Designer Builds ‘Selfish’ Townhouse Bedroom in Greenwich Village

Interior designer Peter Dunham approached the 2023 Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York with a different goal than most. While many designers create rooms to please a client, Dunham built a space he wanted to live in. He described the project as “selfish,” aiming for a pied-à-terre that would feel connected to the Greenwich Village architecture and the trees outside. The result blends the neighborhood’s green hues and brick colors with materials that suggest a room evolved over decades, not days.

Blending Old and New

The designer focused on a 75/25 rule for the room: no more than 75 percent of the items should be new. Dunham exceeded the minimum 25 percent vintage requirement with a green velvet sofa, a Louis XVI armchair, and a modern French black marble table. Dunham paired these pieces with thinner, wiry furniture like a vintage twig chair and wall-mounted lights. This mix bridges the historic exterior with the modern interior.

Dunham emphasizes that a room needs a balance of what he calls “pudding-y” and “bony.” The “pudding” refers to large, upholstered pieces like the sofa. The “bony” are the thinner, wire-like items. He warns against too much of either, noting that without enough “pudding,” every shape competes. To maintain a cohesive look, he selected a single early Khotan carpet rather than multiple rugs that would shrink the perception of the space.

Window treatments play a critical role in the room’s function and feel. Dunham chose three Roman shades over drapery to save floor space. The original windows are only 10 1/2 feet wide, so he prioritized practicality and precise control over fabric volume. He also covered the walls in a multicolor linen print called Jacob’s Stripe to absorb sound and add depth.

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Dunham selected art exclusively from Los Angeles artists, including James Cherry, David Hockney, and Catherine Opie. He notes that art can transform a room that feels dull before installation. The pieces hung on the walls lift the entire space, bringing all the elements into conversation. He notes that framing is also important, saying, “You don’t want every frame to be the same, and then you don’t want them to be too freaky together.”

Custom touches give the room its character. The bed uses a vintage frame with an English antique textile headboard and a new upholstered panel. Custom shades for the Natan Moss lamps were crafted from a vintage Japanese obi. Dunham also had the Saatva box spring upholstered with the same fabric as the canopy.

Utilizing the Space

The designer selected a canopy bed to maximize the room’s volume. He notes that small spaces benefit from this style. A large bed can change a tiny bedroom into a more interesting area. This decision was based on his own experience with a small apartment. The bed transformed that space from a basic room into something unique.

Art and Personalization

He left the art installation to the very end of the process. The room felt a bit dull before the artwork arrived. Once the pieces were hung, the space came alive. All the elements began to interact. The art lifted the entire room and made everything pop.