A Passion For Italy Inspires An Upper East Side Co-Op
In the living room, a 1960s sculptural sofa, likely by Ico Parisi, clad in mohair velvet is paired with Nino Zoncada chairs upholstered in Loro Piana cashmere. The black enamel benches with leather seats are circa-1950s Jacques Tournus. Draperies are made from a chevron- patterned Loro Piana cashmere blend that complements the prismatic shapes in the Marc Phillips rug.
When it came down to the transformation of his 1,800-square-foot co-op, advertising executive Bob Jeffrey tapped architect Luca Andrisani to take on the task.
In addition to sharing a passion for Italy, the two bonded over a love of modern design, Italian movies and the joys of storytelling.
“It’s hard for me to design without meaning, to just make something pretty,” says Andrisani.
The almost obsessive details in one particular movie, “I Am Love,” set in Milan’s 1930s-built Villa Nechhi, raised the design bar.
To update the interiors of the apartment, builder Chip Brian gutted two bathrooms, expanded the kitchen and reconfigured the powder room. He also created a new pass-through room that houses the client’s collection of John F. Kennedy memorabilia.
Artisans at Atelier Viollet created luxurious wall surfaces with cane, goatskin (parchment) and straw marquetry. Macassar ebony and rift sawn whitewashed oak also provide rich backdrops for the furnishings — mostly a mix of midcentury Italian, punctuated with lush cashmeres, mohair velvets and silks.
“I always worked with very strong creative people,” says Bob. “Luca raised the bar for interior design. For me, aesthetics are key. And this place is a work of art.”