Inside Ashley Stark’s Tranquil Upper East Side Escape

Rip & Tan: What first drew you to this home? When was the moment you knew you’d have to gut it to get to your dream home? 

Ashley Stark: We bid on the home a year before we bought it, my husband wanted a townhouse but I was skeptical. We thought we’d just fix it up a little bit but once we got it we decided we should go for it and really make it our own. 

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your renovation and design process? Which spaces took priority? 

Ashley Stark: The renovation started one way and ended up being a total gut. The only thing left during the gutting process was the facade. We knew we wanted to have a kitchen with a family area because the kitchen is the heart of a home.

Halfway through the renovation, we were trying to get a permit to expand the kitchen into the backyard. We blew through the entire back of the home! During the renovation I got pregnant, learning that we were about to have a third child, we decided to make the basement into an epic playroom for the kids.

Rip & Tan: You’ve mentioned your vision was clear from the get-go. How would you describe it in your own words? What elements of the finished interior pay the truest homage to your original plans? 

Ashley Stark: I’ve had a clear vision of what I wanted the house to be and never wavered! I knew I wanted it to have a Hampton/Paris, escape-from-the-city sort of vibe. I work all day with colors and patterns, so I wanted a calmer retreat to come home to, that felt like I could escape the city while in the middle of the city. The anchor of the first two floors is a natural wood that ties the vision all together.

Rip & Tan: As someone deep in the world of textiles, how did that influence your interior approach? 

Ashley Stark: Seeing that I work all day with textures, colors, and patterns, I wanted to keep a neutral palette, with boucle, shearling and lots of different textures to keep it warm yet neutral. 

Rip & Tan: This home boasts an incredible attention to detail. Can you tell us the story of a few of your favorite custom elements? 

Ashely Stark: We had every detail of the renovation thought out before it went into action. My favorite custom element is the bar. It’s been a dream to have a huge marble slab with custom iron cabinets, styled beautifully and functionally! 

Rip & Tan: What are some of the ways you ensured this would be a functional home fit for true family living? 

Ashely Stark: Making the kitchen the center of the home was the best for a large, growing family. We made sure we had a large island where everyone can sit, as well as a breakfast table and seats in the hangout area. 

Rip & Tan: Is there a room you find yourself gravitating toward most often? Why do you think that is? 

Ashley Stark: Definitely the kitchen, we all sort of end up hanging out there while cooking together and watching tv. We often find ourselves having family dinners just off the kitchen. 

Rip & Tan: In this home or elsewhere, what does living well look like to you?

Ashley Stark: Being able to utilize every area and not having to feel like half the home is not used. This was my first time living vertically. We made sure to capitalize on every inch of the space and that was something that was important to me.