This Upper East Side apartment reminds us that past eras–before the waves of Modernism–which produced furniture of fine wood that was light, sparingly embellished and streamlined in form. Fortunately, the clients already possessed an eclectic array of English Regency Revival furniture juxtaposed with French 1940s pieces. To these, we made certain bold additions which defy categorization, but possess great style and aesthetic appeal, notably the tall, attenuated chest of drawers used originally as a coin cabinet.

The clients had collected a significant selection of 20th century paintings and photographs punctuated with such names as Helen Frankenthaler, Milton Avery and Alice Neel. These works became informal icons whose visual interest we sought to surround with equally interesting, sometimes curious pieces of furniture. The artwork also inspired the palette: ochre, amber, sepia, ebony. The result is a small but engaging dwelling in which every corner possesses aesthetic value.