Within the modern vernacular of new West Village residential buildings, New York City–based designer Purvi Padia’s own family duplex could be considered a wrinkle in time. Underpinnings of classical architecture—from exacting symmetry and sturdy columns to dramatically veined stone slabs—give this 5,900-square-foot space its firmitas, utilitas, venustas (Latin for “strength, utility, beauty”).
“All of these [architectural details] remind me of old buildings in Greece and Rome,” says Padia, who shares the home with her financier husband, Harsh Padia, and their two kids. “To me, the depth and heritage that you find in a more [traditional] space feels more interesting and warm.” The project architect, Alex Nizhikhovskiy, of the Turett Collaborative, a local design studio, attributes this visual texture to “adding an extra layer of detail, scale, and sense of craft,” he says. “Much like you would find in classical architecture, but without feeling too heavy.” This age-old architectural trinity is epitomized in the home’s centerpiece—a voluptuous, curved staircase. In the airy double-height foyer, it rises like a tendril of smoke yet carries as much aesthetic weight as more orthodox ways of making an impression through design.
“There isn’t a lot of color around or art on the walls, so the staircase becomes the main sculptural art piece,” says Padia. “It’s a real focal point that not only draws you deeper into the apartment, but also becomes a touchstone that you can see from almost anywhere inside.” As a board member of UNICEF USA, Padia regularly throws philanthropic cocktail parties in her home for more than 100 people (or seated alfresco dinners on its 2,500-square-foot terrace for up to 60). Perhaps no surprise that she finds design’s influence on the guest-host relationship especially meaningful. “Design is my study, but hospitality is my passion,” says the New York native, who readily channels her experiences visiting hotels like the Astir Palace Hotel in Athens and the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris into decoration that brims with transportive qualities. “There are so many beautiful design elements that seem to be reserved for hotels, but why?”
