How I Curate My Space: Alyssa Kapito’s Cool New York Apartment With Enchanting French Flair
In our series on interiors, we ask designers and tastemakers to open the doors of their most-loved spaces, sharing the stories, inspirations and favorite pieces within it. Here, interior designer ALYSSA KAPITO invites us into the study she has recently renovated on New York’s Upper East Side. By KATIE BERRINGTON
“It's a very fun room to be in,” says Alyssa Kapito of the study-come-library in the New York City apartment she finished renovating earlier this year. “The backdrop is neutral, but I love the primary colors that I used to bring it to life. I also love being surrounded by books. I read my design books daily and reference them a lot in my work so I’m in this room constantly researching and scheming.”
“I went a bit ‘French modern’ with the space – and I couldn’t love it more” continues Kapito, who moved into the Upper East Side building this year. “It’s an incredibly comfortable room, while still being very beautiful, with the two massive, deep sofas. You could have a great conversation in those sofas. The light in the early afternoon is so romantic, so I love having a friend for tea.”
Recalling her first viewing of the apartment, it was the light and ceiling height that enchanted her. “The first time I saw this space I fell in love,” she says. “It looked nothing like it looks now, but the height and light were the same.” When she walks in the door, the soaring ceilings are still the first thing to catch her eye – “and the green curtains!”
“I’m most known for neutral spaces but I do love color very much. I think people would be very surprised to know that my favorite two colors are actually red and green,” says the interior designer, who founded her eponymous New York-based design brand in 2012 – and released her debut monograph interiors book with Rizzoli earlier this year. “They show up a lot in my work if you look closely – and I tend to like wearing them as well. They can be quite aggressive colors if you don’t use them properly, but used in small amounts, and in the right tones, they are fabulous. I love a super-bright red – there’s nothing quite as captivating as a strong red. This room was an exercise in using them in a way I like best.”
“I would say my aesthetic is very eclectic yet edited, and also a bit classic. I dress that way too
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A penchant for mid-century French furniture makers is woven through Kapito’s collection of furnishings. “The work of that period is the most similar to my personal style – plus, it’s my favorite period to research and collect,” she says. “I would say my aesthetic is very eclectic yet edited, and also a bit classic. I dress that way too.” Her inspirations come largely from the post-war period in France, Italy and Scandinavia. “There was such an exploration and departure away from traditional forms in fashion, home and art. It was a very special time – and my own work is constantly referencing or incorporating that period.”
A collector by nature, Kapito spends lots of time researching and going to auctions to source storied pieces. “It’s a real passion of mine. It was why I started my gallery, Galerie Alyssa Kapito. I came from an art-history background, so my approach to collecting is very academic. The gallery right now is online, but I am super excited to be opening a physical space in the fall. It’s been a labor of love.”
In the study (a space where she spends time working, finding inspiration and socializing), she used furniture that was a mix of “very modern pieces with older antiques” – and enjoyed seeing how it is possible for the two to complement each other. “The chair is by French designer Jean Royère – and the aluminum table is contemporary, by an artist I found on Instagram. The mix is the most fun for me – and the most interesting.”
“The Royère chair was one of my first very serious purchases from an auction house,” she continues. “I've always found the whole experience of buying at auction very exciting – and this chair had one other bidder. We were just going back and forth – and we both wanted it very badly! The whole thing must have lasted under a minute, but it felt as if time was standing still. When the auctioneer finally hit the gavel, I couldn’t believe I’d won. I still smile when I look at it.”
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