The Secret To This East Village Apartment's Creative Energy? Grit, And Never Feeling "Too Overly Polished Or Pristine"
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A redesign of an East Village loft by Evan Edward keeps its exposed brick, timber and other signs of age while adding warmer colors, layered textures and furniture that makes the open plan feel intimate. Designer Joshua Evan Goldfarb says the aim was to preserve the apartment’s character, not make it overly polished or pristine.

New York design firm Evan Edward has revisited an East Village loft it first designed more than 15 years ago, retaining its exposed brick, timber and aged finishes while making the open-plan home feel warmer and more intimate. In an interview with Livingetc, co-founder and designer Joshua Evan Goldfarb said the project aimed to respect the apartment’s history and the neighborhood’s creative character rather than make the space feel overly polished.

The redesign draws on the loft’s existing architecture, including its exposed brick walls, timber and rooftop volumes. Goldfarb said the team wanted to add warmth and sophistication without turning the apartment into a period-style set. Its references to the 1970s come through in low-slung furniture, rich woods, smoked and brushed metals, and deep Bordeaux tones, layered with contemporary pieces.

The designers used a darker palette, varied textures and prominent furniture to make the apartment feel like a retreat from the streets outside. A purple or patterned sofa anchors the living room, while sculptural tables and a pendant light add detail without competing with the architecture. Goldfarb said the overall effect depended less on any single object than on how the elements worked together.

Because the loft is expansive and open, the team used furniture placement, rugs, lighting and shifts in materials to suggest separate areas instead of adding walls. Goldfarb also described the challenges of working in an older Manhattan building, where surfaces and architectural lines are not always uniform. The designers chose to work with those irregularities, allowing the original materials and their patina to remain visible.

At a glance
reportWhen: Reported by Livingetc; the original des…
The developmentLivingetc reported on Evan Edward’s redesign of an East Village loft, describing how the designers balanced its original architecture and neighborhood character with a more comfortable, retreat-like interior.

Making an Open Loft Feel Intimate

The project offers a specific example of how an open-plan home can gain a sense of comfort without losing the features that give it character. Rather than relying on new partitions, the designers used furniture, lighting and rugs to shape the space, while keeping its original brick and timber in view.

For readers considering a renovation, the report also highlights a practical tension: a home can feel calm and refined without removing every sign of age. That is the designers’ stated approach here, not evidence that the same choices will suit every building or household. The work centers on this loft’s architecture, its location and the clients’ appreciation for the East Village’s grit and creative energy.

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A Loft Revisited After 15 Years

Goldfarb told Livingetc that the firm first designed the apartment more than 15 years ago. Returning to it allowed the team to see the space with fresh eyes while preserving what had made it distinctive. The article describes an interior that combines references to New York nightlife and 1970s design with contemporary furnishings and a quieter, more enveloping atmosphere.

Joshua Evan Goldfarb and Michael Edward Moirano co-founded Evan Edward in 2019. The firm works in New York and Miami. The apartment’s redesign reflects the founders’ stated emphasis on authenticity, comfort and curated interiors, as described in the Livingetc report.

“It was never our goal to take a loft like this and make it feel overly polished or pristine.”

— Joshua Evan Goldfarb, Evan Edward co-founder and designer, speaking to Livingetc

Project Details Still Unspecified

The Livingetc report does not provide the apartment’s address, renovation budget, project timeline or a detailed account of which elements were newly installed versus retained from the earlier design. It also does not identify the clients or describe their day-to-day experience in the home. Goldfarb’s comments explain the design intent; they do not establish how every visitor or resident experiences the result.

No Further Project Milestone Listed

The source report presents the redesign and the designer’s account of its approach; it does not announce a new construction phase, public opening or follow-up milestone. Any further information about the project’s cost, timeline or later changes would need to come from the firm, the owners or additional reporting.

Key Questions

Who redesigned the East Village apartment?

The New York and Miami design firm Evan Edward worked on the loft. Co-founder and designer Joshua Evan Goldfarb discussed the project with Livingetc.

What features of the original loft were preserved?

The design retained visible architectural character, including exposed brick and timber, as well as the patina of original materials. Goldfarb also referred to rooftop volumes and irregularities in the older building.

How did the designers make the open space feel cozier?

According to Goldfarb, the team used furniture placement, rugs, lighting and material changes to define areas rather than adding unnecessary walls.

What inspired the apartment’s interior style?

The design combines the East Village’s eclectic character with 1970s references, including low-slung furniture, rich woods and deep colors. Goldfarb said the goal was to layer eras rather than create a period piece.

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