Zanotta House: An Elevated Experiment in Experiential Design

Located on the quaint Cornelia Street in Greenwich Village, the 5,400 square-foot Zanotta House is not just a static showroom of fine art and design, but rather an experiential concept. According to Italian industrial design firm Zanotta’s Sales Director Francesco Secchiaroli, they are creating an experience. “The idea came from realizing that the industry has been presenting itself in the same way for the past few years or so with no innovation. If you go into a car dealership, they’re going to hand you a key and ask if you want to go for a test drive. What we are doing now is offering a simulation of homes, just like taking the steering wheel of a Ferrari.”

New York studio Tihany Design, which is known for pushing boundaries in both residential and hospitality spaces, created the inaugural design for the home. Taking inspiration from the new ways in which we live our lives due to the pandemic, Tihany Design created a hybrid concept to reflect these new working and living needs and relationships.

This former carriage house, which was built in 1912, is now a part of pop folklore as Taylor Swift lived in the house and even wrote about it in her song entitled Cornelia Street. The Zanotta team, which took over the house just this year, spent almost two years renovating the home which also has a steel frame from a previous renovation which is visible from the outside. It is what’s on the inside, however, that really counts, especially when that inside includes rare artwork and fine furnishings. Those from the architecture and design worlds from around the world are often invited to come and explore this haute home for dinners, events and overnight stays.

With rarely shown Zanotta pieces, plus one of the largest collections of Mister Brainwash artwork, special acoustics, and one of the only 22 swimming pools in private residences in Manhattan, Zanotta brings a fun flair to each room which has its own character. Since they are an Italian company, they made sure that the kitchen would be the focus of the house where everyone can gather. The entryway is also conceptual with a welcoming checker pattern while the two main living spaces feel completely different – one makes use of bold color along with a while the space downstairs is softer and smoother.

If you happen to notice the desk in the office, you have exceptionally exquisite taste, as this desk is one of the only pieces of furniture designed by Carlo Mollino. Mollino is perhaps the biggest name in the world of furniture collectors, with most Mollino pieces currently in New York collections. During the pandemic, the Brooklyn Museum of Art sold one of their two Mollino pieces for $6.7 million, making it the most expensive piece ever sold. There is also a living room table by the designer as well as other famous and historically significant furnishings throughout this truly unique house where yes, you can sit on the sofa while you eat.

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