Step Inside a Chic Art Deco-Inspired NYC Apartment Curated

Boston-based designer Nina Farmer has transformed a New York City pied-à-terre into a stunning modern Art Deco residence, blending historic elegance with contemporary sensibilities. With furnishings by Carlo Bugatti and Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, the apartment offers a fresh perspective on Deco while honoring its timeless aesthetic.

A Clear Design Direction

When Farmer began working on the two-bedroom apartment overlooking Central Park, the design trajectory was immediate. The client, a passionate collector of Art Deco furniture, sought to maintain the era’s signature style while introducing modern touches. “We didn’t waste a lot of time figuring out what direction to go in,” says Farmer. “It was nice because we were able to hit the ground running.”

The apartment’s original Art Deco architecture set the tone for the interiors, providing a natural canvas for Farmer’s design vision. From streamlined geometric patterns to luxurious materials, each choice reinforces the elegance and glamour of the Deco era.

Setting the Palette with Floors

Flooring was the first element Farmer addressed. She explains, “I always start off projects with rugs to set the palette.” The living room features a golden-brown floor covering from Steven King, incorporating organic motifs in silver and copper hues. This creates a foundation that harmonizes with the apartment’s color scheme.

In the dining room and office, jewel-toned rugs establish visual cues and add vibrancy to each space. The selection of flooring reflects Farmer’s understanding of texture and color balance, essential in merging modern design elements with Deco sophistication.

Wall Treatments and Visual Texture

Wall treatments were the next focus. For the living room, parchment wall coverings accentuate the natural Art Deco geometry. The entry hall is adorned with white plaster fluting, creating a clean, sculptural effect. The primary bedroom features a Loro Piana striped wall covering, blending subtle patterns with high-quality textiles.

One of the apartment’s most striking areas is the dining room, where Farmer installed a gilded de Gournay wallpaper featuring swirling tendrils and sharp angles. Drawing inspiration from Imperial Japan and Art Deco master Jean Dunand, the walls gleam with elegance, adding depth and drama to the space.

Curating a Vintage Collection

Farmer estimates that 90 percent of the furnishings are antique or vintage, sourced from renowned galleries including Maison Gerard, Newel, and 1stDibs. “The client is a real collector and is great at finding interesting pieces,” says Farmer. This collaboration allowed the residence to feature blue-chip design objects, including:

• Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann cabinet in the living room

• Patinated bronze table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

• Jules Leleu desk chair

• Carlo Bugatti bench

These pieces are not merely decorative; they anchor each room, creating a cohesive narrative that intertwines historical craftsmanship with contemporary design sensibilities.

Balancing Contrast and Cohesion

Farmer also introduced elements that contrast with the streamlined Deco aesthetic. For instance, an Egyptian Revival fireplace with pharaoh busts adds a sculptural counterpoint in the living room, playing off the more angular furniture shapes. “We found it early on and thought it would play off all the Deco moments,” she says.

This approach illustrates Farmer’s understanding of visual tension and design balance, ensuring that while each piece stands out, it contributes to a unified look. The apartment is simultaneously exuberant and restrained, capturing the essence of modern Art Deco.

The Dining Room as a Showpiece

The dining room stands out as a key example of the apartment’s luxurious yet playful character. The gilded de Gournay wallpaper glimmers under the light of a 1930s Italian fixture. A French Art Deco dining table is paired with mid-century modern mahogany and faux-leather chairs, blending eras without disrupting the design flow.

“The space needed to have glimmer and elegance,” Farmer explains. Every element, from wall treatment to furniture selection, reinforces the room’s dual role as both functional and visually striking.

Living Room Highlights

In the living room, a cabinet by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann anchors the space. The vintage French chairs were reupholstered in bronze velvet from Holland & Sherry with custom contrast piping by Rose Uniacke, creating a tactile and luxurious seating experience.

A Carlo Bugatti bench and a hexagonal side table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne complete the arrangement. The combination of sculptural furniture, metallic accents, and soft textiles exemplifies Art Deco’s hallmark elegance while accommodating modern comfort.

The Office: Function Meets Style

The apartment’s office merges functionality with high design. Featuring a leather-topped oval desk by Fritz Nagel from Bel Étage, paired with a Jules Leleu chair, the space serves as a stylish workspace. Artwork, including Jean Cohen’s Butterfly Blue Place (1975), adds vibrancy and character to the room.

Farmer highlights the desk chair’s pedestal base as an example of her attention to detail, noting how unique furniture forms can add interest without compromising usability.

Challenges of Scale

One of the project’s biggest hurdles was fitting large, ornate pieces into the apartment’s scale. Farmer emphasizes, “Even though the design is elaborate, there’s a simplicity to it as well—we wanted to meet in that sweet spot.” The careful balance ensures that the apartment feels spacious while still showcasing high-impact furnishings.

Lighting and Ambience

Lighting plays a crucial role in this modern Art Deco pied-à-terre. Italian fixtures from the 1930s punctuate the interiors, providing both ambient illumination and sculptural interest. Farmer’s choices highlight metallic finishes and geometric patterns, reinforcing the apartment’s Art Deco lineage while enhancing contemporary comfort.

Art and Accessories

Beyond furniture, the apartment features carefully curated art and accessories. From Renaissance-inspired portraits to modern pieces, every item was selected to complement the architectural features and the Deco aesthetic. Collectibles and antiques are displayed to maintain balance, ensuring that each room tells a cohesive story of luxury, taste, and historical reference.

Integration of Modern Elements

While the apartment celebrates historical Deco designs, Farmer incorporates modern interventions seamlessly. Contemporary textiles, jewel-toned rugs, and subtle pops of color infuse the residence with energy, preventing it from feeling static. These elements demonstrate how modern design techniques can update classic interiors without compromising their heritage.

A Collector’s Dream

For the client, a devoted collector of Deco-era pieces, the apartment serves as a living gallery. Every room reflects a curated approach, blending antiques, vintage furniture, and bespoke items. Farmer notes, “It was a giant effort between both of us,” highlighting the collaborative nature of high-end interior design.

Final Thoughts

This New York pied-à-terre exemplifies modern Art Deco at its finest. From gilded wallpapers and vintage furniture to curated art and bespoke textiles, every detail celebrates craftsmanship, style, and timeless elegance. By balancing historical authenticity with modern comfort and functionality, Nina Farmer has created a residence that is both sophisticated and livable.

The apartment proves that Art Deco need not be stuck in the past; through thoughtful design, it can evolve into a dynamic, contemporary space that honors its roots while embracing modern living.

Whether through the Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann cabinet, the Carlo Bugatti bench, or the carefully selected lighting, every element contributes to a home that is simultaneously elegant, expressive, and thoroughly modern.

This project demonstrates the power of collaboration between designer and client, illustrating how a shared vision and deep respect for historical design can produce interiors that are both striking and highly functional. The result is a pied-à-terre that is luxurious, artistic, and completely unique, setting a high bar for modern Art Deco residential design.