The couple are co-founders of Testudo, a “platform that connects more people with art of our moment and helps them build enduring collections over time,” they explain. “With our respective backgrounds in finance and e-commerce and our passion for collecting, we started Testudo to invite more people into the art world and replicate our own collecting experience for others.”

Thankfully, their 786-square-feet, two-bedroom apartment offers plenty of wall space for their art collection, which is a diverse mix of paintings, prints, photos, and even nature (in the form of a giant fossilized dinosaur femur). It’s also the rental’s natural light that they love, too. “The sunlight and view from the apartment initially captured our hearts,” Dennehy writes. “Our apartment faces east so we get to see the sunrise every morning; fortunately, we are early risers!”

When it comes to filling their apartment with furniture, the couple advises to think about the long-term. “We try our best to buy high-quality pieces that will bring joy and, more importantly, survive for the long run. That mindset can be applied to purchases as seemingly inconsequential as a small copper whisk in the kitchen or to major acquisitions like artwork. In both cases, the right decision is informed by careful research, conversations, and consideration,” Dennehy writes. 

But lest you think their whole philosophy is only about collecting, Dennehy and Voigtman also have plenty of advice on how to not end up with a too-cluttered home. “I firmly believe that you have to be absolutely ruthless with your possessions when living in a small space,” Dennehy begins. “In an ideal world, I would keep absolutely everything; however, the unfortunate reality of a New York apartment is that space remains at a premium. We even use our dishwasher for additional storage space! With this in mind, we only keep the objects and works that are deemed essential. Twice a year, Kirby and I rummage through our closets and drawers in order to sort out anything that we don’t need. Those ‘unessential’ items are then donated, sold, or given to friends.”

• Artwork — Elliott Mickleburgh
• Hudson Console Table — Room & Board
• Simone Table Lamp — Room & Board
• Concrete Box — In.sek Design

• Textile Artwork — Courtney Puckett
• Gold Ceramic Sculpture — Jinsik Yoo
• Couch — Room & Board (discontinued)
• Berkeley Console Table — Room & Board
• Coffee Table — Room & Board (discontinued)
• Corn Stool — Third Drawer Down
• Decorative Trays — John Derian
• Ceramic Platter — Luke Edward Hall
• Framed Insects — Evolution
• Mason Throw Blanket — Blacksaw
• Antique Fire Extinguisher — Vintage
• Vases — Vintage
• Bar Cart — Pottery Barn (discontinued)
• Glassware — Tom Dixon, Simon Pearce
• Giraffe Papier-Mâché Sculpture — John Derian
• Rug — Nordic Knots

• Artwork — Claire Burkett, Kati Kirsch, Daniel Morowitz, Apostolos Chantzaras
• Tufted Cigarette Artwork — Thomas Martinez Pilnik
• Adams Drop-Leaf Table Table — Room & Board
• Afton Wood Chairs — Room & Board
• Pommel Horse Bench — Vintage
• Antique Trunk — Vintage
• Oskar Lounge Chair — Room & Board
• Taxidermy Pheasant — Evolution
• NYC Pennant — Oxford Pennant
• Throw Blanket — Woolrich
• Crawford Bookcase — Ethan Allen
• Rug — Rifle Paper Co (discontinued)
• Confit Vase — Farmhouse Pottery
• Levitating Edison Lamp — Flyte

• Artwork Over Counter — Kim Garcia
• Aquarium (Plants, Shrimp, Equipment) — Flip Aquatics
• Silo Utensil Crock — Farmhouse Pottery
• Hand-Hewn Pitcher — Farmhouse Pottery
• Salt Penguin — Spring Copenhagen
• Counter Stools — Sobu (discontinued)
• Runner Rug — Cold Picnic

• Artwork — Anna Ortiz, Paul Anagnostopoulos, Michael Bussell, Zoe Alameda, Daniel Giordano, Luke Edward Hall, Jordi Labanda, Cleon Peterson
• Ceramic Sculpture — Karen Jaimes
• Runwell Clock — Shinola
• JWDA Table Lamp — Menu Designs
• Watchbox — Wolf
• Robyn Bed Frame — Ethan Allen
• Dressers — Ethan Allen (discontinued)
• Linen Duvet Cover — InBed
• Linen Sheets (Ivory) — Hawkins NY
• Hub Wall Mirror — Umbra
• Vases — Vintage
• Rug — Vintage
• Lane Floor Lamp — Room & Board

Thanks, John and Kirby!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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