For the interior design of a 36th-floor model residence in Pritzker Prize-winning Parisian architect Jean Nouvel’s metal-clad concrete diagrid skyscraper 53W53 Above MoMA, Roman and Williams created a world of texture in harmony with the culture and geometry of its surroundings. Roman and Williams envisioned a narrative of a home to a sophisticated businessperson and avid art collector. Juxtaposing world-class art, found objects and their own Roman and Williams Guild Original Collection; a restrained black and white palette with splashes of color that encompasses a modern and sleek use of living finishes, Polished Walnut, Bleached Oak, Silver and Blackened Alloys with leather and furs. Also important is the inclusion and Roman and Williams Guild global community of artisans and their pieces were carefully selected to represent an array of disciplines. Masters of the mix, Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, Principals of Roman and Williams, are constantly reinventing ways to create voltage, being bold and soft in the same breath
The 2,039 square feet, two bedroom model residence is one of the 145 luxury units in the building and features floor-to-ceiling-triple-glazed windows to maximize the visibility of the panoramic views and minimize glare for the interior. Being true to the building’s artistic roots, Roman and Williams collaborated with the prestigious David Zwirner Gallery to curate an over-scaled modern art collection. Upon entering the foyer, you are greeted by a Yayoi Kusama painting and photography from James Welling. Roman and Williams Guild Original lighting, brass Oscars illuminate and bring contrast to the gallery's white walls.
The gallery white paint backdrop continues into the dining and living area, where a symphony of found pieces and original designs from Roman and Williams Guild play. A Richard Serra hangs on the wall alongside a Vedran Jakšić carved wood floor totem. Ample seating with a found Arne Jacobsen and Fritz Hansen Leather Egg Chair and Stool - Roman and Williams Guild Original Collection Reader Chair and Montauk Sofa both in undyed full-grain leather along with a Sling Chair and a Bleached Oak Espalda Daybed with Roman and Williams Guild French Mattress overlooks the city. Ceramic Art from Martin Pearce atop a Honed Saint Laurent Black Marble Coffee Hub. The dining area features Roman and Williams Original Designs Franc Table,
Stockholm Chairs and Teneresque Credenza, Bachelor Bar Cart all in brilliant polished walnut. New, larger 44” Oscar lighting with a custom brass counterweight adds depth and animates. Artisans from the Roman and Williams community are seen throughout - Casey Zablocki, Barry Canter, Mirjam de Nijs with found collections of Gunnar Nyland white ceramic vases, African headrests and French wood sculptures from the 1950s many of them on the Mogen Koch for Rud Rasmussen Bookshelf to which Roman and Williams applied a blackened finish.
On the left of the dining and living area is a study/media room with works by Wolfgang Tillmans and Jockum Nordström on deep purple, almost black walls. The found 1940s sectional by Guillerme & Chambron is upholstered in Rogers and Goffigon Bouclé exclusively for Roman and Williams, looking dynamic next to Casey Zablocki’s volcanic black glazed coffee table, Roman and Williams Guild Stone Side Skafeld in soaped white oak and the Katavolos, Kelly and Littel T Lounge Chair. The work area is highlighted by a Roman and Williams Original V-Desk and Hummock Stools in Bleached Oak, Flat File in Black Inked Oak and a found Knoll wall-mounted credenza. For lighting, Roman and Williams Original Lab Lamp and Solna in French Silver and a found French lamp by Maison Barbier.
Entering the Master Bedroom a Wolfgang Tillmans rests above the king-size Roman and Williams Claro Walnut Bäks Bed covered in furs. Bookended with found granite side tables and glazed ceramic lamps and an Espalda Daybed in black inked oak balances the room. Layering the large Tuareg rug are Roman and Williams Guild hides. A William Gundermann sculpture and walls painted in a warm and relaxing grey complete the composition.
A John Baldessari and new custom Skafeld Bed another Roman and Williams Guild Original along with the wood screen in Claro Walnut are complemented by silvery, light grey walls with found night tables and credenza in Cerused Oak by Jay Spectre. Roman and Williams Guild Original lighting with Calyx ceiling light that unfurls with three shades of bespoke handblown nude glass nestled in a brass canopy. A Roman and Williams Guild Lanterne de Pont table light and lamps by Maison Barbier finish the second bedroom.
