Nestled in the heart of New York City’s Upper East Side, this seven-story townhouse, originally built in 1888 and renovated in 2009, is anything but typical. The residence, now home to a dynamic young family, is a stunning example of how art, culture, and modern design can create a vibrant and inviting living space. Spanning 10,000 square feet, the home also has seven stories, six bedrooms, and a full-sized basketball court on the fifth floor.
The townhouse, designed by Christin Farrar of C. Farrar Design, reflects the energy and optimism of its inhabitants. The family, with three boys aged 12 to 17, sought a home that would not only accommodate their needs but also serve as a hub for gatherings with friends. With the homeowner’s passion for 90s rap culture and a growing art collection that includes works by Damien Hirst and up-and-coming artists, the design needed to be cool, contemporary, and full of personality.
Farrar approached the project with the goal of creating a space that was both sheltered and approachable. “Their former West Side home was more traditional and a bit more serious,” she explains. “But here, we wanted to reflect their love of family, travel, and playfulness.” One aim was to shape a home that felt sheltered and approachable for gatherings, especially since the couple’s sons are at an age where having friends over is a top priority. “I let their growing art collection — ranging from Damien Hirst to commissioned works from Martin Whatson — reflect their love of family, travel, playfulness, and optimistic view of life.”
The family’s art collection served as a central focus, balanced with a warm, comfortable palette of broken whites, grays, and soft beiges. However, the homeowner’s affinity for deep blues adds a dynamic touch, evident in the de Gournay foyer and two lacquered bars.
“The husband is a massive ’90s hip hop enthusiast. He won Biggie Smalls’s famous crown from an auction at Sotheby’s and we had a stand built for it to mimic the tilted placement on Biggie’s head,’ says Christin Farrar. “We designed his office cabinetry to display it as the pride of place. He also has a haiku written by an elementary school-age Tupac and other incredible memorabilia. He also owns Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s largest personal law book.”
The material palette of the home combines the elegance of white oak, Calacatta, and Dolomite marble, with luxurious touches of onyx and alabaster. The floors, juxtaposed against polished plaster walls in the foyer, are a highlight for Farrar, who meticulously blended the homeowners’ art with elegant furnishings from renowned designers like de Gournay, Jiun Ho, and Holly Hunt. “The couple is heavily invested in collecting large colourful modern art, so I tried very hard to stay more restrained with colour, using broken whites, greys, and soft beiges to let the art speak for itself. ” she said.
For this young family, the Upper East Side townhouse is more than just a residence. It’s a living, breathing space that continues to evolve with them, blending the richness of New York’s history with the dynamic energy of modern family life. As Farrar notes, “The greatest compliment I receive is that the energy in the home is so good, and all the rooms feel so welcoming.”
Photography by Sarah Elliott
Stylist: Katja Greeff
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