Homes + Decor

A 158-Year-Old Manhattan Townhouse Is Beautifully Restored

Architect Peter Pennoyer and interior designer Shawn Henderson devise a dazzling reinvention for an 1850s Greenwich Village townhouse

Photography by Eric Piasecki

October 5, 2015

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Hired to gut and rebuild a dilapidated 1850s Manhattan townhouse, Peter Pennoyer Architects crafted a spiraling staircase as a dramatic focal point.
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The staircase in progress.

Photo: Eric Pasiecki
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The project's interior designer, Shawn Henderson, outfitted the rear parlor as a dining area, with a midcentury Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce chandelier vintage French sconces from Elle W Collection, a glass-top table by Silas Seandel, and vintage Paul Evans chairs covered in a Castel fabric. Flanking the mantel are artworks by one of the homeowners (left) and Mark Titchner; the banquette is upholstered in a Pollack velvet.
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Peter Pennoyer installed a new stoop—the original had been removed—and graceful ironwork, which was copied from a nearby residence dating from the same period.

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Before.
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In the front parlor, a custom-made sofa by Shawn Henderson is paired with a carpet he designed for ALT for Living; Soie de Lune fabrics from Lauren Hwang were used for the curtains and the sofa's throw pillows, the latter accented with a Samuel & Sons fringe.

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In progress.
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The kitchen includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a Wolf range and wall ovens; the antiqued-mirror backsplash tile is by Ann Sacks, the sink fittings are by Waterworks, and the stools are from Mark Jupiter.

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One of the kitchen’s two circa-1950 French holophane lights from Avantgarden hangs above the breakfast area’s Chris Lehrecke table from Ralph Pucci International; the painting is by George Lloyd, and the Moroccan floor tile is by Mosaic House.
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Before.

Photo: Eric Piasecki
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Teak furniture by Henry Hall Designs from Walters is arranged on the new limestone terrace, which is equipped with a Viking grill; the garden was designed by Madison Cox Assoc. and the Organic Gardener.
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In progress.

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A Sandy Skoglund photograph is mounted over the library’s custom-made rosewood-and-walnut credenza; the carpet is by ALT for Living.
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A painting by Frederick Lynch presides over the penthouse sitting area, which features curtains made of a Donghia fabric and a carpet from ALT for Living.

Photo: Eric Piasecki
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On a rooftop terrace, Madison Cox and the Organic Gardener created an oasis with linden trees and boxwood in copper planters; the table and chairs are by Janus et Cie.
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Before.

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A Peter Hujar photograph and a rosebush sculpture by Sam Tufnell distinguish the master bath; the tub fittings are by Waterworks.
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Before.

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An artwork by one of the homeowners adds a burst of color above the master bedroom’s fireplace, while a Matthew Barney photograph is displayed on a bookshelf; the armchairs (one is shown) and small ottoman are vintage designs by Lloyd Wright.
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The walls and the Crate and Barrel bed are upholstered in the same Holland & Sherry wool felt used for the curtains; the painting between the windows is by Rachel Bess, and the photographs over the bed are by Hujar.

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In progress.
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Sconces in the style of Paavo Tynell are mounted on either side of the entrance hall’s vintage John Dickinson console; the collage at left is by George Condo.

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Artworks by Jason Shawn Alexander (left) and Hernan Bas are displayed in the media room.
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In a guest room, a vintage Peter Rockel light fixture hangs above a circa-1950 Vladimir Kagan seating unit.