Jaali Light
When an international power couple decides to expand their Manhattan holdings, they must find space for a lifetime of art collecting, and room for entertaining substantial groups of business associates and recording executives, as well as their close-knit family. With room for visiting relatives and multiple guests, the home must accommodate a full catering kitchen, a music rehearsal studio, and luxurious spa and closet space.
Project Highlights
- Location: New York, New York
- Company: Rusk Renovations and Gabellini Sheppard
- Construction Manager: Rusk Renovations, Inc.
- Architecture & Design: Gabellini Sheppard Associates
- Photographer: Paul Warchol
This family space for watching cinema features a sinuous couch that accommodates large groups sitting and gives small groups ample space to stretch out and relax. The quiet, decorative plaster wall finish sets off the vibrant work of art in the center, a window to the right with a beautiful cityscape, and a clever balancing mirror to the right, extending the hand cut jaali screen. Hidden away from view is a soundproof collapsing wall that can be pulled out to provide privacy to part of the family while a large event goes on in the rest of the apartment. On view are works by Manjit Bawa and Ai Wei Wei
While the kitchen is a production space with a deep fryer, grill, and commercial quality stove and refrigeration, this sleek beverage station is equipped with warming stations and glassware to serve the adjacent wine room.
The wine room replaced the desire for a presentation kitchen, providing a much more befitting space for entertaining. The clients’ sophistication in art is met with their extensive wine collection and here it is on display, complete with a central table for enjoying the finest vintages.
This generously sized room offers a sophisticated, yet relaxed air. Deep furniture encourages comfort and lively conversation, a place to enjoy the range of art while engaging in conversation and refreshment. Surrounded by Kapoor, Koons, and Plensa among others, the distant views of the handmade jaali screens give a refined nod to the owners’ heritage; this is a room for living with corner light spilling in from the Central Park views. On view are works by Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Fernando Botero.
Will the guests know the gift they were given to be awarded the Central Park views while dining with the family, instead of giving those views to the family lounge? The table is set for service with a side buffet ready for the demands of a formal dinner or intimate family gathering. The organic shapes of the lights complement the backlit jaali screen. Touching the ceiling in whimsy are blown glass balloons by Jeppe Hein and the yellow butterflies are by Damien Hearst.
This restful bedroom is one of the rooms in this gorgeous primary suite. With all other functions relegated to other designated spaces, this is a quiet haven for a good book, a quiet conversation, and sleep. A fabric padded headboard and luxury bedding creates true intimacy.
A solid stone bathtub sits on a platform surrounded by other massive slabs to create calm, solid luxury. The second bathroom in the suite features an amethyst geode to provide a natural sculptural element and color within this spa-like space.
To accommodate frequent travel, two walls of closets surround a central bureau that doubles as a packing station. In this apartment, color is a pop, and always intentional. Here this pop is sleek veneer work to create a counterpoint to the leather top. The leather provides a soft surface for clothing and jewelry as ensembles are laid out.
