Inside Designer John Pawson's Minimalist Interiors
John Pawson's stark minimalist aesthetic is remarkably distinct. He avoids clutter and anything "comfy," opting instead for intentional design where every piece of furniture is carefully considered. Pawson and his team have crafted an impressive portfolio for themselves, having designed private homes, galleries, hotels, as well as yacht's decor. The firm has also transformed the interiors of the former Commonwealth Institute in Kensington into London's Design Museum. Ahead, we take a look at some of Pawson's most iconic interior designs from the AD archives.
Pieter Estersohn1/16In the living room of a Manhattan apartment designed by Mica Ertegun, a Martin Kippenberger painting overlooks a Poliform sofa covered in an F. J. Hakimian cotton, a vintage marble-and-chrome cocktail table, and a Charlotte Perriand stool.
2/16The living/dining area features a Jørgen Høvelskov chair (left), a borne, dressed in a blue Scalamandré velvet, by Jill Dienst and Stephen Sills, and circa-1750 Swedish chairs around a Piero Lissoni table.
Todd Eberle3/16A Poul Kjærholm PK24 chaise longue and a Serge Mouille standing lamp in an alcove of a Los Angeles home by John Pawson Ltd.
Photo: Anthony Cotsifas4/16The stone-paved terrace, off the living/dining area, overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey.
Todd Eberle5/16The double-height dining room of a Los Angeles home by John Pawson has floors of random-width oak.
Pieter Estersohn6/16Grouped around the John Pawson–designed hearth in a Manhattan living room are a vintage Milo Baughman rocker, an ottoman covered in an Edelman leather, a Richard Woods cube table, and a vintage swivel chair upholstered in a Loro Piana linen; an Andy Warhol gun painting hangs at left.
Pieter Estersohn7/16Artworks by (from left) George Condo, Mark Grotjahn, and Marlene Dumas occupy the living room of a Manhattan apartment on Gramercy Park.
8/16The entrance hall’s stone-and-metal floating staircase rises above a taxidermy reindeer.
Pieter Estersohn9/16A Manhattan kitchen features an integrated Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, a Miele cooktop, oven, and hood, and Vola sink fittings; the boxing-glove sculpture is by Adel Abdessemed, and the leather stools are by Design Within Reach.
10/16Pawson designed the master bath’s soaking tub and fittings; the counter is a 20-foot-long slab of Carrara marble.
Pieter Estersohn11/16In the dining area of a Manhattan apartment, vintage John Kandell oak chairs surround a pedestal table.
Pieter Estersohn12/16In the master bedroom of a Manhattan apartment, a photograph by James Macari surmounts the headboard, which is upholstered in a Jasper linen blend; the bedding is by Schweitzer Linen, and the striped blanket is vintage.
13/16Sunlight sets Jill and Dan Dienst’s New York apartment—designed by John Pawson—aglow. The living area is furnished, from left, with a vintage Philip Arctander armchair, a sofa by Stephen Sills in a Holland & Sherry wool blend, a Joris Laarman cocktail table, and an 18th-century Swedish swivel chair.
14/16The library.
15/16White onyx walls diffuse light in the master suite. Circa-1740 Swedish table; circa-1920 Alvar Aalto chair; circa-1770 Swedish armchair.
Photo: Pieter Estersohn16/16For the apartment of a gallerist in a Manhattan building designed by John Pawson, MAC II's Mica Ertegun opted for a neutral palette that would not upstage the art on display. A custom-made walnut bench in the living room offers prime views of Gramercy Park; the silk carpet is by Rug Art.