This summer in Newport I was delighted to meet designers Thomas Burak and Michael Devine. I follow both Thomas and Michael on Instagram, and it was such fun meeting them in person… and it was a veritable feast for the eyes to see their exquisite New York apartment featured in the September issue of Traditional Home! Named one of America’s 100 best party hosts by The Salonniere 100, Michael’s book, An Invitation to the Garden, is a favorite. He also has a beautiful line of hand painted fabrics, hand painted Limoges dinnerware, and a recently launched wallpaper collection.
The couple’s 1908 apartment, which showcases breathtaking views of Gramercy Park, the Empire State Building, and the New York Life Building, represents their decorating philosophy – “More is more, less is a bore.” It is filled with classic furnishings and antiques collected from frequent travels to Europe. In fact, there are only four pieces of new furniture in their home – a sofa, bed, banquette, and coffee table. “Antiques bring warmth and character that new furniture just doesn’t,” said Thomas. I couldn’t agree more! The apartment also exemplifies their love for beautiful textiles and trims. “I’m very detail-oriented,” Thomas said. “There’s trim on all our upholstery. It adds a custom look to everything.” Let’s take a look inside this richly layered home… Photography by Brittany Ambridge, text by Mara Boo, and production by Tori Mellott for Traditional Home.
Living room walls are upholstered in custom Italian linen velvet. The diminutive slipper chair hails from the Brimfield Antique Show. Homeowner and designer Thomas Burak reimagined it with red damask fabric and 18th-century gold trim pulled from a textile collection he stores in a closet. A pair of vases from John Rosselli grace the ornately detailed fireplace mantel; the gilded mirror is from a French antiques show.
“Upholstering walls gives them softness and dimension,” Thomas says. “Flat paint can’t give you that natural shading or that touch.”
The hallway features hand-glazed stripes in a custom color.
A framed antique Dufour wallpaper panel stars on one wall. The crystal chandelier is a Swedish antique.
“Color gives a feeling for who you are,” Thomas notes. Conceived to journey from midtones at the entry to what Thomas terms “deep, moody” hues in the living room, grays in the dining room, and finally, lighter, more ethereal colors in the master bedroom, the apartment’s palette is united by a golden glow. “Gold is the common denominator,” Thomas says. “It ties everything together, but allows each room to have its own personality.”
A custom faux-marble finish tops the vintage Baker dining table encircled by Swedish chairs upholstered in tone-on-tone Schumacher horsehair. The shapely banquette is custom.
Hand-painted “Charlotte” (salad plate) and “Thomas” (dinner plate and charger) porcelain dinnerware by Michael Devine Ltd. is accompanied by vintage flatware, St. Louis crystal stemware, and antique Sheffield candlesticks. Custom napkin is by Julia B. Couture Linens.
English Mulberry serveware is displayed in the petite kitchen’s glass-front cabinets.
The airy custom bed is a brushed-metal interpretation of an 18th-century design. Bed cover, skirt, and drapery are “Thomas” by Michael Devine Ltd.
As elegantly outfitted as the apartment’s more public spaces, the master bath features high-gloss custom paint from Fine Paints of Europe on walls and ceiling. Window and bath fabric is “Garden Folly” by Michael Devine Ltd.
Thomas Burak at right, with partner and fabric designer Michael Devine
To read this entire feature, please visit Traditional Home. And for more on the designers, visit michaeldevineltd.com and thomasburak.com. You will also want to follow Thomas and Michael on Instagram, especially now with Christmas coming… Their holiday decor is positively “devine”!
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Now we’re talking! THAT is an apartment. I was already following these two on Instagram. Love their work. So detailed and interesting and luxe. Just what the doctor ordered.
So glad you put this on your blog! It’s nearly over the top and I love it. Can I move in? I can see the parties there -Champagne, anyone?