House Style: Helena Clunies-Ross

British-born Helena Clunies-Ross founded her international design studio, based between New York and London, in 2019. Specialising in high-end residential, hospitality and commercial design, she brings a fine-art background to her work. She is known for blending architecture, art, antiques and bespoke pieces, with a firm commitment to craftsmanship. Featured in Architectural Digest, her schemes are celebrated for their sense of drama. 

Where do you live – and why?
I live in New York. I’ve always had a love affair with Manhattan – that’s what led me here in 2019 to establish my studio. The city satisfies my passions for food, art, architecture, opera and antiques. The momentum and drive to life here are infectious. 

Do you have a signature design style?
My style is rich, layered spaces that seamlessly blend architecture, art and antiques. I favour bespoke pieces, organic materials and a neutral palette, though I will inject a pop of colour to complement a particular detail. I’m drawn to classical and contemporary architecture – you see a marriage of the two in a lot of our work. 

What’s your design philosophy?
Creating spaces that enhance wellbeing through the use of natural light, materials and textures. In a recent Manhattan project, we positioned slim corner screens near the windows to allow light to interact with organic elements such as timber and tadelakt. A Greek-revival townhouse showcased cream stone and grey Carrara marble alongside Crittall and glass in a bathroom.

Which are the pieces on your hit list?
I’d love to build my collection of antiques and ceramics from around the world. I’m drawn to the natural beauty of handmade forms and the stories they tell. Unlike a lot of mass-produced items, unique pieces offer a sense of individuality and reverence. 

Any shops or markets you can recommend?
I love Hudson in New York state – it’s a treasure trove of antiques shops, galleries and boutiques that I frequently visit for inspiration. Les Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen is also well worth exploring, with its winding streets and rare furniture finds. 

Any furniture and textile designers you love?
We’ve used pieces by Pierre Jeanneret in our designs over the years – we love the clean lines and iconic forms. But we predominantly create our own bespoke items, from shelving and screens to sofas and lighting. We recently launched a furniture collection called CALMA for ROOM in New York, which includes a sofa, day bed, coffee table, console, dining table and chair. Each piece celebrates the marriage of raw materials. 

Do you have any original art in your home?
I have several large-scale tonal oil paintings that reflect my personal taste, but I would love to expand my collection. I’m drawn to pencil and charcoal drawings for their simplicity. Recently, I discovered Il Lee, a Korean-born American contemporary artist renowned for his works in ballpoint pen. His large-scale abstract imagery showcases the versatility of a single medium, which I find particularly inspiring.

Which one object would you save from a fire?
My collection of architectural pencil drawings from my travels. They are irreplaceable and reflect my journeys and experiences around the world. 

Is there any one property you’d like the chance to design?
I’d love the opportunity to reimagine a secluded Italian villa on the shore of a lake and transform it into a boutique wellness hotel. It would offer guests a holistic experience – they could immerse themselves in the beauty and serenity of their surroundings.

Which of your projects have you loved working on?
I particularly enjoyed designing the lobby for a boutique apartment block in Tribeca. The challenge was to create a striking entry that retained the original features of this oilcloth factory while making it feel contemporary and luxurious. We used natural materials accented with bronze trims to elevate the space and focused on ambient lighting. A monolithic marble reception desk served as the centrepiece, displaying our client’s antique Japanese pottery. The result was a zen, holistic space that combined authentic elements with a sleek, high-end aesthetic. 

Can you name some key figures who have influenced you?
Christian Liaigre for his elegant, minimal approach to modern design, and Tadao Ando for his masterful use of natural light to enhance architectural spaces. Additionally, I draw inspiration from the Art Deco era – it’s a unique melting pot of cultures and styles.

Finally, what’s the most unusual request a client has made?
To create a Balinese sanctuary in the Hamptons: the client flew in a 10ft marble Buddha that we’re positioning in a forest. 

Helena Clunies-Ross Design

Pictures from top: Helena Clunies-Ross photographed in one of her interior design projects; a loft living space in Tribeca, New York; the master bedroom in a Tribeca apartment; and the kitchen in a West Village townhouse in New York