Right Meets Left Interior Design

Lights, color, action in a Harlem penthouse

All photos by Alexandra Rowley

Draw a line, and then complicate it. Make it double back on itself, make it swing. Artists often think like this while they’re working. And designers, too, as Courtney McLeod, of Right Meets Left Interior Design, demonstrates in this sunny Harlem penthouse. Taking a boldly scaled Roberto Juarez painting from 1stDibs dealer High Style Deco as her starting point, McLeod echoes its organic curves in a collection of rounded vases scattered throughout, courtesy of the same vendor. Then, she creates some synergy with the etched-brass top of a vintage coffee table by Philip LaVerne, another 1stDibs find. “I love the interplay of curved lines and the color palette that pulls the design into a cohesive whole as you move from the living area to the dining area,” McLeod says, with a note of swing.

I believe in the importance of designing joyfully elegant, color-confident interiors that blend each client’s unique tastes with my vivid, collected aesthetic.”
— Courtney McLeod

Designer Picks

Murano Glass Faceted Hourglass End Table, New, Offered by High Style Deco Shop Now
Murano Glass Faceted Hourglass End Table, New, Offered by High Style Deco

“This end table’s refined and translucent forms allow it to pair with the other elements while making a statement when your eye catches its hourglass shape. It mimics the reflective beauty of the large windows.”

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"Promethium," 20th Century, by Chester L. Williams, Offered by Lions Gallery

“This sculpture feels like a piece of music, with an intuitive mix of varying materials coming together to create beautiful movement. It feels like a fitting piece for this Harlem design, as the artist, Williams, was a lover of jazz and influenced by African culture. I would display it on the credenza or as the centerpiece on the dining table.”

American Club Chair in Sapphire & Platinum Fabric, ca. 1950, Offered by High Style Deco Shop Now
American Club Chair in Sapphire & Platinum Fabric, ca. 1950, Offered by High Style Deco

“I love bold patterns, making this chair a functional piece of art.”

Tommaso Barbi Leaf Floor Lamp, 1970s, Offered by Maison Gerard Shop Now
Tommaso Barbi Leaf Floor Lamp, 1970s, Offered by Maison Gerard

“It’s essential to bring in light at varying heights, and this brass floor lamp is an unexpected piece that reflects the natural surroundings of the nearby park elegantly.”

Merete Rasmussen Red Ceramic Sculpture, 2020, Offered by J. Lohmann Gallery Shop Now
Merete Rasmussen Red Ceramic Sculpture, 2020, Offered by J. Lohmann Gallery

“This ceramic is such a pure expression of color and form — perfectly complementing my design intention for the space.”

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