HELLS KITCHEN
new york, new york
This Hell’s Kitchen apartment is the home I share with my husband, a classic New York rental with great bones, tall ceilings, and just enough character to make the process both challenging and exciting. My goal was to create a space that felt curated, warm, and quietly Parisian, while still embracing the lived-in charm that comes with a small NYC footprint. Nothing overly polished. Nothing that tried too hard. Just warmth, character, and a sense of collected ease.
The tall ceilings were an immediate opportunity. By adding full-length curtains, I exaggerated the height without letting the space drift into loft-like territory. It creates that subtle architectural lift you feel more than notice. The main room does all the heavy lifting: the living area, dining space, and kitchen, so everything in it needed to function with intention. Sculptural Kartell Masters chairs bring movement and silhouette, while brutalist accents ground the room with a Parisian sense of restraint. A Vertigo pendant floats above it all, continuing the sculptural language and elongating the room even further.
The bedroom shifts into moodier tones and layered textures, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere. I wanted to feel soft and grounded at the end of a long day. Custom pillows in Romo fabrics, a boucle throw blanket by Society Limonta, and a cognac mohair ottoman warm the room without overwhelming it. A large vintage abstract oil painting sets the emotional tone: quiet, expressive, slightly mysterious. It’s the kind of room that greets you softly.
Throughout the apartment are pieces I’ve collected over the years, vintage artwork, sculptural objects, and fragments from our travels. One of my favorite details is the TV mounted on my old artist’s easel. I brought it with me when I moved to the city and wasn’t quite ready to part with it, so repurposing it gave it a second life and added a touch of whimsy to the room. It reflects the spirit of this home: practical, personal, and never too serious.
Photography and styling by Armen Alexander