How Cochineal Design Transformed a West Chelsea Dream Home

Rip & Tan: Can you share a bit about how Cochineal Design came to be? Any significance to the name?

Cochineal Design: Prior to founding Cochineal Design, I was torn between a career in real estate development and interior design. When I worked for developers I was drawn to the architects and designers–going to Gwathmey Siegel’s office was an early career highlight for me. Later I worked for designers and missed the business and project management side of real estate development. Ultimately I formed a plan to go back to school and then start my own interior design firm. Following graduation from Parsons, I asked my former developer bosses to be my first clients and Cochineal Design was formed. We launched with a W Hotel design project in 2016. 

The artist and educator, Josef Albers, told his students, “If one says ‘Red’–the name of color–and fifty people are listening, it can be expected that there will be fifty reds in their minds. And one can be sure that all these reds will be very different.” This remark moved me because of its simultaneous simplicity and depth. Our company name is an homage to Albers. Cochineal is the bug that produced red extract for dyes until synthetics were invented in the 1850s.

Rip & Tan: From project to project, what’s become a signature Cochineal Design element?

Cochineal Design: If I’m being honest, part of me hopes we don’t have a signature element because every project is client-specific. But perhaps our signature is a bit of subtle irreverence. For instance, in a Tribeca kitchen, we designed an oak herringbone backsplash, a reinterpretation of a tile backsplash. In a West Village townhouse, we chose to line the bedroom walls with suede in place of paper. In a Greenwich Village apartment, we placed vintage sconces along the marble backsplash in place of expected under-cabinet lighting. We like to be design-forward with each project.

Rip & Tan: How would you describe the direction of this particular project? What was the client’s hope or vision?

Cochineal Design: We wanted to reference Lantern House’s iconic architecture as well as pay homage to Chelsea’s art gallery district because our client is a collector. We began with a grid motif, inspired by the lantern window grids and the client’s prized Sean Scully painting (fun fact: you can see Sean Scully’s studio from the apartment’s living room windows!). We also referenced the fluted hardware and glass detail throughout, as seen in the base of the kitchen counter stools and the banding of the all leather dining table. Importantly to align with our client’s interests, many of the new and custom pieces were made by true artists and artisans.

Rip & Tan: In what ways does this home celebrate nature?

Cochineal Design: The Hudson River views help! With any urban environment, we are sure to accessorize with ample vases and urns so greenery and florals can warm the space. 

Rip & Tan: In the framework of this specific space, can you walk us through your approach to simplicity and timelessness in interiors?  

Cochineal Design: Rather than lean on current trends, we sourced from a variety of makers, showrooms and vintage galleries to mix simple silhouettes with standout pieces. Above all, mixing time periods creates a timeless effect. When layering all these components together, it’s important to know when to stop. Refining and editing are crucial steps to simplifying a space.

Rip & Tan: From finishes to pieces of furniture, can you share a few of your favorite details?

Cochineal Design: Every rug in this apartment is silk. A privileged selection for sure, but extra special here because the natural light throughout highlights the texture. The rugs almost dance in the sunlight. I also love the leather dining table. Our client is fashion-forward and the table totally suits her.

Rip & Tan: Can you share some highlights from the design process? Any road bumps?

Cochineal Design: Our client is also Parsons-trained so right from the start we had this easy, collaborative partnership like we’d worked together before. We understood each other’s references and respected each other’s points of view. Decisions were made quickly and we finished ahead of schedule. It was really fun! I’d love to work with her again.

One memorable hiccup involves our client’s cat who took to the living room’s drapery wand like a toy, scratching the beautiful Holland & Sherry wool fabric. We offered to remake the drapes and have them automated, however, our client politely declined because she loves her cat and her cat loves the game. It shows how personal every home truly is. 

Rip & Tan: How does flow play into this space? 

Cochineal Design: The apartment is open-concept which is a blessing and a curse for designers. The blessing is there is a lot of flexibility with space planning. The curse is you can see everything everywhere all at once. We like our spaces to have a focus so your eye knows where to look. We diagrammed sightlines and circulation to accomplish this and used pedestal moments as tools to direct the eye.