WRITTEN in the STARS

In New York, Michael S.Smith and Andrew Oyen build a new narrative for a 19th-century town house—with a little help from the cosmos.

- CELIA BARBOUR

FOR PARENTS OF SMALL CHILDREN, the idea of waking up in the city that never sleeps takes on a whole new meaning. But one Manhattan family may have found a clever way to lean into the dreamtime disarray: Their newly renovated home is as beguiling as a bedtime story. “It's this very Mary Poppins version of a town house,” says legendary designer Michael S. Smith, who oversaw the redesign.

Smith, who teamed up with architect Andrew Oyen of Ferguson & Shamamian Architects for this project, is known for referring to books and films when discussing his work (he also cited Henry James and The Alienist here). And like the best storybooks, this project is smart enough to satisfy grownups while also delighting kids. Grounded in historical authenticity, it’s sprinkled with adventure and magic: Animals, plants, and flowers frolic among maps, moons, and stars.

It makes sense that Smith, whose projects have included the Obama White House and properties for Shonda Rhimes, would tap into a warmhearted vibe for these clients. He has known the husband since he was five years old, having decorated numerous residences for his parents and even participating in his wedding. Smith also designed the first apartment that the client, a financier, lived in with his wife, a journalist and scholar of the cosmos.