The Tribute in Light, designed by Gustavo Bonevardi. Photo by Joe Woolhead.
Twenty years later, Tribute in Light helps New York City heal. Photo by Joe Woolhead.
IN NEW YORK, art isn’t limited to the galleries and theaters; it overflows into the streets, draping itself across the city’s skyline. Architects, artists, social organizations, and New York’s many public agencies each play a hand in building the immersive installations that speak towards some of today’s most pressing topics. New York-born architect and artist Gustavo Bonevardi is recognized for his many public projects exploring the impact local and global crises have on our population, and in New York today he is perhaps best known, along with creative partner John Bennett and lighting designer Paul Marantz, as among the artists behind Tribute in Light, an annual light projection commemorating the anniversary of 9/11. Today managed by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Tribute in Light was conceived with the support of the Municipal Art Society as two beacons echoing the Twin Towers as they defined New York City’s skyline. Though the two light beams don’t represent the actual size of the towers, which were each an acre in size, the gap between the beams and the net acreage the installation occupies is approximate to the size of the towers. “What we’ve settled on is to create not the buildings themselves, but the void between those,” Bonevardi notes, emphasizing “this tension between these two vibrating pillars.” With the beacons of light reminiscing what the Twin Towers represented, Bonevardi adds that, “to my mind, it always seemed like the World Trade Center towers were sort of like a gateway, like a door to the city,” symbolizing open arms to the millions passing through each year. In the 20 years that Tribute in Light has taken place, it has acquired a steadfast following that looks to those lights each year, recalling that same message the towers once represented.
Tribute in Light. Photo by Joe Woolhead.
Yet, Bonevardi hopes that the installation looks less at what was, and more at what could be. The Freedom Tower now erected serves as a new vision for the city’s reception of travelers and immigrants alike. Lower Manhattan on its broader spectrum has transformed from a once “beautiful and haunting” evening ghost town, as Bonevardi describes it, to a thriving neighborhood accommodating both residential and commercial tenants collaborating together to build a culture of arts, activism, shopping, and dining.
Gustavo Bonevardi. Photo by Ann Foker.
“I think that’s what New York is, it’s always fresh and new and vibrant,” Bonevardi notes, adding that when it comes to downtown’s future, “I expect it to be something unexpected. I expect to be surprised somehow. I mean, the city is constantly reinventing itself.” His most recent proposal, Missing, explores what traces the COVID-19 pandemic left on cities through footsteps echoing the many who passed away these nearly two years. Whether through such unexpected displays of resilience or delicate works of art, Bonevardi and the many other artists across New York show that this city champions perseverance and adaptability above all, underscoring what it takes to be a New Yorker.
A new plan to protect Lower Manhattan from rising waters and the effects of climate change was unveiled last week, calling for flood walls, improved stormwater infrastructure, new open spaces, and a drastic reshaping of the shoreline.
The master plan from the Mayor’s Office of Climate Resiliency and New York City Economic Development Corporation aims to defend the one-mile stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery from future storms like Superstorm Sandy and intense rainfall, like the soaking the city got from the remnants of Hurricane Ida last summer.
The plan would dramatically reshape the neighborhood’s relationship to the waterfront — adding more soft spaces to absorb water and extending the shoreline into the East River via a walkway. It calls for a multi-level construction that would add a water-level esplanade underneath the extended shoreline, where floodwalls would absorb waves from coastal storms. Piers and terminals for the NYC Ferry would also be reinforced.
The problem the plan is addressing is one that much of the borough, and the city, is facing in the climate crisis: Manhattan is made of hard surfaces, which give rain and floodwaters nowhere to go. The new plan would fix that via new stormwater pumps and green spaces that sponge up the water while creating coves to protect wildlife.
The project is expected to cost between $5 to $7 billion and would take an estimated 15 to 20 years to design and build. That’s already a tight timeline: according to the New York City Panel on Climate Change’s projections, rising tides have long been expected to flood Lower Manhattan on a monthly basis by the 2050s; in another 30 years after that, floods could become daily. Some frequent tidal flooding might occur as early as the 2040s, less than 20 years away.
This master plan is the last link in an overall Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Strategy that has already proposed makeovers to shore up the rest of the tip of Manhattan. This particular stretch of neighborhood holds extra challenges because the built infrastructure — like subway tunnels, roads, and shipping ports — provides less green space and less wiggle room than other stretches of the waterfront.
The plan used input from the Climate Coalition for Lower Manhattan, which includes the Alliance for Downtown New York.
As the holidays approach, design connoisseurs have more grounds to haunt their favorite shops without a twinge of guilt. It’s shopping in the spirit of giving, correct? Whether that giving might entail oneself is a discussion for another day. But this year, we are happy to note that Francophiles will be particularly excited. Emblem Paris—a collection of four French heritage brands—has recently opened its first U.S.-based store in Soho (171 Spring St #2fl).
The intimate boutique space—inspired by a chic jardin in a Parisian hȏtel particulier—showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the Emblem ateliers: Maison Taillardat, (the brand that tasked to create set pieces for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie); Maison Craman-Lagarde, a marquetry specialist and master cabinetmaker; Vernaz & Filles, specialist in custom gold leaf work and historic restoration; and Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy, the oldest ceramic factory in France.
While we would love to focus on all four houses, we decided to spotlight our favorite holiday gifts from Emaux de Longwy. The history-laden brand’s enchanting savoir-faire when it comes to cloisonné enamel on faience, or glazed ceramic ware, is completely enamoring.
Boule Coloniale + Bougie (Lemon Insect Collection) by Michaël Cailloux Inspired by 17th century still life’s and Art Nouveau naturalism, Michaël Cailloux created a fertile body of work that includes these finessed beauties.
Pot à Bougie by Nicolas Lequeux Nicolas Lequeux’s “Art Decool” collection showcases stylized and geometric patterns inspired by the Art Deco period, laden with warm colors that recall the vibrancy of the summer months. It notes Emaux de Longwy’s first collaboration with the designer.
Chou Vase by Pierre Gonalons With its swirl of sherbet hues and chic French craftsmanship, the Chou vase by Pierre Gonalons is a delightful gift for art and design lovers alike. Fun fact: The vase is currently on exhibit at the Hotel de Sully (a historic mansion) in Paris, making the gift even more splurge-worthy.
City of Stars by Lukas Works City of Stars evokes the romantic essence of art and its creation, paying direct homage to the magic of Paris and its stars. The artists’ hope was to promote the people who tirelessly fight to inspire us all through the beauty of their work despite the pitfalls of their job.
The Little Prince Oeufs
“The Little Prince” and “The Little Prince and the Fox” decorative eggs not only make for chic stocking stuffers but they pay homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beautiful, poetic tale, immortalizing it forever in enamel.
Decorative Candles
From left to right: The falling snow on a midnight blue background that adorns the Darksnow candle by Eric Hibelot was inspired by Japanese prints, specifically those of Hasui Kawase; The perfect gift for those who appreciate enamels, the Heritage candle features a traditional display of flowers enhanced by Longwy gold; The Happy Face candle by Nicolas de Waël is alluring in its simple, joyous nature.
Bishop Stool The hand-enameled Bishop stool, which India Mahdavi recently festooned in a gorgeous pattern, is available in two colorways: Apple Blossom and PrimaDonna.
Downtown NYC is filling up with the holiday spirit! We’ve included here a roundup of upcoming holiday lighting ceremonies and fun festivities.
*South Street Seaport’s Chanukah Family Fun Day, Nov. 28, 3pm-5pm
Photo: J. Kratochvil.
Festivities begin with the Grand Ice Carving of Menorah Show – 3:00pm – 3:30pm
Indoor and Outdoor Activities and Entertainment – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Families can enjoy a variety of winter themed and Chanukah activities and projects including balloons, coloring books, and donut decorating. RSVP for Chanukah crafts here.
Grand Menorah Lighting – 4:30pm – 5:00pm
Celebrate the start of Chanukah with your loved ones as neighborhood figureheads light the first candle at sundown.
Brookfield Place Luminaries, Nov. 29-Jan. 2
Brookfield Place Luminaries
This installation and holiday tradition features a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of suspended lanterns.Luminaries was created by the LAB at Rockwell Group for Brookfield Place, inspired by the season’s traditions of sharing, giving, and community.
Touchless wishing stations located on the ground allow visitors to send a motion-activated ‘wish’ into the canopy of lanterns above, prompting a magical display of lights and colors. For each wish made and each interaction with Luminaries, Brookfield Place will donate $1 up to $25,000 to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization.
This year, Luminaries debuts Maestro, a new interactive experience that will enable guests to conduct their own symphony. Maestro leverages skeletal tracking technology which allows you to show off your creativity as your own unique light show is displayed in unison with holiday music. The kiosk is an organic form, inspired by an abstraction of global instruments from harps to guitars, and is manufactured by Timbur and made of CNC-milled plywood.
NYSE Tree Lighting, Dec. 1, 2pm-6pm
The NYSE’s Tree Lighting prepares for its 98th holiday season. Head over to Experience Plaza, on the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. The event will feature performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, The Salvation Army Band, Senri Oe, the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Choir and the USMC Toys for Tots Kettle Bell Ringers; holiday-ready companies like Build-a-Bear, Barkbox and Coca-Cola will also be getting in on the festivities-Santa may also be stopping by! Refreshments will be served. The event will livestream beginning 4:15pm. nyse.com
The Seaport Christmas Tree Lighting Block Party, Dec. 2, 5pm-8pm
Ring in the holidays with live music, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, apple cider, and kids crafts the block party will have indoor and outdoor activities open to the public. Schedule breakdown:
Holiday crafts and live music – The Corner, 25 Fulton St. (RSVP here)
Kids’ coloring activities – McNally Jackson Books, 4 Fulton St.
Hot chocolate at Cobble & Co. and hot apple cider from Fulton Stall Market – Cobble & Co., 19 Fulton and St. Fulton Stall Market, Corner of Fulton St. and Water St.
Mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate – Garden Bar, 19 Fulton St.
Hester Street Pop-Up Marketing – 205 Front St. (5:00pm – 9:00pm)
Sip & shop at SJP – SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, 93 South St.
Christmas tree cookies – Funny Face Bakery, 6 Fulton St.
Upcoming Exhibit Previews – The South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
Live music performances – (5:30pm – 8:00pm)
Photobooth with Santa – 8 Fulton St.
Christmas Tree Lighting – 6:45pm
Watch the Howard Hughes Corporation and special music guests light the locally sourced tree and enjoy the Christmas magic.
The Ugly Sweater Party – 8:00pm – 12:00am
Unwind and celebrate the start of the holiday season with specialty cocktails and music from special guest DJ Mel Debarge at Pearl Alley. RSVP free for the Ugly Sweater Party here.
Holiday Lights at Battery Park, Dec. 2, 6pm
Celebrate the fifth night of Chanukah and see the annual tree lighting at Battery Park’s Holiday Lights event! Special appearances by Sing Harlem Choir, PS/IS 276 Advanced Chorus, and you-know-who! Free RSVP here.
Washington Square Park Tree Lighting, Dec. 8, 6pm
Washington Square Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
NYC’s iconic park in the heart of Greenwich Village prepares for the holiday season. There will also be a Meta/Facebook live event, streaming The Rob Susman Brass Quarter along with singalong holiday songs. Santa may make an appearance. Also, there will be Christmas Eve caroling Dec. 24, at 5pm. washingtonnyc.org
The gradual onset of the cooler weather tends to tease the much-anticipated comforts many of us look forward to all year long. From intimate fireside conversations to curling up with a glass of wine or a good book under a lush throw, the enjoyment of the season is only enhanced by the gorgeous colors of the fall foliage from the vantage point of the home.
So when Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams announced their soon-to-come Fall Collection—the New Modern—we waited with delight. It did not disappoint.
Designed with intention, each beautifully crafted furnishing is meant to elevate the way we live—today. It’s the brand’s version of modern, with each piece exuding a warm yet architectural nature that invites conversation and comfort while emanating an understated, yet unavoidable, clean-lined elegance.
To showcase a behind-the-scenes take on what defines the New Modern, we sat down with Allison O’Connor, President, and CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, to get an unvarnished look at the breadth of the collection and some insight into the inspiration behind some of our favorite pieces. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did!
Downtown: How would you describe the essence of the new Fall Collection?
Allison O’Connor, President & CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: Our Fall Collection focuses on warm and welcoming design with an architectural appeal, a blend of beautiful craftsmanship, and timeless style. We’re drawn to elements that both look and feel luxurious—like the deep and generous cushions in our sophisticated Montauk Sectional, so tailored yet still inviting. We’ve also been excited to work with even more exceptional materials this season. Our Hayes Dining Table, for example, is inspired by mid-century Italian design and features a stunning contrast of American walnut and lightly antiqued brass sheeting. You’ll find that a lot of thoughtful, design-driven detail has gone into this collection.
Decorative Pillows.
And at the heart of everything, of course, is customization: We love to see our customers express their own design voice through our brand, whether it’s choosing a favorite fabric from our exclusive Kravet library, or unique details like nailhead and finish.
Downtown: How did your definition of the New Modern inspire the direction of the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Most of us have experienced some major lifestyle shifts recently, and a lot of that has centered around home—how we interact with space at home, what home means for us. We’ve built deeply personal bonds with our concept of home, and at the design level, it has inspired us to consider how fresh, relevant design can elevate the way we live. This is the basis for the New Modern: It’s a deep reverence for living in the present, and for a customizable design that becomes part of the fabric of our homes, part of those memories we make. For us, it’s about creating interiors that are aesthetically pleasing but also support our busy lifestyles and families.
Keane Dining Table & Chairs.
Downtown: The cushions on the Montauk Modular Sectional look incredibly comfortable—while maintaining a very sophisticated yet casual look. What are some of the details that went into achieving the look and feel of the sofa?
Allison O’Connor: We conceptualized our Montauk Sectional to look effortlessly elevated, yet still be an irresistibly inviting place for everyone to gather thanks to its exceptionally versatile design. We love its Turkish corner cushions and deeply angled back—they create a very tailored yet sculptural appearance. We added a wood plinth base to complete the look with an understated foundation, and also offer some additional opportunities for customization with more than 20 wood finishes and over 600 fabrics.
Montauk 4-Piece Sectional.
Downtown: We particularly love the warmth of the Keane dining chair and the beach-vibe sophistication of the Portia Dining Chair (can’t you see this in an expansive Hamptons dining room with views of the ocean?). What do you most love about these two designs and what inspired their shape for this particular collection?
Allison O’Connor: Yes—absolutely, ocean views and all! Our Keane and Portia dining chairs are perfect examples of multifunctional sophisticated seating. Both have a fresh, modern feel that complements almost any style of the dining room, office, entry, or bedroom while enveloping you in an extremely comfortable sit. Keane, in particular, has a modern floating curved back and warm solid-maple wood frame accented with a plush seat and back that can be customized in fabric or leather. And the Portia Dining Chair is a modern slip-covered barrel chair for easy-care dining. With its loose seat and comfortable curved back, Portia is perfect for casual dining settings. And you can customize in a choice of hundreds of fabrics.
Portia Dining Chairs + Vann Dining Table.
Downtown: We are obsessed with pairing the Portia Dining Chair with the Vann Dining Table. What would be your ideal color palettes/finishes when using them together?
Allison O’Connor: I love that style pairing. Portia and Vann nicely balance uncomplicated form with a sophisticated feel. I like dining rooms to feel airy and relaxed, to gather my family and friends and share a meal together, and warm neutrals are a wonderful way to set the tone. For Portia, I’d choose MG+BW exclusive performance linen in Flax, a warm and grounded fabric that’s very family-friendly and also easy to care for. To complement that, I love the idea of our Vann Dining Table in the Weathered Oak finish—it really emphasizes its unique grain patterns from reclaimed wood.
Spindle Chair.
Downtown: We love the height and look of the Spindle chair. What types of frame finishes and fabric choices are available?
Allison O’Connor: You can customize our Spindle Chair from more than 600 fabrics and 40 types of leather, including performance fabrics, velvets, linens, chenille, and boucle. That also includes exclusive access to Kravet fabrics that were previously only available to designers. We also have more than 20 unique wood finishes to work with.
The beauty of Spindle is its exceptional craftsmanship—it features this very classic yet timeless turned-wood detailing, and it evokes a distinctive aesthetic depending on the finish. Choose something dark and smoky like Storm and you instantly have a very dramatic and modern piece or try something a bit rich and warm like Toffee and the chair evokes a very different kind of character. The spindle has unique upholstered details, as well, that add striking contrast against the frame—so choosing any favorite fabric is going to stand out beautifully.
Niles Bed.
Downtown: The Niles bed looks particularly enveloping. Is it as comfortable as it looks? What do you most love about it?
Allison O’Connor: Niles is the ultimate bed to choose for serene, cocoon-like comfort. It’s designed in a curved, overstuffed batwing silhouette with a sheltering headboard and rails that seem to wrap around you. It also features finely tailored seams that bring a level of sophistication without losing its warmth. I think it appeals to an instinctive part of us, almost like a hug. It’s just lovely. And that’s how a bedroom should feel—a sanctuary where we go to relax, recharge, and feel nurtured. If you want to experience our Niles Bed in the most luxurious way possible, customize it in a soft fabric like performance luxe velvet. You might not want to get out of bed in the morning.
Downtown: We love the Margaux Full Swivel Side Chair and its midcentury vibe—what inspired adding a much-loved swivel feature to such a gorgeous chair?
Margaux Swivel Chair.
Allison O’Connor: Our Margaux Side Chair is a much-loved part of the collection, with influence from mid-century Italian design. It’s already a fluid piece of furniture, with a svelte and smartly scaled frame that complements dining rooms, home offices, and entertainment areas of all dimensions. Then we realized that we could bring fresh appeal to this favorite by making it a swivel, so that this chic little accent chair can suddenly, truly, sit anywhere in style. The swivel version features a sleek metal base in two choices of finish, and we created a matching swivel ottoman to celebrate the design.
Downtown: The Tate Dining Table is a favorite—is the oak finish as textured as it looks? How many people can it comfortably accommodate?
Allison O’Connor: Yes, that fantastic texture is actually a striking sunburst veneer pattern over carbon oak. Our Tate Dining Table balances two key elements perfectly—modern minimalism and natural materials—in a very sleek and clean design. It has a tapered central column that you can comfortably seat six people around, so it’s a smart, design-forward choice for a dining room or an open-concept kitchen.
Tate Buffet.
Downtown: The Tate Buffet exemplifies everything we are loving about cane these days! What inspired the use of this material?
Allison O’Connor: The exquisite detail of materiality is centric to our design ethos. Our Tate Collection’s star material is carbon oak. It has this rich, varied texture that adds so much depth and character. The woven cane front of our Tate Buffet gave us an opportunity to juxtapose two very distinctive, natural textures to create a functional piece that feels at once organic and modern while balancing the drama of unrelieved black with some lightness.
Blake Media Console.
Downtown: The Blake Media Console shows a bit of a departure from the rest (at least in terms of the color palette). What do you most love about its place in the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Blake is a bold statement piece. Consoles can easily become the focal point in a room whether they’re staged in an entryway, office, living room or dining area, so we had some fun imagining how color, material and shape all command attention. Blake is built in the style of modern campaign furniture, so it has that inherent sense of functional structure and purpose. And to that, we added striking denim blue and satin brass hardware accents as a way to balance masculine form with a very fashion-forward concept. It’s completely unique in this season’s collection, and we love the personality that it brings to any space.
Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug.
Downtown: The Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug adds the perfect pop of color to almost any design in the collection. What inspired the color palette and what would you pair it with?
Allison O’Connor: It’s a beautiful accent, isn’t it? Hazel is one of the exceptional creations from our partnership with Obeetee, who is world-renowned for handmade rugs and carpets. They share a lot of our values, including respect for artisan craft, natural material, and a sustainable manufacturing process. Hazel is made from extremely soft jute so it’s not going to be scratchy underfoot, and the color palette evokes a cool vintage vibe through desaturated colors in warm, earthy tones. The geometric pattern is very current, but Hazel also has a relaxed feel to it, so it helps to set the tone in a modern casual space.
We love it paired with our Vann Dining Table, which has similar geometric lines and a natural look and feel. Grounding the space around our Montauk Sectional is also a great, harmonious look. But we want people to experiment, too, with their own design vision. Hazel is a very adaptable rug to any space—tell us where you’d put it!
Downtown: What are a couple of your favorite accessories in the collection? We cannot get over the Antwerp Boucle Throw in Camel!
Antwerp Boucle Throw.
Allison O’Connor: The Antwerp Boucle Throw is one of my favorites, as well. It’s so incredibly cozy, and something as simple as a boucle texture adds so much depth and character when it’s thrown over a sofa, armchair, chaise, or bed. Another favorite is our collection of Italian Carrara Marble barware—there’s a set of coasters, a lovely and curvaceous champagne bucket, and a large round serving tray. Carrara has a luminous lightness to it, and very faint striations in the stone. It’s a favorite of ours to work with because it adds such richness to a room without being overwhelming.
We also have a partnership with Lost Art Salon and an exclusive collection that we’ve curated with them that I love. Lost Art Salon brings rediscovered art to the public from history and underrepresented groups, with an emphasis on 20th Century Modernism. Our collection features striking watercolors, prints, and photography—modern pieces that reflect a unique vantage point through the lens of the artist.
Ojai Woven Leather Pillows.
Downtown: What are your favorite elements of the collection and which design would you take home with you today?
Allison O’Connor: I really do love how well our Fall Collection embraces modern design that’s completely approachable. Our Giselle Collection is a perfect example of that—it’s a luxurious statement collection, with gentle curves and an elegant profile that makes for gathering and igniting conversations. And the attention to detail speaks so eloquently to the craftsmanship of our artisans. Yet it’s also warm, generous, utterly comfortable—something you can sink into at the end of a long day without feeling like such a glamorous piece is off-limits for every day. Our furniture is made to be enjoyed. I’d take home everything in the Giselle Collection today.
IN A TOP-TO-BOTTOM RENOVATION of a bay-side A-frame home on Fire Island, Bromley Caldari turned a seasoned beach rental into a sleek, modern hide-out. Rethinking the iconic 1960s A-frame form, architects R. Scott Bromley and Jerry Caldari broke through the envelope of the building to weave a sculptural staircase through the airy three-story structure. Working with local builder Walter Boss, the team made preserving the surrounding natural habitat and pristine views a priority.
photos by Mikiko Kikuyama
The A-Frame home had a spiral staircase that split the center of the home; four cramped, dark bedrooms; a leaky roof; and a cracked pile foundation. It was not the beautifully designed vacation home that is so often associated with Fire Island Pines. However, the architects, builders, and clients saw the potential, and the poolside sunsets over the Great South Bay were spectacular.
Blocking that great view and occupying the heart of the house was the old, six-foot-diameter steel spiral staircase. The clients were willing to sacrifice a bedroom or two to remove that remnant.
photos by Mikiko Kikuyama
With the lot coverage at its limit, Bromley and Caldari took advantage of a local law that permits bay windows to project a maximum of two feet from the building envelope. The new stair would tuck into two large bay windows staggered at different elevations on each side of the house, with a cat-walk balcony off the master bedroom to connect the two sides. Views of the bay are framed at each elevation.
photos by Mikiko Kikuyama
On the main level, of this A – Fram is a double-height living and dining room stretches the length of the window-clad North façade. The open kitchen and house utilities run along the south side. The master bedroom suite has full-height glass sliding doors to take advantage of the view. When privacy is required, the sliding glass doors fog up at the flick of a switch.
photos by Mikiko Kikuyama
Under the peak on the third level is a quiet second bedroom and den, which doubles as a third bedroom when needed. The two rooms are connected by a walkthrough bathroom with a glass shower enclosure on one side and a glass-enclosed powder room on the other. Pocket doors at each end allow for privacy
