Cover Norwegian artist Martin Whatson’s artworks add vibrancy to the neutral-toned family room
Norwegian artist Martin Whatson’s artworks add vibrancy to the neutral-toned family room
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C Farrar Design blends modern art with statement colours in this seven-storey home on NYC’s Upper East Side
The Upper East Side in New York City has long been acclaimed for its affluence and prestige, as depicted in notable films and series that date as far back as Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the 1960s, to the more recent Succession.
The Manhattan neighbourhood stretching from Central Park to the East River embodies a sense of classic New York, with its sophisticated charm, elegant brownstones, and world-renowned institutions, such as Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue, comprising cultural landmarks like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim.
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Above Hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper lines the front foyer walls
Above Art Deco elements characteristic of NYC’s Upper East Side
Hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper lines the front foyer walls
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Amidst the tree-lined streets with a diverse grouping of architectural styles, a dynamic young family of five has found their new home in a seven-storey townhouse built in 1888, which was also renovated in 2009 with a refreshed neoclassical limestone façade.
Sprawling over 10,000 sq ft, the property consists of six bedrooms, and a full-sized basketball court on the fifth floor–a rare find in a home in the middle of Manhattan that cinched the homeowners’ decision, knowing that it will bring a tremendous joy to their three boys, aged between 12 and 17.
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Norwegian artist Martin Whatson’s artworks add vibrancy to the neutral-toned family room
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In fact, it was because of the children that the homeowners engaged with New York-based interior design firm C Farrar Design to fast track the renovation.
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“They were eager to move from their brownstone on the West Side to the townhouse on the East Side as soon as possible, where their entire lives–their sons’ schools, work, and social circles–are centred,” divulges founder Christin Farrar.
“Their oldest son was about to start his second year of high school, and they truly wanted their house to be the hub where all their friends hung out,” she adds. “They felt the high school years racing by, and wanted to be in the house before they were over.”
The formal and elegant living room and dining room
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While their former West Side home was more traditional and a bit more serious, the spirited and fearless homeowners were keen to try something different for their new residence across town.
“One of the aims was to shape a home that felt sheltered and approachable for gatherings, where they could host out of town family and their friends as well,” Farrar elaborates.
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The kitchen feels sheltered and approachable for gatherings
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In an attempt to warm up a very large home, the colour scheme of the house was a carefully selected palette of complex neutrals, such as broken whites, greys and soft beiges.
The restraint hues also functioned as a backdrop to showcase the vibrant and large-scale modern art pieces the homeowners have in their personal collection, ranging from Damien Hirst to commissioned works from Norwegian stencil artist Martin Whatson–reflecting their love of family, travel, playfulness, and optimistic view of life.
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Above The homeowners’ large-scale modern art pieces bring vibrancy into the home
Above The neutral-hued walls serve as perfect backdrops to let the artworks shine
The homeowners’ large-scale modern art pieces bring vibrancy into the home
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Above A peek of Biggie Smalls’ crown in the home office cabinetry
Above Ample storage and space to display favourite art pieces
A peek of Biggie Smalls’ crown in the home office cabinetry
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“The husband is also a massive ‘90s hip-hop enthusiast,” Farrar shares. “He won Biggie Smalls’ famous crown at a Sotheby’s auction, and we had a stand built for it to mimic the tilted placement on Biggie’s head, where it’s now on display in his office cabinetry that we designed.”
Other than that, the aficionado also has a haiku written by hip-hop icon Tupac when he was in elementary school, as well as other incredible memorabilia, such as the former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s largest personal law book–all of which are placed expertly around the home amongst elegant furnishings.
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Above The homeowners’ love for deep regal blues highlight different parts of the home
Above The blue lacquered bars on the second floor, complementing another on the top level
The homeowners’ love for deep regal blues highlight different parts of the home
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Intervening the home’s minimalist palette is the homeowners’ love for the deep regal blues, which highlight different parts of the home: the hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper in the front foyer, the blue lacquered bars on the second and seventh floors, and the magnificent ombré custom runner in blues and greys that spreads across seven levels of the property.
“Understanding that the home needed moments of vibrancy beyond the art collections, these bold and moody choices quickly became key colour moments that weave a cohesive thread throughout the home as we move into each new space and floor,” Farrar explains.
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Above Patterned wallpaper and marble stone bring depth
Above Delicate alabaster in one of the bathrooms
Patterned wallpaper and marble stone bring depth
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Layering depth into the home are comfortable and luxurious materials like wool felts, mohair, leather, shearling and boucle, and natural materials, such as a variety of white marbles–from Calacatta to Dolomite–in the kitchen and baths, whereas onyx and alabaster adorn the two powder rooms.
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Punches of red in one of the teenagers’ bedrooms
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Complementing the achromatic narrative is the prominent use of warm oak, particularly in the family room, where oak built-ins are filled with personal objects that demonstrate the family’s shared passions.
Here, it also features a game table for competitive game nights, as well as a massive custom sectional decorated with cosy pillows and throw blankets so that all five of them, and their beloved dog, Tiger, could pile in together for movies or sports events.
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The minimalist palette extends into the primary bedroom
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“I loved designing the family room, as I knew it would be a favourite and the most used room in the house when they are all together,” Farrar quips. “Because it’s across the hall from the more formal and elegant living room and dining room, it has to be sophisticated but also relaxed and cosy.”
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Credits
Photography: Sarah Elliott
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
