- Interior
In Manhattan's vibrant core, Studio Liaigre has created a sophisticated flat that acts as an extension of a remarkable art collection. Overlooking the city, this penthouse in Greenwich Village is characterised by an opulent array of materials that support the impressive works of artists such as Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, Agnes Martin and many others.
For many interior designers, the task is to maximise the breathtaking views outside the windows. But when clients are avid art collectors, this task becomes a challenge of a different order. "I had to create an interior that was equal to the art without overpowering it. The flat had to function as a jewel box," says Sarah Mathieu of Studio Liaigre. With more than five years of dedication, she transformed a penthouse in Greenwich Village into a home that welcomed both her clients and their enviable collection of contemporary art. The challenge lay in avoiding the temptation to turn the flat into a chilly white box. Mathieu, however, found a solid foundation in the interior architecture of the building itself. Designed by British architect David Chipperfield, the building is a minimalist interpretation of the early 19th-century mansions that adorn the neighbourhood. The building has clean lines and little ornamentation. "One of my goals was to work in harmony with the context of the building itself, largely out of respect for it, but also to eliminate one more element that might compete with the art," Mathieu says. 
Restrictions can sometimes come as a blessing. "They forced me to be more creative and resourceful and helped to clarify and define this unique space," says Mathieu. Where some would see the building's central core, with its lifts and service staircase, as a constraint, Mathieu saw an opportunity. Her team designed a series of interconnected rooms around this core, which was then clad in sanded cedar panels. "They catch the light from the windows in the perimeter and show the subtle changes in the structure of the cedar," she says. Subtlety was the starting point for the interior design, while the art caught the eye with its vibrant colours and bold shapes. At the start of the project, her clients shared a complete list of their art collection. "We immediately saw that most of the works were very colourful and bold, so we approached the interior as an ecran, or screen against which they are placed," Mathieu explains. She paid a lot of attention to how the art would be hung and lit. Flexibility was essential, as the couple wanted to be able to change their art at will. On the top floor, light rails allow for easy adjustment of spotlights. Elsewhere, paintings hang from chains on rails, so the walls remain unscathed when framed pieces are changed. "We looked at the way museums and galleries displayed their collections and adapted the designs to the space," says Mathieu.
'The flat had to function as a jewel box'
It is an advantage that the clients themselves are inspired, design-loving people. "Their knowledge, friendliness and collaboration really nurtured us," says Mathieu. They chose Studio Liaigre for its material-, finish- and texture-oriented design vocabulary, which is perfect for highlighting works by Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Joan Miró and Agnes Martin, among others, with a touch of elegance and gravitas.
Natural materials such as wood, leather, silk, stone and plaster, worked by artisans, give the spaces a peaceful feel. This makes it easier for visitors to concentrate on the works of Robert Rauschenberg, Philip Guston, Giacometti and Keith Haring. The result is an enchanting place, a gallery in the sky, where Studio Liaigre has elevated living with art itself to an art form. 
Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson
Text by Celien Hemelaer