A partial renovation done correctly isn't doing less — it's doing exactly the right things. At 201 East 37th Street in Murray Hill, the scope was disciplined by design: keep the existing rough-in layout, preserve what works, and invest where it counts. By staying within the Alt-2 alteration framework and avoiding plumbing relocation, we saved this client weeks and thousands of dollars without compromising a single inch of the final result.
The original kitchen was enclosed and dated. We removed a partial wall to open the kitchen zone to the living area, then anchored the transition with a custom white quartz peninsula bar. Two boucle counter stools now face the kitchen — a social moment that simply didn't exist before. All-white flat-front cabinetry runs full height, maximizing storage in every cubic inch. White quartz countertops, white subway tile backsplash, and large-format porcelain flooring keep the space bright. The warm parquet herringbone floor in the living area transitions naturally at the peninsula line — two distinct zones, one open plan.
The bathroom follows the same philosophy: brighter materials, modern sensibility, with a nod to the NYC loft aesthetic. Carrara marble tile from floor into the shower base, white subway brick walls, and a frameless glass enclosure in brushed nickel. A floating white lacquer vanity with Calacatta quartz top and a slim LED vanity bar complete the picture. Intentional, cohesive, and built to hold value in the New York resale market.
Full renovation with a rigorously considered material palette — white done right, with layered finishes and a warm floor to anchor the space.