I was returning voicemails while vacationing in Monte Verde, Costa Rica, when I got a call from a most curious gentleman. We spoke for over an hour about design, travel and whimsy. 

It was clear we would be working together for a long time, without the need for formalities.

Eric Gutierrez had just purchased a Pied-a-terre apartment at the bottom of Spruce Street near the park and river. It was on the second floor of a noble brownstone – the kind of Philadelphia treasure that M. Night Shyamalan might consider when scouting. Eric’s apartment had been renovated in the 1980’s in what I refer to as our fine city’s “Royal Tenenbaums” phase. Philadelphia was then somewhat threadbare. It was a city that hadn’t found itself. 

With the same reserve we use when starting all projects, Eric and I dove right in. We started by looking for the light and reworking the flow. 

The kitchen of the apartment was off a short, dark hallway. It had a glass door to a tiny rear balcony that was wedged between adjoining row houses. The balcony itself looked out on a small, shady rear alley. The two large living room windows facing Spruce Street were the primary source of light. 

Our first move was to take down the wall of upper cabinets between the dark hall and the kitchen so that light and conversation could then flow between the kitchen and living area. But it was not enough. 

We then realized that if we covered the outer hallway wall with mirrors, it would greatly amplify the light. We were able to find some wonderful eight inch square antique mirrored tiles that look as though they were hand-blown in old world Belgium. The antique veining of the tiles fractures the light and distorts the reflections just enough to create a lustrous atmosphere.

The item that started it all: 

Right at the start of the project, Eric found a 17th century Italian marble fireplace mantle. We were fortunate to find Italian stonecutters deep in South Philadelphia who had the mastercraft ability to cut and fit the piece perfectly into its new home on Spruce Street. This set the tone and kicked off the project. 

Something Vintage: 

Eric used authentic vintage pieces throughout that brought the house fully back to its rightful elegance.The hunt scene painting on canvas in the powder room was an old free-standing, three-paneled screen. One of the panels fit perfectly over the louver slats of the old door. It then also served as a perfect sound buffer. 

The Splurges:  

Certainly the marble mantle. We also invested in the chestnut-colored mohair used to upholster the living room loveseats. 

The Surprise Find:

Pepe and Carole’s hardware. This brand has the patina of a salvaged treasure with the ease of a new item. Their very well priced items were a great find, and a small detail that made a huge difference. 

What almost got cut: 

When Eric got the invoice for the mirrored tile he picked up the phone to cancel the shipping.

It took a few martinis to get him to see the “light.”  

But he did. And this apartment became the perfect grand retreat! 

Val Nehez is the owner and principal designer at Studio IQL in East Falls (StudioIQL.com). For more images of the Spruce Street pied-a-terre go to ChestnutHillLocal.com or Instagram Studio_iql and quickandlovely_design.