Take a stroll on Roosevelt Avenue in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, and what you’ll encounter is movie-perfect New York City in all its loud and colorful glory: the din of the elevated subway line, pedestrians rushing to catch trains, and clusters of food trucks serving cheap and delicious foods. But walk just a few blocks north and suddenly, it’s quiet enough to hear the birds chirping. Here, tall trees line streets populated by stately apartment buildings and the sidewalks are nearly empty. This is the historic section of Jackson Heights, and it’s where creative director Matthew Axe has made a serene and stylish home with his husband, Peyton Hays, an orthopedic surgeon.
The couple moved into The Chateau (many of the area’s landmarked buildings have names) in 2011, attracted to the neighborhood’s affordable real estate, classic architecture, and community of like-minded creatives. Their 1,120-square-foot two-bedroom apartment was perfectly sized for the couple and their Welsh terrier, Rusty. Even better, it hadn’t been stripped of its period charm. “My remodeling philosophy is don’t get rid of anything original,” says Axe, who has art-directed for brands such as Jo Malone London, Kohler, Bellocq, and Martha Stewart Living.
With that in mind, the couple was bent on keeping the apartment’s original molding, built-ins, and hardware when possible. Even idiosyncratic features, like oddly placed radiators, were allowed to stay. Axe and Hays did remodel the kitchen and bathroom, both of which were sorely in need of updates, but they were careful to choose styles and fixtures that were timeless and in keeping with the 1920s building.
The couple may have been accepting of the apartment’s bones, but when it came time to furnish it, they were ruthless about which pieces made it into their home. “If something isn’t useful or beautiful, it goes,” says Axe, of their decorating style. The tranquil home they ultimately created together is an exercise in uncommon restraint and elegant minimalism. Come see for yourself. (And when you’re done with the tour, be sure to check out all the great storage ideas in their apartment over on The Organized Home.)
Photography by Eric Piasecki for Remodelista.
![\2\20;i like the furnishings to build as time goes by,\2\2\1; say 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-living-room-2-733x550.jpg)
![the quilt on the sofa was made by martha stewart living style editors for a den 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-living-room-733x977.jpg)
![rusty relaxes on his cushioned perch. above him is a collection of cloches (and 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-dog-bed-733x977.jpg)
![the couple had the original wood fireplace mantel stripped for a more modern lo 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-fireplace-733x1100.jpg)
![\2\20;to be honest, i\2\17;d prefer nothing on any of the w 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-dining-room-733x550.jpg)
![axe found the paul mccobb dining set on ebay. like the quilt on the sofa, the c 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-dining-room-2-733x978.jpg)
![the dining set takes the spotlight in this room, but a screenprint by artist al 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-dining-room-3-733x550.jpg)
![axe had admired so many soapstone counters during his tenure at martha stewart 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-kitchen-733x977.jpg)
![axe is an avid collector of stackable tc\100 tableware by hans roeric 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-kitchen-cupboard-hero-733x582.jpg)
![the wall mounted vitsoe shelving unit in the couple\2\17;s study is & 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-vitseo-shelves-733x977.jpg)
![the couple\2\17;s bedroom faces the interior garden, an amenity that man 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-bedroom-733x733.jpg)
![axe hit ebay and antiques dealers to source the period appropriate sink, toilet 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/matthew-axe-jackson-heights-eric-piasecki-bathroom-733x977.jpg)
Here are some other beautiful NYC apartments:
- Calm and Collected: At Home with the Duo Behind Aesthetic Movement
- Bloomsbury in the Bronx: At Home with Livia Cetti and Family
- Brooklyn Makeover: A Homey Townhouse with a Modern Garret
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