Now Claire, who grew up mostly with wide Texas spaces, never thought about one day creating a pied-à-terre in New York City. But since she has an excellent nose for design and an eclectic background, she would find it quite easy to transition from a sprawling Texas ranch to an out-of-the-way Manhattan apartment. Having spent years designing high-end interiors in Dallas, Claire, together with her husband, James, moved to the big city for his career, at the same time still cherishing the roots in Texas.
“I’ve always had this soft place in my heart for living in a big city, with added effort to make the space feel open like that of a Texas house, all happening in a New York apartment,” Claire says. She enjoyed the work because of its typical energetic flair for combining surprises in color and multifunctional spaces.
Claire’s design stylist explained that he was a textile aficionado-mingling in extravagances-and that Claire was a fan of classical patterns and really enjoyed being outside. Two different camps combined to make a brilliant retreat for Claire from the urban jungle in her Manhattan abode, with earthy colors and bold print representing the nature from which serenity in a university setting would be enjoyed.
The living room reflects Claire’s very own deep admiration of the outdoors, with warm terracotta and deep green accents, which invite one into what feels like a garden in full bloom. The “living room” is defined by a bold velvet sofa with an antique rug anchoring it while providing a delightful pop of unexpected color. “I wanted it to make the apartment feel alive, even on gray, rainy days,” Claire explains. “Every room should be filled with energy and joy.”
But no room says this more than the master bedroom, where Claire’s custom-designed floral fabric wraps everything. “I love the notion of waking up in a room that feels stimulating, not just serene,” she says. “The prints here are vibrant and alive, but still cozy enough for restful mornings.” The soft blush pink which wraps around the room’s walls is balanced by warmer wood tones, thus creating an inviting yet energizing space ideal for relaxation and creation.
Even in a small apartment, Claire manages to show her expertise in both style and practicality. Each item in her house serves at least two purposes. At a tiny breakfast nook, for instance, there are upholstered banquettes for extra guest seating. In the entrance is a Regency-style console that not only displays but hides a variety of varied and useful storage, proffering form and function. “Small spaces demand smart design,” says Claire. “Nothing in here is just for show – it all serves a purpose.”
Claire, of course, loves to play with bold patterns but really delights in juxtaposing discordant elements that to the casual observer might seem totally irrelevant. Take, for instance, the rare juxtaposition of velvet and lacquer wood against contemporary art. Custom artwork in the living room by up-and-coming Olivia Blake is positioned in such a way as to resonate with the room’s balance between time-honored sophistication and edgy modernity.
Another hallmark of Claire’s apartment lies in an artistic merger of contemporary and vintage. The mid-century furniture spirit of the house fits perfectly with the antique accents, while art pieces by well-known and less-known local and international artists lend each room its great sense of persona and character. A great favorite is the vintage marine view painting she found in one of her travels, a little treasure that instantly felt quite at home in this urban retreat.
In her vestibule, Claire blends in with Texas the cowhide-inspired wall art and a bountiful bar concealed in a large chest of Regency style. The chest, in a show-stopping hand-painted color called “Dusty Rose,” adds a kick of color, and bears testimony to Claire’s penchant for statement-making pieces.
“The idea of design is to tell a story—my story,” Claire says. “Each room has a personality of its own, and every piece has meaning. From my favorite antique to the most recent finds, everything goes together in creating a space that feels like home.” From the curated palette to the eclectic mix of textures and patterns, Claire’s Manhattan apartment embodies the expression of design as uplifting the lifeworld.
For Claire, home is not a place; it is a canvas for life, creativity, and practical use. Her concept of the pied-à-terre appeases the vivacity of the energy of New York City, yet through it, the heart of Texas seeps in, thus marking the space as distinct.