An intimate green sanctuary in West Village
A green oasis in the fascinating urban mosaic of West Village, with an interior and exterior design inspired by nature
With its tree-lined streets where time seems to have stood still and iconic 19th-century brownstones, West Village is perhaps one of New York’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.
Offering a visual and aural respite from Manhattan’s skyscrapers and frenetic pace, here the rhythm is gentler and more natural. Its streets are inhabited by artists, writers and musicians, creating a creative, welcoming atmosphere and an entrepreneurial spirit that can be felt throughout the entire area.
In the midst of this vibrant context is an elegant home with a small patio that has been transformed into a restorative green oasis. Our brief was to create a domestic sanctuary based on nature-inspired interior design, and so we sought to combine the art of design and the beauty of nature.
The result is a welcoming nest where you can unwind at any time of the day, starting with the morning as you sip your coffee from the comfort of your divan and gaze through the open industrial-style French windows to an intimate courtyard.
No detail has been left to chance in the design of this small, but perfectly formed patio, with stone pavers in Pietra d’Avola and the walls in the same stone in our Infinito texture for added depth and interest, with the dark brown limestone blending perfectly with the ivy and greenery provided by Nature.
The colour scheme of the exterior space is designed to work in harmony with nature, and stone outdoor furniture is key to achieving this. Anchoring the décor is the Span collection by John Pawson, featuring a table and two long bench seats in a combination of Bianco Carrara marble and sandstone. To their right is a handy outdoor sink and counterspace, with drawers from the Adda collection providing plenty of storage space and a benchtop barbecue perfectly positioned for convivial al fresco gatherings.
A split-level design delineates the lounging zone at the far end of the courtyard, which is furnished with a Curl Chaise longue designed by Piero Lissoni and an inviting corner sofa that is the ideal spot for lounging, reading or enjoying a casual drink with friends. An Omphalos low square coffee table, flanked by a circular piece from the Dritto collection, is conveniently placed for glasses and platters of enticing nibbles.
No outdoor space would be complete without mood lighting, and the patio comes into its own as evening arrives, when it’s time to switch on a floor lamp and perhaps scatter a few candles around to create a truly magical atmosphere.
During the hot summer days, there’s no need to head indoors to cool off, you simply need to pad across the patio to an outdoor shower artfully concealed amid the greenery. A Balnea stone shower tray combines with Spaghetti fittings to create a refreshing intermission from the heat.
In the colder months, a hot soak in the Oyster bathtub beckons. One of life’s simple luxuries is taken to another level in the master bathroom with its Stone Parquet flooring and interior design inspired by nature. Here, the soft warm Crema d’Orcia limestone recalls the earth’s tones and the oversize windows bring the outdoors inside.
The Punto vanity unit, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, adds a touch of dark wood to the décor while the Bamboo texture on the walls introduces a sensation of fluidity.
The guest bathroom is an ode to the purity of white, with Bianco Carrara marble pairing effortlessly with the original brickwork which has been painted to match. The floors are in a classic honed finish while the gentle undulations of our Rain texture on the walls soften the entire look and feel.
Rounding out the contemporary yet timeless décor are a Filo flush shower tray, Spaghetti tapware and a basin and mirror from the Anima collection, each of which demonstrates how functional bathroom items can become stunning design components in their own right.
The result is an elegant bathroom that exudes understated luxury and is the perfect place for an invigorating start to the day and a relaxing, soothing finish.
