Calderone's tribeca: a deco revival unveiled
Athena Calderone, the force behind Eyeswoon, isn't just curating style – she's building it. Her Tribeca apartment, meticulously transformed with architect Danielle Siggerud, is a deep dive into Art Deco sensibilities, a project she describes as a creative reckoning. The result, showcased in AD’s April issue, isn’t mere homage; it's a subtly subversive reinterpretation of European decorative arts, revealing a meticulous process and a surprising number of insider secrets.
The guest bath: volcanic drama
Forget understated elegance. Calderone opted for a boldly moody guest bathroom, clad in dramatic lavastone tiles from File Under Pop. The Danish brand, known for its bespoke approach, custom-cut the volcanic block, quarried in Italy, into oversized vertical slabs and smaller trim rectangles, all glazed in a lustrous “Red Sea” finish. It's a statement of intent – a departure from the expected and a testament to Calderone’s willingness to embrace the unexpected. The Astoria Deco pedestal sink, a vintage find from Imperial Bathrooms, and a 1930s Art Deco mirror sourced from Studio Mantel complete the picture, layering historical references with contemporary boldness.
Resurrecting despont's legacy: the apothecary wall
The apartment’s previous owner, French architect Thierry Despont, left his mark. A full wall of vintage pharmacy cabinets, initially installed as storage, presented a challenge. Rather than discard them, Calderone and Siggerud opted for a clever solution: transforming the functional shelving into a hidden passage to the bathroom, a feat orchestrated by the skilled construction managers at Sacks and Co. The repurposing speaks volumes about the project’s ethos – respecting the past while reimagining its purpose. Siggerud notes, “Finding space is usually about subtraction, not addition,” a philosophy evident in the tiny, yet impactful, adjustments made throughout the home.
Elevating the hallway: a cadence of light
The long hallway leading to the primary bedroom demanded careful consideration. Calderone enlisted Rachel and Nick Cope of Calico Wallpaper to create a custom silver leaf paper, part of her “Cadence” collaboration, drawing the eye upward and complementing her own alabaster pendant lights. The limestone walls, sourced from ABC Stone, provide a visual anchor, a “reprieve from the original wood elsewhere,” according to Calderone. It's a subtle yet powerful design move, echoing Despont’s previous use of gold leaf in the kitchen – a playful nod to the apartment’s history.
A fireplace reborn: limestone and soapstone
The original fireplace was, in Calderone’s words, “clunky” and “protruded too far.” Its removal and replacement with a stepped limestone mantel, inspired by a 1930s example from Maison Gerard, was a deliberate act of refinement. Crafted in Saint Croix limestone by ABC Stone and fabricated by C&B Marble Corp, the mantel features a hearth and firebox floor of black soapstone, creating a striking focal point within the living room. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design, transforming a dated element into a piece of architectural art.
Calderone’s Tribeca apartment is more than just a stylish residence; it’s a curated narrative of design history, personal evolution, and a bold vision for the future. The meticulous craftsmanship, the seamless integration of vintage and contemporary elements, and the unwavering commitment to detail all converge to create a space that is both strikingly beautiful and profoundly human. The total investment, sources close to the project confirm, exceeded $750,000 – a figure reflecting not just expense, but the sheer dedication poured into every corner of this Deco-inspired haven.