The Belnord III

Interior Design
Written By Catherine Dorrough
Modern open-concept living room with a blue velvet chaise, red swivel chair, and white bubble pendant light.

The Belnord

NEW YORK

frenchCALIFORNIA was commissioned to stage Residence 712, a five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath model apartment located within The Belnord—a storied New York landmark that spans an entire city block. Originally constructed in 1908 and reimagined for modern luxury living, the building offers a unique intersection of pre-war elegance and contemporary design, making it an ideal canvas for thoughtful staging.

Spacious living and dining area featuring herringbone wood floors, a large wooden dining table, and city views.
 

A REFINED, NUANCED APPROACH

Our objective was to highlight the grandeur of the space while creating a livable, emotionally resonant environment that would appeal to today’s discerning buyer. Spanning 3,956 square feet with 10-foot ceilings, restored mahogany windows, and peaceful views into the building’s 22,000-square-foot private courtyard, the home offered scale and architecture that demanded a refined, nuanced approach.

 
Mid-century modern seating nook with wall-mounted shelving, white armchairs, and a round wooden coffee table.
Minimalist dining room with a vintage wood table, sculptural chairs, and large black-and-white abstract art

What We Did

Interior Design 
Art Selection 
Custom Paint
Custom Window Treatments

Close-up of a blue velvet Terrazza-style lounge chair set against minimalist wooden wall shelving
Wooden console table styled with a white lamp, sculptural art pieces, and a vase of green flowers.
 
 
Serene primary bedroom with white walls, a velvet headboard, blue glass lamps, and a geometric patterned rug.
 

CONTEMPORARY & VINTAGE LAYERING

We leaned into the building’s historical richness by incorporating a layered mix of contemporary and vintage pieces—plush upholstery, sculptural lighting, textural rugs, and artful objects—carefully arranged to reflect the residence’s scale while softening its formality. A palette of natural tones and warm materials served to unify the various rooms while keeping the atmosphere grounded and welcoming.

 
Bright hallway with herringbone floors featuring a pedestal table and large black circular abstract artwork
 
 

ENTERTAIN & RELAX

In the expansive great room, tailored furnishings were arranged to create both intimacy and flow, inviting prospective buyers to imagine entertaining, relaxing, and living in the space.

 
Modern dining room featuring a long wooden table, sculptural wood chairs, and large black-and-white abstract wall art.
Contemporary living room with a blue velvet Terrazza-style lounge chair, red swivel chair, and white bubble pendant light
 
 
Luxury kitchen with light wood cabinetry, white marble countertops, and a large island with sculptural wood stools
Detail of a white marble kitchen island featuring wooden stools and decorative ceramic vases.
 

SERENITY & SIMPLICITY

The dining area was treated as a point of quiet drama, with an elegant table, expressive seating, and styling elements that added warmth without overwhelming the architectural details. In the bedrooms, we prioritized serenity and simplicity, using soft textiles, art, and lighting to create private retreats that felt personal yet elevated.

 
Luxury kitchen featuring a white marble island, light wood cabinetry, and minimalist decorative objects
Minimalist bedroom with terracotta-colored curtains, a round white pendant light
Elegant wood sideboard in an entryway styled with a gold arched mirror, brown ceramic vase, and modern floor lamp

BEAUTY & FUNCTION

Our staging approach balanced beauty and function, always in service of helping buyers connect with the residence on a deeper, aspirational level.

 
Serene bedroom with a mauve velvet headboard, blue glass bedside lamps, and a geometric patterned rug
 
 
Children's bedroom with a blue bed and a modern desk
Modern gray children’s desk with a bright blue chair and colorful accessories.
 

LEGACY, WITH A MODERN TWIST

Through intentional design choices, we sought to reflect the legacy of The Belnord while inviting a fresh and modern lifestyle into one of New York’s most historically significant buildings.

 
Serene bedroom with a blue and white pillows, and printed headboard with bedside lamps
Sophisticated home office featuring a white-top desk with wood trim, a modern white pendant light, and wall-mounted wood shelving.
Catherine Dorrough
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