Manhattan Serenity: The Art of Subtle Beauty
The sofa, a classic English three-seater upholstered in a pale gray linen, serves as the living room’s centerpiece. In the context of Becher’s gallery-like setting, her furnishings appear sculptural. On the weathered pine desk to the right, Becher’s collection of pottery includes pieces by Elsa Peretti and Jonathan Adler.
Written by Robert Leleux | Photographed by Patrick Cline | Art Directed by Michelle Adams | Floral Arrangements by Katrina Parris Flowers, NY
Our product recommendations include items from our sponsors and/or contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission when purchases are made. Rest assured, every item is genuinely chosen by our editorial team.
From Our Archives
Like the rest of the design industry, our team was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Susan Becher on June 3, 2022. In addition to being one of the great PR agents with an impeccable eye for interiors, she was a kind and generous person who championed Lonny when it was a new publication. We remember this shoot (one of our favorites of all time) with tremendous love and affection, and we're excited to be able to share it with you again. For more information about the amazing Susan, check out this piece about her extraordinary life.
Susan Becher’s Upper West Side apartment abounds with engaging collections of art and furnishings. Though her home is a hotbed of activity—it doubles as the headquarters of both her thriving public relations firm and the psychiatric practice led by her husband, Dr. Bruce Gilbert—the space still manages to feel airy and serene. “I’ve always loved beautiful things, but quietly beautiful things,” says Becher. “Objects that, perhaps at first glance, appear plain but on closer examination possess some subtle, special quality. Open my closet, and you’ll find countless variations on the white shirt. But the cut of the shirt, the placement of the buttons—that’s what makes something beautiful.”
With its soft gray walls (“Steven Gambrel gray,” Becher specifies) and ebony-stained floors, the apartment is ideal for showcasing objects of subtle beauty. A collection of contemporary drawings and lithographs, including works by such modern masters as Donald Judd, Chuck Close, and Jasper Johns, is displayed to optimal advantage. These extraordinary pieces—revealing Becher’s appreciation for strong, graphic lines and a rigorously curated color scheme—are given pride of place in the great room, surrounded by comfortable furnishings of tremendous character. The sofa and armchairs are low and inviting, upholstered in a quiet range of gray linen and cotton. A Noguchi paper lamp drifts gracefully over an artfully weathered table. A pair of 1920s French chairs, covered in a handsomely battered leather, lends an air of old-world polish to a tranquil corner of the dining area. Overall, the room balances sophistication and charm, and is equally suited to teeming cocktail parties or curling up with the Sunday New York Times.
As Becher’s career and family have grown, so has her home. Thirty-four years ago, when she and Gilbert first moved into what was then a two- bedroom apartment, the tall, prewar ceilings and abundantly proportioned rooms offered ample space. But, with the birth of the couple’s two sons and the blossoming of Becher’s firm, the apartment began to burst at the seams. In 1983, when a neighboring one-bedroom became available, the couple bought it and connected the two apartments. Then, in 1995, they did the same with the studio next door, clearing the way for Gilbert’s medical practice. In the process, the couple has built a dynamic urban compound, uniting their family and professional lives.
There are particular design challenges to creating a space that balances so many intersecting purposes. It’s possible that such a place could feel disjointed and incoherent. But Becher has elegantly addressed these challenges by decorating the entire space as a single unit, bridging potential design gaps by maintaining a common color scheme and a similar sense of line and proportion. Because of the strength and consistency of the design, Becher’s offices feel as warm and inviting as the light-filled kitchen. Rather than eroding the peaceful aura of her home life, her bustling office has been incorporated into it. And, somehow, even in the middle of Manhattan, the openness of these spaces, their sense of shared purpose, has lent them an almost small-town sweetness. “There’s a nice way in which New York can feel like a small town,” Becher says. “My husband and I have lived here throughout our marriage. Our sons grew up in this apartment. They went to school right down the street and played in the park. We’ve spent our life in this home.”
The living room’s refined palette is punctuated by its black-and-white-striped Madeline Weinrib rug.
I’ve always loved beautiful things, but quietly beautiful things. Objects that, perhaps at first glance, appear plain but on closer examination possess some subtle, special quality.
The geometric grace of Donald Judd’s artwork compellingly interacts with the Weinrib rug and the window blinds. Becher recommends trimming Christmas trees with “white lights and quirky decorations you love ... and collect over time.”
A Noguchi ceiling lamp hovers over the dining table like a column of light. The artfully distressed espresso-stained floor has the visual texture of a Rothko painting. During a 1990 renovation, Becher opened up the kitchen to create a sense of comfort and informality.
Soft gray walls promote a sense of continuity among rooms, as well as providing an understated backdrop for artwork. A rustic bench and a French club chair add texture and character to the space.
Susan’s Tips For Creating A Home Of Subtle Beauty
Live with what you love, but make sure you can stand it if your things get damaged.
Have fun with color, but when shopping for paint, buy small sample cans first and try it out. And always go lighter. Unless you want to go darker, and then really go darker.
A living room should have a big ottoman or coffee table that you can really use and pile things on.
A room is no good unless it has comfortable places to read and plenty of reading light.
Wineglasses without stems are chic and practical and can go in the dishwasher.
A low bed and a lacquered side table create a serene atmosphere with echoes of mid-century Italian design. The piece in the lower-left-hand corner is by artist Chuck Close.
Scenes from Becher’s office. Inspired by a tip from domino magazine, she inverted her color scheme, painting the ceilings gray and the walls white. The shelves, too, have been painted gray to create a sense of depth and spontaneity. The walls are hung with art of the same high quality as found in the rest of the apartment.
Becher extended her subtle design scheme throughout her home. The wide hallway allows for ample storage space.