park avenue apartment

Working on projects in New York is always a pleasure, especially on this classic Park Avenue apartment where the floorplan remains faithful to the original – a hallway that leads toward the dining room, living room and kitchen, and two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms off to one side.

We wanted our touch to be soft, adding a contemporary take on the timeless luxury that is forever present in the bones of such iconic buildings. It took thoughtful selections made over long periods of time to create rooms of refinement to be lived-in and loved. The clients, who are avid art collectors, brought their taste to the project with some initial pieces, including three colourful pendants that now hang above the dining room table. Other furnishings were hand-selected by our studio during shopping exertions to introduce bespoke furniture and lighting that complement a few vintage finds.

Various custom pieces redefine the apartment’s sense of grace. Each room is bounded by textural richness and a palette of warm metals, exposed plaster, burnt rose textiles, and dark wood selections for the furniture pieces and the flooring, now stained in a dark chocolate hue. The living room is awash in subtle tones and comfortable seating upholstered in heavy linen weaves and knobbly textiles. The focal point is a lounge sofa and an atypical extra-large coffee table with a live edge. On the floor, a hand-knotted rug designed by abd features raised areas of looped wool in shades of soft pink and oyster grey and surrounded by sheered pile. The unevenness creates a sculptural texture that is seen and also felt gently underfoot. In the same room, a bar niche is detailed in walnut with brass millwork and a fluted plaster surround.

The palette carries over into more private areas. In the principal bedroom, a custom wall-mounted bleached ash shelf with a shou sugi ban (burned) edge has an elegantly curved profile and provides an understated feature for displaying small objects. In the same room, a desk near the window brings together a natural wood table with a rich burgundy chair.

The last piece of furniture to be decided on is the custom console in the entrance hallway. With its rounded corners, chunky stadium legs and exposed plaster finish, the final design has a soft boldness to it. We love it so much it’s now part of the abd furniture collection.

Photographer: Patrick Biller