Emory Roth completed work on his romantic classical masterpiece The Beresford just as the country entered  The Great Depression. Since the "re-discovery" of Central Park West in the late 1970's this masterwork has only grown in value and esteem. 

A long time client of Ellissa Cullman's requested that the neighboring apartment be joined to the one he already owned - and it be ready in less than a year!

The results are a timeless combination into a sprawling 8,500 sqft. residence replete with the most exacting craftsmanship and attention to detail. 

A short construction window, a vast amount of technology and difficult Co-Op bylaws required a fast and accurate team to create a tight set of documents. I enjoyed leading this project working with some of the most talented craftspeople in the nation. 

All images used with permission from Durston Saylor, E. Cullman. 

Interior Design by Cullman & Kravis Associates

Architecture by the offices of John B. Murray Architect, LLC

Construction by Peter Consola, Inc.

Hardware by The Nanz Company

Plumbling Fixtures by P.E. Guerin

Established in 1924, Saks Fifth is a brand know worldwide as a source of taste and luxury.  Saks was looking to move into new markets and create specialty boutiques with a fresh look and feel that still resonated with the history of the brand. 

All new fixtures, fittings, decorative art and lighting were created for these stores for men and women respectively.

A late 19th Century men's club in brownstone Brooklyn was turned into a elegant bohemian loft for a young family intent on celebrating the unique architectural heritage they were honored to stewart. Bathrooms, bedrooms, an open family kitchen and library were created in this 8,500 sq,ft. full floor residence. 23 original stain-glass windows were restored. A host of architectural details were uncovered and recreated. New interventions were seamlessly integrated into the original interior architecture. 

Construction: Best Interiors, LLC.

An 1860's brownstone that had been carved up into multiple studio apartments has been reborn as the single family residence it had always been meant to be. 

Brave clients that travel the world for months at a time found themselves yearning for space to display their collections of contemporary art and far-flung antiques. 

We restored the  Anglo-Italianite exterior of the building bringing back all of its original detailing and grace. The interior was a combination of witty intervention ( the kitchen countertops are made of 4" think marble slabs that once formed the sidewalks around Independence Hall in Philadelphia ) and dedicated restoration ( the 5 floor oval staircase was entirely disassembled and restored to its original design using antique parts sourced from architectural reclamation).  The Dining room is meant to be an homage to Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney's nearby studio, an oft-overlooked artist landmark with hand drawn wallpaper made on site.

This project was published in Elle Decor, March 2014.

All images used with permission from Jonathan Wells.

Construction by Amber Construction & Design

Interior Design by Keith Johnson

Architecture by Dana J. Laudani

1066 Fifth Avenue is a lush Pre-war apartment building designed in 1927 by the renown JER Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter created some of New York City's best Jazz-Age residential buildings. 

The client, an avid art and antique collector wanted to preserve the original flavor and detailing of the residence, but make it function for today's lifestyle. 

We preserved all the original millwork, restore the original hardware and in places recreated the original plaster cornices. The intent was that the new interventions would not be invisible. 

All images used with permission from Elle Decor

Construction by NYCT Development

Overlooking the Sippican Harbor in Marion, MA this early 1830's captain's house had been transformed over the last century and a half  into a single style Summer residence.   After several renovations starting in 1880 and ending around 1970 the house had grown in inspired ways (a magnificent tower loggia and widow's walk were created ) and in unfortunate ways ( the widow's walk was lost and  portions of the 1880's massing were demolished ). 

We were asked to work with Ellissa Cullman of Cullman & Kravis Associates to uncover the beauty and functionality that were hidden in this gem. The plans are currently working their way through local regulators and the permitting and landmarks process. 

Architecture by Douglas C. Wright Architect

Interiors by Cullman & Kravis Associates

Construction by Silva Construction

Landscape by Martha Baker Design

An urban loft was the jumping off point for this high-touch retail environment. Massive blackened steel beams, reclaimed wood floors, antique millwork and stained concrete floors were some of the elements that went into creating the feel and texture of this space. Working with a quirky fashion-focused brand means as a designer I always have to be on my toes for last minute adjustments and be aware of trends.

A highly observant and design focused  client occupies a Cotswolds-style, slate-roof Tudor of stucco with limestone detailing that dates to 1925. Encompassing twelve acres of elegantly wooded grounds, the building lies amid a unique, park-like Connecticut enclave planned and subdivided by the Olmsted Brothers in 1925.

We created an elegant home of uncompromising detail and luxurious materials that matched the family's epic collection of Post-Impressionistic art. 

All images used with permission from Jonathan Wallen & Durston Saylor.

Architecture by John B. Murray, Architect, LLC.

Landscape by Deborah Nevins, Landscape Design, LLC.

Interior Design by Parkin H. Saunders, Interiors.

Construction by Cornerstone Builders

Hardware: Nanz Hardware

Plumbing Fixtures: P.E. Guerin

Millwork: Eisenhardt Mills

Stone work: Integrated Services

Founded in 1645 by The Reverend John Eliot, The Roxbury Latin School is not only the oldest school in continuous existence in North America, it is the oldest boys’ school on the continent. The existing campus buildings were built in a Georgian and Federalist style. A new multi-purpose building as well as extensive reworking of the existing exterior hardscape was designed and constructed to blend harmoniously with the existing context. 

Architecture:

Basnight, Buckingham & Partners

A unique 10,000 sqft. purpose built destination retail location was designed with the use of reclaimed materials as a central concern for this national life-style brand.

The timber trusses were made from 19th century barn beams while other interior surfaces were sources from logs reclaimed from rivers and floor from ladies' gymnasiums. All the fixtures and furniture were designed specifically for this location. 

An exiting courthouse built in 1915 in South Boston was in need of a significant renovation. As part of the required work the entrance needed to become accessible, but still convey the power and decorum of the judiciary.  This was my first experience with the Classical language within a firm setting. I was asked to propose contextual interventions that would allow the old building to function in a modern way. All drawings were drawn by hand.

The 19th century mansion, previously the Penn Club had been gutted in the 1970's to make way for retail concerns. we created a sense on rooms 

A Brooklyn apartment originally designed by Wallace K. Harrison  as housing for Air Force officers during World War II was reimagined as as stylish residence for an art and book collector.

Once a dynamic composition of four Queen Anne townhouses inspired by the original Vanderbilt mansion a single awkward building remains. one of the only remaining Queen Anne townhouse on the Upper East Side and one of the only remain Theodore Weston design building existing in the city. I designed the restoration of the exterior to match the historic research I spearheaded.

Exterior masonry by Perserv

Construction by Duce Construction

A  classic colonial revival shingle style house (8,544 sqft) built in 1915 was in need of an exterior restoration and an interior reinterpretation for a young family's Summer retreat. Working with Victoria Hagan Interiors, the office of John B. Murray Architect, LLC  opened up the the floor plan and made made spaces that a modern family needs and and would want to use. The palette is light and open, the details refined but never fussy. 

Architecture by John B. Murray Architect, LLC / Jonathan Osterman

Interior Design by Victoria Hagan Interiors

Photography by Durston Saylor

Landscape by Edmund D. Hollander

Special thanks to Entra Magazine for the use of their article. 

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (1609) in Istanbul, most commonly known as The Blue Mosque inspired a massive custom designed circular light fixture for this singularly designed retail space. French poplar tree trunks sheath structural steel columns and walls richly plastered with decorative finishes inspired by contemporary LA fine arts.

This thesis project explores the 2,000 year history of the Tiber River and new uses / access points for the Tiber River in Rome, Italy.  Enclosed in protective retaining walls starting in the 1870's to stop flood damage in the ancient capital the once active river was effectively cut off from city life. A series of pavilions  was proposed to connect with public transportation, points of interest and  active enjoyment of the river. A modular system creating a kit of parts that could be used to create an appropriate architectural language as well as house various public amenities and for profit uses. This independent project was conceived and explored while a student in RISD's European Honor's  program.

The Rhode Island School of Design's  European Honors Program (EHP), founded in 1960, hosts highly motivated and self-directed juniors and seniors for a term of study in Rome. Housed in the Palazzetto Cenci, a 16th century palace, the EHP offers students the opportunity to study art and design within walking distance of the Vatican, Pantheon, Colosseum, and Roman Forum. The EHP is two terms of twenty-one weeks each: July-December and January-June.

On the edge of the Gallery District A gut renovation of an 1890's classic Manhattan apartment is in process. An eclectic mix of ancient artifacts, Asian and European antiques and contemporary art.  More images coming soon.