6 min read
For years, I walked past a bubble gum–pink stucco townhouse on Waverly Place, in the heart of New York City’s West Village, every day during my commute. But when I arrive one sunny day in August to meet its new owners, the married design and branding powerhouses behind The Novogratz, Cortney and Robert Novogratz, the exterior of the five-story Art Nouveau building is gold. This, of course, is what the Novogratzes do. “We aren’t afraid to take a falling-down building and brighten it up. It can totally transform the energy of the neighborhood,” Cortney says.
Inside, the house is buzzing with color and life. Sitting in their sun-filled bedroom, the couple is completely at ease despite the ups and downs of renovating a 7,200-square-foot, historically designated house during a pandemic, and despite the fact that it’s 9 a.m. and this is their second interview of the day. (Earlier, a television crew came by to shoot a segment for “Good Day New York” launching the couple’s Bed Bath & Beyond collection, items from which are mixed in with antiques and gallery-worthy art throughout the house.)
Maybe it’s because the Novogratzes have been at this design game for a quarter century, never shying away from a product collaboration or complex renovation for their family of nine. “We’ve raised seven kids in Manhattan, and we’ve done so many townhouses here,” Robert says. “We have 25 years of experience on site as the developers, the designers, the decorators, the architects, even the landscapers. We’ve gotten pretty good at it.”
The house has had few owners since it was built in 1826 and was in a state of disrepair when the couple bought it in 2019. “We actually thought it might collapse at one point,” Cortney says, recounting holes in the ceiling, floor-to-ceiling garbage piled in the rooms with a stench to match, and water damage throughout.
Taking it down to the studs, the pair did as much as they could to preserve the original spirit of the property, which was owned for decades by West Village eccentric Celeste Martin, a former Rockette and actress. During the initial demolition, the Novogratzes found layers of vintage wallpaper and used those as inspiration for shades, curtains, and new wallpaper that they designed for their line with The Shade Store. Over time, neighbors stopped by to regale the family with stories about parties, artist salons, and events held there over the past 50 years. “I saw a life of style, passion, and the arts,” says Cortney, who hoped to mimic that festive spirit.
The ballroom, located on the fifth floor, has 24-foot ceilings and a huge arched window overlooking Waverly Place. The Novogratzes added a bright yellow mantel, a baby grand piano, and a vintage sofa they reupholstered in pink fabric (a nod to the former exterior). Above, a roof deck features views of both the Empire State Building and World Trade Center, and the spacious backyard is designed to host parties, big events, and even weddings. “Our son, who is a musician, has already performed up on the roof with his friends. They’re all bringing life and energy back to the house,” Cortney says. “Some of our adult kids stop by weekly for good meals or a clean shower. We want a house where they always feel welcome.”
The three boys still living at home were given full autonomy to design their own rooms, but each of them chose to decorate with products from the Novogratzes’ various collections. (“I was honored,” Mom says.) Which means that nearly all of the linens and window coverings and much of the furniture in the house are from the couple’s own line, The Novogratz, or from their lines for Bed Bath & Beyond, WestPoint Home, and The Shade Store.
In many ways, the Waverly project feels like coming full circle for the family. The first property they ever renovated in New York City, just a little farther north in Chelsea, also had views of the Empire State Building and a yellow facade. It was the spot where Cortney and Robert began their professional journey together and where they brought their first baby, Wolfgang, home. “To some, our life is full and a bit chaotic—but it’s creative chaos,” says Cortney. “When you have a clear vision, you can persevere. It gets bumpy along the way, but it’s an amazing journey.”
ENTRYWAY
Bold wallpaper sets the scene for drama from the start.
The Novogratz’s replicated festive touches from the original home in every corner of the redesign, including the entryway. Green and black checkerboard tile—an icon of a bygone era—anchors the floor, while vintage-inspired wallpaper papers the vestibule.
LOUNGE
Two sets of French doors flood the room with light and open onto a terrace.
Located by the second-floor entrance, opposite the kitchen and dining table, this space serves as a crash zone for any loitering visitors or kids. Sheer drapery from the duo's collection with The Shade Store allows for maximum light while still lending privacy.
DINING ROOM
A well-loved dining table brings a sense of personal history and patina.
The 12-foot-long table at the center of the dining room has been in the Novogratzes’ family (formerly at their home in Los Angeles) for years and now holds pride of place in the dining room. Nearby, an oversized painting by Francisco Larios adds color and a touch of modernity.
KITCHEN
Black accents feel right at home in the urban jungle.
Situated on the second floor, the kitchen is outfitted with everything a pair of passionate home cooks could want, including luxe marble countertops and an expansive La Cornue range.
GUEST BATHROOM
The petite space is packed with a bold, pink pattern.
Gucci wallcoverings are peppered throughout the house, including in the pint-sized powder bathroom typically used by guests.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Period-appropriate details, like dentil molding, restore the room’s grandeur.
Cortney and Robert take meetings in every room in the house, but their bedroom doubles as Cortney’s unofficial office. Large format art, like this painting by Graham Gillmore, covers nearly every wall in the house.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
A standout stone shower doubles as useable art.
The palette in the primary bathroom was inspired by the colors of the backyard trees and plants seen through the windows. An entirely marble-clad shower adds a hefty dose of luxury.
SON’S BEDROOM
Color gets dialed up a notch in honor of the room’s teenage occupant.
Cortney and Robert let their three youngest kids design their own rooms. While they each put their own spin on their space, they also incorporated products from their parent’s many lines as a tribute.
BALLROOM
The most impressive room in the home still boasts hallmarks of a bygone era.
Located on the fifth floor, this 24-foot-tall space is meant for entertaining, just as the home’s former owner used it in the 1970s. A custom arched window by H. Hirschmann mimics the original, while Pluma Cubic chandeliers add softness over the vintage sofa, rug, and chairs.
PATIO
The most impressive room in the home still boasts hallmarks of a bygone era.
Cortney Novogratz drove nearly all of the plants in the backyard from her favorite nursery near the couple’s house in the Berkshires. “I for sure got my hands dirty and wouldn't change a thing,” Cortney said. She worked with friends Rebecca Hewins and Jessica J. Hutton on the landscape design.
About the Designers
Founded by Cortney and Robert Novogratz, The Novogratz is a design company rooted in creativity, color, and character. For over 30 years, the duo has brought their signature style to homes, hotels, and creative spaces across the country and abroad, infusing each project with personality and purpose. Cortney and Robert bring a playful spirit to everything they do, creating spaces that feel as joyful as they are stylish. Their mission is simple: to help you design a home you love living in, one that reflects who you are and how you want to feel.
