Sky-High Spectacle: Inside Kelly Behun's Art Museum in the Clouds for

“I can’t decide where I want to sit and have coffee because it’s so nice,” the owner says.

When a pair of discerning art collectors from Miami acquired a pied-à-terre nestled on the 53rd floor of a towering Manhattan skyscraper, their vision transcended the conventional. Eager to intertwine their living space with their prized collection, boasting treasures from luminaries like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, and Alex Katz, they sought a design approach that would evoke comfort and warmth, rather than museum-like austerity. Entrusting their vision to the renowned ELLE DECOR A-List designer, Kelly Behun, they embarked on a journey to seamlessly merge artistry with everyday living.

Image Credit: Thomas Loof

“Art, for me, lives in its own lane, and that is not about decorating,” asserts Behun, whose philosophy eschews the notion of relegating artwork to mere decorative elements within a design scheme. This steadfast approach rendered her an ideal collaborator for the collectors, who viewed the placement of their cherished pieces as a profound “labor of love.” One standout example was a captivating large-scale abstract canvas by Angel Otero, showcasing a harmonious interplay of hard-edge shapes intertwined with organic foliage. This masterpiece embarked on a journey across the great room, engaging in a dynamic dialogue with the space, before finding its ultimate resting place suspended in visual harmony above a sculptural brass console crafted by Vikram Goyal.

Image Credit: Thomas Loof

Renowned for her signature blend of inviting modernism, Behun discovered an ideal match in the homeowner, who shares her roots in Pittsburgh. Describing her client as decisive, adventurous, and unapologetically opinionated, Behun acknowledges the homeowner’s unwavering stance while appreciating her openness to alternative perspectives. “She’s decisive, she’s adventurous, she has strong opinions about things,” Behun reflects. “But she’s not unwilling to consider other ways of thinking.” This mutual respect and receptiveness laid the foundation for a collaboration brimming with creative synergy and boundless possibility.

Image Credit: Thomas Loof

Frequent visitors to New York to spend time with their two grown children, the collectors were captivated by the allure of the 57th Street penthouse nestled within the newly erected Steinway Tower, a remarkable achievement in design by SHoP Architects, seamlessly linked to the historic Steinway Hall. “Stepping into our home, the view steals the show,” remarks the client, awestruck by the breathtaking panorama that unfolds before them. The expansive great room offers a majestic vantage point overlooking the verdant expanse of Central Park, while the kitchen and bedrooms boast windows that frame the dynamic cityscape downtown. “Every other element serves as a supporting cast,” adds the client, emphasizing the centrality of the unparalleled views to their living experience.

Image Credit: Thomas Loof

Upon stepping foot into the apartment for the first time, she felt an intuitive pull guiding her towards the perfect placement for each artwork. A Charles Gaines masterpiece, encapsulating an autumnal tree within an acrylic box from his renowned “Central Park” series, found its rightful spot to the left of the great room’s expansive windows, allowing the natural light to dance across its intricate details. Sensing the grandeur of the central entry hall, she envisioned it as the ideal setting for one of El Anatsui’s awe-inspiring tapestries, painstakingly crafted from discarded metal bottle caps—a quest that culminated in the discovery of the perfect piece. Now, this monumental artwork stands in silent dialogue with a small yet surreal portrait by Dalí, depicting a woman enveloped by a celestial halo of clouds, creating a mesmerizing juxtaposition of textures, colors, and narratives.