Jains Residence

Jains Residence is a minimalist apartment located in West Village, New York, designed by ASTHETÍQUE. The apartment opens with a declaration of intent. Bleached oak floors stretch beneath soaring ceilings, their pale grain catching and diffusing natural light throughout the space. The material choice here is deliberate and telling – oak, traditionally associated with permanence and strength, has been transformed through bleaching into something ethereal yet grounding. This treatment speaks to a broader contemporary movement in interior design where familiar materials are reimagined through innovative processes, creating spaces that feel both rooted and forward-looking.

Against walls finished in layered plaster – a technique that recalls ancient building methods while achieving thoroughly modern effects – vibrant works by Puebla-based artist H.G. Schiavon create punctuation marks of color and energy. The plaster itself tells a story of craft evolution: applied in multiple layers, it creates subtle variations in texture and tone that no machine-printed wallcovering could replicate. This handmade quality establishes a dialogue between human touch and technological precision that runs throughout the residence.

The main living area showcases Francesco Binfaré’s “On the Rocks” sofa for Edra, a piece that exemplifies contemporary furniture’s relationship with architectural space. Rather than commanding attention through aggressive form, the sofa appears to hover within the room like a sculptural cloud. This lightness is achieved through advanced upholstery techniques that create visual weightlessness while maintaining structural integrity – a technical achievement that reflects decades of research into foam densities, spring systems, and fabric treatments.

Paired with this ethereal seating is the NR 2 Liquid Metal Coffee Table, whose glossy surface creates what designer theorists call “material conversation.” The interplay between the sofa’s soft organic forms and the table’s precise geometric reflection demonstrates how contemporary craft transcends traditional boundaries between furniture categories, creating environments where each piece informs and enhances its neighbors.

In the dining area, the collaboration between space and art reaches its zenith through Thomas Labarthe’s site-specific installation. The French artist, known professionally as Toma-L, articulates a philosophy that resonates deeply with contemporary craft practice: “I reserve the right to paint without having had any ideas before starting the piece.” This embrace of process over predetermined outcome reflects a broader shift in how we understand making – whether in art, furniture, or interior design. The surrounding Murena Chairs by Lazzarini & Pickering demonstrate similar principles, their 2016 design representing careful evolution rather than revolutionary gesture.

The kitchen island, carved from grey stone with dramatic natural patterning, serves as counterpoint to the surrounding refinement. Here, the material itself becomes protagonist – its geological history visible in every vein and color variation. The accompanying Pedro stools in creamy tones create what might be called “material diplomacy,” their soft hues tempering the stone’s dramatic presence while maintaining visual interest.

The post Jains Residence appeared first on Leibal.