When Tom and Lia Higgins (Barbara Corcoran's son and daughter-in-law) acquired their prewar apartment on New York City’s Upper East Side, they wanted to maximize every inch of the 1,900-square-foot interior. So the high school sweethearts, who have young kids and love to entertain, called upon Hee Designs to fully gut renovate the unit, requesting a balance between “child-friendliness and a sense of sophistication,” says the firm’s founder, Kellyann Hee.Hee, along with the firm's design director Julia Berner-Tobin, reworked the original three-bedroom, three-bathroom footprint, moving walls and ripping out flooring to fit everything from a large kitchen with a pantry and dining area for eight to a private bedroom wing so that the family could host guests without disturbing sleeping children. From there, they completely reimagined the home's furnishings, turning to durable-yet-timeless pieces that could grow alongside the family. The result is an elevated yet practical retreat that balances versatility with a timeless, tailored feel—an extra impressive feat, considering the quick nine-month timeline and the fact that the project was the hospitality-focused firm’s first foray into residential design.Fast FactsDesigner: Kellyann Hee and Julia Berner-Tobin of Hee DesignsLocation: New York City's Upper East SideThe Space: Three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath across 1,900 square feetENTRYWAYGreen velvet wall art sets the tone for a muddy yet dimensional palette.Andrew BuiTable: Interior Icons. Ottomans: Lulu & Georgia. Rug: Design Within Reach. Ceiling lights: custom, by Studio Luddite. Wall art: Leonard Meoni. Wall paint: Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore. Ceiling paint: All White, Farrow & Ball. Door paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore.Throughout the home, the design team thoughtfully selected furniture with rounded rather than sharp edges and opted for soft materials, like wood over stone, “to create a safer environment for rambunctious kiddos,” Hee says. “We framed wall art behind glass or plexi to protect it, and used cordless window treatments.”As far as the color palette goes, the couple wanted to mix it up from their historically white-on-white style, so the team introduced warm neutrals and layered textures. In the entry, the velvet Leonard Meoni wall art, one of the only items the clients brought with them to the apartment, inspired further green accents throughout the space. “The entry opens into the kitchen and dining area on one side, where we have a dark green mohair banquette, and on the other side it opens to the living room with green accents in the art, book spines in the bookshelves, and mirror.”The finished design totally surprised us, in the best way.LIVING ROOMA plethora of seating caters to activities, day to night.Andrew BuiBuilt-ins: custom, by Rockaway Custom Cabinets & Restoration Shop Inc. Hardware: Lo & Co. Table: McGee & Co. Ottoman: Maiden Home.Andrew BuiSofa: Restoration Hardware. Mirror and lamp: Anthropologie. Throw pillow: Rejuvenation. Side table: Maiden Home. Sconce: Lumfardo. Ceiling light: Long Made Co. Wall paint: Soft Chamois, Benjamin Moore. Wall art: Eberhard Ross.Multiple seating arrangements ensure plenty of opportunity to work or unwind in the often naturally lit space. Custom-built-ins are encased in glass to keep everything out of reach of the kids but still allow the mix of books and decorative objects, like jewel-toned vessels, to be on display. “Our clients really love low lighting in the evenings,” Hee says. “So we backlit these shelves and included a few small lamps. At night, the bookcases become a warm and cozy element in the space.” KITCHENClever storage solutions keep the cookspace neat.Andrew BuiRange: Aga Elise Range. Cabinet hardware: MyKnobs.Andrew BuiCabinets: custom, by Rockaway Custom Cabinets & Restoration Shop Inc.Hee and Berner-Tobin relocated the kitchen from the floor plan’s center to a former bedroom location to bring in natural light, make the cookspace larger, and open it up to a formal dining room. “The combo of an open-concept kitchen and dining room is really popular in the city—and perfect for dinner parties,” Hee says.When customizing the kitchen, the duo prioritized storage with wide, pull-out drawers to hide appliances, pots, and pans, as well as narrow cabinets for stowing baking pans and cutting boards. The Caesarstone counters ensure the homeowners need not stress about stains, while the marble slab backsplash from ABC Stone adds a dramatic touch. “The fluted wall paneling softens a huge column that could not be relocated in the space, and similarly, a concealed pantry door opposite the kitchen sink,” Hee says.DINING NOOKThe customized spot mimics the feel of a luxe NYC eatery.Andrew BuiChairs: Restoration Hardware. Art lights: Pooky. Wall art (right): 1stDibs. Wall art (left): TRNK NYC.To fulfill the couple’s request for a dining area that seats eight, Hee and Berner-Tobin designed a custom banquette in green mohair fabric and a white oak dining table. Since the nook is open to the kitchen, it allows for easy cooking, serving, and dining for daily life with kids and evenings spent entertaining. “There’s a hidden table in the space behind the curve of the banquette that we had made custom to match the fluted wall, so the edges line up perfectly and no food or dust collects back there,” Hee says. “Also, it’s a nice place for a tiny vase for dinner party nights.”Overhead, simple flat crown molding “really adds that little extra layer of polish,” Hee says. The minimal, easy-to-execute detail is carried throughout other parts of the home, as is the parquet wood flooring. The team invested in permanent elements, like the flooring, over high-end, irreplaceable vintage furnishings that may not stand up to wear and tear.POWDER ROOMMetallic wallpaper maximizes light while creating an enchanting look.Andrew BuiWallpaper: Holly Hunt. Mirror: Rejuvenation. Faucet: Kohler. Sconce: Rich Brilliant Willing.Located off the kitchen in a small wing with a hidden pocket door is the glamorous powder room. “The [Holly Hunt] wallpaper here is a real stunner,” Hee says. “It has a raised foil pattern reminiscent of antique lace and acts as the perfect backdrop to a beautiful velvet photo collage commissioned for the room by Brooklyn-based artist Roxana Kadyrova.” PRIMARY BEDROOMA serene space reminiscent of a luxury hotel room.Andrew BuiTable: CB2. Chair: Residence Supply. Bench cushions: Custom, in Holly Hunt fabric. Throw pillows: Restoration Hardware. Rug: Enkay. Wall art: Brian Merriam, from Tappan Collective. Sconce: 1stDibs.Natural elements and rich textures drive the calming atmosphere in the primary bedroom. His-and-hers closets allow the main bedroom to remain minimal and uncluttered. Behind the door—which is modeled after the apartment’s original entry door to expand on the existing pre-war architecture—is the primary bathroom. Opposite the bed is a projector for movie nights.PRIMARY BATHROOMA calming backdrop for self-care rituals.Andrew BuiMirror: Wayfair. Sconces: Etsy, Smile Lamp Works. Fixtures: Brizo. Wall tile: NY Stone. Floor tile: Tilebar and NY Stone. Vanity hardware: Lo & Co. Wall art: Simeoni Art Studio.Travertine tiles maintain a serene, spa-like feel in the bathroom, which boasts a full built-in tub and separate shower.SON'S ROOMThe animal theme adds whimsy and wonder.Andrew BuiTable and bedding: Pottery Barn Kids. Doorknob: Baldwin Hardware.Andrew BuiSconce: Pooky. Rug: Crate & Barrel. Bear pillow: Fair Trade Winds.“We chose a subtle bear theme for the couple’s son’s room, with bear throw pillows on both beds and a soft bear-shaped chair in the corner opposite [from the side table,]” Hee says, noting they also customized the wallpaper into a printed mural to work better for the room’s specific layout. The couple requested a bunk bed for sleepovers, “and a bed low to the ground as he transitioned from his crib to the twin bed,” Hee says. An arched bunk bed from West Elm adds softness to the space. About the DesignersBased in New York's Hudson Valley and Portland, Maine, Hee Designs is primarily a hospitality design firm. But now, the team has also fallen in love with residential projects. Founder Kellyann Hee's approach aims to respect history while pushing forward to a sustainable future. With design director Julia Berner-Tobin, she creates deeply personal, intentional spaces that transcend time through a mix of vintage pieces, existing elements, thoughtful new additions, and custom creations. “We believe, when a home is designed with care, honesty, and a real understanding of both the people who live there and the place they live in, you can feel it,” Hee says.SHOP THE SPACEMulberry Ottoman$1,000 at maidenhome.comArches Bunk BedNow 20% Off$2,799 $2,239 at West ElmNodu Rug$548 at enkay.comGrey Marble Bistro Table$1,699 at CB2