Exclusive: Yellow House Architects’ One Wall Street Home

Inside the iconic 1931 Ralph Walker Art Deco building in Manhattan’s Financial District, Yellow House Architects has transformed a model residence into a sophisticated yet welcoming 2,500-square-foot family home. The design channels the spirit of the landmark itself, its sculptural façade, ornate detailing, and abundant natural light, while introducing a modern vocabulary of warmth and elegance.

Curves anchor the aesthetic, from rounded walls to sinuous furnishings that soften the apartment’s architectural bones. A rich palette of textures amplifies the sensory experience: beige suede wallcoverings, black shagreen dining chairs, custom burlwood accents, and handwoven silk rugs together create a layered interior that feels both refined and lived-in.

Light plays the quiet protagonist. Its shifting presence defines the mood throughout the day, with mirrored surfaces and reflective finishes capturing the golden glow of midday and the silvery shimmer of moonlight. The result is a space that feels ever-changing, an interior that breathes with time, simultaneously grounded in history and alive with contemporary vitality.

Key furnishings echo the home’s bespoke sensibility: a custom butcher-block kitchen table by Brooks Custom paired with a Crate & Barrel base; Daiku dining chairs by Victoria Magniant, sourced from The Invisible Collection; plaster lamps by Regina Andrew; and a vintage French Grace Kelly L’Instant Taittinger poster. Completing the composition, Valeria Nascimento’s blossom wall installation from Atelier Corbet introduces a delicate, organic counterpoint to the geometry of Art Deco.

This project captures the essence of Yellow House Architects’ philosophy: weaving heritage, materiality, and atmosphere into spaces that are as evocative as they are livable.

Elizabeth Graziolo

About the Architect

Elizabeth Graziolo is the founder and principal of Yellow House Architects. A registered architect in New York, Michigan, and Florida, she established her firm after serving as a partner at Peter Pennoyer Architects, where she led a range of residential and commercial projects across the U.S. and internationally.

Her portfolio spans townhouses on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, private estates in Palm Beach and the Midwest, model residences in One Wall Street, and a recent renovation in Turks and Caicos. She is also a trustee of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, The Museum of the City of New York, and The Cooper Union—her alma mater.

Recognized by Architectural Digest as “One to Watch” in 2021, and a recipient of the Museum of the City of New York’s “City of Design Award,” Graziolo continues to be a leading voice in American architecture. Through public speaking, publications, and mentorship, she remains committed to elevating the profession and inspiring the next generation of architects.

This gorgeous apartment stands as a beacon of modern yet timeless design in New York City