Wendy Goodman, the design editor at Curbed, selected standout pieces from TEFAF New York that she would incorporate into her dream apartment. Her curated list reflects a refined taste in modernist furniture and sculpture, anchored by high-end gallery offerings.
Goodman's selections center on three key acquisitions. An Alexandre Noll ebony trio tops her wish list. Noll, the French-American designer known for sculptural wooden furniture, crafted pieces that command premium prices in today's design market. Two Giacometti works round out her collection, representing the Italian sculptor's iconic contribution to modernist art. These pieces typically sell in the six-figure range at auction houses and exclusive dealers. She also highlighted a marvelously weathered chair, a statement piece that demonstrates how vintage furniture retains value and aesthetic appeal across decades.
TEFAF New York, held annually, attracts collectors and design enthusiasts seeking museum-quality pieces. The fair showcases dealers specializing in contemporary, modern, and vintage design. For luxury apartment buyers in Manhattan, these pieces signal the type of interior investments that enhance property values and justify higher asking prices. A well-curated collection of mid-century modern and contemporary art influences buyer perception and rental appeal.
For sellers positioning high-end apartments, Goodman's selections underscore the market's appetite for designer furniture and fine art as differentiators. Landlords renting luxury units benefit from similar curatorial choices that attract affluent tenants willing to pay premiums. Dealers at TEFAF report strong demand from international collectors, particularly for verified pieces by established mid-century masters.
Goodman's picks reflect broader trends in luxury real estate. Apartments furnished with museum-quality design command higher per-square-foot prices. Buyers increasingly treat residential spaces as galleries for personal collections. The intersection of interior design, fine art