Modern History

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Vintage drop front bar cabinet by renowned American designer Donald Deskey. Vintage pendant light fixture by Orrefors, Sweden, c. 1960. Grasscloth wall covering by Philip Jeffries.

When a British and French Canadian couple set sights on their first Manhattan apartment, they turned their dream space over to interior designer Alan Tanksley. The grand apartment would serve as a pied-a-terre for the couple, who was eager for a sophisticated, yet comfortable New York experience.

“They had seen the model apartment and were delighted when I presented my plans for their space,” Tanksley shares. “They hadn’t previously lived like this, and they were thrilled at what their life had afforded them. They approved the plans right away.”

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Custom bed by Alan Tanksley, Inc. Custom area carpet by Martin Patrick Evan. Vintage bedside tables – American, c. 1940s. Upholstered armchair by Dominique, French c. 1935. Painting by Eddie Kennedy. Grasscloth wallcovering by Philip Jeffries.

Tanksley paid close attention to the aspects of Manhattan that captivated these newcomers to the city and incorporated them where he could throughout the apartment.

“One of the things that fascinated them was the city’s water towers, and there were some in view from their windows,” Tanksley explains. However, the designer was compelled to take the idea one step further: “I own a painting of the city that is full of water towers, and I had it blown up and put on canvas.” The colorful canvas, which measures approximately 11 feet in height by 14 feet in width, serves as a rich and very unique accent wall in one of the bedrooms.

Tanksley also devoted careful consideration to the movement from public spaces to private ones. “I like to create deep reveals,” the designer says, emphasizing the importance of a “transition space” that transports people from one area to another. For this project, French doors placed between the entry foyer and the living area serve the dual purpose of a soft divide between the spaces and a method of privacy for guests who spend the night. Tanksley notes the use of such a design element elevates the status of the living room to that of a destination.

Materials throughout the space work to bring light and authenticity to the apartment, as well as the relaxed sense of nature, which softens the overall environment and connects its multiple rooms.

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Clients’ collection of vintage Poole Pottery, England 20th century. Custom area carpet by Martin Patrick Evan. Two paintings by Randall Exon.

“We added ribbed glass transoms over the 8-foot doors to bring light into the center of the apartment,” Tanksley states. “Once upon a time, transoms were used for airflow, and they brought a historic significance to the apartment.”

Grasscloth wall coverings in varying shades play a role in multiple spaces to carry the look and feel without it being uniform throughout.

“The apartment was a new construction, and adding texture to the walls added levels of depth that a painted wall couldn’t achieve,” Tanksley tells, noting antiques and vintage pieces used throughout worked to serve the same purpose.

Moving from room to room is indeed a walk through design history; throughout the apartment, one will find a chair from 1940s France, a 1930s Orrefors pendant light, and a 1930s French dining table that can expand up to 12 feet long.

“The apartment has an urbane feel but is not a ‘touch me not’ type of place,” Tanksley says. “It has a sophisticated, yet casual feel and is a great place to entertain.”

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“Elephant” Wingback chair and ottoman by Edward Wormley, upholstered in fabric by Jack Larsen. Painting by Alexander Rutsch.

Working to make the home a more personal experience is a niche that was created in the living room to house the homeowners’ collection of ceramics. The couple’s own art collection, which pays special attention to artists from their homeland of Canada, can be found throughout the apartment.

“Working with the clients was an ideal situation,” Tanksley says. “They were enthusiastic, and they were open to understanding the process of design. They trusted me, and the result is an apartment that flows in a very comfortable way. It’s a very harmonious apartment.”

 

PHOTOGRAPHY | SCOTT FRANCES/OTTO

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