RETURN TO SPLENDOUR

Two design stars took on a decaying but equally starry art nouveau-style mansion in Manhattan's West Village and brought it back to life in the most amazing way

- Mary Weaver

Their previous home was a castle in LA's Hollywood Hills, so it's no surprise to learn that when it came to their next house, prolific design duo Cortney and Robert Novogratz and their family of seven children chose a pink palace this time on the East Coast in the heart of Manhattan's West Village.

'We've returned to our New York roots, and even after more than 25 years of renovating spaces [their own homes and those for clients have been a frequent fixture in Livingetc over the years] the fact that this iconic landmark building is ours is still slightly surreal,' says Robert of the 1826-built house. It had been bubble-gum pink for the last 50 years, attracted much gossip and was owned for decades by West Village eccentric Celeste Martin, a former Rockette (Radio City dancer) and actress who filled it with a merry-go-round of visiting artists and musicians.