West Village Townhouse

West Village Townhouse

NEW YORK

Nestled along a leafy, sun-dappled street in Manhattan’s West Village, this historic townhouse apartment embodies the timeless charm of the neighborhood—its cobblestones, iron railings, and painterly light—and reinterprets it through the lens of contemporary sophistication. Designed by frenchCALIFORNIA, the residence merges the romance of New York’s past with the elegance and ease of modern living.

The project was featured in Architectural Digest, where it was celebrated as “a West Village apartment full of magic.” The story resonated not for its scale or grandeur, but for its soul—the way the design honors the home’s past while offering a vision of beauty that feels unmistakably modern.

A FRESH RHYTHM

The apartment occupies one of the area’s most distinguished early 19th-century buildings, a Greek Revival structure adorned with Federal-style details. When the design team first encountered the space, its character was undeniable—ornate moldings, antique mantels, and time-worn wood floors whispered stories of another century. Yet its layout felt fragmented, its potential unrealized. The task was to preserve everything that made the home soulful while introducing a fresh rhythm that reflected how people live, host, and move through space today.

What We Did

Interior Design 
Art Selection 
Custom Paint
Custom Window Treatments

A LAYERED DESIGN NARRATIVE

The creative vision centered on contrast—old and new, refined and organic, European and distinctly New York. The design process began with what could not be replicated: the patina of age, the architectural poetry of the moldings, and the natural imperfections that come only from time. Rather than polishing these away, frenchCALIFORNIA embraced them, pairing their texture with contemporary silhouettes, muted palettes, and luminous materials that breathe new life into the bones of the home.

The living room was conceived as the emotional core—a space for conversation, music, and intimacy. A sculptural mohair sofa curves around a low marble table; vintage milking stools and tactile rugs layer informality with artistry. Across the room, a repurposed antique music box has been transformed into a bar, its brass fittings gleaming softly in candlelight. Each piece in the room tells a story, contributing to a sense of narrative cohesion that defines the entire residence.

MOVEMENT & INTIMACY

Lighting plays a key role throughout. Rather than relying on overhead illumination, the design employs multiple low, warm sources—sculptural floor lamps, linen-shaded sconces, and mirrored surfaces—to create atmosphere. By reflecting the flicker of light off the plaster walls and vintage glass, the interiors achieve a sense of movement and intimacy that shifts gently throughout the day.

Every detail in the home speaks to a respect for craftsmanship and provenance. The furniture was sourced from across continents: antique dealers in Paris and Lyon, galleries in Los Angeles, craftsmen in New York, and artisans in Louisiana and Michigan. Together, they form a conversation between eras and aesthetics. A minimalist Italian chair might sit beside a weathered oak bench from the American South; the harmony lies in their contrast.

MATERIALITY & CRAFT

Walls are treated in softly tinted plaster, offering a tactile backdrop that subtly catches the light. Textiles—linen, velvet, bouclé, and mohair—were chosen not for trend but for timelessness. The palette moves fluidly between cool stone, moss green, and smoky taupe, anchored by the warmth of the oak floors and the patinated sheen of brass.

In the bedroom, proportions were recalibrated to evoke calm and comfort. A custom-designed bed—raised to conceal ample storage—recalls the built-in intimacy of European pied-à-terres. Layered linens, natural fibers, and sculptural lighting create a retreat-like quality that contrasts beautifully with the city just beyond the windows.

EXTENDING THE HOME OUTDOORS

Outside, the terrace—once neglected—was completely transformed into a lush extension of the interiors. With mirrors that reflect candlelight, a canopy of greenery, and natural teak furniture softened by textiles, the terrace now feels like an outdoor salon, perfect for an evening drink or quiet morning coffee. The design blurs the boundary between interior and exterior, turning even the smallest outdoor footprint into an experience of calm and beauty.

AN ART OF LIVING

As with all frenchCALIFORNIA projects, this residence goes beyond design—it captures a way of life. Every element was selected not simply to decorate, but to express an idea: that true luxury lies in coherence, proportion, and emotional connection. Nothing feels overly styled or imposed; instead, the apartment feels collected, as though it has evolved naturally over years of thoughtful living.

There’s an intimacy to the project that’s rare in New York—rooms that feel lived-in yet cinematic, sophisticated yet deeply personal. It’s a space meant for hosting, dreaming, and unwinding, filled with quiet gestures that reveal themselves slowly over time.

Next: The Belnord