Architectural Digest Middle East
Written by Karine Monié | Photography by Annie Schlechter | Styling by Frances Bailey
A view through to the dining room where a painting by Armenian artist Sakis Hamalbashian is set against sky blue venetian plaster walls by JJ Snyder Studio Lewis dining chairs by Studio Van Den Akker have been covered in a Rubelli boucle fabric.
We wanted something eclectic and personal – to go out of our comfort zone by not having a monotone, minimalist space,” say the owners of this luxurious four-bedroom apartment, at a sought-after address in New York City. Splitting their time between the United States and their residences abroad, the Kuwaiti family trusted interior designer Kevin Isbell to translate their vision into reality, capitalising on a knack for deftly combining bold colour, rich textures and vintage furnishings. In addition to creating something unique, the brief for this home in Manhattan included reflecting an American perspective through the design. The result has clearly exceeded their expectations.
“My client’s only demands were that I push myself creatively to deliver something magical,” says Isbell. “I embellished every inch of the home with lacquer finishes, hand-painted papers and tufted silk carpets. This rough diamond was polished into a shimmering aerie overlooking Central Park.” The spectacular location played a major role in the selection of elevated furnishings and finishes. Adorning the walls in gold silk upholstery and light blue Venetian plaster, for example, was something that the owners discussed with Isbell from the beginning, emphasising out-of-the-box thinking.
A straw marquetry cabinet by Alexander Lamont provides a bold focal point in the living room.
The drama begins in the entry hall with pale lilac-lacquered walls, painstakingly applied by JJ Snyder Studio. A raw plaster lamp from Blackman Cruz, a Ghost table by Zhipeng Tan and the commissioned wall sculpture by the artist Carolina Sardi – which adds movement and shadows – complement the space. Isbell’s top pick, however, is the hanging mouth-blown Cloud light by Paris-based artist Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert.
“Through the power of social media, we were able to follow along with every step of their productions from his glass blowing studio in France,” Isbell says. “When they finally arrived stateside, it was as if I was being reunited with an old friend.”
A vintage brass-panelled armchair dressed in Rubelli fabric sits on a silk rug by Studio Four NYC. The painting by Paul Michael Graves is one of several pieces sourced by Cynthia Byrnes Contemporary Art.
The living room of this luxurious home in Manhattan filled with plush textures: Walls upholstered in Rubelli bronze satin; custom silk carpets from Studio Four NYC; silk velvet fabrics from Loro Piana; and hand-woven mohair from Chapas Textiles. Among the homeowners’ favourite pieces are the crescent shaped sofa, which offers a prime viewing spot, and a kaleidoscopic straw marquetry cabinet by Alexander Lamont. “This piece initially scared her the most but now, she loves it and understands how it sets the tone for the entire space,” adds Isbell.
Ruby red Maya Romanoff wallpaper sets the tone in a guest bedroom.
The interior designer used art – much of it curated by Cynthia Byrnes Contemporary Art – to honor his clients’ origins. “The client was drawn to the Paul Michael Graves oil painting hanging over the sofa in the living room because it was reminiscent of Arabic lettering, whereas other pieces were sourced directly from galleries in the Middle East,” he says.
A Sarkis Hamalbashian canvas, for example, hangs in the dining room, which is furnished with a bespoke table from Hellman Chang and a striking Giopato & Coombes chandelier, fashioned from mouth-blown frosted glass orbs. “This home in Manhattan is a sophisticated, colourful jewel box for entertaining,” says Isbell. “Every surface and detail is special and was painstakingly crafted.”
A Ghost table by Zhipeng Tan and Gemstone mirror by Alexander Lamont add sparkle to the entry hall.
The moody study highlights the gentleman of the house’s passion for falconry. “I filled it with vintage books on the sport, especially as it pertains to the Middle East,” Isbell explains. A golden striped wallpaper wraps the room in subtle sophistication, while a teal lacquered cocktail table adds a pop of vibrancy. It’s typical of the designer’s opulent visual signature. “When we first walked in, it was as if we were living in the Museum of Modern Art,” the owners recall. “Every piece has a story to tell; that’s what we call a ‘happy journey’. We are so thrilled with the result. It is far more than we ever dreamed.”