplex loft. Although there were plenty of obstacles, Fetherston was up to the challenge.

"My goal was to create a sanctuary in the city," she tells MyDomaine. The apartment offers a sweeping view of the Hudson River—"all you see when you look outside is water and sky," according to Fetherston. This scenic location quickly became the inspiration for the mom-to-be's interior design. "I wanted to draw the eye towards the natural elements of air and water which surround the apartment," she explains.

This vision led to the modern, open, and airy atmosphere that the finished apartment has today. With the help of brands like Perigold (and their room planning tool), Lulu & Georgia, High Fashion Home, The Shade Store, Farrow & Ball, Caesarstone, Cafe Appliances, and Annie Selke, Fetherston was able to bring her bold dreams to life, all from nearly 2,500 miles away.

Fetherston describes the architecture of her home as "a classic example of an industrial loft conversion." Located in a landmarked building, the interior was reconfigured to create extra high ceilings for a dramatic, spacious look. "I embraced the bold symmetry of the architecture and used it as a framework to layer in softness through color and texture," the designer says.

According to Fetherston, the kitchen underwent the biggest transformation during the renovation process. She opened up the space by replacing the upper cabinets with floating shelves for a modern, fresh look. The lower cabinets remain and are painted in Farrow & Ball's dark hue, Railings for a bit of drama. "I couldn't love it more," Fetherston admits.

The dining room features Fetherston's definitively modern design style. "I'm drawn to an organic modern design ethos and I appreciate a good dose of glamour here and there," the designer notes. However, her style wasn't always so mod.

When she first moved into the space in 2007 after finishing design school in Paris, her décor was heavily influenced by French sensibilities. "I shipped a container of French antiques across the Atlantic and attempted to create the look of a French chateau inside a New York City loft, full of whimsy, fantasy, and delight," she explains. "While this provided the backdrop for many years of carefree ingénue life, I definitely felt myself outgrow the space over time."

With time, Featherston's design style has certainly matured and grown to encapsulate even more of her life experiences, including living in California. "I’ve spent the last three years living bi-coastally which has undoubtedly influenced my personal style and reaffirmed my native Californian roots and love of nature," Fetherston shares.

You can see her fusion of styles in this primary bedroom, which features a canopy bed from Thomas Bina, marble side tables, layered rugs, boucle swivel chairs from Lulu & Georgia, and bedding from Serena & Lily. Her Parisian flair is still present, of course, in the form of an antique mirror hanging between the windows. Fetherston found the piece at a flea market in Paris and it's the only item that made the cut from the home's previous décor.

Even the bathrooms are brimming with modern elements. Rounded rectangular mirrors in an aged brass material hover above a pair of sinks and in between a pair of wall sconces. The space also features luxe tile on the wall and the floor for a striking look.

When it comes to chic kids' room décor, Fetherston has nailed the look. This space is both playful and modern with a variety of elements that can easily transition to more sophisticated rooms as the children grow. It also happens to be one of Fetherstone's favorite places in her home.

Twin Babyletto beds are covered in colorful pillows and throw blankets and sit on top of layered rugs from Tamar Mogendorff and Annie Selke along with small poufs that are also from Mogendorff's children's home collection. On the walls, a few framed animal prints from Minted look youthful and sweet.

Rather than in the living room, Fetherston and her family turn to the mezzanine upstairs to watch TV and relax. A small sectional from High Fashion Home provides a cozy spot to sit behind marble coffee tables. "It's one of my favorite spots to curl up in the apartment," the designer notes.

Fetherstone's vision for the guest room was a bright, airy, and clean space, which she's certainly accomplished. The black and white room features a linen platform bed from Lulu & Georgia and a marble desk fitted with a round mirror and framed photos. "I always like to tailor a bedscape to my guest so I keep an extra set of more masculine pillows handy in the linen closet for male guests," she adds.

Fetherston meticulously thought out every detail—from the living room layout to the guest room bedding—in her striking Tribeca loft and all of her hard work has certainly paid off. It's truly a calming retreat from the bustling city with modern, mature furnishing, hints of California cool décor, and an effortless, Parisian-inspired appeal.