Interiors: Sleek and Minimal on Sterling

Welcome to our new interiors feature. The week, the transformation of a featureless 800-square-foot two-bedroom on Sterling Place into a sleek, minimalist and comfortable place for two architects and their burgeoning family. Got a project you'd like us to publish? Send us some photos and a note.
Leone Design Studio describes the layout of their apartment as a "box with a tail," re-conceived as a loft-like living area: kitchen, living/dining area and office nook wrapping a flexible space defined by open bookshelves that maximize sunlight. The flex space is used as a sleeping room, playroom and den, with Japanese futons stored in a specially designed nook. The palette is simple and bright: white acrylic for the bathroom door and white lacquer for the cabinetry. Oak floors were stained a dark walnut, to set off the white. The ceiling over the entry hall was dropped make main living space ceilings feel higher.