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For designers John Bambick and Michael Bentley, the essence of their home is deeply intertwined with its surroundings. The couple resides in a vibrant Manhattan apartment building, which they describe as having an eclectic mix of residents that could easily be cast for a film. “The person across the hall is involved in stage production, and further down, there’s a screenwriter,” explains Bambick, highlighting the artistic vibe enhanced by neighbors with long-standing ties to the area. Bentley adds, “Many residents have been here for decades, embodying the true spirit of New Yorkers—especially those from Greenwich Village.”
Having settled into their rental in 2021, Bambick and Bentley embraced the prewar building’s distinctive character long before starting their interior design journey. “The lobby might not win any beauty contests, but it has its own charm buried beneath layers of paint,” Bambick remarks. He recalls the daily hustle of navigating through packages as residents await elevators, while emphasizing their desire to curate a living space that feels inviting yet casual: “When you enter our home, it feels artfully designed, relaxed, comfortable, and not overly polished.” Their 850-square-foot apartment serves as a testament to their evolution as relatively recent arrivals in New York City, having moved there in 2019. They take inspiration from the past glamour of the Village, which they aimed to reflect in their décor choices.
The couple’s living room features a striking contrast between contemporary artworks and vintage finds. A standout piece is an untitled canvas portrait by Hikaru Akieda juxtaposed with Jonny Niesche’s innovative acrylic and mirror work, Schein Blossom Kansai Hanam, acquired through The Hole. Bambick recalls discovering Akieda while he was still a student, eagerly waiting for the right moment to purchase the piece. Their credenza features a USM Haller Mid-credenza. Additional pieces include vintage ceramics from Paul Bert Serpette, and an eclectic chest of drawers sourced from Hollar & Squall. The warm ambiance is enhanced by a lamp from an auction and a stoneware bowl by William Marshal from Freeforms.
In a corner filled with creativity, impactful artworks take center stage, including Face Off by Xue Jiye, a notable Chinese artist, sourced from Black Dragon Press. Other highlight pieces include a 1976 print called Sans Titre by Jean-Pierre Pincemin and artworks by Sho Shibuya and Margaret Maclean. An adjustable desk lamp from Zara Home illuminates the space, showcasing their knack for blending emerging artists with gallery finds, as Bambick describes.
The living room, wrapped in Farrow & Ball’s Salon Drab, offers a striking backdrop that belies its name. A central RH sofa is elegantly accented by a 1950s ceramic table lamp and a vintage Karl Springer lucite lamp. A jute rug from S.R. Home, brass sconces from Etsy, and custom lounge chairs outfitted with striking fabrics enhance the eclectic yet harmonious décor. They even secured a Barcelona table by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe through auction, and an artwork titled Untitled NRA by Felix Gonzalez-Torres adds an artistic touch to the wall.
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www.architecturaldigest.com