Design Milk July 2024
Now in a new location on the Lower East Side of Manhattan designed by Sonya Lee Architect, the Meow Parlour offers a sanctuary where cats and humans come together to play, relax, and form lasting bonds. Meow Parlour’s design is a whimsical wonderland, perfectly tailored for both cats and their human visitors. The lounge area is divided into two main sections, each brimming with charm and creativity. The front room features four large booths, connected by a network of portholes and shelf mazes. This setup allows cats to dart in and out, providing endless entertainment for visitors as they relax and enjoy the playful antics around them.
Brownstoner June 2024
“It’s an incredibly grand space,” said Lee, whose portfolio ranges from New York City townhouses to a mid-century modern residence in the hills above L.A. “But there was a Home Depot kitchen from the ’80s, with a 9-foot-tall behemoth cabinet between the kitchen and dining room that blocked the view of a stained glass window and that beautiful ceiling.” Lee gutted the kitchen, opening up the space and restoring its grandeur.
NY Times April 2024
At 1,800 square feet, the space is three times as large as its previous iteration, which Ha co-founded 10 years ago around the corner on Hester Street. While the old space could accommodate 15 cats, this one can fit about 20, and the space is designed to be a feline paradise.
Dwell Jan 2024
In renovating Hamilton House for professional poker player Simon Cremniter, architect Sonya Lee researched Umemoto with the depth that he deserved…[sic] In the process, Lee also rediscovered Jaylis.
Lee says she had no second thoughts about preserving the curtains. "They’re so unbelievably diaphanous and the quality of them makes the house glow at night," the architect says of the Jaylis installation at Hamilton House. "The quality of the light throughout the day is really remarkable, too. During the day, the little openings between the woven panels would create shadow patterns on the flooring, which almost danced as the sun shifted across the house," she adds.
Dwell Nov/Dec 2023
One of a Kind: a thoughtful renovation celebrates the only house ever built by architect and activist Kazuo Umemoto. Lee’s renovation has given Umemoto’s work a chance to bloom anew.
Dwell Sept 2023
"We just thought, ‘Let’s create a little space for them to daydream—to be kids,’" Lee says. The tree house also "kept the ground completely clear, which enables the kids to roller skate or project movies on the wall."
Brownstoner Aug 2023
Lee and her team made things right, updating all the plumbing and electrical and installing central air, mindful of “not dropping random soffits that would interfere with the nice plasterwork.
Dwell July 2023
"A couple call on architect Sonya Lee to polish up the historic home’s flooring, fretwork, and built-ins, overhaul its infrastructure, while banishing its dated beige kitchen. Much of the project involved infrastructure updates: swapping drafty windows for energy-efficient, aluminum-clad wood versions and installing new electrical, plumbing, and central air-conditioning systems. "We sort of snuck around all the nice details that we were able to preserve," says Lee. Even though it has this old, classic feel, it’s modernized," says Serena, the owner.
Living Etc UK Aug 2022
'At Tennis House, we designed a full height bookshelf with a reading nook in the kid's bedroom,' explains Sonya. 'Storage is always a necessity in New York City and offering the flexibility of having many options for their many growing collection of rocks, artwork and books.
'A playful way to integrate a reading nook into this bookshelf encourages the kids to engage with all their prized collections while being a cozy place to spend their day.'
Living Etc. UK Mar 2022
While a minimalist and edited space may offer a luxe design, a studio apartment that doesn't meet your practical needs could never feel luxurious. An apartment design that incorporates flexible furniture with double functions, as well as storage ideas for pieces that can be hidden away to increase floor space so that the room can adapt.
For example, in this ground floor apartment in Brooklyn, redesigned by architect Sonya Lee, the central millwork piece acts a screen to allow privacy in the petite office space, but also contains an integrated pull-down bed.
The Spruce Feb 2022
This adorable modern reading nook designed by Sonya Lee Architect is a self-contained cube carved out of a floor-to-ceiling bookcase where little bookworms can read to their heart's content.
Brownstoner Nov 2019
Lee re-thought the space to accommodate all those possible uses and more, producing a clean-lined, airy unit that highlights existing historic detail in front and has a full new kitchen and a convertible bedroom/office in the back.
Builder Magazine, May 2019
“Built in reading nook creates ideal kid’s corner: The team designed the spaces with lots of storage for easy access to toys and books to encourage imaginative play. A small white oak nook, built within the floor to ceiling bookshelf, breaks the symmetry of the white cubbies and gives the children a unique space to read, craft or play…offering a a comfortable oasis for afternoon naps too.”
Builder Magazine Mar 2018
"Sonya Lee Architect carefully restored its historical details while brightening the interiors with contemporary elements and finishes."
Contemporist Mar 2016
"Sonya Lee Architect designed the Meow Parlour, which is a cat cafe in New York City... The cat cafe allows the cats to roam freely, while they're waiting to be adopted. The furniture was designed to make it easy for the cats to play, hide and explore."
Dwell Mar 2019
“Balancing historic details with modern updates, these renovated Brooklyn brownstones are the stuff of dreams. 10 standout, renovated brownstones that retain their original charm with added contemporary cool.”
Dwell Mar 2019
Dwell’s Favorite 20 Modern Kids Room Design photos and ideas: “Kids are all about imagination, fun and play - find inspiration in these creative choices for furniture from bunk beds to bookcases and storage to shelves.”
HOUZZ Nov 2018
"Be surrounded by the things you love"
Remodelista Sept 2018
"These ingenious workspaces are slotted into closets, corners, even under the stairs. Here, 15 favorites from our archives.”
Dwell June 2018
19 Cozy Nooks that radiate charm and comfort -
“From alluring alcoves to cozy reading corners and breakfast nooks, these 19 spaces will make you want to curl up with a book - and/or glass of wine -- ASAP!”
Houzz Oct 2017
"Details shine in updated Brooklyn Brownstone: After decades following several ad hoc renovations, water damage and general wear and tear, teh brownstone had lost much of its initial luster. However its outlook changed when a new young family from Australia purchased the home and began working with architect Sonya Lee to repurpose and reimagine this historic property for a new era."
Brownstoner Aug 2018
"The owners of this stately 1930s home in the surprisingly lush and leafy Queens neighborhood of Forest Hills Gardens... hired Sonya Lee to carry out a gut renovation ...with the mandate for a modern interior within the vintage landmark building"
Dwell Aug 2017
Top 4 Homes of the Week with Floor to Ceiling Windows
Brownstoner July 2017
“We wanted to be historically sensitive and bring back what was authentic, but in areas where there was clearly nothing we could bring back, like the kitchen, we brought in the modern life the clients wanted.”
Dwell Feb 2017
Good design is the cat’s meow. This small mousehole is a perfect getaway to a cat only section of the cat cafe. Just below the bench is much needed storage and also functions as a maze for the cats to sneak off for a catnap
BUILD news Sept 2016
"Sonya Lee Architect LLC has won Best for Full Bespoke Architectural Designs - New York and Florida. The 2016 Architecture Awards (Build News magazine) recognises the exceptional work undertaken by firms in the global industry."
Archinect Mar 2016
"Creating a comfortable space for adoptable cats within an interior that’s spacious and aesthetically pleasing can certainly make a difference – for both the animal as well as the individual seeking to adopt.
Sonya Lee's work on the Meow Parlour is a wonderful example of a fresh concept done on a dime."
Divisare Mar 2016
"Redefining home office: renovation of a NYC apartment with the office as the central spatial organizer...these details create a thoughtfully crafted space that enlivens their colorful busy lives."
New York Times Jan 2015
"The cafe has a picture window looking onto Hester Street with a long shelf and the word 'meow' spelled out in oversize wooden letters. The cats like to sit on the shelf and watch the passing parade, or lounge among the letters, especially inside the 'o.' "
Elle Decor Nov 2014
"Our architect, Sonya Lee, was really great. She had a cat, and our concern was that cats needed places to hide and feel safe. Plus, she's done a lot of residential architecture—so she knows what makes people feel comfortable. She combined those things to create Meow Parlour."
American Institute of Architects Apr 2014
On behalf of Toshiko Mori Architect, Sonya Lee received the Architecture Merit Award for the House in Ghent, for which she was the project architect.
Wall Street Journal Dec 2014
"The much anticipated Meow Parlour, New York City's first official cat cafe, will open Monday on Manhattan's Lower East Side....Inside the store, a custom-built wooden wall features hidden cubbies for cats to hide in. A 'catwalk' for felines to roam has been installed near the cafe's ceiling. Nearly all of the furniture has cat shaped holes for the cats to crawl into."
American Institute of Architects 2010
On behalf of Toshiko Mori Architect, Sonya Lee received the Architecture Merit Award for the Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, for which she was the project architect.
American Institute of Architects Jun 2010
Sonya Lee presents at the 2010 American Institute of Architects on TMA's Greatbatch Pavilion, which was awarded the Architecture Honor Award. Discussions include the design concept, technical excellence and the complexities of building new within the context of the historically significant Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin D. Martin House complex.
Jardin Ephemeres I Ephemeral Gardens
"This garden is a voyage through four hundred years of the history of Quebec. As the visitor traverses the garden, he encounters names, dates, images and plants that unveil the manifold histories of the city."
World Architecture Festival Nov 2010
The Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion is a finalist at the World Architecture Festival. Sonya Lee attends the presentations with Toshiko Mori in Barcelona, Spain.