15 Central Park West

15 Central Park West is a minimal apartment located in New York, New York, designed by Jessica Gersten Design. Gersten’s approach to this Central Park West residence demonstrates how modern designers are reimagining the relationship between architecture and decoration. Where previous generations might have applied ornament to existing structures, she has created a holistic environment where every surface contributes to a unified narrative. The wood paneling that sheathes the apartment’s walls represents more than decorative choice – it embodies a philosophy of material continuity that recalls the great Arts and Crafts interiors of the early 20th century, yet speaks in distinctly contemporary terms.

The designer’s strategic introduction of organic elements against the linear framework reveals sophisticated understanding of balance and tension. Her custom horsehair lounge chair in the living room exemplifies this approach, its voluptuous form providing necessary counterpoint to the apartment’s geometric severity. This piece embodies a broader trend in contemporary furniture design toward tactile, sculptural seating that functions as both functional object and artistic statement.

The transformation of the kitchen from a cramped galley to an expansive space anchored by a 12-foot island reflects changing patterns of domestic life. This evolution mirrors broader cultural shifts toward the kitchen as social center, requiring furniture and fixtures that accommodate both intimate family moments and larger gatherings. The console and side table elements throughout the space demonstrate how contemporary design integrates storage and display in increasingly sophisticated ways.

Gersten’s collaboration with builder Lee Stahl and designer Bridget McGowan illustrates how sophisticated interiors increasingly require interdisciplinary teamwork. Their “hand-in-hand” approach, as Stahl describes it, represents a return to craftsman traditions where architect, maker, and designer work in true partnership. This collaborative model points toward future practice where the boundaries between disciplines blur in service of more integrated outcomes.

The post 15 Central Park West appeared first on Leibal.