The main living space connects to the outdoors visually and literally via floor-to-ceiling glazing, assuring that residents can glimpse the iconic Chrysler Building from any seat in the house. igh above the streets, this midtown penthouse frames New York’s iconic skyline like a living mural through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. With expansive views like these, you hardly need artwork. Expertly designed by Ismael Leyva Architects, the 35-floor Art Deco–inspired residential tower, Monogram New York, features interiors by Shanghai-based studio Neri&Hu that work in harmony with the building’s architecture. The design and decor by New York–based frenchCALIFORNIA thoughtfully accentuate the existing architecture and interiors. “Our goal was to create a home that felt calm, deeply personal, and intellectually layered. The architecture of the building already establishes a strong conceptual foundation,” says Guillaume Coutheillas, founder and creative director of frenchCALIFORNIA. “Our role was not to compete with that vision but to build upon it by introducing warmth, texture, and moments of intimacy within a very refined architectural framework.” With the building’s strong bones and already striking interiors, the design team had to be intentional and deliberate in its decisions. “The architectural language is incredibly disciplined,” Coutheillas explains, “so our approach was one of respect. Rather than introducing competing gestures, we worked with the architecture’s restraint.” Each design detail—from furnishings and textiles to lighting and artworks—feels like it belongs in this space. “Proportions, materials, and tones were carefully calibrated so that the architecture remains legible while the interior layers introduce warmth, intimacy, and personality,” Coutheillas says, noting that many of the furnishings were chosen for their material integrity, soft geometry, and sculptural presence, “allowing them to complement the architecture’s strong lines while maintaining a sense of calm and balance throughout the apartment.” The overall palette focuses on natural materials, like limestone, oak, linen, bronze, and wool, to create a tactile and calm atmosphere. The design team worked with Color Atelier to develop mineral finishes for the walls that add dimension. “These surfaces catch the light beautifully and create a softness that changes throughout the day,” Coutheillas notes. Coutheillas collaborated with Creative Art Partners and Onishi Gallery to introduce artworks that “reflect both contemporary practice and a deep respect for craftsmanship,” the designer says, adding, “Rather than treating the art as decoration, we approached the residence almost like a lived-in gallery, where scale, light, and spatial composition allow each work to breathe.” But the best art is the Manhattan skyline. According to Coutheillas, “There is a beautiful tension between the energy of Manhattan and the calmness inside the home, and that balance is what ultimately defines the project,” he says, adding, “What I love most is the atmosphere of the apartment—the sense of suspended stillness above the city.” ■ H DESIGN NYC A&D Building adbuilding.com 90