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New York City apartment hunting is not for the faint of heart, but fashion designer, cookbook author, and tastemaker Peter Som struck gold in 1996 when he stumbled upon a charming one-bedroom in a prewar building in Manhattan’s West Village.
“It was probably the 20th apartment I had seen, and the moment I walked in, I knew this was it. It felt like home,” says Peter, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area.
From the classic proportions and the fact that it was flooded with natural light to the original floors and pronounced ceiling beams, the apartment offered much to appreciate. Plus, it was the ideal blank canvas for Peter, who loved a design challenge.
Rather than decorating in “one big swoop,” Peter put his stamp on the space slowly, filling it with thoughtfully chosen furniture and decor, including pieces from vintage shopping adventures around the world. “I’m of the philosophy that if I love it, I’ll find a place for it in my apartment,” he says. “I don’t get too stuck on themes or time periods.”
Living Room
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
The living room fireplace isn’t functional in the traditional way, but it’s a great foundation for the long walnut mantel.
Coffee Table
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
Plants, stylish trays, and personal keepsakes complement artful books on Peter’s clear glass coffee table.
Dining Room
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
The dining area is open to the living room and features a rosewood table from the 1950s.
Den
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
In the den, Peter chose a custom couch covered in chocolate linen velvet and the durable gray wool sisal rug used throughout the apartment. A woven leather coffee table, a Hamptons find from Mecox Gardens, exemplifies his knack for combining materials.
Antique Desk
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
“The signs of wear make it more appealing and a little bit casual,” Peter says of the 1940s French desk in his den. “I’m not chasing perfection.”
Office Nook
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
Peter wrote his entire cookbook, Family Style, in this office nook, previously the apartment’s kitchen. “It’s a place for me that’s all about imagination,” he says.
Primary Bedroom
Photo credit: Prop Styling: Lis Engelhart; Photo: Mike Garten
When it came to the primary bedroom, Peter kept it chic and simple. One highlight? The vintage Gregory van Pelt lamp he scored on 1stDibs. “The shade is wonky, I know, but I lean into the imperfections,” he says.
After Peter had spent 10 years in the apartment, an opportunity arose that was too good to pass up: A studio next door was for sale. Peter decided to buy it and embarked on a gut renovation with the help of architect Ian Colburn.
He now has the luxury of a 1,300-square-foot home with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious kitchen where he enjoys testing recipes (he’s the author of the cookbook Family Style).
Whether he’s lounging on the couch or entertaining friends, Peter finds comfort in every inch of his city abode. “It really is my sanctuary,” he says.
A version of this feature appears in Good Housekeeping’s May/June 2026 issue. You can watch a tour of Peter Som’s New York City apartment on Homeworthy, a streaming TV network. Photographs by Mike Garten; Prop styling by Lis Engelhart
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