Quarters Emerges as a Symbol of New York’s Design Revival

It seemed for a while that design in New York was losing its luster, with many studios going into remission or scaling back investments into new projects as protection from the fallout of the pandemic. However, after years of creative planning, transformation has come bubbling to the surface, with the results of SANDOW DESIGN GROUP’s successful bid to run NYCxDESIGN bolstering its effects. Amidst numerous exhibitions and launches vying for attention, the unveiling of Quarters emerges as a prominent symbol of New York’s ever-evolving design landscape. Created by Felicia Hung and Nick Ozemba, the founders of the lighting brand In Common With, the 8,000-square-foot space finds its home within a historic 19th-century Tribeca loft.

Quarters is a blend of concept store and community gathering space, styled as a residence. It reflects In Common With’s dedication to purposeful creative connection, combining the intimacy of a private home with the hospitality of a public venue. The space includes a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, bar, lounge, library, and great room, and is designed to host temporary installations, dinner parties, and special events. Each room in Quarters is furnished exclusively with pieces designed or curated by Ozemba, Hung, and their peers. Visitors can view and purchase items on display, including In Common With’s lighting collection, vintage furniture, and decor created in collaboration with artists like Sophie Lou Jacobsen, Danny Kaplan, Shane Gabier, Simone Bodmer-Turner, and Claudio Bonuglia.

Ozemba explains: “Quarters is more than a retail concept; it’s a platform for showcasing our unique view on domesticity and hospitality, and sharing our creative vision with a broader audience. It represents our imagination, values, and ambitions in a tangible form, and it’s an open invitation for others to find inspiration within our world.”

The opening of Quarters also marks the launch of a new collection of furniture, lighting, and decorative accessories. This selection includes Hung and Ozemba’s first series of wood furniture, glass lighting with hand-cut patterns, a ceramic collaboration with Shane Gabier, and a series of hand-embroidered fabric lighting fixtures. These pieces are united by a common visual language, heirloom-quality design, and roots in traditional craftsmanship.

In describing the space’s future, Hung explains: “The creative potential of Quarters is limitless. By welcoming others and fostering our artistic community, it will continue to evolve in new and exciting ways. With each new perspective and collaboration, Quarters will transform again and again, pushing the boundaries of design, expression, and creative connection.”

To stay abreast of the duo’s livable showroom visit shopquarters.com.

Photography by William Jess Laird.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.