topic Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT in Home

FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Oznell — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 12:42:02 GMT

Fred Astaire lived in a classic, 7 room 1906 New York apartment in the 1950's. I've drooled over Fred's modern L.A. house in the past, but had never seen designer Garrow Kedigian's reno of Fred's former Manhattan digs.

Kedigian made some interesting choices-- instead of trying to reproduce some black and white Art Deco fantasy of where Astaire would live, he lacquered the walls a soft tan color, and went for comfort.

Love the huge painting over the velvet banquette, which echoes the blues and browns used throughout the apartment.

Designer Kedigian is known for a quirky, sumptuous traditionalism. He likes color, and select luxe touches like the fringe on the chocolate banquette.

Looking through from living room into the combo dining/music room with piano beyond:

Kedigian created an "enfilade"-- where you can look from the living room, through the dining/music room, right into the blue library...

So now we're in that 'middle' space, the dining/music room. Perhaps surprisingly informal, there's an intimate round dining table with banquette and flamestitch chairs in one corner, and a piano nearby. One suspects that Fred would like that.

This is a terrible, somewhat distorting photo below, but at least it's lighter, and shows the size and scope of the room. Note: See the green velvet banquette next to the round glass dining table? Kedigian salvaged material from Astaire's old velvet curtains, and upholstered that banquette with them!

Speaking of dining, the kitchen is small! Nevertheless, I think the repurposed walnut cabinetry looks rich.

(I do like a stainless steel all-in-one drainboard-- we kept our vintage one when we did a light kitchen update too.)

The blue library -- inviting, and my fave in the house. The designer's decision to go with lacquered walls in both the living room and library, suggests to me that he wanted to make the most of whatever natural light the apartment gets. Lacquered walls help bounce light around, and in the evening, bring glamour.

The hints of a Greek key motif in the rug is so clever. It's subtle, but it brings to mind the Art Deco era, which in turn is inextricably associated with fabulous Fred Astaire.

Forgot to say-- I like all the apartment's divided light windows-- an advantage of a 1906 building.

Kedigian admitted to keeping 9 pillows on the bed in the master. Beautiful lush fabrics, but I doubt that Fred would be so impractical...

Old books, studio pottery-- nice little realistic bookshelf vignette in the jewel-box bedroom. The amount of shelf space and storage in the various rooms is impressive.

Even if Garrow Kedigian hadn't done an interesting job of renovation, it's just so fascinating to see this apartment where Fred lived-- he's my all-time favorite performer, and the epitome of breezy American elegance, so this was a treat.

It was mentioned that this is the only apartment in the building that has a long, Juliet balcony-- I'm quite sure Astaire must have danced out there on starry nights....

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

bargainsgirl — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 12:55:50 GMT

Beautiful! I could live there!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Vivian — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:12:41 GMT

I would dance from room to room à la Fred.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

kaydee50 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:14:19 GMT

Is there a view of Central Park??!!!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Sooner — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:21:16 GMT

The music/dining room is my favorite! The dark woodwork is stunning!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:35:11 GMT

Thank you so much.big fan of Astaire.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

bmorechick — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:43:26 GMT

Oh I could live there too! So interesting to see these turn of the century buildings mimic European apartments. I live in a house with an acre of yard but believe me, I'd ditch it all for a doorman! Hubs...not so much.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 13:44:43 GMT

For his first audtion the scout(?) said "Can't act,Can't sing, Slightly bald,dances a little."

Wrote that on the card I sent to son and D-I-L on the birth of our grandson.

The grandson plays several muscial instruments. But,is a chemist.

What's my point? My son has never forgotten that quote.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

spiderw — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:03:31 GMT

Stunning elegant apartment and filled with so much appeal. I love all the space. The furnishings and decor in the rooms are lovely, l especially am drawn to the library! This is a place I could easily be comfortable in and enjoy every room. The location suits me fine also!!!!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

manny2 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:04:20 GMT

I have to say the soft tan falls flat to me. Overall not a fan.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

NickNack — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:25:45 GMT

@Oznell I love this! Where do you find all of these interesting designs? Do you follow House Beautiful or certain designers on Facebook? Instagram????

I also wondered if you subscribed to any home magazines. I used to subscribe to House Beautiful and Traditional Home. I've also subscribed to Country Living and Architectural Digest many years ago, even HGTV magazine when it first came out. I've wanted to ask you this for a while. I've searched on You Tube but can't find the interesting designs/designers like you post. I really enjoy them.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 14:56:41 GMT

The apartment itself is beautiful. The decor is nice and goes with the architecture but most of it isn't my style. I'd have to redecorate. I'm obsessed with that Greek Key rug. I spotted it immediately before reading what you had written about it.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Katcat1 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:37:35 GMT

I dont care for the designer's pillow choices especially the baby blue. the roooms actually look like pillow overload. There are so many pillows on the bed, I would like to see what he does with them once he removes them.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Oznell — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:58:02 GMT

@manny2, you'll be interested to know that that creamy tan was controversial! Plenty of people don't care for it. For once I'm on the fence. It may not be my favorite, but I don't mind it for that room.

I kept wondering if Kedigian was doing homage to the late Bill Blass's famous "paper bag" colored living room-- that pale brown was quite also quite a sensation in NY in its time, and just a bit more successful than this beige, in my opinion....

@NickNack, thanks! I used to subscribe to some of the same mags, but got annoyed with their heavy-handed attempts to get me to re-up!

A lot of online decorating sites have paywalls or other obstructions, so I have to find images other ways. Sometimes the bloggers I like will mention certain designers, and I'll check them out. I'm not on Instagram or pinterest or anything.

Let's see, I will give you a few of my favorites, and will try to think of some more easy-to-access sources.

1) House and Garden UK online is free and has tons of both English and U.S. houses, and luscious gardens.

2) Flower Magazine online is also good, but not updated that much.

3) Cafe Design US is another good one.

Most interior designers do have gorgeous photos of their own work at their sites. Just google the name of the designer. When you get to their site, click on "portfolio" to see the work they've done.

Some interesting designers:

MODERN-ISH:

Amber Interiors

Kelly Wearstler

Lauren Liess

Sophie Paterson

TRADITIONAL designers:

McGrath II

William McClure (he does both modern and trad)

Ben Pentreath

Celerie Kemble

I'm leaving out so many I like! Will think of some more.

My all time favorite interior designer is one of the deans of design, the late Albert Hadley. Traditional, but clean and with his own twist. Brilliant! His work is timeless.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

alliswell — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:08:26 GMT

@Oznell Thank You!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

ECBG — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:05:16 GMT

What a beautiful apartment. Every area is rich but not overpowering. I loved his use of rich color and texture!

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

NickNack — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:11:45 GMT

@Oznell Thank you so much for the resources! I copied them and put them in my notes.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Patriot3 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 17:14:14 GMT

Not crazy about this. Some rooms seem dark and furniture isn't my taste.

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Somertime — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:39:58 GMT

So sorry @Oznell but I do not feel he has done this apartment justice. He has painted out most of the detail woodwork in the same colors, so that it would recede rather than be admired and appreciated. Nor do I appreciate most of his fabric choices. The apartment is on the East side of Park Avenue which is an extremely broad avenue in New York and an eastern exposure can be quite nice but due to the photographs it does not appear to be filled with light even if the apartment wrapped around the corner to 79 Street which would be a northern exposure, it should have more light than what is shown in the photographs. I was wondering when this was photographed especially since Boullion fringe was used on one of the couches and I was surprised it was white. Boullion fringe has gone out of favor with most high end designers at this time unless it is a full classical interior.

He has said he worked for William Hodgens who is very well known especially in Boston for 6 years, it had to have ebb a conflict for him because his work is diametrically opposed to William Hodgens work.

I guess, unfortunately, I have no appreciation of his work but I am sure I am in the minority as he is very successful and resides in an apartment in the Carlyle which is done in the same style.

Here is the link to the Carlyle Apartment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Qo-tfuGH0

Re: FRED ASTAIRE'S PARK AVENUE APARTMENT

Trailrun23 — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 18:45:24 GMT

Beautiful. I really love the ceiling colors in the library. Would love to see the view outside those double doors in the living room. My favorite picture is the one right before the kitchen. It is lighter and seems fresher with more light.

Thank you for sharing, and your comments are always helpful and appreciated!