Serendipity led architect Vincent Appel and homeowner Kitty Jacobs to each other. While Vincent, founder of the firm Of Possible, was designing a house in Massachusetts, he brought his clients to The Splendid Peasant, Kitty’s home gallery. “After the death of my husband, Martin Jacobs, I shuttered our nationally known, museum-quality American folk art gallery, The Splendid Peasant, sold our modernist house in the Berkshires, and moved to our pied-à-terre on lower Fifth Avenue,” says Kitty.
In addition to the small one-bedroom apartment she already had, Kitty was looking for an additional space in the same historic Beaux Arts building. “The 311-square-foot space was on the market as a ‘package’ with an adjacent two-bedroom unit,” she says. “The owner finally agreed to entertain an offer on the studio alone. Originally, I thought having separate spaces would be awkward, but it’s not true. For me, there is a change of scene, room to spread out, and privacy from overnight guests.”
This painted wooden horse may have originally had rockers.
Deeply involved in the design process, Kitty shared ideas with Vincent, who combined his contemporary aesthetic with the owner’s love for folk art. “What is remarkable about [Kitty] and her late husband, Martin, is that their collection and gallery were a version of the ‘art of living’ ahead of its time—tuned into antique Americana in a way I have rarely seen,” the architect says. “Throughout her life, Kitty had developed an unrivaled sense for craft, materials, texture, color, atmosphere and authenticity. We discovered there are many affinities between folk art and atmospheric interior design.”
Inspired by a studiolo—a 15th-century room dedicated to studying, writing, and contemplating, filled with artifacts such as a cabinet of curiosity—the small space offers calm and protection from the frenetic pace of the city outside, all while capturing the spirit of Kitty’s collection.
“I use the space constantly,” the owner says. “I play the keyboard, work at my computer, read, practice yoga, use it as a photographic studio. From time to time I entertain, and it also acts as a guest room for out-of-town friends.”
The bathroom mirror is an original 1950’s Gio Ponti mirror and the faucets are by Vola.
The perforated panels along the wall are antiques that Vincent sourced during years of looking.
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发表于 2020-8-3 21:28:00
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