Studio DB Gives New Life to a Classic Manhattan Loft

From Factory to Family Haven: Studio DB’s Transformation of a Historic Manhattan Loft

A Personal and Professional Journey in Design

Damian and Britt Zunino, the husband-and-wife team behind the acclaimed design firm Studio DB, are known for their ability to blend historical respect with personalized design. This skill was put to the ultimate test when they renovated their own Manhattan loft, a space deeply intertwined with Damian’s family history.

Located just south of Union Square in a Renaissance Revival building, the loft was originally purchased in 1970 by Damian’s father, F. Anthony Zunino, also an architect. He sought space to create inflatable vinyl furniture. The full-floor unit, a former stuffed-animal factory, became Damian’s childhood home, complete with unique climbing structures and lofts within the loft.

From Temporary Stay to Full-Scale Renovation

Damian, Britt, and their children moved back into the loft during the pandemic, initially intending it to be a temporary arrangement. However, when Damian’s parents downsized, the move became permanent, and so did the scope of the renovation. What started as a kitchen remodel quickly expanded.

“Our original intent was just to redo the kitchen,” says Damian. The project evolved to include new floors and windows, central air-conditioning, reconfigured bedrooms, and a crucial bathroom overhaul (which narrowly avoided damaging a downstairs neighbor’s cabinetry painted by Robert Rauschenberg). “This is what we do,” Britt explains, “so it just snowballed.”

Bold Choices and Personalized Details

The renovation, which will be featured in the firm’s upcoming monograph, *Drawn Together: Studio DB Architecture and Interiors* (Rizzoli, March 2025), provided an opportunity for the Zuninos to experiment with design concepts. They created a proper foyer with a built-in armoire featuring a botanical mural by Calico Wallpaper, and painted the space a deep green.

This darker palette, often a challenge to implement with clients, extends into the spacious living area. For the kitchen, they designed a unique island with an irregularly shaped marble top and a burnished-brass base. The perfect patina for the base required four rounds of metal samples.

Layered Aesthetics and Thoughtful Touches

The couple followed their intuition, layering various styles. An Ed Ruscha poster is paired with floral wallpaper in a daughter’s bedroom, while a Verner Panton chair sits atop a Moroccan rug in the den. The living area features a durable, blue wool-covered BDDW sectional, a savvy auction purchase.

Beyond the larger design elements, smaller, personalized features contribute significantly to the home’s character. Britt’s coffee nook brings her joy each morning, while the children have dedicated reading alcoves, and even the cat, George, enjoys a custom hideaway.

Key Takeaways

• Studio DB successfully blended the historical signifigance with personalized, modern design.
• The renovation began as a kitchen project and excellerated into a full loft-makeover.
• Personal touches, like Britt’s Coffee nook and reading alcoves for the kids, made the space more enjoyable.