The apartment’s layout maximises views of the city, showcasing iconic buildings such as the Empire State. The kitchen features a custom tiled breakfast table, above which a paper cloud-shaped pendant by SWADOH hangs.
With enviable views over Central Park and Midtown Manhattan, Husband Wife’s latest residential project emerges as a symbol of refined New York City living.
The three-bedroom apartment is located on Manhattan’s West 57th Street inside one of the tallest residential buildings in the world, the Steinway Tower. “In designing the interiors, we aimed to reflect the neighbourhood’s vibrant energy and sophistication while paying homage to the building’s Art Deco origins,” co-founder of the New-York-based design studio Brittney Hart says. “The result is romantic and free-spirited, yet refined.”
A symphony of textures and colours creates a glamorous space in the ‘great room’. A pair of gold-coloured sofas with sideboards made of French-polished eucalyptus – one of Husband Wife’s favourite pieces within the home – are accompanied by a pair of sculptural vintage Italian lounge chairs.
Molten glass objects, including a pair of vintage side tables by Lothar Klute and a vintage Italian table lamp by La Murrina, add a delicate touch to the space.
Husband Wife co-founders Justin Capuco and Brittney Hart in the apartment.
Built for Entertaining
Husband Wife drew inspiration from the 1930s Hollywood home of famed MGM art director Cedric Gibbons and his wife, actress Dolores Del Rio, infusing the apartment with a sense of old Hollywood charm. Honouring this theme and the clients’ lifestyle, entertainment became one of the key focuses of the design, with the core living spaces striking a balance between glamour and comfort.
Layout and scale were also pivotal in crafting this immersive experience within the home. “It was crucial for us to focus on the scale of the rooms and their relationship to the views outside,” co-founder Justin Capuco says. “The large size and tall ceilings presented a challenge in maintaining a sense of intimacy, so we used textured materials to bring warmth and tactility to the spaces,” he adds.
An Evolving Palette
Naturally, the material palette takes cues from the Art Deco era, incorporating warm and sumptuous elements such as black lacquer, French-polished eucalyptus, bronze, molten glass and soft plaster. “These materials were chosen for their ability to evoke a sense of cosmopolitanism, as our clients are very well travelled,” Brittney says. “We avoided excessive patterns and instead opted for relatively uniform materials and colours to create a cohesive look. Additionally, varying the textures from room to room adds a subtle richness and depth that will evolve over time,” she adds.
The apartment is designed for entertaining, with the city providing a dynamic dinner party backdrop.
“In designing the interiors, we aimed to reflect the neighbourhood’s vibrant energy and sophistication while paying homage to the building’s Art Deco origins. The result is romantic and free-spirited, yet refined.”
- Husband Wife co-founder Brittney Hart
A view of the renowned former Barbizon-Plaza Hotel can be seen as one enters the apartment.
Another one of Husband Wife’s favourite pieces within the home: the lacquered walnut burl-wood shelf in the entryway, which features a built-in vase and Art-Deco-inspired details.
A Commitment to Craftsmanship
The selection of furniture and objects responds to the clients’ desire for spaces that felt elegant yet approachable. Most pieces were custom-designed by Husband Wife and fabricated by local craftsperson Ben Smithson in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard, which sit alongside vintage pieces from myriad locations. Two of the couple’s favourite pieces include the lacquered walnut burl-wood shelf in the entryway, which features a built-in vase and Art-Deco-inspired details, and the gold-coloured sofas in the great room, which feature sideboards made of French-polished eucalyptus that also function as hidden bar cabinets. “These pieces highlight the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into creating a beautiful and practical space,” Justin says.
The epitome of an urban oasis, 111 West 57th Street offers an inviting space to entertain and relax against the ever-evolving backdrop of the city.
The primary bedroom, situated overlooking the park and hotel, features an Art Deco chair upholstered in sumptuous blue velvet.
The primary dressing space is adorned in plum tones and features a chrome and leather Bauhaus-style chaise lounge.
The space also features a vanity mirror by Sergio Mazza for Artemide.
The second bedroom features a grey-fumed eucalyptus and stainless-steel wall-mounted desk paired with a leather chair by Panoramma.
The second bedroom also features a matching headboard and a pair of glass Italian wall sconces by Carlo Nason for Mazzega.
The third bedroom features a custom bedhead wrapped in seagrass wall covering with a recessed mirror.
