A Historian's DREAM

On NYC's Upper East Side, a classic McKim, Mead & White apartment is reimagined in vibrant color.

- Hadley Keller

MEDIA ROOM

Fine finisher Uriu Nuance coated the walls in E25-61 by Fine Paints of Europe, a lustrous cobalt blue. Art: Untitled, Michael Goldberg (left); Musée d'Orsay, Jean-Francois Rauzier. Chandelier: Newel. Drapery: Kravet with Holland & Sherry trim. Sofa: Anthony Lawrence-Belfair in John Rosselli fabric. Throw pillows: Le Studio Anthost (pattern); Robert Allen (blue); Kravet (tweed). Coffee table: Hudson Furniture. Carpet: Beauvais.

KITCHEN

"It all started with the tile, which we used as a sort of wallpaper," says Wright of the Studium cut-stone pattern. The brass reappears on the custom hood and along the cabinetry. Lights: Charles Edwards. Stools: Dennis Miller New York. Range: BlueStar. Faucet: P.E. Guerin. Cabinet pulls: Katonah Hardware. Sink: Franke.

BREAKFAST ROOM

Art: Martin Brouillette. Banquette: Kravet. Chairs: Dennis Miller. Table: custom.

GETTING TO RENOVATE A TURN-OF the-century apartment by legendary firm McKim, Mead & White, complete with sweeping views of New York City, is "any architect's dream," according to Douglas C. Wright. He checked this off his bucket list with a 5,650-square-foot unit in an Italian Renaissance building on the Upper East Side.