THE CAVENDER DIARY

This photo shoot is from Architectural Digest 2 years ago, but my dear friend Mary Jo said that she missed it, and this is one of my absolute favorite spaces….so thought I’d share with all of y’all.

Who lives here? Writer Brad Goldfarb, who’s cooking blog I just devour – the Recipe Grinder, and his partner, Alfredo Paredes—Executive Vice President at Ralph Lauren.

2 talented guys, one timeless apartment.

“This place is amazing,” Alfredo whispered to Brad on the first viewing. After about a year of looking at listings all over downtown Manhattan, the boys had finally found their place.

The building had been a hospital in the 1920’s, and a music school after that. At some point in its hardworking life, the top 3 floors had been converted into apartments. It wasn’t difficult at all for the pair to imagine living there. A 2,500 square-foot penthouse, abundant natural light, extremely high ceilings and, of course, that terrace with the direct view of a historic East Village church…….what’s not to love? But the space needed work to remove the awful “80’s-ness” and convert it into something a little more timeless. Alfredo imagined it as an artist’s garret.  Something that evoked the all the romance of early California architecture. Natural white oak was used – for paneling, built-in bookcases, and cabinetry – raw plaster for the walls, reclaimed wood for the ceilings, and French limestone tiles for the flooring. These elements gave the place an instant patina.

A History

5 sets of double doors lead to the best feature of the whole penthouse……the terrace.

(All Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna for AD)

What did I tell y’all?

Looks like it has a history…..