Perfectly Imperfect
Architect Enda Donagher breathes new life into an Upper East Side apartment that is part gallery and part working art studio.
The living room’s appeal is enhanced by an Eames chair and ottoman. Donagher custom-designed the curvilinear sofa, which is flanked by a Noguchi coffee table and Josef Albers nesting tables. A Donald Judd work sits overhead, facing the original fireplace. Near the far-right corner of the room, a Louise Lawlor piece sits near one of the mobile flat-file cabinets. Artwork by the owner leans against the wall near the windows.
In this vibrant, prewar Carnegie Hill residence, the walls tell a story—one of beauty and love, of a life well-lived, and of artistic creation and appreciation. Portraits seem to partake in casual conversation in the dining room, sculptures stand as silent sentinels on fireplace mantels, and stacks of art supplies—including a paper guillotine—whisper of works soon to be realized. It’s certainly unconventional in nature, but architect Enda Donagher found his client, a recently widowed artist, and her directive, quite refreshing.
“My client is an artist and a collector—she’s involved in printmaking, photography, typesetting, painting, etc.—and she has a variety of interesting hobbies that range from boxing to tennis to singing in a choir. She’s quite fun,” laughs Donagher. “She’s also been involved in the art world her entire life and loves to entertain,” he continues. “So, she envisioned a livable space that not only showcases her collection of art, books, and design, but also inspires her, serves as a setting for gatherings, and, above all, ensures every room functions as a workspace.” To deliver on his client’s wishes, Donagher put wheels on all the flat-file cabinets and a handful of worktables, allowing her to follow the natural light around the apartment as it changes throughout the day. An itinerant atelier if you will.
“The way the planes come together, it’s almost Cubist in nature.”
Left: Movable red and white flat-file cabinets sit directly under an artwork by Meyer Vaisman, which is flanked with works by Consuelo Casntañeda (left) and Adam Fuss (right). On the window ledge, a Beverly Semmes sculpture takes pride of place.
Right: Coloured Enemies by Gilbert & George greets visitors when they enter the home. “The motivation behind using this piece was to create a nice tension in the space and set the tone for the rest of the apartment,” says Donagher.
A mere step into the entry hall, and one is instantly drawn into a world where the unexpected takes center stage. An irreverent (and colorful) asymmetrically placed, monumental graphic work by Gilbert & George greets visitors as they enter. Meanwhile, a 17th-century grandfather clock stands guard between the entrances to an ultra-chic living room—which features a slew of contemporary and midcentury modern designs—and a multifunctional dining room adorned with vintage and antique chairs sourced from the owner’s Rhode Island home, photography, and other nostalgic works. A nearby kitchen features an almost imperceptible light blue- green lacquer on the lower cabinetry that blends beautifully with a rustic finish on the floor, a butcher-block countertop, and an oval laminate table top the architect painted red to dramatic effect. “The way the planes come together, it’s almost Cubist in nature,” says Donagher.
Donagher accompanied his client to her Rhode Island home to hunt for some furniture that wasn’t in use—they came back with an assorted grouping of attractive vintage and antique chairs that they paired with the dining room table.
Bursts of red continue throughout the home, including in the main bedroom, where a fire-engine red bed and nightstand act as foils to the surrounding shades of white. The office/guest room not only showcases the homeowner’s amazing sense of color but her artwork as well. “Everything in this room speaks to her personality, down to the yellow coffee cup,” says the designer. The main bathroom, the only room to receive a tone-on-tone approach—was completely remodeled in layers of elegant stone.
Left: A late 18th-century, Italian neoclassical parquetry commode, vintage chair, and a Richard Artschwager work form an intriguing tableau in the living room.
Right: The bathroom received a full remodel from the architect—on the floor, tiles from Studium in a herringbone pattern, add glamour.
“In older homes and prewar apartments, there’s always a great opportunity to mix styles and bring things together in a way that complements and plays off each other. Preserving the details and imperfections adds a layer of texture that really enriches it in the end,” says Donagher. To his point, where else would an Eames chair, an 18th-century neoclassical parquetry commode, a Bonnie Collura artwork, and rolling file cabinets all command places of distinction to such great effect?
Left: The office/guest room offers troves of inspiration and a work table that can be rolled around for ease of use.
Right: Donagher gave the ultracool kitchen an upgrade, painting the eat-in table a fiery red. Appliances include a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Thermador gas cooktop, and a Miele dishwasher and ovens.
“My spaces are often much more formal,” says Donagher. “This project, while carefully curated, is at the other end of that spectrum. It was so energizing to work on it with her—she has such a great creative energy and spirit.
The bedroom was designed strictly for reading and unwinding—fire-engine red details bring life to the room. Over the bed, Sophia Loren Decapitated is by John Waters.