Paul Wesley is known for his role in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and his work in television and film throughout his career. The actor, 44, has established himself as a design enthusiast with a passion for architecture and curated aesthetics. Today, he and wife Natalie Kuckenburg, 26, opened the doors to their newly renovated two-story loft in downtown New York City, showing off their life together just weeks after announcing their recent nuptials in an intimate civil ceremony. The home tour highlights the inspiration behind the renovation, from carefully selected vintage pieces to details influenced by Kuckenburg’s Brazilian heritage.
Featuring vintage furnishings, arched windows and a private rooftop deck, the renovated New York City loft reflects the couple’s shared appreciation for thoughtful design. Image credit (Instagram).
According to Architectural Digest, Paul Wesley and Natalie Kuckenburg explained that buying real estate is “spontaneous.” They worked with architect Jack Wettling and designer Alan Eckstein to outfit their space with pieces they both love for the next chapter of their lives.
Paul Wesley and Natalie Kuckenburg’s NYC loft renovation process
Wesley, a New Jersey native who always saw New York City as his “toy” growing up, is a longtime enthusiast of all things design. Apart from his residence in the city, the actor also maintains houses in Los Angeles and Austin. The renovation of the house, with arched windows and a private roof deck, began with a gut renovation overseen by Wettling, followed by a design overhaul led by Eckstein.
Natalie incorporates elements inspired by her Brazilian roots, adding warm textures, natural wood and personal details that give the New York City home its unique charm. Image credit (Instagram).
Wesley noted his appreciation for vintage pieces and old materials throughout the space. “I always appreciate things that are old and have a story,” he told the outlet during the segment. Her design philosophy reflects her desire to incorporate meaningful pieces with historical meaning and character into their new home.
Natalie Kuckenburg incorporates Brazilian heritage into apartment design
As for Kuckenburg, showing her Brazilian heritage on the walls of her new home is something she’s counting on during the renovation. “I don’t really come from a design background, but I’m half German, half Brazilian. Paul and I traveled to Brazil and brought a lot of details from there back to the apartment, combining the texture of white brick with wood and small pieces that give it life,” he told the outlet.
The couple’s rescue dog Greggy enjoys one of Natalie’s favorite spots in the loft—a comfortable sofa that has become the centerpiece of their home. Image credit (Instagram).
One of his favorite places in the whole house is the couch, because he likes to cuddle there with the couple’s dog, Greggy. The rescue pup even made a cameo in their wedding photos that Kuckenburg shared earlier in the month after their wedding announcement.
Paul Wesley and Natalie Kuckenburg’s meeting and engagement
While the exact time when the two officially started dating remains unclear, they were first linked in November 2022 when they were spotted together in Italy. Wesley later revealed how the pair first met during an appearance on ‘Live with Kelly and Mark’, saying their first meeting went down the “classic” way at a bar in New York City. “That’s rare these days, I think, because everybody’s meeting online and everybody’s on these dating apps. It’s like the classic, pretty girl in a bar. There was one little look, and I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going for it.'”The couple tied the knot last summer, announcing the news in a July 19 Instagram post along with a photo of Kuckenburg’s new ring. The engagement marked a significant milestone in their relationship before they decided to tie the knot in an intimate civil ceremony that they revealed to the public just a few weeks before opening their home to the media.