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Patrick Janelle always dreamed of living in a downtown Manhattan loft. The lifestyle influencer, who also runs the talent agency Untitled Secret, fantasized about an airy and industrial home as he spent the past decade climbing the rungs of the New York City housing ladder. So when he grew out of his most recent abode, a compact yet curated SoHo apartment, he knew it was time to actualize his goal.
“I’m very romantic in my ideals about how I envision things for myself and my life in New York,” Patrick shares. “I’ve always made a point that I wanted to be in Manhattan—as cool as I think Brooklyn is—and I never have had this quintessential loft moment.”
Since Patrick couldn’t afford to buy the type of spacious loft he’d been lusting after, he focused his hunt on rentals that would allow him to renovate. After a handful of viewings, he found exactly what he was looking for: a generous three-bedroom in an early 20th-century factory building with a very lenient landlord. He adored the prime Flatiron location too.
In another stroke of good luck, the broker agreed to demolish a dividing wall, giving Patrick a head start on the remodel. By the time he moved in, the place boasted a palatial living-dining-kitchen space, a single cozy bedroom, and an office for the Untitled Secret team—a main requirement in his search. Patrick was also charmed by architectural details: 10-foot-tall tin ceilings, elaborate moldings, and massive windows, one of which has French doors that open up to the patio-like fire escape. “Even though the middle of the apartment gets kind of dark, there is nice natural light on both sides, [which] is a wonderful feature,” he reflects.
Though the existing hardwood floors weren’t historic, they were still worth preserving. Patrick sanded off the dated dark varnish and sealed the newly-exposed natural timber with a Bona Traffic HD matte finish. He replaced the old tile in the kitchen and bathroom with fresh oak planks to match.
When it came to choosing an aesthetic for the overhaul, Patrick first consulted Lyndsay Caleo and Holly Waterfield from The Brooklyn Home Company. The duo suggested he follow his instincts in channeling a diverse blend of influences. He mixed elements of a SoHo artist’s loft, a Parisian pied-à-terre, and a rustic Upstate farmhouse to create a look that’s uniquely his own.
“I’m not one to adhere to a certain design sensibility,” Patrick admits. “If there’s any through line, it’s just my really personal eclectic style. It’s a little bit of a mishmash.” To achieve this idiosyncratic vibe, Patrick opted for a neutral palette infused with tons of black accents. He painted the walls with light Farrow & Ball hues, each specifically recommended by a color specialist based on their placement within the home. “She considered what you can see across the street [through the window] and how color is impacted by the light that’s coming in,” he remembers. “It was really amazing.”
The living room is covered in Skimmed Milk White, a soft and laid-back tone that complements the exposed brick wall, fluffy Nordic Knots rug, and Hay bouclé Mags sectional that Patrick separated into two distinct seats. “The sofa’s meant to be all together, but when I was moving things around for a photoshoot, I split it up and changed the direction,” he recalls. “Suddenly, I was like, Oh, my God, I love this so much better.”
Patrick also prioritized flexibility by incorporating a series of small side tables instead of a coffee table. He installed a sleek Lulu and Georgia shelving unit that he can continually restyle with his collections of liquor bottles, books, and decor objects. The only item that’s set in stone is the giant antique pier mirror he found at The Demolition Depot in Harlem. It’s simply too large to rearrange.
The dining area—which is anchored by a vintage farmhouse table, Marcel Breuer Cesca chairs, and dramatic candle sconces—leads to the moody new kitchen. Here, Reform Basis smoked oak cabinets are paired with a veiny Arabescato Violet marble backsplash from BAS Stone NYC, a DeVol aged brass hanging rail, JennAir appliances, and a Blanco sink.
Beyond the updated cooking space, the Untitled Secret office is secluded by steel and glass doors crafted by Kent Steel Co. The alcove is outfitted with vintage Cleo Baldon stools, a Gubi 9602 floor lamp, and a Bayou-inspired ombré mural from Calico Wallpaper, which serves as the perfect Zoom backdrop. “I’ve always loved their large-scale designs,” Patrick says. “They’re really interesting in terms of what they’re able to accomplish with wallpaper.”
In contrast, the bedroom is intentionally simple and serene. Aside from a coat of pure Wimborne White on the walls, the only elements Patrick added were luxurious linens and new closets built by his brother and father. “It’s a real retreat from the rest of the apartment, where there’s a lot going on,” he says. As it should be.
