Crafting a Bespoke Park Avenue Duplex with Global Artisans
Designer Julie Hillman transforms a 5,600-square-foot residence through intricate, custom-made artisanal collaborations.
1Collaborative Artisanal Vision
Designer Julie Hillman assembled a global team of artisans to renovate a 5,600-square-foot Park Avenue duplex. The project features mirrored glass works from a British artist, hand-woven wall panels by a French specialist, and functional sculptures by an Italian artist. This collaborative approach ensured every detail reflected a unique, highly specialized aesthetic.
2Architectural Layout Preservation
Working with Ferguson Shamamian Architects, Hillman maintained the original floor plan while enhancing functionality. The kitchen underwent the most significant change, converting a former laundry room and bathroom into a bright breakfast corner. This strategic alteration successfully increased natural light flow while respecting the building's classic, proper architectural bones and structure.
3Flexible Dining Solutions
To avoid a conference-room aesthetic in the dining area, Hillman commissioned two sculptural tables from Mauro Mori. These pieces feature hidden casters for easy reconfiguration based on guest numbers. A custom chandelier from Milanese company 6:AM, composed of clear and matte glass, provides a dramatic, flexible lighting centerpiece for the space.
4Tactile Material Innovation
The library showcases extreme craftsmanship with wall panels featuring silvery-bronze metallic thread woven by Anne Corbière. This tactile focus extends to the primary dressing room, where Corbière embroidered cashmere for closet doors. Each door is slightly different, demonstrating the project's commitment to bespoke, non-uniform luxury elements throughout the entire residential property.
5Living Room Spatial Dynamics
Hillman curated the living room to accommodate both large gatherings and intimate conversations. She paired a vintage Swedish wood-framed sofa with an André Arbus daybed featuring glass feet. By anchoring the space with a monumental Ingrid Donat bronze coffee table, she created distinct pockets of comfort within the generously proportioned, grand room.
6Entrance and Gallery Design
The entrance features a custom metal-and-glass door inspired by Milan’s Villa Necchi Campiglio, fabricated by Neil Wainland. Inside, the central gallery preserves original marble floors, contrasting with a 1940s geometric pedestal table by Siegfried Pütz. An arched black door leads to a powder room defined by daring black patchwork walls and gilded sconces.
7Kitchen and Suite Details
The kitchen balances dramatically veined marble with herringbone wood floors and vintage Adolf Loos pendants. In the primary suite, a 1910 secretary desk provides scale for the nearly 11-foot-high ceilings. These rooms highlight the designer's ability to blend historical furniture pieces with modern, custom-fabricated elements like the selenite island.
8Project Philosophy and Outcome
The renovation prioritized a 20-step process for every custom element, ensuring a highly expressive home for the clients. By integrating functional art with classic architecture, Hillman created a sophisticated environment tailored to the family's social needs. The result is a residence that successfully avoids conventional design tropes through intense, collaborative craftsmanship.
Original article: Architectural Digest — Crafting a Bespoke Park Avenue Duplex with Global Artisans