Davy Newkirk and Robbie Rivers were happy living in Los Angeles for many years, until the pandemic changed everything. “We were living in an area that became extreme with crime,” Mr. Newkirk said, “and we just wanted to get out.”
At the same time, Mr. Newkirk, who is in his 40s and works as a celebrity hairstylist — his clients include Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba and Robert Downey Jr. — found his work coming to a standstill. With Mr. Rivers, a marketing consultant in his 30s, working from home, they had few reasons to remain in the city.
Kishani Perera, a close friend and the interior designer who had worked on the couple’s house in Los Angeles. Ms. Perera wasn’t prepared to get on a plane during the pandemic, so they all made plans to collaborate remotely: Mr. Newkirk would be the eyes and ears on the ground, responsible for directing contractors, and Ms. Perera would provide guidance via email, text and daily video calls.
“We wanted it to feel like a midcentury cabin, but with very elevated pieces punctuated with high-end designer stuff, for a little bit of glam,” Ms. Perera said.
Or, as Mr. Newkirk put it: “I wanted it to be very classic New York — because I love classic New York, and this is the first New York property that I’ve owned — but also very luxe.”
sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.