Celebrity Hairstylist Harry Josh Created His Dream Country House in New York City
When Harry Josh isn’t styling the luscious locks of Gisele Bündchen or Cindy Crawford, he’s usually hosting friends in his newly remodeled West Village apartment. Building a warm, welcoming space to entertain pals (some of whom are also his supermodel clients) was the chief objective in the gut renovation of his early 19th-century home, which he totally reconfigured to facilitate convivial meals and cozy hangs.
“I have a very active social life,” Harry admits. “I have people constantly visiting and I throw dinner parties and game nights, so it was really crucial to have lots of communal living areas, while the bedrooms could take a back seat.”
Harry opened up the main floor to create a generous kitchen and dining zone, which he infused with a charming European countryside aesthetic. Dusty blue Shaker-style cabinets are paired with vintage knobs, a black farmhouse sink, and a custom steel range hood. An L-shaped marble counter offers plenty of room for prep work, while a wood-panel backsplash is outfitted with a wall-to-wall spice rack. “I use all of those spices because I cook so many different [types of] cuisines, from Indian to Thai to Mexican to Italian,” Harry shares. “[All of those cuisines] have their own set of four or five spice staples.”
Above the existing green tile fireplace hangs Harry’s beloved collection of worn copper cookware, while antique water jugs sit on an old wood bench by the hearth. Nearby, interior designer Kristen McGinnis curated the open shelves with Akio Nukaga ceramics, a vintage Japanese vase, Hedeki Takayama wood bowls, and Go Takagi serving stands.
“My intention was making it look like it had history,” Harry explains. “I have an Italian cupboard from the 1800s and lots of old items that make you feel like they’re worthy of [you just] standing there and just observing. It was my goal that, when people come over, they would never be bored because they would always be walking over to a counter and looking at all my little things. It’s a mini museum, if you will.”
