When British-born furniture designer Andrianna Shamaris embarked on a year-long hunt for a New York City apartment, she had two nonnegotiable requirements: The apartment had to be in estate condition and it had to have views of nature. She also made clear that she wanted a restoration, rather than a renovation, project. When she finally found the perfect place on Central Park South, she enlisted architect Thomas Leeser to help her achieve her vision of an organic-modern retreat.
The first order of business was reproducing the original moldings, which were in such bad shape they couldn’t be reclaimed. “I didn’t want the new moldings to be perfect,” Shamaris says. “Try explaining this to a contractor!”
The next step in preserving the character of the prewar home was to reinstall all the original crystal knobs on custom white resin doors, which hang on pivots rather than hinges. In another unique touch, the designer custom produced a wall covered in shell-encrusted teak to divide the kitchen and living room.
“I don’t like the bourgeois look or anything too minimal, as that style lacks warmth,” she says. “So, even though I might say less is best, having a few objects with a story behind them is far more interesting to me than a room full of objects.”
When Shamaris moved into the apartment, in 2008, the fireplace was sealed shut. She and architect Leeser decided to open it up, keeping the original black marble in front and painting the surrounding frame a strong white. “We left it very clean and wabi-sabi so that it blended into the wall,” Shamaris says.
As her apartment attests, Shamaris is a believer in the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection. In fact, she has curated an entire collection based on this simple aesthetic and sells it on her 1stDibs storefront and in her New York showroom.
The entire apartment is accented with pieces from Shamaris’s studio in Sumatra, where she lived for nearly a year after a stint in sales at Ralph Lauren's Bond Street flagship. During her travels around the world, she collected antiques along with design inspiration.
Tour Andrianna Shamaris's apartment at The Study, and shop her tables, seating and other furnishings on 1stDibs today.
Andrianna Shamaris Teak Root Wall Art or Coffee Table, Modern Design
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Impressive teak root art to hang on the wall or low Minimalist coffee table. hand-carved from a single 11" thick piece of reclaimed teak wood and burnt t...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Torso made from Rare Ancient Wood
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
This impressive century year old rose wood with incredible patina and character has been hand carved whilst respecting the natural organic shape. Set on a minimalist black steel base...
Metal, Steel
Andrianna Shamaris Organic Mahogany Wood Circle Sculpture
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist organic circle sculpture hand carved from a single piece of reclaimed mahogany wood with beautiful patina. Set on a modern black metal stan...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Teak Wood Sculptural Bowl
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist teak platter or bowl hand carved from a single piece of reclaimed teak wood. Finished with a natural oil revealing the beautiful wood grain. This bowl or platter was sour...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Midcentury Couture Antique Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury couture collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful antique four inch deep bowl from Sumatra, is finished by hand with a na...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Charred Teak Wood Shallow Platter
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful wood grain in this minimalist shallow platter. Hand made from a single piece of teak wood in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty can be found in impe...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Couture Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the mid century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful century old Merbau deep wood bowl from Sumatra, is polished with a nat...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Mid-Century Couture Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the mid-century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful century old Merbau deep wood bowl from Sumatra, is polished with a nat...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Girl Upside Down Suar Wood Sculpture
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Hand carved from a reclaimed single piece of suar wood found in the jungle in Sumatra. We have added the butterfly details as shown in this beautiful piece of wood. Rests in a black ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Large Charred Suar Wood Platter by Andrianna Shamaris - Modern Design
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful oversized wood platter or bowl hand carved from a single piece of suar wood. The backs are flat and can therefore be installed on a wall. Also a practical addition to serve...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Hand Carved Wood Container or Side Table by Andrianna Shamaris
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Originally used to carry water, this antique container has been hand carved by our master carver to produce a sculptural container or if turned the opposite direction, a unique side ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Hand Carved Merbau Wood Bowl by Andrianna Shamaris, Circa 1950
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful oval bowl is hand carved from a single piece of Merbau wood. Circa 1950 One of a kind bowl sourced in the spirit of Wabi Sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty can be f...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Sculptural Teak Container, Wabi-Sabi, Circa 1900
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful sculptural container from Sumatra. Originally a drum. The bottom is 7.5” diameter and the top graduates to an impressive 13.5” diameter. Hand carved out of a single piece...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Mid Century Couture Side Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the mid century Couture Collection. Furniture constructed by hand from start to finish. A beautiful century old Merbau deep wood bowl from Sumatra, is polished with a nat...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi-Sabi Teak Wood Container
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
An unusual shaped wabi box originally used to store rice. Beautiful patina on an old teak wood piece. This box was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that b...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood