House Tour: A Moody NY City Apartment

Kevin Mu is a lawyer by day and a classicist by heart. His New York apartment is both moody and bold, brought to life by interior designer Nanette Brown. She is known for her clean, edited style and her architecture-first approach to projects. And we can certainly see the evidence of this in Kevin’s spectacular New York abode.

Kevin’s own photograph captured in Venice in 2018 became the inspiration for the interior. Printed on a nine-foot-wide canvas, the print is so large that the gallery framer had to print the canvas and then build it on site. Kevin’s many architectural photographs have garnered him 30,000+ Instagram followers @kevinmu, with thanks to this anchor artwork in his new place.

Moodier, darker, bolder

Before moving in, the apartment already had great bones. It boasted grand proportions, two working fireplaces and intact moldings. Kevin, however, envisioned a moodier, darker interior with old accents to add edge. He brought Nanette Brown onboard to bring this brief to life. She subsequently would mix textures and add metallic finishes to keep the home from feeling cave-like.

The kitchen already featured dark tones thanks to the black Waterworks tile put in place by previous owners. As such, it only required a little facelift with new floors and an eat-in banquette.

In the living area—modeled after grand European drawing rooms—Brown pulled velvets to cover the sofa and armchairs, while bronzed cocktail tables provide a touch of levity.

The only room that seems to veer from the dark palette found throughout the house is Kevin’s bedroom. Here, an oyster-coloured plaster is used with darker accents and luxurious curtains. Since it’s directly off the living room, Brown explains, when the doors between the two are open, it provides a bit of second-hand brightness.