The Insider: Designer Warms Up Prospect Heights Loft With Art and Vintage Furnishings

The article details the transformation of a 2,200-square-foot condominium in Chelsea, Manhattan, into a flexible and aesthetically cohesive living space, orchestrated by Lee Mindel and Peter Shelton of Shelton, Mindel & Associates. The client, a Minneapolis-based CEO of an international investment firm, sought a minimalist yet sophisticated pied-à-terre that could accommodate both his solitary living and visits from his two young sons. The apartment, originally a three-bedroom unit in a converted early 20th-century office building, presented several design challenges, including an intrusive architectural layout with aggressive walls and a lack of flow, failing to capitalize on its significant views of the Hudson and East rivers and the lower Manhattan skyline. Shelton and Mindel's approach focused on "undoing" architectural elements to create an expansive, unified space. They began by removing a wall between the living room and an adjacent narrow bedroom, allowing for a seamless flow between the living/dining area and the open-plan kitchen. To further enhance simplicity and openness, a uniform ceiling height was implemented, and closet doors were redesigned to appear more loft-like. Sliding wood panels were installed between the master bedroom and the guest room/children's room to provide flexibility. Radiator cabinets were integrated into the design under the windows, and large-scale custom rugs, along with raw-silk draperies, were used to define and refine the room's dimensions, giving it a sharp, clean finish. A key aspect of the design philosophy was to anchor the rooms with robust modernist furniture, selected for its quality and ability to impart a sense of order, structure, and strength without overwhelming the space. The furniture, sourced from various European countries and the United States, includes distinctive pieces such as a 1920s Fritz Henningsen leather armchair, a 1940s Fontana Arte coatrack, a 1950s Jean Prouvé console, and a 1950s Carlo Scarpa sconce in the entrance hall. The living room features a 1950s Poul Kjaerholm daybed, Børge Mogensen leather-and-birch chairs, and a Kjaerholm sofa upholstered in French postal cloth, alongside contemporary pieces designed by Shelton and Mindel. Art plays a significant role, with works like Richard Prince's cowboy photograph and Matthew Barney's 'Cremaster 3: Plumb Line' integrated into the living space. The dining area is furnished with a 1950s Prouvé Granito dining table and Børge Mogensen wicker dining chairs, illuminated by a 1970s Verner Panton acrylic sphere. The guest room/children's room features 1940s Prouvé compass desks and a trundle bed designed by the architects. The master bedroom includes a 1940s Jacques Adnet armchair, a 1950s Charlotte Perriand bedside table, and a custom headboard of natural hemp and black horsehair, complemented by a 1940s Josef Frank armoire and Richard Prince's photographic triptych. The design aimed to create a tranquil yet dynamic environment, where the volume, light, and carefully curated furnishings coalesce to give the condominium a strong sense of place, a rarity in condo conversions, achieving a harmonious balance that was met with universal approval. #InteriorDesign #ModernistFurniture #ManhattanApartment #ArchitecturalRenovation #SheltonMindelAssociates #LuxuryLiving #ContemporaryArt #SpacePlanning #CustomDesign

Los Angeles is experiencing a vibrant surge in its home design retail landscape, with numerous new shops and pop-ups offering a diverse array of styles and unique finds. These establishments cater to a wide range of tastes, from minimalist modern and industrial chic to coastal elegance and vintage aesthetics, attracting both celebrity clientele and design enthusiasts. Cassina, an Italian furniture manufacturer, has opened its largest store to date in Los Angeles. This three-level space, designed by art director Patricia Urquiola, showcases modular works by Virgil Abloh and features its iMastri Collection, which includes timeless pieces resulting from collaborations with significant architects and designers such as Charlotte Perriand and Gaetano Pesce. The showroom is located at 145 N. Robertson Blvd. Olive Ateliers, a shop that has gained popularity through TikTok and Instagram, has become a favorite for home accessories, even attracting celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Elsa Hosk. Co-founded by Kendall Knox, Ben Knox, and Laura Sotelo, Olive Ateliers specializes in “objects with old souls,” such as worn Turkish vases and vintage Chinese elm benches. The store is situated at 1210 Mateo St. Inner Gardens, a long-established garden emporium known for landscape designer Stephen Block’s global finds and reproduction pots, has relocated to a former bank building in Culver City. The store's unique and serendipitous inventory appeals to high-profile clients including Spago, Soho House, Kelly Wearstler, Elton John, and Ellen Pompeo. Its new address is 4444 Sepulveda Blvd. Habitat Home & Garden, a family business with its third outpost in Malibu, emphasizes unique furnishings and one-of-a-kind designs that reflect the laid-back luxury of coastal California. The store, which includes rustic wood furniture, vintage rugs, and sun-bleached accessories, counts the Duke and Duchess of Sussex among its customers. It is located at 21249 Pacific Coast Highway. LDV, an establishment co-founded by Guido Callarelli and Birta Ólafsdóttir, now has a pop-up store near the West Hollywood Design District, allowing in-person viewing of its impeccably restored Art Deco and 1970s-era furniture. Previously, its inventory was available exclusively through an invite-only online platform. The pop-up is at 156 S. Robertson Blvd. Pop-Up Home, a furniture shop previously known for its roving nature, has found a permanent location in Melrose Hill. Founder Tricia Benitez Beanum curates a diverse collection that includes sculptural vintage furniture, 1970s studio pottery, and contemporary art from UNREPD, a gallery co-founded by Beanum that focuses on emerging artists. The store is located at 642 N. Western Ave. NB Shop, run by interior designer Natasha Baradaran, offers an experiential retail space that reflects her tactile approach to home and life, appealing to clients such as Heather and Christopher McQuarrie, Luis Miguel, and Kate Hudson. The shop, located at 725 N. La Cienega Blvd., features her Persian Garden textile collection, inspired by her Iranian heritage. The Expert, a design consultation platform co-founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's interior designer Jake Arnold, has expanded with an e-commerce arm, Showroom, and a by-appointment warehouse in West Adams. The Showroom offers vintage pieces alongside Arnold's made-to-order furniture line. Appointments can be made via email. Flora Grubb Gardens, a well-regarded San Francisco garden shop known for its focus on sustainability and drought-tolerant plants, has opened a new location in Los Angeles, taking over the Marina Del Rey Garden Center at 13198 Mindanao Way. The Future Perfect, led by David Alhadeff, continues to elevate the concept of blending residence and retail with its fourth Los Angeles iteration. Now housed in a historic Beaux-Arts neoclassical home, newly landscaped by Art Luna, the space offers collectible contemporary design by appointment. House of Leon and Tappan Collective, run by siblings Jordan, Steven, and Chelse Neman Nassib, occupy adjacent shops on Melrose Avenue. House of Leon provides stylish and accessible furniture, while Tappan Collective showcases art from emerging talent, demonstrating how to integrate furniture and art seamlessly into residential spaces. They are located at 8200 Melrose Ave. Kalon Studios, known for its minimalist wood furniture favored by Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has opened its first space at 3559½ Casitas Ave., Atwater Village, featuring a landscaped roof deck designed by Teremoto. Pierce & Ward, the interior design duo behind homes for celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Dakota Johnson, has opened their first shop at 1956 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, featuring their maximalist aesthetic softened by sage green walls. Maquette, a collective formed by interior designers Caitlin Scanlon, Abby Wolf-Weiss, and Julie Goldman, has transformed a bungalow into a retail and co-working space. Located at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd., the shop attracts clients like UTA’s Blair Kohan and CAA’s Risa Gertner. Cooper Reynolds Gross has partnered with Fred Segal to launch his first commercial furniture collection, “Feels Right, Feels Good,” at Fred Segal on 8500 Sunset Boulevard. Coup D’Etat, a San Francisco-based gallery, is opening a new location on Robertson Boulevard. It will offer high-end furniture, exclusive artist collaborations, curated vintage pieces, and a dynamic visual program, attracting renowned designers. Gilded Owl, a decorative arts gallery from Hudson Valley, has established a presence on Beverly Boulevard at 7282 Beverly Blvd., showcasing mid-century Italian furniture and collaborations like “The Pool Table Series,” appealing to patrons such as Kirsten Dunst. Seventh House LA, located at 7001 Melrose Ave. in a building designed by Frank Gehry, presents a collection of early 20th-century Art Deco, postmodern, and contemporary art furniture. Albertz Benda | Friedman Benda, a New York gallery, has an L.A. outpost at 8260 Marmont Lane, aiming to broaden the concept of art and design by incorporating craft, architecture, and technology. This addition is significant for the L.A. design scene, as noted by interior designer Oliver M. Furth. Studio Balestra, Adriano Balestra’s shop at 767 N. La Cienega Blvd., blends his Italian heritage with Japanese antiquities to create a unique wabi-sabi aesthetic. This compilation provides an overview of the burgeoning home design scene in Los Angeles, highlighting various styles, celebrity endorsements, and key figures driving the industry. #LosAngeles #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFurniture #VintageDecor #Lifestyle #Retail #ArtAndDesign #CelebrityStyle

A couple residing in South Orange’s Academy Heights neighborhood sought to transform their 1905-built, 2,300-square-foot home with a first-floor, open-concept renovation. Having previously lived in a rustic Tribeca loft and an Art Deco home in South Orange, the homeowners desired to infuse their new dwelling with a loft-inspired aesthetic while also restoring its historical integrity. The house, purchased after a flipper had stripped its original character, presented a unique challenge to interior designer Sarah Storms of Maplewood, who collaborated with architect Jung Lee Masters and contractor United Carpentry. The design objectives included blending the homeowners' distinct personalities: the wife favoring color, pattern, and maximalism, and the husband preferring a sleek, industrial style. A key element in achieving the loft-like feel was the kitchen, where raw brick walls, typical of loft spaces, were emulated by resurfacing the backsplash with brick from counter to ceiling. This detail aimed to evoke their former Tribeca residence and add warmth. The kitchen features custom Omega cabinetry painted in Sherwin Williams Bunglehouse Blue, complemented by stainless appliances, an oversized quartz island with wraparound seating, and a rustic butcher-block prep table made from reclaimed American black walnut. Sculptural pendants by Visual Comfort and the prep table itself were selected to reflect the couple's appreciation for Parisian cafés. Adjacent to the kitchen, a wet bar showcases an Artistic Tile backsplash, whose kaleidoscopic colors served as the inspiration for the entire first floor's palette. The contemporary dining area, designed as a visual contrast to the kitchen, incorporates Danish-designed furniture from Ethnicraft, establishing a strong Scandinavian influence. The living room presents a mix of color and style, featuring a verdant-green Bernhardt sofa in custom mohair fabric and comfortable swivel chairs. A 40-inch black-and-white marble coffee table by Made Goods serves as a focal point, augmented by a 1970s-inspired arc floor lamp by Regina Andrews. An inherited 1951 baby grand piano is juxtaposed with an abstract artwork from Wendover, contributing to a "Soho gallery-ish" ambiance. The hallway is designed in Benjamin Moore White Dove, providing a clean, gallery-like space punctuated by a black door and a large-scale original artwork by Hayley Mitchell. Further into the home, a mudroom features custom cabinetry in Benjamin Moore Firefly Yellow, creating a bright and sunny atmosphere. This is balanced by bold blue Scalamandré Zebras wall covering and a bespoke floor-tile design. The theme of highly graphic Scalamandré wallpaper is extended into an eye-popping powder room, which also includes Hudson Valley lighting and a compact sink. The homeowners expressed significant satisfaction with the design process and the final outcome, noting that the designer successfully merged their individual preferences and delivered a result beyond their expectations. The renovation successfully transformed the home by modernizing its function while reintroducing a sense of historical depth and incorporating desired urban loft elements. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #LoftInspired #SouthOrange #OpenConcept #KitchenDesign #MudroomDesign #EclecticStyle #HistoricalModernization

Nicole Cole, CEO and founder of Vestige Home, embarked on a design project for a couple transitioning from their Boston residence to a condo in Society Hill Towers, a building recognized for its 1960s architecture by I.M. Pei. The clients, a retired art museum curator and a retired political science professor, sought a design that would integrate their extensive collection of antiques, books, and travel souvenirs into a layered and inviting space, all while respecting the building's inherent architectural style. The wife's background as a specialist in historic interiors meant she specifically connected with Vestige Home's approach to creating warm and personalized environments. The design process began with extensive client consultations, a method Cole employs to understand the homeowners' lifestyles and preferences. This particular couple's desire was to infuse their new, modern living space with the rich history and personal stories embedded in their belongings. The challenge was to achieve a cozy and eclectic feel without clashing with the sleek, somewhat austere backdrop of the I.M. Pei-designed condo, which also boasted expansive floor-to-ceiling views that were considered integral to the aesthetic. For the primary bedroom, Cole drew inspiration from Raffles Singapore, a favorite hotel of the couple. This influence translated into the selection of Maxwell’s Le Toucan charcoal wallpaper, which served as a foundational element for the room's design. Complementary pieces included a West Elm velvet pintuck quilt, adding texture and comfort, and a mid-century-modern-style cane headboard, which blended classic and contemporary elements. The office space was designed to be both functional and a reflection of the couple's academic and artistic interests. East Germantown design firm Edgewood Made crafted a wall of walnut millwork, incorporating a custom-designed integrated desk by Vestige Home. A framed poster showcasing the work of British artist Eric Ravilious, a personal memento from the couple's travels, was prominently displayed, adding a touch of their personal history to the professional setting. In the living room, the design focused on creating an inviting space for relaxation and intellectual engagement. A custom sofa from Highland House was chosen for its comfort and style. This was paired with an oversized Woodbridge Furniture coffee table, specifically selected to provide ample surface area for displaying the couple's numerous books, making the living room a central hub for their intellectual pursuits and daily life. The dining room features a bespoke banquette by Vestige Home, designed to optimize space and provide comfortable seating. The banquette is complemented by a Rosanna Corfe bird print, which adds an artistic focal point. Both elements are set against a wall painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball, a deep, rich color that enhances the room's sophistication and allows the art and custom furniture to stand out. This design harmoniously blends the clients' cherished possessions with modern custom pieces, creating a home that is both personal and stylish within the iconic Society Hill Towers. #SocietyHillTowers #CondoDesign #EclecticInterior #VestigeHome #I.M.PeiArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #HomeDecoration #LuxuryLiving