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.
Hand Carved Teak Cabinet by Andrianna Shamaris, Wabi Sabi, Circa 1900
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Impressive rare hand carved teak cabinet from the island of Madura. The beautiful patina and thickness of the wood is incredible. This unique cabin...
Metal
Andrianna Shamaris Cracked Resin Teak Wood Panel
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Reclaimed live edge teak panel with added aqua cracked resin. This 2.5” thick single panel can be used as a console or as a shelf. The Cracked Resin collection is a revolutionary li...
Resin, Wood, Teak
Andrianna Shamaris St. Barts Teak Wood Bench or Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Reclaimed bleached teak wood bench. This solid bench can also be used as a shelf. Also available charred or natural teak wood. The St. Barts ...
Wood, Teak
Andrianna Shamaris St. Barts Bench, Reclaimed Teak Wood Design
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Reclaimed bleached teak wood bench. This solid bench can also be used as a shelf. Perfect for inside or outside living. The St. Barts Colle...
Wood, Teak
H 24.41 in W 16.54 in D 11.42 in
19th Century Corner Shelf, in Solid Walnut Hand-Carved, Restored Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th century corner shelf, in solid walnut hand-carved, restored and wax finished Measure in cm: H 62 x W 42 x D Ang. 29 x 29.
Walnut
H 4.5 in W 21 in D 8.62 in
Italian Designer, Wall Mounted Console, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan wall mounted console designed and produced by a Italian designer, Italy, 1950s.
Bamboo, Rattan
H 5.5 in W 31.5 in D 17.5 in
Adnet Style Saddle Stitched Leather Cantilevered Wall Console
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Hanover, MA
A wall console wrapped in saddle leather supported by two L shaped brackets with a top stitch detail in the manner of Jacques Adnet. One drawer with a piece of leather serving as the...
Leather
H 13.78 in W 39.38 in D 13.78 in
Vodo bench, in oak and metal, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces, sculptures that become a bench, a bookcase, a bedside table or a consolle. Elementary forms inspired by architectural shapes...
Sheet Metal
H 34.65 in W 72.84 in D 28.35 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Primitive Cabinet / Sideboard Tansu / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Overview A masterful blend of historical resonance and rustic minimalism, this one-of-a-kind primitive cabinet is a testament to timeless Japanese craftsmanship. The centerpiece of t...
Cedar, Pine, Reclaimed Wood
H 23.63 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1920s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Antique Japanese tansu cabinet crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century). The sliding doors are made o...
Wood
H 34.65 in W 32.88 in D 18.12 in
Japanese Vintage Modern Cabinet 1920-1940s / Tansu / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese wooden cabinet, believed to date from the early Showa period, circa 1920s to 1940s. The cabinet is made from keyaki, Japanese zelkova wood, a highly valued h...
Wood
H 50.01 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old large Tansu made in Japan. This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The material used is cedar wood. The iron metal fittings in the center add an...
Iron
H 13.78 in W 39.38 in D 13.78 in
Vodo bench, in oak and metal, by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Vodo is a collection made up of folded sheet metal structures and solid wood shelves fixed by a joint. Whether it is our bench, stool, console or bookcase, Vodo will be perfect for any environment thanks to its clean line and lightness. Vodo is a line of furniture redefining internal landscapes. Objects made of bent sheets of metal, recalling voids like windows opened towards inhabited spaces...
Sheet Metal
H 8 in W 3 in D 12 in
Set Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Brass Cityscape Shelf Brackets Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning set signed Paul Evans for Directional shelf brackets or console tables. The glass is not pictured but is included and is 12" w x 48" l and is brand new. This set is truly fa...
Brass, Chrome
H 33.27 in W 34.65 in D 14.97 in
Japanese Antique Cabinet with Hand-Applied Washi Paper Doors / Tansu / Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This cabinet dates to the Meiji period (1868–1912) in Japan and has been reimagined through a restrained contemporary intervention. The original wooden sliding doors have been caref...
Cedar, Paper
H 47.45 in W 66.34 in D 17.72 in
Japanese Antique Large Tansu / Cabinet Sideboard / 1868-1912s / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Japanese Wooden Cabinet with Reversible Sliding Doors and Aged Paper Patina A large Japanese wooden cabinet with reversible sliding doors, offering two distinct expressions within a...
Cedar, Paper
H 20 in W 30 in D 16 in
Antique Blanket Chest by Andrianna Shamaris, Rustic Reclaimed Wood
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique blanket chest with beautiful remnants of the original color. The original hardware is intact. Used to store handwoven blankets from Sumatra. Circa 1950. This blanket chest w...
Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Paint
H 54.5 in W 13 in D 15 in
Andrianna Shamaris Log Style Teak Wood Charred Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
An impressive fallen teak log is hand carved into this beautiful display shelf whilst respecting the natural organic wood. The entire piece is cut from one log with no joins. Charred...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 19.5 in W 7 in D 65 in
Andrianna Shamaris St. Barts Teak Wood Bench or Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Reclaimed bleached teak wood bench. This solid bench can also be used as a shelf. Perfect for inside or outside living. The St. Barts Colle...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 13 in W 8 in D 81 in
Andrianna Shamaris Antique Bench
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique bench or shelf. This bench was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty can be found in imperfection and impermanence. It’s a beauty of things...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 17.5 in W 7.5 in D 75 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Bench
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand carved teak bench with nice patina. This can also be used as a shelf. Great for inside or outside living. This bench was sourced in t...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 17 in W 7 in D 78 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Teakwood Bench
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand carved teakwood bench with nice patina. This can also be used as a shelf. Great for inside or outside living. This bench was sourced in ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 63.5 in W 52 in D 12 in
Andrianna Shamaris Live Edge Teak Wood Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Polished reclaimed natural teak wood live edge shelf. Andrianna Shamaris. The Leader in Modern Organic Design™.
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 16 in W 9 in D 50 in
Andrianna Shamaris Primitive Wabi Sabi Teak Wood Bench or Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique natural aged teak wood bench or shelf. Perfect for inside or outside living. This bench or shelf was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty ...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 17 in W 10 in D 79 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Teak Wood Bench or Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique single slab teak wood bench or shelf with beautiful patina and natural smooth erosion. This bench was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 18 in W 12 in D 77 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Teak Wood Bench or Shelf
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique single slab teak wood bench or shelf with beautiful patina and natural smooth erosion. This bench or shelf was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy th...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 17 in W 9 in D 59 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Teak Wood Bench
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique single slab teak wood bench or shelf with beautiful patina and natural smooth erosion. This bench was sourced in the spirit of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
H 17.5 in W 12 in D 40 in
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Teak Wood Bench
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Antique natural aged teak wood bench or shelf. The top is hand carved from a single panel. Perfect for inside or outside living. This bench or shelf was sourced in the spirit of w...
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood