Urban Aerie
A serene penthouse offers a respite from the endless hustle of Manhattan.
The beautifully appointed kitchen with a chef’s island designed by Neri&Hu boasts appliances by Gaggenau and Bosch, as well as a sleek faucet by Kallista, through Ferguson Home. Warm, tactile, mineral-rich materials are introduced in the dining space with a stone table and chairs covered in nubby bouclé.
High above the streets, this midtown penthouse frames New York’s iconic skyline like a living mural through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. With expansive views like these, you hardly need artwork.
Expertly designed by Ismael Leyva Architects, the 35-floor Art Deco–inspired residential tower, Monogram New York, features interiors by Shanghai-based studio Neri&Hu that work in harmony with the building’s architecture. The design and decor by New York–based frenchCALIFORNIA thoughtfully accentuate the existing architecture and interiors.
“Our goal was to create a home that felt calm, deeply personal, and intellectually layered. The architecture of the building already establishes a strong conceptual foundation,” says Guillaume Coutheillas, founder and creative director of frenchCALIFORNIA. “Our role was not to compete with that vision but to build upon it by introducing warmth, texture, and moments of intimacy within a very refined architectural framework.”
The main living space connects to the outdoors visually and literally via floor-to-ceiling glazing, assuring that residents can glimpse the iconic Chrysler Building from any seat in the house.
“There is a beautiful tension between the energy of Manhattan and the calmness inside the home, and that balance is what ultimately defines the project.”
With the building’s strong bones and already striking interiors, the design team had to be intentional and deliberate in its decisions. “The architectural language is incredibly disciplined,” Coutheillas explains, “so our approach was one of respect. Rather than introducing competing gestures, we worked with the architecture’s restraint.”
Left: The fireplace lounge offers a cozy place to read or to watch the lights come on in the city below.
Right: The expansive primary bathroom has double vanity featuring cool marble and dark wood. Even the walls of the bathroom feature contemporary art, such as Untitled (Blue Planet) (2022) by Elizabeth Ibarra. Fixtures by Kallista, through Ferguson Home.
Each design detail—from furnishings and textiles to lighting and artworks—feels like it belongs in this space. “Proportions, materials, and tones were carefully calibrated so that the architecture remains legible while the interior layers introduce warmth, intimacy, and personality,” Coutheillas says, noting that many of the furnishings were chosen for their material integrity, soft geometry, and sculptural presence, “allowing them to complement the architecture’s strong lines while maintaining a sense of calm and balance throughout the apartment.”
The overall palette focuses on natural materials, like limestone, oak, linen, bronze, and wool, to create a tactile and calm atmosphere. The design team worked with Color Atelier to develop mineral finishes for the walls that add dimension. “These surfaces catch the light beautifully and create a softness that changes throughout the day,” Coutheillas notes.
A curated collection of artisanal bowls and vessels lines the marble mantel in the fireplace lounge just beyond the living room.
Coutheillas collaborated with Creative Art Partners and Onishi Gallery to introduce artworks that “reflect both contemporary practice and a deep respect for craftsmanship,” the designer says, adding, “Rather than treating the art as decoration, we approached the residence almost like a lived-in gallery, where scale, light, and spatial composition allow each work to breathe.”
But the best art is the Manhattan skyline. According to Coutheillas, “There is a beautiful tension between the energy of Manhattan and the calmness inside the home, and that balance is what ultimately defines the project,” he says, adding, “What I love most is the atmosphere of the apartment—the sense of suspended stillness above the city.”