# Andrew Torrey’s Midtown Apartment Blends Eclectic Art and Personal History

Designer Andrew Torrey transforms his midtown residence into a layered sanctuary of curated heirlooms.

- **Source:** [Architectural Digest](https://brifing.si/source/d2a803b5-44d1-459b-8d0d-ae4594d3d9a4)
- **Published:** 2026-10-19
- **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design)
- **Original article:** <https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/andrew-torrey-art-filled-home>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2c1663e6-285e-4689-9d3d-b79c9852dfe2

## Departure from Minimalist Norms

Designer Andrew Torrey is widely recognized for his signature clean, sleek, and modern interior projects. However, his personal midtown apartment, shared with fiancé James Canner, reveals a surprisingly layered aesthetic. The space integrates family heirlooms, cowboy boots, and eclectic art collections, marking a distinct shift from his typical professional design output.

## Strategic Structural Renovations

Before moving in, Torrey performed targeted updates to the apartment to suit his functional needs. He refinished the floors, installed motorized shades to protect his extensive art collection from UV damage, and renovated the powder room. Additionally, he replaced existing lighting fixtures and hardware to better align with his specific design vision.

## Custom Furniture and Textures

Torrey prioritized tactile comfort by designing custom pieces for the home. The primary bed features natural leather upholstery, while the living room sectional is covered in teddy mohair. Throughout the residence, custom rugs from Stark anchor the various seating areas, creating a cohesive foundation for the diverse mix of vintage and contemporary furniture.

## Curated Artistic Dialogues

The living room showcases a significant collection of works by Robert Loughlin, displayed alongside a cardboard Box Chair by Max Lamb. Torrey juxtaposes these with a Le Corbusier Lc4 chaise chair by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret. This arrangement highlights his ability to blend high-end design history with raw, unconventional artistic materials.

## Evolution of Display Spaces

Torrey emphasizes the iterative nature of his decorating process, noting that he has patched and repainted white walls multiple times. He frequently rehangs his art collection to refine the visual flow. The dining area features a vintage oak table by Guillerme et Chambron, paired with chairs sourced from a friend’s former London townhouse.

## Global Influences and Collecting

His passion for collecting was sparked by his grandparents, who were avid travelers with a study filled with global artifacts in Dodge City, Kansas. After visiting the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Morocco, Torrey began collecting Senufo bird sculptures. One of his pieces was previously owned by the late San Francisco socialite Dodie Rosekrans.

## Professional Artistic Collaborations

Beyond his personal home, Torrey maintains deep ties to the art world, currently working on a project with the Robert Loughlin estate. He also features works by photographer Wolfgang Tillmans in both his home and office. Gallery owner Ralph Pucci describes Torrey as a rising star driven by immense curiosity and a strong work ethic.

## Legacy of Personal Curation

The apartment serves as a testament to Torrey's ability to synthesize disparate influences into a unified living environment. By balancing vintage pieces from Milo Baughman with contemporary sculptures from Rotganzen, he creates a narrative-driven space. This project underscores the importance of personal history in shaping professional design identity and long-term residential character.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/andrew-torrey-art-filled-home — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
