Step Inside a Sophisticated Chelsea Apartment Fit for a Well-Traveled Family

If you've ever lived in NYC, you know that the hunt for the perfect apartment can be daunting. You have your wish list, your must-haves, your nice-to-haves, and your absolutely-nots, and a dream of how it will look all put together. Sometimes you have to give up on a dream (in-unit washer/dryer) to get what's really important (an abundance of natural light and proximity to public transportation). And occasionally, if you're lucky, you step into an apartment that is your dream come to life, like this three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom Chelsea loft right over the High Line.

Designed by Yael Weiss of Yael Weiss Interiors, this 3,100 square foot home also boasts 600 square feet of outdoor space, a rare find in a market saturated with tiny jewel boxes of apartments. Her style is "warm and modern with a great appreciation for mid-century elements," and she filled this spacious blank-slate home with sophisticated yet family-friendly designs.

"This family of four from Sydney, Australia hosts more dinners and get-togethers than anyone I know, so the priority was casually sophisticated, unfussy pieces that allowed for an easy flow for large and small groups of guests," Weiss tells MyDomaine.

As the owners are close friends, Weiss had their full trust, so the planning process couldn't have gone more smoothly.

"Having lived in Australia, Hong Kong, London, and the U.S., we’ve always opened our doors to family and friends and created homes that were the gathering spots for many circles," the homeowners explain. "We love entertaining and drifting away from the table after a big meal to sit around the fireplace and continue our chats late into the night. Welcoming people into our home is what brings us joy, no matter what country we find ourselves in."

Keep scrolling to see how Weiss turned this empty modern loft into a mid-century-inspired escape.

The living room is filled with comfy seating, a ton of natural light, and in true contemporary style, a large fiddle leaf fig plant.

"This project had the quintessential markings of an open plan New York City loft; high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling (and in some areas wall-to-wall) casement windows, concrete columns, wood-burning fireplace, and a private elevator that opens directly into the residence," Weiss explains. "The outdoor space overlooks the High Line, a historic, elevated rail line-turned-public park winding through the west side of Manhattan."

The living room is kept simple but well-curated, making room to highlight special pieces the owners have collected on their travels.

"The world-traveling owners have a great eye for mixing eras and styles and collecting art, ceramics, and textiles from their time spent overseas," Weiss says. "It was such a thrill curating their collections."

The den boasts floor-to-ceiling warm gray walls, creating an instantly cozy space for the family to unwind.

"The directive for the space was to keep it comfortable and livable without compromising on sophistication," Weiss explains. "Considering the busy, entrepreneurial owners, two energetic kids, and an independently-minded Dachshund, we steered clear of precious fabrics and items that wouldn’t withstand use over time."

The main bedroom boasts a ton of natural light (Weiss' favorite part of the apartment), and a near panoramic view of the west side of Manhattan. Neutral grays and creams keep the bedroom calm and cozy.

Though this home is not cluttered, it's filled with incredible finds.

"The corner of the primary bedroom features a lamp from Lawson Fenning, a hand-painted porcelain stool by Reinaldo Sanguino, and an Icelandic reindeer throw draped over the mid-century chair," Weiss tells us.

The primary bedroom also includes a small home office, which provides the perfect spot for the owners to work from home.

Speaking of work, when it comes to decorating, whether it's a tiny studio apartment or a spacious estate, Weiss recommends double-checking everything before committing to any furniture or design elements.

"Measure twice, cut once," Weiss says. "Designers, architects, and contractors need to be so meticulous with measurements. Some mistakes are terribly hard to undo."

The son and daughter share a bedroom, and were able to choose their vision, just like the adults, with Weiss' guidance.

"I generally lean toward softer, neutral colors and warm wood tones, but I do love deep autumnal colors (think rust, ochre, and sienna)," Weiss says. "I loved engaging the kids in the process and presenting fabrics and mood boards the same way I do with ‘grown up’ clients. They took it very seriously!"

The spacious bedroom includes plenty of reads (organized by color, of course) and custom twin beds in fabrics by Nina Freudenberger (Dune Road in Shoreline) and Rebecca Atwood (Painted Stripes in Coffee). The homeowners bought the oversized rug in Marrakesh.

When decorating, Weiss' best advice for homeowners is to not overthink it.

"Sometimes a client can feel unsure of trusting their own taste or feel daunted by options, and I always share that when it comes to design, there are so many right answers. It’s pretty apt life advice, too!"