Much of the artwork was customized for the client, and the office is the clearest example. A custom crossword puzzle hangs over walls clad in a subtle leather with hand stitched inlays, its answers filled with some of his favorite things. The built in shelving was designed by Designs by Human and fabricated by our shop in Brooklyn, with subtle walnut inlays running throughout. Below it, a long stone topped desk with walnut edging is sized for two. Plaid wool drapery, a curved upholstered sofa, and a three globe glass floor lamp make the room as comfortable for reading as it is for work, with views across the Hudson.

The primary bedroom takes a tailored, menswear inspired direction. A chevron wood veneer wallcovering wraps the wall behind the bed, washed with integrated cove lighting, and a channel tufted headboard softens the composition. The opposite wall is finished in a charcoal pinstripe wallcovering that recalls suiting fabric. Layered bedding in blues and florals, sheepskin, a live edge wood side table, and a large scale black and white artwork add warmth and texture.

The guest bedroom is darker and more graphic, wrapped in a textured grid patterned wallcovering. An upholstered bed with bronze frame bands, warm midcentury wood nightstands, a sculptural multi arm ceiling fixture, and a hand tufted throw give guests a room with as much character as the rest of the home.

The entry sets the tone from the front door. A long vintage style runner in coral and indigo leads the eye toward a large scale botanical painting created in house by DBH, which anchors the end of the kitchen. Three oversized black framed mirrors and a velvet bench on brass legs make the narrow hall feel wider and practical for arriving and leaving.

Throughout, handmade pieces and custom designed furnishings allowed the client to use every room exactly as he wanted, turning a fresh developer interior into a home with a clear identity.

Scope: Interior design, custom artwork created in house, custom millwork fabricated in Brooklyn, leather wall paneling with hand stitched inlays, wallcovering design and specification, lighting, custom drapery, furniture and art placement

Questions and Answers

How do you add character to a new construction condominium?
Custom artwork, wall finishes, and millwork give a new build the depth it lacks when first delivered. In this Cliffside Park residence, leather wall panels, wood veneer and pinstripe wallcoverings, built ins with walnut inlays, and art made for the client made each room feel personal from the start.

Can each room have its own theme and still feel cohesive?
Yes. Repeating a few elements throughout the home, such as a palette of blues and warm woods, layered textiles, and a consistent level of detail, lets each room have its own identity while the whole home reads as one design.

What are leather wall panels and where do they work best?
Leather wall panels are upholstered or tiled leather applied directly to the wall. They add warmth, texture, and sound absorption, which makes them well suited to offices, libraries, and bedrooms. Hand stitched inlays add a custom, tailored detail.

Can artwork be customized for a client?
Yes. Designs by Human creates and adapts artwork around a client’s interests and the scale of the room. In this home, that included a crossword puzzle filled with the client’s favorite things and a large botanical painting created in house.

Does Designs by Human design custom millwork and built ins?
Yes. The studio designs and details custom millwork in house, with fabrication through its shop in Brooklyn, for residential projects in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and internationally.

Does Designs by Human work in New Jersey?
Yes. The studio has completed residences and developer show units in New Jersey, including along the Hudson River waterfront, as well as throughout Manhattan.