A stunning collection of contemporary artwork and state-of-the-art furnishings coexist in harmony at this New York duplex for a young family of art aficionados.
โI really enjoy working on collections that are a โblank canvasโ, both architecturally and design wise,โ says art advisor Barbara Cartategui, the curator behind this 5,800 square foot duplex, situated in the tallest residential tower in Lower Manhattan.ย โThis gives me a chance to collaborate with the interior designers and create a very special synergy between every element.โ
Photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
Located on the 78th and 79th floors of the 82-storeyย tower, the three-bedroom apartment is owned by a young couple โ the wife, a former fashion stylist, and a husband in real estate โ and their two young sons, one three years old, and the other five.
To create a space that would accommodate both a growing family and a rare art collection, the couple collaborated with Cartategui and Workshop/APD, a New York-based architecture and interior design firm, to bring their vision to life.ย
Photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
The resulting interior features elegant lines, soft curves, and a palette of neutral ivory hues that exudes organic charm, providing the ideal backdrop for the homeowners striking contemporary art collection. The dramatic tone-on-tone dรฉcor adds depth and dimension to the space, allowing the artwork to truly take centre stage.
โCompressed 1 (White)โ (2010) by Angela de la Cruz; photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
To incorporate the art collection into the interior, Cartategui meticulously selected each artwork with the homeownersโ vision in mind.ย โMy goal was to curate a harmonious and well-balanced art collection,โ says the Spanish-born art specialist, stressing the importance of finding one-of-a-kind pieces that will remain enjoyable and relevant for many years to come.
“Untitled” byย Sergio Gomez | SRGER; photo courtesy of Read McKendree
Each room in the duplex boasts museum-quality pieces by renowned artists, with a particular emphasis on female artists such as Spanish artistย Angela de la Cruz and British painterย Tracey Emin. The collection also includes commissioned pieces by emerging artists Alberto Gil Casedas, Sergio Gomez, and Manolo Ballesteros.ย
“Untitled” (commission)ย byย Manolo Ballesteros;ย photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
โIt is very special to be able to bring in these site-specific artworks because it makes it more personal to know that these artists made these pieces exclusively thinking about the space,โ Cartategui says.
Entering the home, the rosy abstract by German artistย Georg Baselitz, titled โOhne Titelโ (2021) engages visitors before they are greeted by massive double-height windows overlooking the Statue of Liberty, and beyond. ย
“Ohne Titel” (2021) by Georg Baselitz; photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
The painting is placed adjecent to a curved staircase that flaunts sculptural elegance. At the base of the staircase, the stunning โMINNA IIIโ sculpture by Spanish visual artist Jaume Plensa serves as a striking focal point for the entrance to the upper floor.ย โThe homeowners were captivated by the works of Georg Baselitz after seeing an exhibition at the Gagosian art gallery,โ Cartategui explains.ย โIt was my responsibility to find the perfect Baselitz piece to complement the Jaume Plensa sculpture by the staircase.โ
“MINNA III” (2021)ย by Jaume Plensa; photo courtesy ofย Allyson Lubow
To the left of the entrance, down a small hallway, lies the kitchen, complete with a cosy breakfast nook adorned with the captivating โSymphoniaโ sculpture by Spanish artist Eduardo Perez-Cabrero.
โSymphoniaโย (2021) byย Eduardo Perez Cabrero; photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
In the living lounge, governed by a calming neutral palette, the avant-grade sculpture โCompressed 1 (White)โ byย Angelaย de la Cruz dialogues with the โPurityโ wall art by Rania Schoretsanitiย above the fireplace.
“Purity” (2021) by Rania Schoretsaniti; photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
A unique hologram by light artist James Turrell, titled โHologram #IX Aโ, hangs between the living and dining rooms, adding an extra dose of dramatic flair to the home.ย
“Hologram #IX A” (2003) byย James Turrell; photo courtesy of Allyson Lubow
On the same level, the charcoal-hued media room is designed for entertainment, featuring the captivating โS/T 16-12-16โ painting by Spanish artist Guillem Nadal that holds pride of place on the wall, and the โUntitled, Yellow Iโ painting byย New York-based artist Johnny Abrahams near the piano.
“S/T 16-12-16” byย Guillem Nadal; photo courtesy ofย Allyson Lubow
Upstairs to the left, you will find the two childrenโs bedrooms and the primary suite, where an erotic-themed piece by 97-year-old Cuban artist Zilia Sรกnchez packs a provocative punch.
“Mirar que pasa despues de todo [Look at what happens after everything],ย ” (2019)ย by Zilia Sรกnchezย ; photo courtesy ofย Allyson Lubow
โI believe art is energy and we feed off the energy that surrounds us,โ Cartategui concludes.ย โI wanted to create a sacred space filled with beauty and harmony. The art selection helps you isolate from the real world and transports you to a meditative state of mind. It gives you inner peace.โ ย
Cover photo courtesy ofย Read McKendree
