- Interior
In Manhattan’s West Village, And Studio designed this residence inspired by contemporary Belgian designers. The result integrates natural materials, warm textures such as raw and antique wood, Belgian linen, and antique brass. Enjoy the cosiness and personality that this home has to offer.
The West Village is a New York neighbourhood that has a clear patina, but also looks luxurious and relaxed, and that is being reflected in this home. The house, built in 1867, is a classic brown stone New York residence with three levels and a garden. The architecture was taken care of by the team of Elizabeth Roberts Architects, while Arianna De Gasperis from And Studio was responsible for the interior. ‘I lived in the West Village for years and always dreamed of designing an interior there,’ De Gasperis says. Of course, the fact that the owner was very enthusiastic about her work was a lovely advantage. Because the client is a big fan of Belgian interiors, all spaces are strongly inspired by Belgian designers such as Vincent Van Duysen and Axel Vervoordt. The use of neutral colours and raw, authentic textures plays an important role in that. Warm wood, plaster, and marble were chosen for their richness of character and their beautiful ageing process. 
The residence is the home base of a young family of four, who wanted an interior that offers comfort and beauty and looks inviting. A sort of moodiness throughout that interior was important to create the right atmosphere. To achieve that, De Gasperis took inspiration from the Dutch still lives from Vermeer, who knew how to use light and dark in dramatic ways. For the furniture, pieces were chosen that are both comfortable as well as clean and simple. Many are antique or have an antique appearance. In this way, the residence does not feel as a showroom, but is a place where people can live comfortably. Old and new were reunited, and only pieces that the client resonated with received a spot. The authentic Dining Chairs by Charlotte Perriand are from Italy and were hard to find, but they are now a true eyecatcher in the interior. 
A sort of moodiness throughout that interior was important to create the right atmosphere
This kind of house is usually rather dark. For the renovation, the architects were therefore careful to create extra light, for instance by using a large skylight in the master bedroom. Next to sufficient light, there also had to be enough texture and materiality in the interior. That was achieved with the Roman Clay colour on the walls, which ensures more depth. A custom-made panel in the same colour hides electronics. The antique stone fireplaces were sourced from Europe and add extra dimension to the spaces. De Gasperis herself is a big fan of the first floor, where the parlour is located. According to her, the kitchen has a perfect connection with the dining and living room, without feeling too busy. This project was not without its challenges for the interior designer. ‘I was only involved halfway through the renovation, which meant I had to be quick to keep up with earlier decisions and obviously take them into account,’ she says. 
Thanks to the smooth collaboration between And Studio and the client, who immediately had a clear vision for her interior, this residence radiates charm and authenticity. However, the home does not compromise on the required comfort and cosiness, making this a successful project.
Photography by Nicole Franzen, styling by Katja Greeff