Washington Square West townhome

Washington Square West townhome

Tucked away on one of the most picturesque streets in Philadelphia, our clients’ Washington Square West townhome was a dream project.  We incorporated their extensive collection of artwork, a love of minimalist but refined design, and the experiences of two people who enjoy travel and culture.

Optimal use of space

One universal truth about centuries-old townhomes in Philadelphia is that they are long on charm but short on space.  In order to create an open, bright design, we had to think creatively to maximize every square foot.  The home features a fabulous but steep spiral staircase with vertical handrails, so this influenced furniture choices for the second floor office and den, as well as the third floor master.  We also wanted the open plan first floor to feel spacious but not stark, and selected textures and accents to add warmth and depth.

We centered a comfortable sofa in front of the living room windows to allow sunlight to filter through, and added custom down throw pillows in a koi print with persimmon trim for an elegant pop.  The homeowners spend time here each morning with coffee, catching up on the news and preparing for the day.

In the dining room, a cozy table and chairs centered under a John Pomp chandelier make the perfect spot for shared meals, with beautiful floating shelves in a niche that showcase beloved artwork and treasures from their travels.

Upstairs in the office, a custom daybed offers a comfortable spot for relaxing without sacrificing space.  The story behind this is interesting; due to the size of the aforementioned stairwell, we had to get creative with our awesome furniture makers.  The daybed was created in pieces to be assembled on site because it wouldn’t fit through the front door or up the stairs if it was put together as one.  A sleek table by the window takes advantage of natural light while providing a roomy workspace, but doesn’t feel bulky or imposing.

The adjacent den functions as both library and TV room for our homeowners, with a loungey sofa in front of a cleverly-disguised Murphy bed for guests.  Built in shelving houses a large collection of well-loved books and treasured mementos, and this room is where they spend quiet evenings.

Artwork

Speaking of artwork, our clients have an extensive collection acquired, both separately and together, over the years.  We knew that we wanted to weave this art throughout our design on all three floors as a way to not only add their personalities and history to the home, but also blend them.  We hung framed paintings throughout the first floor to add color and define the spaces within the open layout.  A pair of original pieces greets you at the foot of the stairs, while a trio of framed paintings are at eye level across from the top landing.

Above the desk in the office, four original canvases from a vacation to Mexico hang as a happy reminder of the trip.

We also took a piece that the clients just didn’t love, had it professionally reframed, and now they adore it in their den!  It was a small transformation that created an entirely new look and feeling.

Asian influence and refined touches

Two more details integral to our design were the clients’ love of both refined details and Asian design aesthetics.  In the living room, we designed lumbar pillows for a pair of treasured antique Chinese wooden armchairs, which rest on a hand-knotted silk and wool area rug.

Another antique Chinese chair with a tailored cushion anchors a corner in the master, while upscale details such as nightstands with discreet pull-out trays and a custom king bed add an elevated air.  Above the dresser, two beautiful framed botanical paintings make an elegant statement.  Underfoot, a subtly patterned hand-knotted Tibetan silk and wool rug is the height of luxury.

We hope you’ve enjoyed a peek inside this wonderful project.  It’s absolutely one of our most memorable, and we love all of the details that went into it!

Photos: Rachel McGinn Photography

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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!