On one of Chelsea’s quieter streets, in the heart of Manhattan, stands an 1920s building known as the Walker Tower, named for its architect, Ralph Thomas Walker. Often referred to as the ‘Architect of the Century,’ Walker was celebrated for his Art Deco designs and Walker Tower is one of his masterpieces, featuring intricate brickwork and refined ornamental detailing.
In 2013, JDS Development Group and CetraRuddy Architecture carefully converted the building from its original purpose as a switching centre for the New York Telephone Company into a residential proposition. Blessed with enormous windows and soaring ceilings, one of the apartments now belongs to a young family with a passion for art, design and hunting for vintage.
They had worked with Emily Del Bello on their last home, and so turned to the New York-based interior designer once again for this project. ‘When we first walked in, the space was very bare,’ she recalls. ‘White walls, minimal character, but incredible bones. It was one of those spaces where you immediately see the potential and know it just needs the right layers to really come to life.’
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Emily describes the clients’ brief as ‘a bit of both’ – meaning the interiors had to be practical, but also visually impactful. ‘That’s really where our expertise comes in, especially in a Manhattan home where every room needs to work hard and be used to its fullest. Understanding the right materials and fibres is key to achieving both beauty and livability.’
The scale of the rooms was impressive, but they needed updating and lacked character; Emily’s team completely gut-renovated the kitchen and added significant architectural detail to the living room, including a fireplace, curved plaster mouldings and picture mouldings to add depth and interest. This became the perfect backdrop for the Roman clay walls which, she says, ‘really brought warmth and texture into the space.’
While the palette for most of the rooms is light, airy and tonal – ‘like a breath of fresh air’ says Emily – durable materials such as nylon for the rugs make everything feel relaxed and liveable, rather than overly precious. ‘We always start by understanding how the client truly lives in the space and how they want it to feel day to day.’
The den was designed as a dark, cosy contrast to the rest of the apartment with its inky blue walls in a Roman clay finish for a ‘suede-like’ effect. This is Emily’s favourite space, thanks to the enveloping richness of the wall colour which creates a ‘cocoon-like effect’ and the ‘exceptionally comfortable’ custom sofa by Dune – ‘the kind of piece you truly sink into.’ With durable, family-friendly materials throughout, it’s both stylish and kid-proof.
‘The little girl who lives here has fabulous taste, and we really wanted to reflect her vibrant personality,’ says Emily of the whimsical bedroom she designed for the daughter of the family. The wallpaper on the ceiling is carried onto the fabric of her bulletin board and desk, and there’s plenty of custom joinery to house all her arts and crafts. This room also enjoys the best view of the city in the entire apartment.
The primary bedroom has the softest, most serene feel. The wool curtains paired with a bespoke headboard bring a quiet sophistication to the space. ‘We kept the palette clean and airy to evoke a sense of calm, a peaceful escape from the bustle of New York City, says Emily.’
Because of their history and collaborative way of working, there were ‘no surprises, in the best way,’ says Emily of the family’s reaction to their finished home. ‘Our process keeps clients involved from start to finish, so they have a clear understanding of how their space will come together. By the time we reach the final reveal, it truly feels like a natural evolution of the vision we’ve been building together.’ From concept to completion, the entire project took just eight months – not long to create a home that feels like a fitting tribute to the building’s storied heritage and genuinely reflective of the family who live in it. emilydelbellointeriors.com
