Name: Erica & Harry
Location: Bizzi & Partners' New Setai Hotel/Condo on 36th and Fifth Avenue
Size: 2500 square feet — 3 bedroom condo & 58th floor
Years lived in: 3 months
Phoebe and Jim Howard were inspired by the film Something's Gotta Give and its glamorous couple, Erica and Harry, when designing an apartment in the Setai for this year's Designer Visions: Cinema Style.
The crux of the design, and the film for that matter, is to merge two independent and somewhat divergent personalities into one home.
The Howards chose not to compete with the extraordinary view of the skyline and NYC's pallette. Instead, they used very complimentary hues — in soft blues, mushroom tones, and silvery grays. The sitting room and study offer stark contrasts and exude the extremes of the genders served. But the rest of the apartment works to neutralize these two extremes. The dining room is incredibly inviting and the breathtaking views follow one throughout the space.
House Tour Survey:
Style: We blended the styles of the characters Erica and Harry from Something’s Gotta Give. Erica's classic, timeless, relaxed Hamptons house with Harry's sleek, masculine, and bold New York apartment. We tried to imagine the characters hiring us to successfully meld their two different aesthetics and styles into something they could both love and live with.
Inspiration: The incredible sweeping views of New York undeniably drove the color palette and the overall look of the apartment. With views of both rivers and the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, we incorporated a lot of grays, sand and steel colors, and pulled blue from the water and the sky to soften any harshness and make the space more calming and serene.
Favorite Element: The high gloss ceiling in the living room. Often overlooked, the ceiling is the fifth dimension in a room. This glassy sparkling ceiling not only lifts and elevates the space, but it practically dances with city reflections at night and makes everything seem more festive and special.
Biggest Challenge: There were no challenges, other than the schedule and the installation. This was a wonderful opportunity given to us by House Beautiful, and we were very honored. We even had a blast working together!
What Friends Say: So far the general consensus has been that this feels like a very real space, one that you could just bring your toothbrush and move into. We tried to capture the casual elegance that most of our customers seem to be craving right now. They want the spaces to be beautiful, but also to function to fit their lifestyles. There is definitely a movement away from formality now, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice style and beauty.
Biggest Embarrassment: I wouldn't say we had any embarrassments, but we did have a lot of intimidation and fear to even try to expand on Beth Rubino's fabulous set from the movie. That set really took on a life of its own - I think it has to be one of the most popular movie sets of all time. To carry her wonderful vision forward was a little scary.
Proudest DIY: We had a lot of the pieces custom made for the apartment. All of the upholstery was custom made from sketches by Baker furniture in a new program called Baker Bespoke. They did a fabulous job with the tailoring and actually did it in a very short time frame. Jim also designed both beds and a custom etagere for the TV in the living room. We were both very pleased with the results.
Biggest Indulgence: We were very lucky to have some very good sponsors, who very generously donated their products to the project. Kohler, Ann Sacks, Silestone, LG, Sanderson, William Yeoward, Ralph Lauren, and many more. It was like being a kid in a candy shop, simply to pick out whatever we wanted, and then it was made available to us … What a dream!
Best Advice: Trust your gut instincts. Don't over-think or second guess yourself. Be confident about your choices, make decisions, and move forward.
Dream Source: We are lucky that because we own our stores - Mrs. Howard and Max & Company - we have access to many wonderful vendors and artisans. We constantly seek out new talent from around the world, and so I would have to say that our dream source is our own stores … that is where our true spirits live.
Resources:
Study
- • Wing chairs by Baker Bespoke
• Fabric by Mark Alexander for Romo
Living Room
- • Sofa by Baker Furniture
• Fabric by Zoffani
Master Bedroom
- • Mercury Rug by Karastan
• Woodbury Clock by Simon Pearce
To see more details of Erica and Harry's kitchen, check out Something's Gotta Give at the Setai on The Kitchn.
Images: Jill Slater
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J'adore :)
This is so pristine and formal, there's no reason for me to love it. But I do! I LOVE it!!! I just can't figure myself out sometimes.
Wow, just the view alone, is breathtaking. What a beautiful home.
The inspiration is more "As Good as it Gets" than "Something's Gotta Give", not? Both are great, but in different ways.
this can't get any better:)
I have seen that film a dozen times and apart from white, and upscale, the style is not present here. This feels cold, stuffy, impersonal. I had to check to make sure it wasn't just a showroom/sample apartment.
Half the furniture placement cut off the very views they claim to be showcasing. (Corner sofa in the bedroom? View=gone.)
Sorry, I just don't get this one.
This just looks like a staged high-luxury condo to me. There is really nothing about the space that makes me think of any part of that movie.
OK! You got a view on the Chrysler building! We get it! Sjeessssh!
Wow! It's so inspiring to know what an unlimited budget can get you.
Another staged ego-trip for someone with the means to buy whatever they want.
It looks like a typical upscale hotel suite.....no imagination and absolutely no personality whatsoever.
Does this mean the 80s are back?!
The bed is underwhelming, and that coffee table w/ animal skin is a crime... but there is a distinct coziness.
The view is spectacular. Could be the Four Seasons Hotel on 57th Street.
Wasn't this the cover of House Beautiful?!
These people suck with their stupid fantastic view of the stupid, AWFUL Chrysler building. Stupid, great building. I hate their stupid-- but also, mainly DUMB-- fantastic furniture that I would have in my house if I could afford it and had simply THOUGHT OF IT FIRST. Whatever. Hate them. :(
Beautifully done. Catch the part where they had "sponsors" donate items? Where do I sign up for that kind of a deal?
I thought that was Jack Nicholson on your nightstand. Very gorgeous views, but it seems like it's lacking the personality... sorry :(
Donations? And here I've been slogging through thrift stores, estate sales, and trash piles to furnish my own house!
This is a nice result, but it seems so unattainable, especially the donation part.
"I think it has to be one of the most popular movie sets of all time."
I hardly ever see movies (once a year or less), but I did happen to see this one, and the set didn't even register with me. Contrast that to Ferris Buehler's friend's home with the glass windows overlooking the ravine - now that was memorable.
@ngnerd - did you know that house is for sale? http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/370-Beech-Street_Highland-Park_IL_60035_M75005-48869
I don't live near there or have anything like that kind of money, but I keep the listing in the back of my mind, just in case... ;)
Is this even really a house tour? Wasn't this part of a competition sponsored by a magazine and not someone's actual residence? I'm a bit confused...
That said, of course there were no embarrassments... there was an unlimited budget and a perfect location.
Also, FYI custom furniture does not count as DIY. Having someone make your things for you kind of defeats the purpose of DIY.
This apartment was on the cover of November's House Beautiful. Lovely apartment, but I do find the timing odd.
Forget the decor, just give me the empty apartment and I will be happy.
Classy...I likey!
Love it, but 2500 square feet or whatever is not a typical apartment size. Our house is way less than that. I'm used to Apartment Therapy featuring small spaces.
I love the whole thing all of it. A bit dodgy putting your safe on view for the world to see?
just another upscale hotel penthouse suite. Nothing too creative, but love the views. The best part: the only reference to actual human inhabitants is the prescription bottles on the counter. Is this a reference to the Viagra scene from the movie? anyway, I do wonder just what drugs are in those pill bottles. Very clever.
I liked everything except the tile in the bathroom, but other than that, it's really well done!
Lovely space. Just can't seem to relate to it in any way.
The decorating is nice enough but like the other Setai apartment building interiors the real problem is the design of the apartments. Although the views are nice, the ceiling heights are low like post-war apartment buildings and there is no architectural detail in any of the spaces. The kitchen and bath cabinetry doesn't look very nice and is so specific that it is difficult to work a traditional interiors approach.
Simply beautiful! This is a dream; I could truly see myself living here. :)
I don't understand the comments from people who did not like the place. I really, really liked this apartment.
— The reason it looks a bit impersonal is because it's staged and there are no personal things.
— People who did not like the furniture orientation and would prefer to sit looking at the city views could certainly just change the furniture placement. I did like the furniture turned inward, being at home should provide a rest from the city. (I do everything I can to make my own apartment oblivious to city life.)
— I don't understand why this looks like the 1980s. I don't see karate chop pillows and other such trends from that decade.
— The furnishings are of a quality I aspire to.