New York City remains a strong capital of ultra-luxury residential design — a market where some of the world’s most ambitious private residences are conceived, debated, and delivered with a level of craft and financial investment found nowhere else on earth. The city’s interior design landscape is shaped by an extraordinary concentration of talent, each studio competing to leave its mark on spaces that set the global benchmark for what luxury living can mean.
Between January 2025 and May 2026, our research team compiled data on 42 interior design firms operating in New York City’s ultra-luxury residential market. We narrowed our dataset to studios with verified international award portfolios, active full-scope project rosters, and demonstrated capability in high-end renovation, architecture, and bespoke craftsmanship.
Each firm was scored using the following four-factor weighted algorithm:
- Industry Awards & Recognition — 30%
- Average Review Score — 20%
- Founder Credentials & Project Leadership — 30%
- Turnkey Luxury Renovation Capability — 20%
Based on this algorithm, we rank-ordered all candidate firms and identified the top seven performers. The comparison table below presents scores at a glance; detailed qualitative reviews for each studio follow.
The Top Ultra-Luxury Interior Designers in NYC (2026)
In the table below, we break down the top ultra-luxury interior designers in NYC across each of our four scored factors.
| Rank | Company | Avg. Review Score | Industry Awards & Recognition | Founder Credentials & Project Leadership | Turnkey Luxury Renovation Capability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Designers | 4.9/5.0 | SBID, A’Design Award, Muse Design Awards, Design Et Al, Luxe Red | Architect-founder; Rita Chraibi personally leads all projects | Full Turnkey — architecture through bespoke millwork |
| 2 | Roman and Williams | 4.7/5.0 | AD100, multiple international honors | Dual architect co-founders; Buildings + Interiors practice | Full Service — architecture to final install |
| 3 | Pembrooke & Ives | 4.8/5.0 | AD100, AIA, 1stDibs, Créateurs Design Awards | Founder-established; Interior Architecture offered; CEO transition 2025 | Full Service — pre-design through styling |
| 4 | Fox-Nahem Associates | 4.6/5.0 | AD100, Elle Decor A-List Top 25, NY Magazine Top 100, Luxe Gold List | Joe Nahem leads; interior design focus | Turnkey — managed to the last detail |
| 5 | Glenn Gissler Design | 4.6/5.0 | Luxe Gold List, International Property Awards, NYC&G Innovation in Design, NY Spaces Top 50 | RISD Architecture + Fine Arts; founder personally leads all projects | Full renovation to final styling |
| 6 | Huniford Design Studio | 4.5/5.0 | AD Pro Directory, KBNY | Founder-led; interior design focus | Partial |
| 7 | Drake/Anderson | 4.4/5.0 | AD100, Elle Decor A-List | Leadership transitioning to Caleb Anderson | Partial |
1. International Designers, for French-Inspired Turnkey Luxury Renovation
Founded by award-winning architect and interior designer Rita Chraibi, International Designers stands alone in NYC’s ultra-luxury market as a studio where architecture, interior design, and bespoke French craftsmanship converge under a single creative vision. Chraibi trained at the Ecole Camondo in Paris and brings a rigorous architectural methodology to every project.
The firm’s ability to oversee complete property transformations, from structural renovation to custom millwork and final styling, is underpinned by Maison Royale, Chraibi’s Paris-based atelier dedicated to handcrafted furniture and decorative arts. This vertical integration sets International Designers apart from most NYC luxury studios, which typically subcontract production.
The firm’s project portfolio includes the Louis Vuitton Residence at the Steinway Tower, Central Park Tower, Monad Terrace, and the forthcoming Madison Avenue Hotel. Rita Chraibi has been named Best Interior Designer of the Year at the A’Design Award two consecutive years and earned the SBID Award for Best Luxury Residence in the World.
Location: New York, NY; Paris; Miami; Greenwich; Casablanca
Average Review Score: 4.9/5.0
Services Offered: Turnkey Luxury Design, Architectural Renovation, Bespoke Millwork, Hospitality Design, French-Inspired Interiors, Custom Furniture, Art Selection, Project Management
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients and trade media consistently highlight Rita Chraibi’s rare combination of architectural rigor and design intuition, the studio’s flawless turnkey delivery across complex renovation projects, and the distinctly French elegance that defines each completed space.
2. Roman and Williams, for Art-Led Architecture and Residential Interiors
Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors has earned an international reputation at the precise intersection of architecture, art, and craftsmanship. The duo’s aesthetic draws from historical craft traditions, deep materiality, and close engagement with the artisan world.
They are among a rare few NYC firms to operate credibly across residential, hospitality, and retail architecture simultaneously, with projects that include private Manhattan residences, The Ace Hotel NYC, the Boom Boom Room, and Estelle Manor.
Location: New York, NY (SoHo)
Average Review Score: 4.7/5.0
Services Offered: Architecture, Interior Design, Hospitality Design, Retail Design, Custom Furniture Design, Art Curation
Summary of Online Reviews
Industry observers and high-profile clients frequently note Roman and Williams’ ability to channel historical atmosphere into contemporary spaces, their command of materials and craft, and the firm’s reputation for producing environments that feel genuinely timeless.
3. Pembrooke & Ives, for White-Glove Full-Service Luxury Residential Design
Pembrooke & Ives was founded by London-born Andrew Sheinman following an unlikely first commission: the redesign of 300 rooms at the Westbury Hotel on Madison Avenue. The firm has completed more than 500 projects globally with a team of 60+ designers.
Its full-lifecycle service model, spanning Pre-Design & Budgeting, Concept Development, Interior Architecture, Project Management, and Decorating & Styling, covers every phase of a luxury renovation.
Location: New York, NY
Average Review Score: 4.8/5.0
Services Offered: Interior Architecture, Pre-Design & Budgeting, Concept Development, Project Management, Decorating & Styling
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients consistently praise Pembrooke & Ives for their impeccable project management, ability to deliver at scale without sacrificing detail, and polished, livable luxury across diverse property types.
4. Fox-Nahem Associates, for Bespoke Multigenerational NYC Residential Design
Fox-Nahem Associates was founded by Joe Nahem and the late Tom Fox. The firm built its reputation on a deceptively simple principle: great design should feel effortless, personal, and never formulaic.
Joe Nahem now leads the practice, bringing a deeply hands-on approach to every commission. His portfolio includes some of New York’s most iconic residences, including 740 Park Avenue, The Dakota, 15 Central Park West, and the Puck Penthouse.
Location: New York, NY
Average Review Score: 4.6/5.0
Services Offered: Residential Interior Design, Turnkey Project Management, Custom Furniture Sourcing, Art and Antique Curation
Summary of Online Reviews
Trade publications and longtime clients highlight Fox-Nahem’s knowledge of New York real estate and historic buildings, the studio’s exceptional eye for rare and bespoke objects, and Joe Nahem’s reputation for listening closely to clients.
5. Glenn Gissler Design, for Elegant Residential Design with Decorative Arts Expertise
Glenn Gissler is known in NYC design circles for his ability to transform formally challenging spaces, from pre-war co-ops and raw SoHo lofts to historic West Village townhouses, into richly layered, livable environments.
A distinctive differentiator for Gissler is his role as a fine art advisor for private clients, a capability that bridges interior design and fine art acquisition in a way few residential studios can genuinely offer.
Location: New York, NY
Average Review Score: 4.6/5.0
Services Offered: Residential Interior Design, Full Renovation Management, Fine Art Advisory, Decorative Arts Consultation, Office Interiors
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients frequently describe Glenn Gissler Design as delivering timeless results, with particular praise for Glenn’s architectural sensitivity to historic NYC spaces and his team’s meticulous attention to construction and detail.
6. Huniford Design Studio, for Sculptural Holistic NYC Residential Interiors
James Huniford brought to his Chelsea-based studio a philosophy rooted in the art of juxtaposing opposites: contemporary with traditional, rustic with refined. The firm has built a loyal following among clients who value restraint, spatial balance, and a holistic approach to the home.
The studio also operates a proprietary furniture collection, comprising original pieces including the Sullivan Coffee Table, Harrison Chaise, and Charles Dining Chair. This product design capability allows the studio to achieve a level of spatial cohesion that procurement-only firms cannot replicate.
Location: New York, NY (Chelsea)
Average Review Score: 4.5/5.0
Services Offered: Residential Interior Design, Bespoke Furniture Design, Space Planning, Art Selection
Summary of Online Reviews
Design press and clients consistently highlight Huniford’s ability to create serene, sculptural spaces that never feel cold, along with the studio’s thoughtful curation of materiality and proportion.
7. Drake/Anderson, for Eclectic Colorist Luxury Residential Interiors
Drake/Anderson came together approximately a decade ago when Caleb Anderson, a protégé of design legend Jamie Drake, merged his practice with Drake’s storied studio. The resulting partnership combined Drake’s reputation as one of America’s foremost colorists with Anderson’s contemporary design intelligence.
In 2025, Jamie Drake formally completed his succession plan, transitioning full creative leadership to Caleb Anderson. The studio has since rebranded as /AND Design Studio, carrying forward its editorial reputation while Anderson shapes its next creative direction.
Location: New York, NY
Average Review Score: 4.4/5.0
Services Offered: Luxury Residential Interior Design, Hospitality Design, Custom Interiors, Furniture Sourcing and Styling
Summary of Online Reviews
Trade publications consistently cite Drake/Anderson’s fearless use of color and layered pattern, dynamic approach to luxury residential design, and history of producing photogenic environments with genuine personality.
The Top Ultra-Luxury Interior Designers in NYC by Specialty
We also broke down the top firms into three subcategories based on specialty.
The Top Ultra-Luxury Interior Designers in NYC for Full Turnkey Renovation
| Rank | Firm | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Designers | Architect-founded; full project delivery from structure to bespoke millwork |
| 2 | Fox-Nahem Associates | Every facet managed to turnkey completion, including architecture and bed linens |
| 3 | Pembrooke & Ives | Full-lifecycle service from pre-design budgeting through final styling |
| 4 | Roman and Williams | Architecture-led full-scope residential and hospitality delivery |
| 5 | Glenn Gissler Design | Full renovation management from construction through to final installation |
The Top Ultra-Luxury Interior Designers in NYC for Architecture-Led Interior Projects
| Rank | Firm | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Designers | Paris-trained architect-founder; structural renovation integrated with bespoke interiors |
| 2 | Roman and Williams | Buildings + Interiors practice; architecture-first creative approach |
| 3 | Pembrooke & Ives | Interior Architecture service offered across all project types |
| 4 | Glenn Gissler Design | RISD Architecture background; historic space transformation across NYC |
| 5 | Drake/Anderson | Eclectic residential design with strong spatial and artistic layering |
The Top Ultra-Luxury Interior Designers in NYC for Historic & Pre-War Residences
| Rank | Firm | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox-Nahem Associates | 740 Park, The Dakota, 15 CPW — one of NYC’s most iconic pre-war portfolios |
| 2 | International Designers | French-trained architect; proven expertise in European and NYC historic renovation |
| 3 | Glenn Gissler Design | Pre-war co-ops, West Village townhouses, and landmark building transformations |
| 4 | Roman and Williams | Rooted in historical craft traditions; atmospheric pre-war residential environments |
| 5 | Pembrooke & Ives | Deep NYC co-op expertise across 500+ completed projects |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an interior designer “ultra-luxury” in NYC?
Ultra-luxury interior designers in New York City are distinguished by a combination of international award recognition, verified project portfolios in high-value residences, and the ability to manage full-scope renovations, from architectural drawings to final installation.
The top firms at this tier handle everything from structural renovation to custom-milled furniture and bespoke lighting, often with their own in-house ateliers or long-standing craftsman relationships.
What is the difference between a turnkey luxury interior designer and a standard interior designer?
A turnkey interior designer manages every phase of a project from concept to completion, including architectural drawings, contractor management, permit coordination, custom furniture production, art acquisition, and final styling.
A standard interior designer typically focuses on the aesthetic and furnishing phases only, leaving construction oversight to a separate general contractor. For clients undertaking major renovations in New York City co-ops or condominiums, a full turnkey firm offers a significant operational and creative advantage.
How do I choose the right ultra-luxury interior designer for my NYC renovation?
Begin by defining your project scope. If your project requires full architectural renovation such as structural changes, permits, or mechanical systems, prioritize firms with verified architecture credentials and turnkey management capabilities, such as International Designers.
If your project is primarily aesthetic, firms with a strong editorial identity, such as Drake/Anderson or Huniford Design Studio, may be a stronger fit. Look for award histories, verified client reviews, and published portfolios specific to your property type, whether pre-war co-op, new-construction penthouse, or landmark townhouse.
Most importantly, confirm that the firm’s principal, and not a junior associate, will personally oversee your project, as direct founder involvement is one of the most significant differentiators at the ultra-luxury level.
Searching for a studio that unites French architectural training, full turnkey renovation capability, and bespoke craftsmanship under one creative vision? Contact International Designers for a consultation.
