Samantha Tannehill of Tannehill Interiors designed a New York City pied-à-terre that demonstrates how contemporary residential design can authentically channel global craft languages without falling into appropriation – creating spaces that honor the cultural exchanges fostered through the client’s travel and service. This West Chelsea apartment reveals how intentional material curation can forge authentic connections between local and global aesthetics.
Bouclé chairs anchor the living area with handwoven textures, while velvet cushions and linen wallpaper from Dedar create layered experiences. The entryway sets the stage with Farrow & Ball’s Dimity 2008, a paint choice that exemplifies the designer’s nuanced approach to color as living material. This ever-changing neutral showcases Farrow & Ball’s rich pigmentation and complex undertones that shift with light conditions throughout the day.
“The owners and I clicked right from the start,” remembers Samantha Tannehill. “Interestingly, I live down the hall from them, so we already had a neighborly connection. When they experienced a flood, it opened up the conversation about renovations. They initially had questions about flooring and contractors, and it eventually led to me helping them create a home that truly felt like an extension of their personalities and lifestyle.”
The apartment’s gallery wall showcasing African art pieces serve as cultural bridges – rather than treating global influences as exotic accessories, Tannehill positions them as foundational elements that inform the entire spatial narrative. Natural fibers in baskets and decorative objects create what Tannehill describes as an “eclectic, bohemian space,” with pieces both deliberately curated and casually accumulated.
For more information on Tannehill Interiors, visit tannehillinteriors.com.
Photography by Patrick Xiong.
