Alison Downey, principal of Downey Interiors, was called upon to transform this Upper West Side townhouse for a young family. Downey, who was previously the head of the interior design program at RH, says her favorite space in the 6,000-square-foot home is the foyer. “There’s something so satisfying when a space perfectly balances form and function,” she says. “The foyer serves multiple purposes: a place to take off shoes, hang coats and dog leashes, store packages, all while preserving its beauty and intentional design. That’s the hallmark of great design: when practicality and elegance coexist effortlessly.” Tour the interiors below and read on for a conversation with the designer.
I love the foyer—it really gives a glimpse of what is to come in the rest of the home.
Thank you! The foyer underwent a dramatic transformation from when we first toured the house. Originally, it had low ceilings and felt in the shadows due to its northern exposure. While you can’t see it in the photos, the console, mirror, and bench are perfectly mirrored on the opposite side, creating symmetry and emphasizing the room’s full width. We replaced the builder-grade oak floors with black and white antique marble, bringing a timeless elegance. French doors open to reveal the main house beyond.
Do any of original details of the circa-1887 townhouse remain?
Most of the facade is original and the stained-glass windows that can be seen in the living room. Unfortunately, due to it changing hands over the years, it was stripped of anything original beyond that so we had to bring those details in through the design. The home almost felt like a white box when we started the project, but we were lucky to have those stained-glass windows!
The clients, who were married in New Orleans and honeymooned around the South, fell in love with Southern design and architecture. How did you bring a bit Southern charm into the home?
In almost every room, you can find a nod to Southern foliage or natural textures that typically adorn homes in warmer climates. Bringing the outside in as much as we could and combining that with formality and more classical details in furniture and architecture created the feeling that you could be somewhere like Charleston or New Orleans.
What was the inspiration behind the dining room?
The dining room was originally intended as the living room, but the client and I decided to swap the two spaces to suit their lifestyle better. As a family that loves to entertain, it made more sense to position the dining area near the outdoor patio and kitchen, accessible via an exterior stair just off the room. We transformed a nearby elevator alcove into a wet bar, enhancing the room’s functionality. The clients also had a piano they wanted to incorporate, which now sits adjacent to the banquette, creating a cozy spot to enjoy a cocktail before or after dinner. The result is a distinctive, multifunctional dining room that goes beyond just a place to eat.
That is such a great idea to turn the elevator alcove into a wet bar. What is the paint color/wallcovering combination there?
The cabinets are done in a high-gloss burgundy color—Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal. The wallpaper is Giove by Charlap Hyman & Herrero for Schumacher.
What wallpaper is used in the kids’ playroom?
We used a Masai Mara wallpaper by Pierre Frey for a safari look.
