"You can furnish a room very luxuriously by unfurnishing it," Jean-Michel Frank once said, highlighting his taste for minimalism and his ability to create spaces of refined elegance. This quote perfectly encapsulates the designer's approach to his craft, and it was this philosophy that he brought to his collaboration with Nelson Rockefeller in 1938. As Frank stepped off the luxurious ocean liner, the Normandie, and into the bustling city of New York, he was about to embark on a project that would become a hallmark of his career.
Jean-Michel Frank's journey to becoming one of the most influential designers of the 20th century was marked by both privilege and tragedy. Born in 1895 in Paris, he was the youngest son of a prominent banking family. His father, Léon Frank, was a financier, and his mother, Nanette Loewi, was the daughter of a rabbi in Philadelphia.
Tragedy struck early in Frank's life when his two older brothers were killed during World War I, and his father, distraught by the loss, took his own life. This left young Jean-Michel with a substantial inheritance, which he used to fund his travels and immerse himself in the world of art and design.
It was during the 1920s that Frank began to dabble in interior and furniture design, and his unique aesthetic quickly gained recognition. He favored a pared-down, rectilinear style, often combining luxurious materials like vellum and shagreen with simple forms. One of his earliest projects was a table wrapped in stingray skin, which created a sensation and set the tone for his future designs. He collaborated with designer and cabinetmaker Adolphe Chanaux, and together, they opened a showroom on the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in 1932.
Frank's big break came when he was commissioned to design the apartment of Vicomte Charles de Noailles and his wife, Marie-Laure, renowned patrons of the arts in Paris. He paneled the walls in squares of vellum, furnished the rooms with compact white armchairs, and incorporated straw-marquetry side tables and lamps made of quartz. The apartment became a showcase of Frank's signature style, later dubbed "luxe pauvre" by his friend and mentor, Eugenia Huici Arguedas de Errázuriz, a Chilean heiress and patron of the avant-garde.
It was this refined aesthetic that caught the eye of Nelson Rockefeller, who sought to create a unique interior for his newly renovated triplex at 810 Fifth Avenue. Rockefeller wanted a space that echoed the classical style of Louis XV while also representing his interest in modern art and design. He found a kindred spirit in Frank, who shared his passion for art and culture. The two embarked on a collaboration that would result in a perfect alliance of beauty and function.
"The noble materials used in decoration must speak for themselves," Frank once said, and this belief guided his approach to the Rockefeller apartment. The process began with detailed letters traveling between Paris and New York, as Frank and Rockefeller fine-tuned their vision. Frank created vignettes in his studio, mirroring the size and scale of the apartment, constantly tweaking the layout and details.
He commissioned artists to design custom pieces, including Alberto Giacometti, who crafted a pair of sculptural console tables and gilt bronze andirons, and Christian Bérard, who designed a floral carpet with an Expressionist gouache of abstract flowers.
"The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live," Frank believed, and this collaboration exemplified that philosophy. The result of this two-year partnership was a spectacular interior that blended antiquity with contemporary art. The salon featured oak paneling, Giacometti's gilded tables, and Bérard's floral carpets. The dining room showcased Frank's own designs, including a unique pair of ivory coffee tables and blackened pearwood shelves. The apartment also boasted artworks by Henri Matisse and Fernand Léger, further enhancing the space.
Jean-Michel Frank considered simplicity and tranquility as essential qualities in his work, and this is evident in the Rockefeller apartment. The spaces he created were not just about aesthetics but about evoking an emotional response. "Design must seduce, shape, and perhaps more importantly, evoke an emotional response," he once said, and this is precisely what his collaboration with the Rockefellers achieved.
Today, Jean-Michel Frank's creations are coveted by collectors and admired by designers worldwide. His pieces have become strategic investments, with their value increasing over time. The Rockefeller apartment, in particular, remains a testament to his talent and a high point of his career. The collaboration between Frank and the Rockefellers exemplifies the power of design to transcend time and create spaces that are both functional and artistic.
In the decades since, the world of interior design and home furnishings has evolved, with a growing recognition of furniture as a strategic art investment. High-end interior designers and residential real estate developers increasingly view furniture as more than just functional pieces but as integral elements that enhance the value and appeal of a property. This shift has been driven by a convergence of factors, including the influence of design exhibitions and the role of auction houses in showcasing and selling vintage and contemporary pieces.
The market for collectible design has grown rapidly, with a focus on limited editions, rare pieces, and unique collaborations between designers and artists. This new era of "collectible design" blurs the boundaries between art and furniture, with investors and collectors seeking out signature works by renowned designers. The pieces created by Jean-Michel Frank during his collaboration with the Rockefellers embody this fusion of art and functionality, making them highly sought-after investments.
The concept of furniture as a strategic investment has become increasingly prominent, with investors recognizing the potential for long-term financial gains. This trend is particularly evident in mature markets like Europe and the United States, where buyers favor vintage, classic, and contemporary designs that reflect specific cultural and historical aesthetics. However, in emerging markets like Asia, there is a growing interest in contemporary design and international benchmark designers.
The collaboration between Jean-Michel Frank and the Rockefellers exemplifies this intersection of art and investment. The pieces created for the Fifth Avenue apartment have undoubtedly increased in value over the years, becoming coveted additions to high-end residences and design collections. Frank's unique ability to blend classical elegance with modern sensibilities resulted in a timeless aesthetic that continues to captivate and inspire.
As the world of interior design evolves, the legacy of Jean-Michel Frank remains an enduring influence. His collaborations with artists, his innovative use of materials, and his ability to create spaces that transcend time have solidified his place in the history of design. The Rockefeller apartment stands as a testament to his talent, showcasing his refined aesthetic and his skill in curating art and furniture.
"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works," Frank once said, and his collaboration with the Rockefellers is a testament to the functionality and beauty of his designs. As the sun sets on Fifth Avenue, the glow from the windows of the Rockefeller apartment illuminates a space where art and design converge, a testament to the enduring legacy of Jean-Michel Frank.