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 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 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 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
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
$5,900 / item
Andrianna Shamaris Century Old 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
18th Century Hand-Carved Jichi Wood Guanyin Figure
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful sculpture realized in China in the 18th century depicts Guanyin, a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. The female form holds a pot in her hands. She appears draped...
Hardwood
$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
1970s John Spielman Modern Wood Organic Tabletop Sculpture
By John Spielman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern Wood tear drop Shaped Sculpture with a black wooden Base, Modern Contemporary sculpture that will get the attention in your room. A truly beautiful piece of art.
Metal
$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
Japanese Woven Bamboo Sculpture by Honda Syoryu
By Honda Shoryu
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entitled "Rhythm", this abstract sculpture was made by Japanese bamboo artist Honda Syoryu (Japanese, born 1951) in 2005. The free vertical form defies the limit of the traditional material bamboo as a rigid medium, and instead displays a nearly impossibly fluidity. Rooted in ages of tradition of Japanese basket weaving, the artist managed to break that ikebana tradition using bending and twisting techniques to create a pure sculptural work. The work is a testament of how traditional craft can be reinvented into modern art form. Signed with carved signature "Syoryu" underneath. The sculpture is displayed on a custom-made stand and can be appreciated from all angles. It comes with its original box and cloth, with label and Japanese inscription as shown. Provenance: Purchased in 2005 from Tai Modern...
Bamboo
19th Century Sculpture of Guan Yu '关羽'
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century sculpture of Guan Yu (??), a guardian deity. Guan Yu (d. A.D. 219), a warrior of the late Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220) renowned for his valo...
Metal
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
Petrified Wood Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A really nice petrified wood sculpture, circa pre-history. Brightly colored tan, brown and cream tones with naturally formed patterns caused by fossiliz...
Petrified Wood
Wood Wheel on Iron Stand
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage rustic wood wheel from a wooden cart mounted on an iron stand. This large hand carved wooden wheel shows natural age splits and texture and will serve as a wonderful piece of...
Iron
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
Modern Design Wood Sculpture
By Sebastiano Bottos
Located in Pordenone, IT
" Pandora " wood modern sculpture. This magnificent wood sculpture will add a mesmerizing decoration in a modern interior while serving as a textural accent in any room. Crafted ent...
Plywood
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
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