Paul Wesley and his wife, model Natalie Kuckenburg, transformed a downtown New York loft into a home that merges rare antiques, global influences, and the city’s raw energy. The two-story space, renovated by Wettling Architects, showcases the couple’s preference for unique pieces—many decades old—selected by designer Alan Eckstein of Somerset House.
The Loft’s Design Philosophy
The apartment’s renovation stripped the interior to its bones while preserving its defining features: soaring arched windows and a private roof deck. Wesley, who grew up in New Jersey and spent his teenage years in Manhattan, has long considered the city his second home. When the opportunity to purchase a downtown loft arose, the couple acted quickly.
They hired Eckstein, co-founder of Somerset House, a design firm and gallery in Long Island City. His approach focuses on creating spaces meant to endure rather than impress temporarily. “I’m trying to go the distance as much as possible,” he explained, “where someone can enjoy their home for a very long time.”
This principle guided the apartment’s eclectic furnishings. A pair of 1920s Poul Henningsen pendants illuminate the dining area, while a Noguchi Akari pendant softens the living room light. Vintage pieces set the tone: a 1960s Edward Wormley sofa, Esko Pajamies lounge chairs, and a tiled coffee table by Maison Regain and Robert Deblander.
A Personal Touch
Kuckenburg, who lacks formal design training, drew from her heritage—half German, half Brazilian—to add warmth to the space. “Paul and I traveled to Brazil and incorporated many details from there into the apartment,” she said. Their rescue dog, Greggy, who appeared in their recent wedding, now spends most days lounging on the sofa, her favorite spot.
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Wesley, recognized for his roles in The Vampire Diaries and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, has always valued objects with history. “I’ve always appreciated things that are aged and have a story,” he noted. Eckstein’s skill in blending disparate pieces into a unified whole stood out to him. “He could see how these unique items, some seemingly unrelated, would work together.”
The upstairs suite extends the theme. A 1930s Swedish ceiling fixture, 19th-century Austrian wall hangings, and Ghanaian textiles share space with a rare 1950 side table by Pierre Guariche. The result feels less like a museum display and more like a lived-in collection, each piece adding depth to the apartment’s character.
Eckstein described the project as a reflection of New York’s spirit. “It’s just so New York,” he said. “It captures what the city is—a place where sophistication and simplicity coexist naturally.” The design mirrors that balance, blending history and modernity without pretense.
Though Wesley owns homes in Los Angeles and Austin, the loft serves as his permanent anchor in the city he loves. “It’s always been my playground,” he said. Now, it’s a place he calls home.
For those looking to incorporate vintage elements into their own spaces, repurposing old materials can add a similar touch of history and creativity.