Step Inside a Serene Multistory Penthouse With NYC Views

If Blair Waldorf were a modern-day It girl, we're pretty sure she'd reside above the bustling streets of New York City in this sublime penthouse apartment. Located in SoHo, just steps from the best boutiques and cafes, this effortlessly cool abode seems to have it all: jewel-toned designer décor, a dreamy canopy bed, an elegant standalone tub, and outrageous views of the Manhattan skyline.

"The goal was to create a chic New York apartment that would function as an entertaining space for friends and clients, as well as a gathering place. The penthouse had to be comfortable and inviting but also very sophisticated," Britt Zunino of Studio DB tells us of the design brief. The duplex has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, a powder room, and three terraces, and is home to a retail entrepreneur and his family. 

"It was quite a luxury to begin with a clean slate!" says Zunino, who saw the project through from early floor plans to custom millwork and final furniture styling. "Our client loves purple, so it all started there."

The home was furnished from scratch, so Zunino was able to be creative when choosing décor. "Some of my favorites include the living room chair from Cuff Home and the Kelly Wearstler marble side table. The curves are amazing." Her goal was to create "a space for entertaining as well as a comfortable spot to kick back and watch basketball. The TV is hidden above the fireplace," she tells us.

The design process started with a color: "Our client loves purple, so it all started there. We choose a tactile neutral background and layered in rich plum and mulberry accents," she says, like a velvet Warren Platner lounge chair and art by boutique online gallery Uprise Art. "There's also a pop of burnt orange that appears in Missoni upholstery and the artwork."

The brief for the bedroom was "serene, sophisticated, a respite from the business of New York," she says. Layers of warm gray and white linen are illuminated by two refined wall sconces by Aerin. 

The white marble bathroom offers another escape from the bustling streets below. The standalone bathtub is accessorized with a MTI teak tub tray and morihate towel and has unbeatable views of the skyline, thanks to a floor-to-ceiling window. 

The owner's teenage daughter loved neutral tones, which Zunino and the Studio DB team highlighted with bursts of gold. "She wanted a black, white, and gold room, and as a dancer, a special vanity area." Hints of mulberry in the wallpaper create a cohesive color story throughout the home. 

Given the Penthouse's location and sprawling views, there are multiple reading nooks throughout the home where the owners can curl up with a book or simply take in the city views. A jewel-like Debra Folz accent table makes this corner a feature. 

"They wanted fun patterns and interesting details for their visiting family and friends," she tells us of the plan for the statement guest room. "We used bolder blue colors off the main space and lighter tones on the upstairs floor."

"We also created a lot of custom furniture for the apartment, including the dining table that was made for us by Wud Furniture," she tells us. Teal dining chairs custom fabricated by IGM add a hint of color to the otherwise neutral space. 

The sepia mirror by Color and Mirror was one of Zunino's favorite pieces: "The vintage lighted vanity mirror was an amazing find," she tells us. 

There's certainly no shortage of postcard-worthy vistas—Studio DB had this reading nook custom made to make the most of the slim, tall windows. At the end of a long day in the city, we can't think of anything better than curling up with a glass of wine to this view.