Bradfield & Tobin Design a Breathtaking Beacon Court Penthouse
Project photos by Sargent Photography
With spectacular views in multiple directions from the nearly 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, this Beacon Court penthouse offers much in the way of excitement even if it were empty. When citizen-of-the world Geoffrey Bradfield and his partner Roric Tobin were brought in to design a client's second, much larger residence in the same building, the owners knew the result would nearly eclipse the jaw-dropping vistas. Bold visionaries with a talent for weaving a subtext of meaning and symmetry throughout their design choices, Bradfield & Tobin have created a refined environment for an important contemporary art collection, and a bespoke home that is more than equal to the artwork.
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| Geoffrey Bradfield | Roric Tobin |
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| The design conversation begins in the foyer/gallery with a heavenly blue silk wallcovering from Romo, a color choice that telegraphs the skyline views to come. The trompe l’oeil painting by Clive Smith, Beak, Claw, Hand, Brush, No. 7A depicts a bird’s nest in a toile transferware dish. A pair of white composite rock-form consoles by Sirmos, circa 1960s, from John Salibello are positioned on opposite walls. The 2012 abstract sculpture by Carole Seborovski is titled Garbhagriha, which refers to the inner sanctuary of a Hindu temple, and is constructed of aluminum leaf and composite gold over clay with mirrors. |
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Above the console is an oil on linen work titled Where There’s Smoke, 2010, by Hugo Bastidas, an Ecuadorean artist who paints exclusively in grisaille. The work appropriates an image from the well-known painting The Swing by Fragonard. | Tony Matelli’s inverted lily sculpture, Arrangement 7, 2014, of painted bronze is hyper-realistic, with a twist – inverted and balancing on one bud. |
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Sparkling and luminescent, with a mirrored wall and glittering crystal lighting, the living room features a celestial color palette. An important work by Kenneth Noland,Mysteries: Sun Heat, 2002 is positioned on the mirrored wall and flanked by a pair of rock crystal sconces from Wired Custom Lighting. The rug, with undulating rivers of sky blue tones that meander, much like an infinity pool, towards the windows, was custom designed by Bradfield & Tobin and executed by Stark. A strategically positioned folding screen solves a design problem: distracting air conditioning vents. At the same time, the custom silvery lattice design by Bradfield & Tobin is light and airy, in keeping with the tone of the room. The Art Deco style side tables are custom designed in exotic veneer, and the coffee table is white gold leaf cast glass with steel base, from Profiles. A pair of toile upholstered armchairs, a side chair in the style of Louis XVI, a sofa and a pair of curved-back loveseats provide a wide array of seating options. |
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Oscar-like figural sculptures by sculptor Ernest Trova depict his signature creation, “Falling Man,” a theme he explored in countless variations throughout his career. Study for Falling Man,1984–5, stainless steel, ed. 8. The table lamps are vintage rock crystal. | Ernest Trova, Study for Falling Man, 1970, nickel plated bronze, ed. 8. |
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The dining area is situated to take full advantage of the amazing views. The wall are covered in an ivory silk moiré fabric from Stark. A vintage 1940s Murano glass torchiere is positioned to complement the Manolo Valdes 2012 sculpture Laurel. The chandelier is custom designed by Bradfield & Tobin and executed by Venfield, the dining table is also a custom design, and the dining chairs are custom and executed by Artistic Frame. |
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A detail of the dining area shows a custom mirrored console by Lorin Marsh, on which is displayed a pair of abstract expressionistic figurative sculptures by British artist Lynn Chadwick. Angulos, 2014, a painting by Spanish artist Juan Genovés, hangs above. | An installation on the wall between the dining area and the breakfast room, Anna Paola Protasio’s The Fractured Instant, 2015, provides fodder for a discourse on the relationship between time and space, or alternatively, a bit of lighthearted whimsy. |
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The office/library with desk positioned to marvel at the New York City skyline, and Jean Francois Rauzier’s “hyperphoto” Manhattan Farms, 2013 offering an equally compelling view. The rug is a custom design executed by Stark. Vintage glass two-tier end table by Fontana Arte, modern floor lamps from Estiluz. |
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An elegant and serenely monochromatic bedroom. The recessed niche is upholstered in a subtle tone-on-tone floral fabric from Castel. French 1940s sconces and a custom designed rug executed by Stark continue the floral motif. |
