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 Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Rare Petrified Wood Sculpture on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Rare tones on this one and a half thick petrified wood slab, resting on a minimalist metal base. Beautiful pale blue veins with a contrasting edge left unpolished. We have a collecti...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Table with Metal Base, Modern Design
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Rare tones on this one and a half thick petrified wood slab, resting on a minimalist metal base. Beautiful pale blue veins with a contrasting edge left unpolished. We have a collecti...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood Slab Table with Metal Base - Organic Modern
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Rare tones on this one and a half thick petrified wood slab, resting on a minimalist metal base. Beautiful pale blue veins with a contrasting edge left unpolished. We have a collecti...
Metal
$5,900 / item
Century Old Antique Rice Pounder
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
The top of an original antique rice pounder taken from my private collection. We added hand cut mother of pearl shell into the center of this beautiful rare teak wood. Great as an ar...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood, Shell
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Metal
$1,800
H 11.5 in W 0.75 in D 15 in
Genuine Polished Petrified Wood Slice with Acrylic Display Stand (6 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful hand polished petrified wood slice is sourced from Madagascar and comes with an acrylic display stand. It has an amazing pattern with vibrant hues of brown, yellow, and orange. Fossilized Petrified Wood, which is also known as Agatized Wood...
Petrified Wood
$900Sale Price|42% Off
H 7.75 in W 5 in D 2.75 in
19th Century Antique Bronze Chinese Sculpture of Three Figures
Located in Miami, FL
Finely detailed antique bronze of three Chinese figures with a wonderful patina. A beautiful and bold conversation piece for any home. Measures: 7 3/4" H x 5" W x 2 3/4" D Delightfu...
Bronze
$2,500
H 8 in W 14 in D 8.25 in
Rare California Purple Coral Specimen Allopora Californica on Asian Wood Stand
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare authentic natural California Purple Coral or Allopora Californica from Catalina Island region mounted on Asian form base, c.1960s. Allopora calif...
Coral
Qing Dynasty Antique Chinese Red Coral Specimen
Located in London, GB
This red coral specimen, with flowing lines and organic form, is a beautiful example of how the work of nature can be, and has been, celebrated as a...
Coral
Petrified Wood n°C Side Table
Located in Paris, FR
SIde Table Petrified Wood n°C. Side table in solid petrified wood from Indonesia. Petrified wood has turned into stone. Trees have been buried for many years under sediment they tra...
Petrified Wood
Natural Petrified Wood Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A natural piece of Petrified Wood set on a stand. Completely organic natural raw fossil, cleaned for display. Appearing as a towering mountain with jutting peaks. To the back sid...
Stone
Pair of Antique Bronze Chinese Officials
Located in Somis, CA
A captivating pair of late 19th-century bronze statues depicting Chinese officials. The left figure portrays an imperial advisor, his full face adorned with almond-shaped eyes beneath arched brows and a pursed mouth, surmounted by an elaborate crown. His hands are clasped together, holding a Ruyi scepter, while he is attired in an open-neck robe. The right figure, an older advisor, shares similar facial features but is distinguished by a long beard and a flat crown, symbolizing his seniority. Clad in a closed robe befitting his age and rank, he holds a jade scepter...
Bronze
Natural Petrified Wood Specimen. #1
Located in Bradenton, FL
A substantial specimen of Petrified Wood that captures the quiet drama of a deep geological time. Weighing in at an impressive 22 pounds, the piece presents as both an organic relic ...
Petrified Wood
Brazilian Organic Modern Abstract Sculpture on Granite Base, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Organic Brazilan modern patinated bronze abstract sculpture on granite base. Unsigned circa 1980s.
Granite, Bronze
Antique Chinese 19th Century Rustic Mounted Ox Cart Wooden Wheel on Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese 19th century rustic ox cart wooden wheel mounted on a custom made black stand. This handmade Chinese wheel is pierced in its center with a rectangular hole reserved for the axle tree. The wheel showcases a great weathered patina witnessing its long use since the 19th century. This item is mounted on a custom made black stepped wooden base. With its rustic presence and nice proportions, this 19th century Chinese mounted wooden ox cart wheel...
Wood
Two Polished Petrified Polished Wood Spheres. Organic Sculptural Accents.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Two Polished Petrified Wood Organic Spheres, Measurements: 6 inches diameter, 4 ½ inches diameter These large and impressive ancient, petrified wood spheres are expertly polished to...
Petrified Wood
Antique Thai Bronze Sculpture of a Dancer
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An antique bronze figure of a Thai dancer. The patinated and gilt bronze surface, all original. In very good condition with original aged finish. The female dancer with traditional c...
Bronze
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Impressive Round Stone Disk on Metal Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique stone grinding disk from Timor. Set on a minimalist metal stand for display. Circa 20th century. Beautiful texture on this large minimalist piece of art. Full dimensions; 40"...
Stone, Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
It’s fascinating how Mother Nature produces these stunning 40 million year old petrified wood with such contrasting and natural patterns throughout. Modern yet with so much history. ...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Teak Wood Rice Pounder
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
The top of an original antique rice pounder. Handcut pieces of mother of pearl shell are carefully inlaid into the teak wood. Great as an art installation...
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Teak Wood Rice Pounder
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
The top of an original antique teak wood rice pounder. Hand cut pieces of mother of pearl shell are carefully inlaid into the teak wood. Great as an art installation grouped, or inst...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Teak Wood Rice Pounder
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
The top of an original antique teak wood rice pounder. Hand cut pieces of mother of pearl shell are carefully inlaid into the teak wood. Great as an art i...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Teak Wood Rice Pounder
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
The top of an original antique rice pounder. Handcut pieces of mother of pearl shell are carefully inlaid into the teak wood. Great as an art installation...
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Petrified Wood on Stand
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Black and white petrified wood slab set on a modern steel base. We source the highest quality petrified wood available. Each piece is hand-selected and highly polished with minima...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Petrified Wood