Interior designer Benjamin Vandiver has transformed a Manhattan West Village townhouse into a stunning example of how traditional English character can seamlessly blend with contemporary townhouse charm. The self-taught, New York-based designer, known for his chameleon-like ability to work across different aesthetics from modern bachelor pads to floral designs for LoveShackFancy founder Rebecca Hessel Cohen, brought his versatile vision to this comprehensive renovation project.
The townhouse belongs to Olivia Scanlon, founder of luxury personal styling agency Luminaire, and James Davies, founder of The Thyme, a wellness retreat in the Berkshires. The couple sought a complete gut renovation to bring their home up to date while maintaining its historic charm. Vandiver's approach to the project was deeply intuitive, as he explains: "So much of what I do is my intuition. I wish I had some grand formula, but I don't... I understood her and my instincts were right."
Vandiver's design philosophy was shaped early in his grandmother's Kentucky home, where he first developed his eye for style. "Her house was always put together very well," he recalls. "It didn't grace the pages of ELLE Decor but it was actually really good. I think that just having been surrounded by that style at her home gave me the basic framework for what a home should feel like. I can see her in my work right now." This foundational experience taught him that good design doesn't need to follow a single aesthetic to be successful.
For years, Vandiver struggled with what he perceived as a lack of a singular point of view. "I struggled for a while because I was like, 'I don't think I have a point of view,'" he admits. "But I don't think that's why I do what I do. I'm genuinely moved by all of these different styles." This realization has become his strength, allowing him to work with florals and chintz, sleek and modern elements, and traditional comfortable pieces with equal skill.
The design process began with Vandiver presenting the couple with boards full of color schemes and fabric swatches. To fully immerse himself in the project, he moved his office into the townhouse's parlor level and worked there until completion. Scanlon was impressed by his approach, noting: "Benjamin's brilliance comes from the fact that he is a soul-seeker, so the tenderness and care which comes through in the house is a direct result of him really understanding people and us. He's deep and intuitive, so he manages to translate every detail of a space into a reflection of your inner self."
The final color scheme represented a sophisticated blend of neutrals and brighter accents. Scanlon wanted a calm and relaxing atmosphere but didn't want plain off-white walls. This led Vandiver to choose Joa's White from Farrow & Ball, a muddy beige color that covers the walls throughout the home, complemented by jute rugs from Sacco. He introduced pops of color through carefully selected furniture, fabrics, and architectural elements, incorporating rich tones of saffron, rust, and emerald green, including striking green stone kitchen countertops.
Throughout the renovation, Vandiver paid homage to the family's English heritage through thoughtful design choices. He installed reclaimed oak floors and selected skirted Nickey Kehoe sofas for the living room. "I kept the curtains classic and as English as I could," he explains, using Pierre Frey fabric with Rose Uniacke sconces to complete the look. Among the first pieces he found for the project were a Jacques Adnet oak cabinet and an antique accent chair from Stephané Olivier, setting the tone for the sophisticated blend of old and new.
Vandiver was careful to maintain the townhouse's original charm by preserving key architectural features. He kept the original fireplace mantels intact and maintained the wall panels in the stairwells, ensuring that the home's historic character remained prominent despite the modern updates.
One of the renovation's standout features is the garden level music room, which has become a favorite space for both Scanlon and Davies. The room features lime-washed walls and vintage furniture by midcentury design stars Joe Colombo and Afra and Tobia Scarpa. "James is an audiophile so the room was designed around the custom speakers by OMA and the need to create an environment where the space would encompass these rich listening experiences," Scanlon explains. "I love how much depth there is to that room. It's poetic."
Recognizing that the clients are a young family, Vandiver incorporated fresh, youthful touches throughout the home. The upstairs family room serves as a cozy retreat for television time, featuring furniture covered in a cheerful floral print by Michael S. Smith for Jasper. This space provides a casual contrast to the more formal areas of the home while maintaining the overall design cohesion.
The success of the project was perhaps best captured in an emotional moment Vandiver witnessed after the family's first night in their renovated home. Davies, moved to tears, told the designer: "I didn't know that I could feel like this at home." This reaction exemplifies Vandiver's goal of creating spaces that don't just look beautiful but truly resonate with the people who live in them, proving that his intuitive, multi-faceted approach to design can create deeply personal and meaningful living environments.
