Athena Calderone Takes Manhattan

March 10, 2026

Athena Calderone’s move to a historic Tribeca apartment marks a shift toward a more formal, "grown-up" aesthetic. Moving away from her signature Brooklyn style, she collaborated with architect Danielle Siggerud to restore the space’s original grandeur, featuring 13-foot ceilings and rich oak paneling. The renovation meticulously balances European influences—like the Villa Necchi Campiglio—with modern luxury, epitomized by a massive red Kinnekulle limestone kitchen island.

 

In the primary bedroom, Calderone created a serene sanctuary using parchment-style lime plaster and carefully selected 20th-century antiques. A focal point of this refined atmosphere is the inclusion of lighting by Nicolas Aubagnac. These elegant lamps, paired with custom shades, underscore her commitment to high-end craft and the sophisticated "rabbit hole" of design history that defines her new Manhattan home.

 

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      Nicolas Aubagnac

      Nicolas Aubagnac is a French designer based in Paris since 1997. His style associates contemporary design, traditional execution and noble materials. His training and his knowledge of Architecture and Decorative Arts nourish his creations. The artist uses timeless and fundamental geometrical shapes and gives his creations clean lines with beautiful proportions. The materials he prefers are “noble” and rare: solid steel, chiselled bronze, gold leaf, precious wood, straw marquetry, lacquer, leather, parchment, shagreen. These sophisticated materials are assembled with perfection and a certain taste for luxury details. He confides the manufacture of his designs to talented craftsmen who perpetuate the tradition of the Decorative Arts. All his creations are entirely made in France. Every creation is signed by a stamp. Nicolas Aubagnac’s creations are timeless and can easily be mixed with antiques or with modern art.

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