1stDibs – Glenn Gissler Crafts a Serene New York Home for an Art-Loving Couple

1stDibs

January 2025

Originally published on 1stDibs

Glenn Gissler Design Transforms Upper West Side Residence into Art-Filled Sanctuary – As Featured on 1stDibs

Glenn Gissler Design’s recent project on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has been featured on 1stDibs. This modern, light-filled residence was crafted for a couple deeply passionate about art, resulting in a harmonious blend of contemporary design and cherished artworks.

Project Highlights:

Art-Focused Design: The home serves as a canvas for the clients’ extensive art collection, featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Dora Maar, Al Held, James Brooks, and Gary Gissler, among others.
Custom Furnishings: The dining area showcases a custom walnut table paired with Eero Saarinen chairs, illuminated by a Lindsey Adelman chandelier, creating a perfect setting for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings.
Thoughtful Space Planning: The expansive living and dining areas offer an open, loft-like feel, ideal for entertaining and displaying art, while private spaces like his-and-hers offices and a cozy TV den provide personal retreats.
Curated Furnishings: A George Nakashima wall-hung cabinet in the entry gallery complements the art display, adding a touch of handcrafted elegance to the space.

This project exemplifies Glenn Gissler Design’s commitment to creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and deeply personal, reflecting the unique passions and lifestyles of their clients.

Commissioned by repeat clients to personalize and elevate their new home on Manhattan's Upper West Side, the designer created a fresh, casual and modern look using many long-loved possessions, and plenty of newly acquired ones, too.

GLENN GISSLER (left) recently collaborated with his studio’s senior designer, Craig Strulovitz (right), on the design of a new apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side for repeat clients (portrait by Gross & Daley). Top: A Jacob Hashimoto wall sculpture hangs behind the dining area’s custom walnut table and EERO SAARINEN chairs. JOHN SALADINO table lamps top the built-in cabinet, and a branching chandelier by LINDSEY ADELMAN hangs above. All photos by Alexandra Rowley unless otherwise noted

In the entry gallery, VISTOSI ceiling lights illuminate a wall-hung GEORGE NAKASHIMA cabinet, a custom NASIRI carpet runner and a ca. 1900 CARVED ETHIOPIAN CHAIR. The artworks on the left wall are by AL HELD, while the one on the right over the cabinet is by JAMES BROOKS. The piece on the back wall is by Gissler’s brother, Gary.

Behind the living room’s pair of HOLLY HUNT swivel chairs, an A. RUDIN console holds an HERVÉ VAN DER STRAETEN Tornade lamp from MAISON GERARD. A PABLO PICASSO aquatint portrait of DORA MAAR is mounted above the console, while collages by CONRAD MARCA-RELLI hang on the wall to the left. The stoneware vase atop the console is by TURI HEISSELBERG PEDERSEN while the smaller ceramic vessel is by Bennett Bean.

Originally published on 1stDibs

Glenn Gissler Crafts a Serene New York Home for an Art-Loving Couple

by STEPHEN WALLIS
Photography: Alexandra Rowley / Gross & Daley
Originally published on 1stDibs

Sometimes, a change of address is about wiping the slate clean and starting over with new furnishings and art. Other times, it’s more about bringing into a different setting things that you’ve long lived with and find meaningful, allowing them to be seen and experienced afresh.

The latter scenario is a pretty apt description of a recent interiors project that designer GLENN GISSLER oversaw for repeat clients on New York City’s Upper West Side. The couple traded a prewar apartment Gissler had designed for them a decade or so earlier for a condo in a newly constructed building just a few blocks north, and while they didn’t travel far, the move brought them a world away in terms of vibe.

. . .

Read the full article on 1stDibs.com

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West End Apartment

Built in 1840, the Greek Revival farmhouse would become a haven for some of the 20th century’s most celebrated artists. Designer Glenn Gissler removed the shutters from the home’s windows to achieve an “ecclesiastical purity [for] the Greek temple front” that offers a more contemporary appearance.

In the dining area of the open-plan living space, a panel from the calligraphic work, ‘Roman Notes’ by Cy Twombly, engages in a compelling dialogue with a Jacob Hashimoto dimensional collage. The composed scene is anchored by an area rug from Stark Carpet and illuminated by Lindsey Adelman’s smoked-glass ‘Branching Bubble’ chandelier. Iconic Eero Saarinen armchairs provide comfortable seating and a curvaceous counterpoint to the multiple geometries.

West End, NYC

West End Apartment

An expansive apartment residence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side offers the best of contemporary urban living. Its generously scaled, sun-drenched rooms are set within a newly constructed building with all the desirable modern amenities and gracious layouts reminiscent of pre-war apartments.

Glenn Gissler Design was commissioned to create a sanctuary for a couple seeking a fresh, calm living environment. Thoughtful architectural details that balance traditional and modernist sensibilities help create a transitional environment grounded in the 21st century, resulting in a sophisticated interplay between metropolitan vistas and natural light while integrating architectural elements that skirt stylistic boundaries.

We collaborated with our clients to establish a chromatic narrative inspired by the neutral hues taken from beach rocks and sand. The nuanced palette weaves tonal whites and cool-toned grays inflected with subdued organic hues. The first agreed-upon selection was a Scandinavian flat-weave carpet, further defining the design sensibility and palette direction.

The furniture and furnishing we assembled have clean lines and graceful modern proportions, creating understated spaces that eschew ornamentation in favor of pure form. Against this backdrop, the couple’s art collection becomes the focal point as you move between the rooms.

CONTACT Glenn Gissler

Beyond the home’s backdoor and through a split rail fence, summer visitors are greeted by an unobtrusive pool and a former art studio dubbed the “Pleasure Pavilion,” where a swim follows rustic lunches. Several weathered Adirondack chairs rest below a mature Sugar Maple tree, providing a respite from the midday sun.

In the entry gallery, a bespoke runner–crafted in homage to a vintage Swedish flat-weave carpet–establishes the residence’s tonal language. A series of flush-mount fixtures punctuate the ceiling, while picture lights, conceived by modernist master Paul Rudolph, provide discrete art lighting for the side walls. An artwork by Gary Gissler takes pride of place at the far end of the space, while a series of c.1960 ink-on-paper works by Al Held are hung on the left wall.

The side garden features a 19th-century urn in an established bed of pachysandra that came with the house. This is consistent with Glenn’s playful interpretation of classical tradition, which is part of the house’s Greek Revival roots.

A wall-hung cabinet by modern master George Nakashima, fashioned in black walnut and pandanus cloth, floats below a figurative work by the American abstract expressionist painter James Brooks. The silhouette of the undulating vase contrasts with the geometry of the cabinet and the cubist composition.

Just inside the library, a circa 1820 Biedermeier Bar Cabinet is stocked with spirits, where guests are encouraged to help themselves to a cocktail. Hanging above are works on paper by Wilfred Zogbaum (left) and Tomas Eldred (right). The Klismos Chair, one of a pair, is attributed to T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.

A striking work on paper by the legendary artist Pablo Picasso hangs above a console table at one end of the living area. The vase, vessel, and branches provide a counterpoint to the table’s geometry.

In the entry hall, a pair of circa 1830 hall chairs rest atop a custom ‘falling block’ patterned hook rug, which Glenn designed for the space. Above the chairs, in what amounts to a mid-20th-century artistic dialog, are works by Alexander Calder (left) and Le Corbusier (right). The Calder is the first work inside the house, which Glenn chose because Calder’s homestead and studio–still maintained by the late artist’s family–are less than two miles away.

In this art-filled view, a pair of swivel armchairs from Holly Hunt, upholstered in a nuanced textile, balance two framed collages by Conrad Marca-Relli, a celebrated modernist whose works are in the permanent collections of many museums. A sculptural lamp, ‘Tornade’ by Hervé van der Straeten, articulates the composition, with a view into the gallery with works on paper by Al Held.

The swimming pool was existing when Glenn purchased the house. He left the coping, but removed the awkward patios to allow it to fit quietly into the backyard landscape as a reflecting pool. The property expands beyond the back gate for some distance before connecting to hundreds of acres of the Roxbury Land Trust’s many preserves.

Diaphanous curtains, suspended from custom-crafted hardware, diffuse natural light and help soften the room’s acoustics. The architecturally refined stepped ceiling detail was introduced to add a pre-war plaster detail to this new construction apartment.

A John Saladino glass table lamp, circa 1970, graces a bespoke cabinet with a stone top. The recessed cabinet panels are covered in grass cloth, adding dimensionality.

Quiet geometric forms and horizontal planes, emblematic of modernist design, are balanced against the sweeping curves of the circling chairs in this layered space. The interplay of lustrous woods–from the hand-finished flooring to the walnut dining table and accent furnishings–creates a pleasing interplay with the blue-grey textiles.

Two tailored sofas complement the living area’s club chairs, providing generous seating for intimate gatherings while framing rich urban vistas through an expansive wall of windows. A bespoke coffee table and streamlined ottoman center the layout. The custom ceramic ceiling fixture is from Dumais Made.

An Ethiopian carved chair, circa 1900, pecan-toned herringbone floorboards, and the gestural marks of a Cy Twombley work on paper forge a sophisticated interplay of linear patterns in this vignette.

Subtle adjacencies draw your eyes around a space. These proximities can transform individual pieces into an alchemical relationship where each element enhances its neighbors. Such is the case with Rispal’s ‘Giraffe’ floor lamp from the 1950s and the architectural turret visible just beyond the window. The side table is by Warren Platner for Knoll.

With a flat-screen TV hanging on the adjacent wall, this armless corner sofa affords ample seating for movie viewing, especially on chilly winter evenings with a crackling fire. Chunky seagrass matting underfoot grounds the tableau.

A pleasing geometric tension emerges between a linear-patterned carpet and mosaic-inspired wall covering. A tuxedo arm sofa provides primary seating in this intimate retreat. Artist David Shapiro created the suite of works on paper.

The furnishings in this corner of the living room include an English Arts & Crafts table, a pair of 1940s French Bergeres covered in lush velvet, and a vintage industrial-inspired lamp. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate dinner for two or as a sun-splashed work desk. The art includes a piece by David Dupuis (left) and an anonymous tantric work from India (right).

One corner of the Library is animated by Architect Frank Gehry’s iconic ‘Wiggle Chair,’ fashioned from corrugated cardboard. The graphic, curvaceous silhouette breaks free of the room’s geometric order. The custom-designed bookcases accommodate part of the couple’s book collection.

In the gentleman’s study, bespoke cabinetry finished in a soft earth tone provides a backdrop for a lifetime’s collection of books and cherished artifacts. Bold picture lights cast light across the curated assemblages, lending depth and intimacy.

In this view of the living room, an unusual 19th-century Thebes chair fashioned from slender bamboo branches sits in front of a pair of cocktail tables by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. Directly above the fireplace is Untitled (Dollar Bill) 2000 by Thomas Friedman; to its left is a portrait by the late Donald Baechler, which was Glenn’s first art purchase after arriving in New York.

The silhouette of a vintage ceramic Kelby lamp with hand-applied modernist decoration sits on a richly grained walnut side table. Linen curtains with a subtle woven texture frame the composition.

A second custom-designed hook rug rests on the upstairs landing, which features the home’s original spindles and handrail. A pair of African masks adds a tribal note.

A suspended pendant hangs in front of the powder room mirror. The linear rhythm of the powder room’s linear wallcovering contrasts with the matte solid marble washstand.

The kitchen retains its farmhouse sensibilities but was updated with modern appliances. Muted-sage green cabinetry and trim are offset by black granite counters and the original floors, which Glenn stained dark walnut throughout. Period-style fixtures and pendant lights hang from the beadboard ceiling to illuminate the space.

Earthtones ranging from sandstone to rich brown punctuate this guest bedroom. A ceramic lamp by Dumais Made–one of a pair in the room–rests atop a vintage nightstand.

The breakfast room has a simple round pedestal table paired with directors’ chairs. The tableau is comfortable and unassuming, inviting guests to enjoy coffee while watching the mist burn off the morning landscape, the birds visit the feeder, and a few chipmunks scamper about. The Russell Wright servicewear is part of an extensive collection that could serve an expansive buffet dinner.

In the guest bedroom, wall-spanning Belgian linen curtains are suspended from custom hardware. A bespoke bench harmonizes with the upholstered bed, while above, a multi-branched chandelier cascades light. Two framed works on paper provide an artistic focal point.

Lyrical, calligraphic works on paper by the late Brice Marden hang above a bespoke upholstered bed in the primary suite; their gestural forms find a counterpoint in David Shapiro’s composition on the opposing wall. A simple yet sophisticated three-tiered paper pendant by Ingo Maurer bathes the space in gentle light.

Upon observation, the nuanced textures of the bedding and bespoke curtain fabric emerge, evidencing an interplay between warm and cool neutrals.

Handcrafted Danny Kaplan Studio table lamps grace twin bespoke walnut nightstands, flanking a custom upholstered bed. The furnishings rest on a quietly graphic area that inspired the room’s color palette.

1stDibs

January 2025

Glenn Gissler Design Transforms Upper West Side Residence into Art-Filled Sanctuary – As Featured on 1stDibs

Glenn Gissler Crafts a Serene New York Home for an Art-Loving Couple

Read the full article on 1stDibs.com

PRESS

West End, NYC

West End Apartment

Senior Designer: Craig StrulovitzPhotos by Alexandra Rowley

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Senior Designer: Craig Strulovitz
Photos by Alexandra Rowley