Bradfield capitalised on the sweeping views of the Hudson River, made possible through floorto- ceiling, wall-to-wall windows, by creating deep window seats and introducing subtle nautical elements. Image Credit: Durston Saylor/ANM
Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone has wowed the world for years with movies such as Platoon, Natural Born Killers and JFK. Most recently, he created the long-awaited sequel to his 1987 touchstone Wall Street. While filming this latest instalment, Stone, whose primary residence was on the West Coast, began spending more time in his native New York.
He was so comfortable back east that he decided to purchase the apartment he had been renting. A full design overhaul was in order to bring this Lower-West-Side home in line with the cool aesthetic of its trendy neighbourhood. Enter New York designer Geoffrey Bradfield. Through his unmistakable flair for contemporary luxury, Bradfield was able to give Stone just what he wanted. We were invited into Stone's home for a rare look.
If there's one thing everyone knows about Bradfield, it's his love of movies and Hollywood glamour, so it is no wonder that this particular project was extra special to him.
"I am a close friend of Jacqueline Stone, Oliver's mother, and have been for many years," says Bradfield. "I met Oliver at her birthday dinner. A conversation about film gets started between us and I told him how in awe I was of the Babylon scenes that he recreated in Alexander. He was given a copy of my book by a mutual friend and that clinched the deal. When I went to meet with him, my book was filled with Post-its tagging the elements that he particularly liked. Amusingly enough, it was almost every page so we were on target from the get-go." Stone feels the same way. "He hit pretty closely at the beginning. Geoffrey is a man after my own heart!" he exclaims.
Fittingly for the man who directed Born on the Fourth of July, the overriding colour scheme in the Hudson River abode is red, white and blue. Since it sits on a lower floor in the building, Bradfield chose to invoke the feel of staterooms on a yacht sailing down the river. Stone was pleased with the illusion of being "on a boat but not rocking." He explains, "I grew up on the East River, so I'm returning to my roots."
Cherrywood floors and bold artwork further the feeling of a luxurious yacht, while sculptures and artefacts from around the world reflect Stone's eclectic taste. Materials and fabrics, although sumptuous, are not adorned with unnecessary frills. Even though the apartment is designed with the utmost attention to detail and fine art, the overriding feel, much like Stone's own personality, is approachable and light-hearted.
While the chrome-and-glass dining table could comfortably seat ten A-List actors, it is most often where Stone spreads out his editing work. A pair of Burmese Buddha hands from the 19th century centre him while he’s hard at work. Image Credit: Durston Saylor/ANM
As Stone pores over new scripts, glancing down at the activity on the piers, two 19th-century Japanese guardian lions sit vigilantly by his side. He also enjoys the company of his prized Oscar for Platoon. Image Credit: Durston Saylor
In the ultimate nod to maritime luxury, the walls of this room are clad in shagreen. The decorative motif on the headboard was custom-designed by Bradfield, and is made from ultra suede and nickel nailheads. The dinosaur sculpture by Sui Jianguo is evidence that even three-time Oscar winners don’t take themselves too seriously. Image Credit: Durston Saylor/ANM
There is no doubting this is the home of Oliver Stone, as posters for films such as Born on the Fourth of July, W. and Wall Street line the walls. A 19th-century Japanese bronze acts as the umbrella stand, and the console and mirror introduce the red, white and blue colour scheme. Image Credit: Durston Saylor/ANM
