A Match Made in Heaven

In the concrete jungle, power brokers don't just commission a designer—they audition a soul mate

Kelly Beamon and Jen Derose -- Interior Design, 9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

In New York, it takes a lot to grab someone's attention. And hold it. So if you're going to build, build greatness—whether it's a shrine to hairstyling, an altar of fine dining, or a treasure trove of emeralds and sapphires. Anything short of that? Fuggettaboutit.

"On top of being a true New Yorker, Randy used the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industrielles Modernes in Paris, 1925, as his starting point. His design brought together the history and the future of our company." —Emmanuel Perrin, CEO and president

PROJECT A MIDTOWN BOUTIQUE.

CLIENT VAN CLEEF & ARPELS.

FIRM RANDALL A. RIDLESS.

"We're talking about 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, the most important retail corner in the world. Van Cleef's archives really opened the floodgates for me. Handles on the display cases replicate one on a 1932 evening clutch. The silver-leafed flowers, butterflies, and willow branches on the walls emulate brooches and bracelets." —Randy Ridless, principal and president

PROJECT AN UPPER EAST SIDE RESIDENCE.

CLIENT VALERIE MNUCHIN ROZEN AND MICHAEL ROZEN.

FIRM NATHAN EGAN INTERIORS.

"Valerie's carriage house is like a gallery. But she always said, 'Don't design thinking about the art. I like the dichotomy of classic shapes and modern fabrics, so that's how we dealt." —Wayne Nathan, partner

"There's no place on earth like New York in terms of the energy that propels the city, and Valerie's collection completely lives up to that. It's robust, gutsy, sensual, and provocative, a perfect complement to thoughtful interior design." —Carol Egan, partner

"I grew up always hearing that furniture shouldn't fight the art. Instead, Wayne and Carol persuaded me that the art becomes the windows of a room." —Valerie Mnuchin Rozen, art collector

"We've worked with David for 12 years on residential properties. His interiors are unexpected, sophisticated, and glamorous, yet they still feel like home." —Stephen M. Ross, chairman and CEO

"This project is actually very similar to designing restaurants and Broadway sets. We approach all our projects from the audience's perspective." —David Rockwell, founder and CEO

PROJECT PUBLIC SPACES FOR UPPER EAST SIDE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING 1 CARNEGIE HILL.

CLIENT RELATED.

FIRM ROCKWELL GROUP.

"Ellen and I decided early on that this floor would be a more 'grown-up' interpretation of Nickelodeon, right down to the dark-stained maple floor. I was constantly challenged to be as creative as the end users and to approach office design with new perspective." —Kimberly Sacramone, principal and design director

PROJECT THE MIDTOWN OFFICE OF NICKELODEON.

CLIENT MTV NETWORKS.

FIRM HLW.

"The original Nick floors were designed 15 years ago, with kids as the center of the aesthetic. HLW addressed the needs of the adults working here." —Ellen Albert, Viacom senior vice president/core services MTV Networks

PROJECT A MIDTOWN SALON AND SPA.

CLIENT FRÉDÉRIC FEKKAI & CO.

FIRM S. RUSSELL GROVES.

"The French slant to Frédéric's business is different. It's sensual and tactile, not hard and aggressive. And Frédéric is very passionate as a person. We have to show him everything." —Russell Groves, principal

"Like me, Russell pays attention to every last detail. He and I also share a taste for elegance and function. We collaborated on everything from the lighting on the main cutting floor to the crackled subway tile in the private men's salon." —Frédéric Fekkai, president

"Typically, corporate fitness centers are underground, but Hearst was receptive to using prime space, with stunning views from the 14th floor." —Mark Morton, design director

"People in the magazine business are an aesthetically discerning group, so the center has a spalike look." —Rose Ross, designer

PROJECT A MIDTOWN OFFICE.

CLIENT HEARST MAGAZINES.

FIRM GENSLER.

"When our employees feel better, they work better, too." —Cathleen Black, president

PROJECT CHELSEA RESTAURANT MORIMOTO.

CLIENT STARR RESTAURANT ORGANIZATION.

FIRM TADAO ANDO ARCHITECTS AND ASSOCIATES.

"Coming from Philadelphia into the New York market, I was gripped by the Rocky syndrome—it was about proving myself. I knew the standards had to be high, so I hired the greatest Japanese chef and the greatest Japanese architect." —Stephen Starr, president and founder

"Stephen is always demanding, but his direction is clear and distinct." —Tadao Ando, principal