Bright and bold was the design creed for this Manhattan apartment located in a prewar building. The property, originally owned by the opera singer Anna Moffo, comprises of two apartments that had been combined in the late 1970s. By the time the current owner got her hands on it, all of the moldings and architectural details had been removed, and it had been reworked in shades of black, gray and chrome. A spiral metal staircase had been installed to connect the two floors, and a terrace had been enclosed to create a large, but bland, solarium. The owner, however, saw the property’s potential. The goal was to restore some of the apartment’s classical features while injecting a sense of fun. This combination of the traditional and playful is one of Barman’s metaphorical arks: His signature look is a classic space spruced up with unusual textiles, colors and accessories.
“The lady of the house likes color, so we chose a vibrant palate reminiscent of Venice,” explains Barman. “Having done other houses for the owner, we are on the same wave length about the updated traditional style and clear colors she likes.” However, this New York apartment is not a replica of her other homes. When tackling a project, Barman says he “always starts with the floor plan because functionality is key. How will the owners use the space? Will they cook every day or just use the dining room once a year for Thanksgiving? Is a bar space more important than the kitchen?” Barman started by removing the spiral staircase and widening the opening to install a more traditional staircase with custom railings. A geometric painting by Kelly Stuart Graham now hangs in the stairwell. The foyer’s floor was replaced with black and white stones laid in a geometric pattern, and as a wow factor, the walls were treated in a lacquered fuchsia with white trim and black doors. Barman also created the interior archways, which mirror the French doors that lead from the apartment’s living and dining rooms onto the terrace. A lack of natural light proved to be a major challenge, so Barman used a vibrant color palette throughout the property to brighten the space.
The dining room’s color palette of teal and pink – including a teal coffered ceiling – compliments the art in the room. The dining chairs have a traditional silhouette but were updated with metallic pink leather and striped velvet fabric. Texture was brought in through a flocked-velvet wallpaper from Osborne and Little, and a custom rug repeats the same color scheme. New wood floors laid in a herringbone pattern were also installed. The TV room/den has a similarly bold design, with a color palette of emerald green and gold; the walls are covered in a patterned green paper. A different color palette was introduced in the master bedroom, which has a more calming, soothing vibe, thanks to a pale, silver wallpaper from Pierre Frey and watery hues. Custom lambrequins and cornice window treatments, along with a bespoke upholstered headboard, complete the space. Barman says he’s a huge fan of wall coverings so a place “isn’t all sheet rock,” and mixing wallpaper in the penthouse helped establish a distinct mood in each space.
“The textures and materials in wallpaper are a juxtaposition that give wonderful looks and set a mood not possible to establish with paint,” shares Barman. “The flock green paper on gold in the study sets a luxurious mood, while the silver foil paper in the master bedroom sets an elegant, feminine, restful tone.” The long, narrow solarium provided another challenge. Barman says the double-height space lacked warmth, so he added a wall of built-in bookshelves and installed a new stone floor. The room is now flanked by a custom, 20-foot long sofa and a TV. With four adult children, the owner wanted the apartment to be roomy, so Barman upholstered the sofa in an indoor/outdoor blue velvet to be near indestructible. “The blue and white scheme and the reflective quality of the new flooring make the room appear to float above the city,” tells Barman, providing insight into another Barman hallmark: achieving what others find impossible and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. 
INTERIOR DESIGNER | JOHN BARMAN This acclaimed New York-based interior designer, who is regularly named to the “AD100″ list by Architectural Digest magazine, is known for his bold use of color and sophisticated lines. His clients have included celebrities such as Wynton Marsalis, George Stephanopoulos, Alexandria Wentworth and Neil Simon. Barman recently published his first book, “Interior Design: Monacelli Press,” which showcases Manhattan penthouses, a loft, a Connecticut barn, a Hampton’s beach retreat, a Miami home and more. Although the homes are all unique, what they have in common, beyond Barman’s skillful touch, is their individual styles.
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