A vibey New York apartment offers playful and bold design
The moment one steps into the foyer of this residence, the wallpaper itself serves as art. A Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa design packs a graphic punch and sets the tone for the homeowners’ favourite colour palette: shades of blue, from electric to lulling. The homeowners, Bella and Elio Boyd, a couple, both South African entrepreneurs in their thirties, moved to Manhattan and fell in love with this 232-square-metre full-floor space, private yet ‘close to the area’s happening scene, its nightlife, galleries and restaurants,’ they say.
The couple had just clothes and suitcases and needed to be in the apartment within 90 days. The project would involve starting from scratch, painting the entire home, sourcing brand new furniture, and even removing a wall – a tight deadline that would scare off most designers. Not native New Yorker Justin Charette, whom the homeowners appointed to execute it for his direct nature, discerning eye and can-do attitude. They asked him to infuse his style into their space – serenity, restraint, layered minimalism – while injecting colour, texture and pattern. ‘A clean, modern aesthetic often calls for neutral palettes, so I was excited to delve into colour,’ says Justin.
Fun pops of blue are incorporated throughout most of this home, in the wall coverings – midnight and pale blues – the navy velvet sectional sofa in the living room, shades of sky blue in the guest bedroom, accessories and art. Through careful repetition, Justin achieved a subtle sense of cohesion, breaking up the blues with white, grey, and black accents and hints of orange for warmth. ‘In the main bedroom, in particular, I wanted to bring the green tones of The Highline, a landscaped urban park viewed from the window,’ he says. ‘This was an opportunity to take a break from blue to avoid being too thematic.’
The neighbouring galleries inspired Justin’s bold choice of artwork. ‘I needed to give the art room to breathe, drawing attention and creating interest,’ he says. The designer incorporated large-scale pieces to balance the expansive windows. This included a print of polo players wearing cobalt-blue swimming caps by Roger Camp from New York-based Robin Rice Gallery in the living room, which is fresh, young and unexpected. And an artwork by Tyler Guinn in the dining room, tying all the colours of the neighbouring rooms together and adding texture.
Justin gravitated towards bouclés, velvets, metals and stone. ‘The clients wanted the space to feel elevated and elegant while also keeping things low-maintenance,’ he says. The result is a finely edited environment, where natural materials are celebrated and comfort is always top of mind.
