A warm, inviting pied-à-terre infused with the spirit of Provence in the heart of Manhattan

Interior designer Ceara Donnelley, who originally trained as a lawyer, discovered this one-bedroom flat in Manhattan’s West Village more or less by chance while browsing listings. The ground-floor apartment, in a modest brick warehouse building, immediately struck her: the plaster walls, exposed beams, and terracotta floors evoked the rustic charm of Provence, rather than a typical New York space.

 

Ceara approached the decoration with sensitivity to the apartment’s architecture - rather than changing its character, she enhanced it. She layered in antiques, textured fabrics, and personal pieces she collected over time (some shipped from Charleston) to create a warm, lived-in ambiance.

A standout feature is the large courtyard garden, redesigned with help, which brought in light and greenery, reinforcing that sense of tranquility and escape in the city.

For Ceara, the apartment isn’t just a place to stay - it’s been a place of self-care, allowing her space to nurture herself amidst the demands of professional and family life.