By Anne Levin

Portraits by Tom Grimes

It seems incongruous that a young designer juggling several high-end projects in Manhattan and other parts of the world is thriving without a website, computer, television, or access to social media. But David M. Sullivan, named “One to Watch” by Architectural Digest in 2013, is as enamored of an old world aesthetic as he is of contemporary ideas. Originally trained as a sculptor, Sullivan, who is tall and striking, runs a design/build architecture firm on Soho’s Crosby Street. It was the Architectural Digest article that caught the eye of one of his clients, for whom he is renovating a two-bedroom apartment on Central Park South. But nearly all of the work that has come Sullivan’s way has been by word of mouth. His list of clients has included such celebrities as rocker Lenny Kravitz and NHL player Brad Richards. “It’s all referral-based, and we want to keep it that way to protect the integrity of the product and to promote organic growth within the company,” Sullivan says. “I’m interested in working with like-minded, creative individuals who have a vision and want to collaborate. I’m intrigued by their interests and backgrounds—the way they see the world. I like combining my vision with theirs.” Sullivan, 38, grew up in New England on a converted horse farm that his California-based father turned into an antique dealership. He spent much of his childhood learning the trade. His mother, a collector of antiquities, is also a fine art framer and artist. Before moving to New York, Sullivan spent nearly a decade exhibiting his work domestically and abroad. During this time he also traveled extensively and did a lot of rock-climbing, which he credits as a major influence. “Travel continually shapes my view of the world and, subsequently, my work,” he says. “This period in particular really inspired an awe of nature and its infinite forms, shapes, and textures. These naturalistic elements are a signature of my work to this day.” Sullivan worked for a time at Todd Merrill Antiques on Bleecker Street, overseeing the restoration and production of custom pieces. This, he says, gave him the opportunity to explore the market in New York and learn about the unconventional mediums of post-war furniture and design. He established David M. Sullivan Inc. in 2008. The boutique firm specializes in custom architectural build-outs and furniture design, influenced by Sullivan’s degrees in studio art and philosophy. “We follow the design/build model, where we keep all the resources necessary for each of our projects in-house,” Sullivan says. “That gives us a measure of control that is very important in maintaining a level of quality and consistency.” Sometimes referred to as the master builder approach, the design/build model can be an attractive option for homeowners since it streamlines the traditional approach of hiring a designer on one side, and a contractor on the other. With this practice, clients deal with a single entity. It’s a way of working that has a very long history. Among the figures Sullivan admires are Italian architect and designer Carlo Mollino, a fellow climber “who found inspiration in multiple disciplines and through travel,” artist and designer Paul Evans, for “transcending traditional lines between art and design, form and function,” and especially the Antwerp antique dealer, designer and visionary Axel Vervoordt, who follows the Japanese philosophy of celebrating imperfections in nature. “They all challenged paradigms around them to create something new,” Sullivan says. David M. Sullivan, Inc. develops custom furniture and architectural elements for some clients, and entire spaces for others. Current projects include the renovation of the fashion and media company Milk Studios’ flagship location in Manhattan. The project features a 150-foot bronze and walnut monolithic wall. The company is also in the process of restoring the facades and lobbies of two historic landmark buildings in Soho. A duplex on the fifth floor of one building includes a 30-foot-wide beveled bronze wall that conceals a television, fireplace, and ductwork. On the second level, a stone-clad wall divides the master bedroom and bath, which has a copper tub that combines Japanese and French influences. Also being renovated is a penthouse unit in the second building, which will have 20-foot plate glass windows to expose views of downtown Manhattan. Sullivan still travels the world to find materials and salvage, something he watched his parents do as he was growing up. “All of the interiors we do are a combination of found objects, antiques, or pieces I design,” he says. “I often do art curating as well. I was trained as a metal sculptor, but what drew me to this was a desire to create art that is based on experience, rather than just objects.”

When designing furniture, “each item is custom-made for a particular context with a purpose in mind,” he says. “Creativity is borne out of constraints.” His work follows no particular style. “It can range from modern to very traditional; it’s important to me not to be locked into a particular aesthetic.”

Whenever possible, Sullivan draws upon the expertise of local craftspeople, something he feels very strongly about: “The backbone of our business is that we’re really utilizing local people to do what we design in-house. I feel very fortunate to be inspired by master craftsmen who have been working for years to master their skill set. Their acuity combined with our innovation makes for a unique product.” And that, as has been noted, is just one of the singular characteristics that make David M. Sullivan, “one to watch.”