When British-born furniture designer Andrianna Shamaris embarked on a year-long hunt for a New York City apartment, she had two nonnegotiable requirements: The apartment had to be in estate condition and it had to have views of nature. She also made clear that she wanted a restoration, rather than a renovation, project. When she finally found the perfect place on Central Park South, she enlisted architect Thomas Leeser to help her achieve her vision of an organic-modern retreat.
The first order of business was reproducing the original moldings, which were in such bad shape they couldn’t be reclaimed. “I didn’t want the new moldings to be perfect,” Shamaris says. “Try explaining this to a contractor!”
The next step in preserving the character of the prewar home was to reinstall all the original crystal knobs on custom white resin doors, which hang on pivots rather than hinges. In another unique touch, the designer custom produced a wall covered in shell-encrusted teak to divide the kitchen and living room.
“I don’t like the bourgeois look or anything too minimal, as that style lacks warmth,” she says. “So, even though I might say less is best, having a few objects with a story behind them is far more interesting to me than a room full of objects.”
When Shamaris moved into the apartment, in 2008, the fireplace was sealed shut. She and architect Leeser decided to open it up, keeping the original black marble in front and painting the surrounding frame a strong white. “We left it very clean and wabi-sabi so that it blended into the wall,” Shamaris says.
As her apartment attests, Shamaris is a believer in the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection. In fact, she has curated an entire collection based on this simple aesthetic and sells it on her 1stDibs storefront and in her New York showroom.
The entire apartment is accented with pieces from Shamaris’s studio in Sumatra, where she lived for nearly a year after a stint in sales at Ralph Lauren's Bond Street flagship. During her travels around the world, she collected antiques along with design inspiration.
Tour Andrianna Shamaris's apartment at The Study, and shop her tables, seating and other furnishings on 1stDibs today.
Andrianna Shamaris Monumental Bleached Teak Wood Doors
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful teak wooden doors, retaining their original hardware. Installed as doors, hung on the wall as art, as a head board or dining table. A multitude of uses for this set of rare...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Set of 3 Hand-Carved Mahogany Wabi-Sabi Containers
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Three beautiful containers hand carved from century old mahogany wood. These are all solid wood and are therefore stable to stand in an entry or in a covered area outside. Both usabl...
Wood, Mahogany, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Shell and Teak Wood Door Knob
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
We have taken the flat bottom section of a cone shaped shell and added teak wood for beautiful one of a kind door knobs. We have a collection. Great installed in bathrooms, kitchens ...
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Midcentury Couture Oversized Merbau Wood Container
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the midcentury Couture Collection. A beautiful century old merbau wood bowl taken from my finest collection, is elevated with midcentury style rounded teak legs. Perfect ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Monumental Hand Carved Panel
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
We added an abstract carving to this impressive ancient teak wood panel. Fabulous as a head board, art piece or architectural element. A collaboration with the old and the new. Full ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris St. Barts Bleached Reclaimed Teak Wood Steps
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
These steps were hand made in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty can be found in imperfection and impermanence. It’s a beauty of things modest and humble. It’...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Teak Shutters or Antique Headboard, Circa 1920
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful rare century old teak shutters with unique wood detail from my private collection. We first removed the paint and sanded the wood to a smooth finish. The original hardware ...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Hand Carved Teak Doors, Antique Design, Circa 1940
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique doors with original hardware. We added our unique minimalist carving to these two single panels of century old teak wood. Take...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Palm Container in Reclaimed Wood, Organic Modern
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Coconut palm container with polished exterior. Interior is burned and hollowed out for usability. Great as sculptural piece or planter. Full dimensions; 40″ high x 17″ diameter top x...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Palm Wood Container
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Hollowed out drum container in natural palm wood. Great as a sculptural art piece or umbrella holder. Measures: 28" high x 13" dia top x 9" bottom. Andrianna Shamaris. The Leader In...
Wood, Palmwood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Sculptural Column Base
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful architectural base with hand carved scrolls on each end. Originally used as a base for an interior column, hence the hole in the center. Three sides are bevelled and one si...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Bleached Liana Branch
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful long liana branch. Standing tall in a corner, installed as a handrail or above a bed with a textile. There are many different uses for this one of a kind sculptural piece. ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Ancient Hand Carved Batak Panel or Console Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Ancient hand carved architectural wood panel from Batak, North Sumatra. Originally used from the front side of a Batak house. Traditional Batak houses have many carvings both inside ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Century Old Shutters or Wall Hanging
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful rare 100 year old teak shutters with unique wood detail from my private collection. We first removed the paint and sanded the wood to a smooth ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Architectural Teak Wood Wall Hanging
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Minimalist carving, hand carved from a single piece of teak wood. Works well for an art installation or as a head board. We have a pair. The price and images reflect the ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 23.5 in W 21 in D 18 in
Vintage Woven Rattan and Wood Lidded Basket or Storage Container
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Burmese woven rattan and wood lidded basket from the mid 20th century lidded with strap, perfect to be used as a hamper, storage or toy box. This charming vintage Burmese w...
Rattan
H 49.41 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in
Antique Carved Mahogany Torchere/Plant Stand
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique carved mahogany torchere/plant stand having a mahogany dish top supported by a fabulous carved shaped turned column raised on three shaped cabriole legs with pad feet. An e...
Other
H 12.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA . Late 18th Early 19th Century small water fountain Basin Of Hand Ca...
Stone, Limestone
H 5.25 in W 7 in D 3 in
Miniature Huanghuali Wood Chinese Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Miniature Huanghuali wood Chinese sideboard. An expertly crafted miniature architectural model in Huanhuali wood with brass hardware. A late 20th centu...
Rosewood
H 36.25 in W 19.75 in D 27.25 in
Mid-Century French Louis XIII Style Fruitwood Spiral Library Steps
Located in Dallas, TX
Use this charming vintage fruitwood spiral staircase to organize books or display decorative objects in an office or library. Crafted in France circa 1970, the circular three-step la...
Walnut
Antique Large Oriental Japanese Chinese Bronze Champleve Enamel Jardiniere Meiji
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique large quality Oriental Japanese chinese bronze champleve enamel Jardiniere planter bowl C1920. Would look amazing in the right location. Rare la...
Bronze
H 53.94 in W 21.26 in D 24.02 in
Small size oak wood library staircase
Located in MILL, NL
Gave library stairs / stairs. Early 20th century. Made of oak. Solid and sturdy. Dimensions: 54W x 137H x 61D
Oak
H 118.12 in Dm 61.03 in
20th Century Art Nouveau Style Iron Spiral Staircase
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
20th Century Art Nouveau style spiral staircase from Spain in good condition and easy to assemble. This stair belonged to an old Factory in Spain, that closed at the end of the 2...
Iron
H 117 in W 27 in D 2.5 in
Pair of Monumental 19th C. French Doors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These European antique carved doors are an elegant pair, showcasing classic craftsmanship and historical charm. We recently purchased them from a ...
Brass
H 21 in W 10 in D 21 in
Vintage French Glazed Container
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fleurdetroit presents for your consideration this lovely, french, terra-cotta, vessel.
Terracotta
H 26.19 in W 19.3 in D 30.12 in
Antique Regency 1810 Hardwood & Leather Library Steps Internal Storage & Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Regency mahogany library steps with green leather tops, single drawer and top storage A very good looking and well made ...
Leather, Hardwood
H 20.5 in Dm 25 in
Japanese Bronze Patinated Footed Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Oriental Japanese (19th Century) bronze large jardiniere with a green patina and carp in relief and raise on 4 cloud form feet (Koyoto School; Meiji Period)
Bronze
H 6 in W 16 in D 14 in
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Sink, Organic Modern Design
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful tones in this high quality petrified wood sink. It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified teak logs with such contrasting col...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
H 120 in W 120 in D 2 in
Andrianna Shamaris Bleached Liana Branch
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful long liana branch. Standing tall in a corner, installed as a handrail or above a bed with a textile. There are many different uses for this one of a kind sculptural piece. ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
H 6 in W 16 in D 14 in
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Sink
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful tones in this high quality petrified wood sink. It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified teak logs with such contrasting col...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
H 12 in W 12 in D 2 in
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Wood Door Handle
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful hand carved door handle with original hardware. The patina of the wood resembles stone. We have a pair. The price reflects one. This han...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
H 25 in W 17 in D 16 in
Andrianna Shamaris River Stone Monk
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful expression on this river stone head from Sumatra. Set in a black steel base. This river stone statue was made in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, a J...
Stone, Steel
H 10 in W 44 in D 29 in
Andrianna Shamaris Massive Stone Sink
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Impressive river stone sink from Sumatra. Rare shape and size. The width is 29” at the widest, the center 20" and the narrowest 12" wide. The height varies from 10" to 7" high. T...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
H 6 in W 13 in D 9.5 in
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Bowl
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful petrified wood bowl. We have polished the inside and left the outer layer raw in contrast. As with a diamond, we polish the highest quality fossilized petrified wood, us...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
H 6 in W 13 in D 9.5 in
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Bowl
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful petrified wood bowl. We have polished the inside and left the outer layer raw in contrast. As with a diamond, we polish the highest quality fossilized petrified wood, us...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
H 93 in W 39 in D 1 in
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Wooden Doors
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique panels from Sumatra with original hardware. We dismantled an antique tribal necklace and used the carved wood for the handles. Sold as ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 3 in W 2.5 in L 3 in
Andrianna Shamaris Shell and Teak Wood Door Knob
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
We have taken the flat bottom section of a cone shaped shell and added teak wood for beautiful one of a kind door knobs. We have a collection. Great installed in bathrooms, kitchens ...
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 62 in W 1 in D 26 in
Andrianna Shamaris Teak Wood Temple Door with Shell Inlay
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Andrianna Shamaris temple doors in teak wood. We added the shell inlay by hand for that special finish. Great as a headboard or accent piece. Can also be used as a tabletop. Andri...
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 14 in Dm 24 in
Andrianna Shamaris Burl Teak Wood Planter
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Solid burl teak wood planter. Originally used to pound rice. Great as an art object, container or for a plant. This is a beautiful piece of aged teak. Perfect for inside or outside l...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood