“We’re both collectors and love things,” Josh explains. “Whenever we travel or see an auction that has something special, we’ll incorporate that, and then one thing goes into what we jokingly call ‘the archives,’” a.k.a. Kevin’s family house on his native Long Island. “It’s much more pleasant to surround yourself with things that you have an attachment to than in one shot decorate your apartment.”
The entry corridor, where their art collection includes standouts like a portrait of John Vernou “Black Jack” Bouvier by artist Albert Herter that was previously in the Ralph Lauren Polo store on Fifth Avenue, Henry Kohler works, and paintings that resonate for myriad reasons, shows how the designers maximize potential. The convex Federal-style mirror at the end of the hall was one of the first things they bought together. “This apartment doesn’t have a lot of light, so mirrors are important,” Kevin says. This particular mirror was both a stylish and a strategic choice. “When you look at the convex mirror you’re not seeing a real reflection that’s showing the end of the room,” Josh adds. “It sort of goes on and elongates the hallway.” Constraints are opportunities, after all.
Despite their assortment of blue and white porcelain ceramics (approximately 200 pieces of varying sizes), animal-topped Gucci silver stirrup cups on display in the kitchen, equestrian imagery, and Ralph Lauren tartan fabric repurposed from their wedding to frame the area behind the bed, Josh and Kevin resist adopting the neo-traditional label. “We like things with a little bit more bite to it,” Kevin observes, pointing to the appearance of animals throughout their art and decorative objects, such as the whimsical creature bronze fireplace andirons by artist Marc Bankowsky sourced from Maison Gerard. “They have little shoes on them,” he adds.
