This NYC Rental Embraces Dark Wall Colors for the Coziest Vibe Ever
Originally from Madrid, Spain, architect and designer Javier Riostello has been based in New York City since 2010. And for the last five years, he’s called this 680-square-foot, one-bedroom rental apartment in Astor Place home — a place he describes as a sanctuary and “a testament to a life well-traveled.”
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“When I first laid eyes on this apartment, it was just another soulless white box — yet another piece of the sterile real estate in Manhattan,” Javier describes of his home before moving in.
“So decorating this space has been a journey — one that’s ever-evolving. With each trip I take, I bring something back — a piece of a distant place, a new story to weave into the fabric of the apartment.”
“The space has transformed along the years, shifting as I grow and change. It’s not a finished project, nor do I want it to be. It is constantly in the process of becoming, adapting, and finding new ways to tell my story,” Javier continues describing.
“My apartment is an eclectic fusion of worlds, mirroring the soul of the true New Yorker. Moroccan metals, pre-Hispanic relics from Guatemala, masks from distant Kenya, European musical instruments, Murano glass, and Asian figurines line the space. Each object is a chapter in a story. Books, plants, and candles bring the warmth of a personal touch.”
Javier is the founder of Riostello Studio, which focuses on residential and commercial architecture and has offices in NYC and Mexico City.
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Living room — Behr’s “Raven Black”
- Bedroom — Benjamin Moore’s “Evening Blue”
ALL ROOMS
- All furniture are antiques (secondhand)
Thanks, Javier!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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