Not far from Eleven Madison Park, New York’s famed three-Michelin-star restaurant, is the art-filled home of its owner and chef: Daniel Humm. The restaurateur and his wife, actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones, tapped Tommy Zung and his New York–based architecture and interior design atelier, Studio Zung, to refresh the pied-à-terre. Situated inside a historically landmarked building, Maison Madison offers reprieve and inspiration, modulated by zones of stillness.
“The most challenging aspect was working within the constraints of a landmarked building while striving to create something that felt entirely personal and contemporary. There is a delicate balance between honoring architectural history and introducing a new layer of meaning,” Zung shared with AN Interior, describing the complexities of renovating the 2,380-square-foot apartment. In lieu of architectural interventions, Zung relied on rich materials, art, and furniture to frame space—which is felt right away.
The entry to the two-bed, three-bath apartment is clad in wood, creating a dark, compressed moment to shed the urban chaos and step into a den of zen. Then, the existing dark ipe wooden floors and Chaux Ferree limewash walls allow colorful art pieces and unique furniture to demand attention.
The kitchen, dining room, and living room are organized in a large, open floorplan, leaving the furniture and art to create distinct separation. In the kitchen, a Carbone stainless steel island and cabinetry pair with softer accents, including chunky wooden stools by Charlotte Perriand and 3D ceramic faces by Yuri Zatarain. Another niche, clad in wood, is set with stainless steel, expanding the kitchen further.
BOOTH’s handknotted mohair rug in a soft white color indicates a new zone, the living room. The rug is met with large abstract pieces of art located on either side of the space: one is Sarah Crowner’s Landscape and the other is a piece by Rita Ackerman. Below the paintings are two plush lounge sets: a circular white Rouleaux Sofa by Jean Royère and a dark purple and wooden daybed by BG Robinson. Alongside these textured pieces is an impressive collection of wooden accent chairs and tables by architects such as Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Balkrishna Doshi.
Reflecting on the deliberate placement of the art and furniture, Zung shared, “Beyond the physical elements, I was influenced by the idea of stillness. I wanted the interiors to feel calm yet intentional, allowing proportion, texture, and show to do the work rather than ornament.”
Studio Zung also uses the views of Madison Square Park as it changes over the seasons. Each window can be viewed as another form of art as it frames the greenery found in the park. Zung said, “Light was treated as a material in itself, with careful attention to how it enters and moves through space throughout the day.”
The family room is seeped in dark maroon limewash walls, met with a textured, abstract Rashing Johnson painting and a custom sofa by Studio Zung, upholstered with Kvadrat. The red design language continues from the family room to the primary bedroom through Jean Royère’s Polar Bear Chair and Ottoman. Studio Zung designed 16 built-in cubbies for the bedroom, each showcasing a neutral-colored ceramic piece. The room also has a rug by Warp & Weft and a primary bathroom finished in white marble.
“Maison Madison is ultimately about atmosphere,” said Zung. “It is a home designed to support creative lives while remaining grounded and serene. Every material choice and spatial gesture was considered in service of balance, proportion, and presence. The intention was not to impress, but to endure.”