Designed by Festen Architecture
NEWS | ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
After a stay at Les Roches Rouges on the Côte d’Azur, fashion entrepreneur Yael Aflalo, founder of the sustainable brand Reformation, became captivated by the work of Hugo Sauzay and Charlotte de Tonnac, the creative duo behind the Paris-based studio Festen Architecture. During her time at the hotel, Aflalo told Architectural Digest that she felt drawn to the sense of lightness and individuality in the spaces, effortless yet deeply curated, with unique pieces that evoked the home of an artist.
Already familiar with and admiring the designers’ aesthetic, Aflalo found it an easy decision to hire Festen Architecture to transform her six floors, 740-square-meter New York apartment in the West Village. Which was the studio’s first major project in the United States, in one of Manhattan’s most distinctive residences. This 19th-century townhouse, which had already undergone updates in the past, experienced an even more significant metamorphosis under the new owner’s vision.
Subtle yet impactful structural changes were introduced: softly curved walls, custom white-oak flooring throughout the home, a wallpapered office for Aflalo, and a sculptural iron stair railing crafted by a Belgian foundry at Festen’s request. The designers also carved out a cozy built-in coffee nook, enriching the home’s sense of intimacy. Aflalo and her partner made it clear that there were no limits when it came to sourcing global artisans. Festen, in turn, enlisted a lacquer specialist from Kyoto to create a meticulously crafted, crackled ecru headboard, a months-long process demonstrating the studio’s dedication to detail. The living room’s hammered bronze coffee table, a low square with rounded corners, was handmade in France.
In the living area, a deep burgundy velvet sofa is paired with vintage Swedish chairs featuring geometric wooden frames inlaid with intricate patterns. The walls, coated in a creamy white limewash, serve as a serene backdrop for the home’s refined art collection, an essential element of the interior design approach Festen is celebrated for.
Throughout the townhouse, the aesthetic blends Boho Modernist influences with a subtle mid-century sensibility. The mix of bespoke pieces and curated vintage finds creates a timeless, lived-in atmosphere. Though Sauzay and de Tonnac often draw inspiration from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, their fundamental goal is to transcend time periods by selecting noble materials that develop a rich patina over the years. Throughout the townhouse, the design reflects a harmonious blend of travertine, oak, bronze, and brass, materials chosen for their ability to age beautifully and embody the family’s lifestyle.
In the end, Yael Aflalo’s West Village New York Apartment emerges as a refined expression of Boho Modernist interior, seamlessly balancing vintage items, craftsmanship, bespoke details, and modern serenity. The project not only highlights Festen Architecture’s global sensibility but also reinforces their signature ability to create spaces that feel personal, intimate, and enduring. An outstanding example of contemporary interior design elevated through artistry and soul.