A Cleveland Attic Transformed Into a Historic Library

Our design team knew this project would be one for the history books. Our longtime client approached us to transform an empty attic space into a library. The challenge? The entire room is designed, inch by inch, around the architectural elements bought at auction from Marjorie Merriweather Post’s New York City penthouse.

Originally built for Post, heir to Post Consumer Brands (yes, the cereal!), the penthouse is rich in historic detail. Our client, an avid art collector, now counts the interior architecture of Post’s former residence among their collection.

Every element, from the parquet flooring to ornate wooden wall paneling to the marble fireplace and built-in bookcases, is meticulously reinstalled to create this new space. We navigated a few obstacles along the way, including a missing piece of stone on the fireplace. You couldn’t tell by looking at it now, but a small portion of the marble is hand-painted stone. It now seamlessly matches the rest of the marble. Designing a room around historic architectural details takes precision, patience, and respect for the original craftsmanship. We intentionally planned every inch of the space so the room feels cohesive, livable, and timeless. We wanted to make sure to honor the past while still creating a space that functions beautifully for today.

Once the architectural framework was complete, we layered in custom furnishings, tailored lighting, and artwork from our client’s impressive art collection. One standout piece is a real mosasaur skeleton, which adds a sense of drama, curiosity, and conversation to the space. These personal elements help transform the library from a beautiful room into a deeply meaningful one.

We’re grateful to be part of this historic project! And for the chance to collaborate with such talented craftspeople to bring the vision to life for our client!