Crosby Studios partners Harry Nuriev and Tyler Billinger bring the studio’s signature, rebellious use of color to their new apartment in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Formerly a duplex, the designer duo were drawn to the unit’s pre-established division of space, allowing them to separate their private bedroom quarters from an open living space overlooking the Bowery.
Nuriev and Billinger completely gutted the residence in order to make room for their singular vision, outfitting the space with swimming pool-inspired grey ceramic tiles—made in collaboration with Mumbai-based design studio, Hatsu —married with vibrant ultraviolet furniture and shimmering gold and silver accents. Every element in the space is custom made, including Crosby Studios’ new furniture and lighting collaboration with Hatsu, which is featured throughout the living room.
The collection—floor lamps, chandeliers, ceramic tiles, a dining table set, a bathroom vanity, coffee tables, and a new version of Crosby's classic cubic chair—was incorporated to embody the sleekness of the apartment’s primary color, grey, and complement the ultraviolet’s dynamism. The Hatsu collaboration is joined by selec pieces from previous collections, including Nuriev’s collaboration with Opening Ceremony, a selection of works from his 2017 Design Miami/ installation, as well as signature Crosby Studios furniture.
“I love the combination of silver and gold in jewelry, and wanted to translate that to an interior space,” says Nuriev. “The silver and gold pieces from my collaboration with Hatsu are our home’s pièces de résistance—similar to how jewelry ornaments the body with precious metals, the Hatsu collection accentuates the predominantly grey and and purple interior with new, creating a more complex relationship between color, texture, and light.” “Our favorite color at the time, for us, the violet shade is playful, optimistic, cheerful, and regal,” says Billinger. “If we redid the apartment today, it would probably be neon green, my latest color obsession” says Nuriev.
Home Tour with Harry Nuriev: As you walk in our space you are immediately drawn to our large sliding windows and balcony. I was inspired by a pool when designing the balcony, which is why I covered it with tiles. I wanted to create a sense of separation from the kitchen to the living space which is why I put the purple window - to divide the room. The kitchen is on the back wall allowing for as much living space as possible.
I wanted the room to allow people to really interact so I positioned the sofa to look at the rest of the room. Next to the sofa you have our dining table, which is a part of our collaboration with Hatsu. I really wanted every detail to be thought through. All the fixtures are custom made with Dorf Australia. From the left when you walk in is our spiral staircase. When you enter upstairs immediately to the right is a little reading nook. I love this spot to relax, and sketch. Immediately upstairs you enter the bedroom.
I built a custom shoe rack, which is made of tiles to act as a stand alone wall to divide the large bedroom into two zones, sleeping space, and a large open closet. If you continue to walk to the right of the wardrobe you will enter our bathroom, which is fully covered in custom tile made with Hatsu as well as the bathroom Vanity. I wanted this space to feel open and an extension of the bedroom so I designed a large window which looks out to the wardrobe to open the bathroom up.
