‘A place for the eye to pause’: Ulla Johnson unveils New York HQ

The Manhattan-born fashion designer opens a warmly-hued style sanctuary, created in collaboration with architect Rafael de Cárdenas

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters
A sweeping, undulating sofa in blush mohair velvet, accompanied by two solid lacewood coffee tables – all custom-designed by de Cárdenas – provides a welcoming focal point and comfortable seat in the lounge
(Image credit: TBC)

At a time when businesses in all sectors are weighing up the need for physical space, Ulla Johnson has optimistically doubled down, lavishly outfitting a new lofty, light-flooded Manhattan showroom for her fashion brand. In partnership with architect Rafael de Cárdenas, Johnson has created a new home for her company that reflects her appreciation of artisanal crafts, both global and local, and a focus on natural materials: travertine, marble, wood, brass and plaster, which, says Johnson, ‘all have a tactile energy and a timeless sense of luxury'.

‘Many of the things that were important to me when opening our two stores were also key with this showroom: creating a transportive space that feels intimate and inviting, with places for the eye to pause, and areas for one to occupy that feel residential rather than commercial,' she adds. The 2,100 sq ft showroom, where buying appointments and company meetings will take place, is located in the same building as her existing company headquarters, in SoHo, and a stone’s throw from the label’s 15 Bleecker Street flagship store. 

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

Vintage brass and milk-glass globe Stilnovo sconces and a Rafael de Cárdenas custom-designed sofa wrapped in Dedar Tiger Silk velvet feature in the reception area. The hand-travished doors are by Green River Company

(Image credit: TBC)

The airy interior flows seamlessly from an intimate reception area into a welcoming lounge and expansive showroom, with white oak parquet floors laid in a design to subtly mirror the ceiling architecture. Johnson and de Cárdenas both have a knack for creating ambience from details; for example, walls throughout are finished in hand-trowelled white plaster mixed with mother-of-pearl to create a subtle lustre. 

Johnson chose to work with de Cárdenas for his approach that balances tranquility with modernity. Together they have created a restful sanctuary using warm, neutral tones of blush, stone, sand and alabaster for the finishes as well as the furniture. The space is outfitted with custom-made furniture commissioned from local producers – such as the hand-travished Filipino mahogany screen doors by Brooklyn-based Green River Project – and those further afield, such as Italian tile specialist Sicis, which supplied the glass mirrored backdrop for the accessories display area. Additionally, pieces from Johnson’s personal design collection have been integrated, including a vintage Ingo Maurer bamboo pendant, a travertine Angelo Mangiarotti display table at the centre of the lounge, and a Paul Kingma mosaic coffee table.

‘There is a kind of quiet exuberance throughout,’ says de Cárdenas, ‘yet no detail obtrudes so much as to interrupt the simple breadth and warmth of the overall space.’

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

A miniature lounge area within the showroom features a pair of vintage Gerd Lange for De Sede sofas, reupholstered in Dedar bouclé wool; a custom coffee table in laminated glass and bronze; and a traditional Tuareg bamboo-and-leather rug, reflecting Johnson’s passion for travel

(Image credit: TBC)

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

Pieces from Johnson’s personal design collection have been integrated into the space

(Image credit: TBC)

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

The spacious lounge, with de Cárdenas’ custom sofa and coffee tables

(Image credit: TBC)

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

Bespoke hanging rails are crafted from baroque Opera d'Arte marble posts with satin unlacquered brass rods and honed travertine bases

(Image credit: TBC)

Ulla Johnson NYC headquarters

The space employs tones of blush, stone, sand and alabaster for the finishes as well as the furniture

(Image credit: TBC)

INFORMATION

ullajohnson.com

Tilly is a British writer, editor and digital consultant based in New York, covering luxury fashion, jewellery, design, culture, art, travel, wellness and more. An alumna of Central Saint Martins, she is Contributing Editor for Wallpaper* and has interviewed a cross section of design legends including Sir David Adjaye, Samuel Ross, Pamela Shamshiri and Piet Oudolf for the magazine.