In 2021, against the backdrop of the pandemic, long-term Manhattanites decided they needed a change of pace. The couple, both technology executives, envisioned somewhere that felt far from the madding crowd, but still had a short commute and great schools for their three young children, and a welcoming vibe thanks to walkable streets and friendly neighbors. They found it in the form of a four-story Gothic Revival in the Lawrence Park neighborhood of Bronxville, an enclave that started as an artists’ colony at the turn of the century.
Built in 1907 by architect William A. Bates, the 7,500-square-foot home felt distinguished but not imposing thanks to ample natural light. “With sweeping porches and a stone-and-shingle exterior, the home looked warm and inviting. [It] had the feeling of being built into the boughs of the trees that wrapped around it,” the homeowners, Alexa and Prosper, comment via email. Inside, oak wall paneling and leaded windows contribute to a traditional feel. There was just one problem: The manse didn’t exactly reflect the couple’s personalities.
“Despite the natural light, there was not an airy feel,” says interior designer Andrew Suvalsky of Andrew Suvalsky Designs (ASD), who was called in to reimagine the space. “[The house] needed a younger, fresher approach to bring out the great features. It was Old English, but begging to be brought into the 21st century.” As his cues, Suvalsky looked to the couple’s love for entertaining, Alexa’s proclivity for color and animal patterns, and Prosper’s attention to detail. Above all, the home had to stand up to wear and tear from three kids, the family’s golden retriever, and frequent guests. “A major inspiration was the clients’ fun, exuberant lifestyle,” Suvalsky says. “High glamour, playful, scintillating—that was the mood we wanted for the whole house.”
The result is a sumptuous home that strikes a balance between tradition and experimentation. This dynamism is apparent as soon as you enter the foyer, where a ceiling covered in ultra high-gloss Wedgewood blue lacquer acts as an unexpected counterpoint to restored oak paneling. Ombre sateen Roman shades, wall sconces, patterned benches, and a rug all pick up the blue motif, which appears throughout the other rooms.
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Alexa calls the dining room “a study in contrasts—light and beautiful during the day, sexy and vibrant at night.” Here, a hand-painted wallpaper by de Gournay presents a layered landscape, and a Murano glass chandelier and wall sconces provide additional botanical-inspired flair. “The wallpaper gave us so much information,” Suvalsky says. “Its melon tones, pinks, and peaches are so delicious.”
As though creeping from this main stage, subtle animal references pepper the residence, from tigers in the upholstery in the living room to an understated cheetah-print carpet in the primary bedroom.
Surprises continue around nearly every corner, whether it be custom jewel-toned sofas in the living room or gold-framed photographs of rock ’n’ roll icons in the bar area. “Traditional and bespoke, but with a fun, edgy twist—that was a through line in every room,” says Suvalsky, whose dedication to capturing the family’s essence has paid off. “We’ve lived in the house for two years now, and every time we walk in the door we’re a bit taken aback,” the homeowners says. “It’s just a beautiful, happy place, and we love it.”
