Portrait of a Gentleman

Written by Melissa Mahanes / Photos by Matt Harrington

The historic Samuel Tilden Mansion located at 14 & 15 Gramercy Park South in New York City is the home of The National Arts Club. Samuel Tilden, the 25th Governor of New York and founder of the New York Public Library, acquired the property in 1863 and hired architect Calvert Vaux, one of the designers of Central Park, to modernize the building in the Aesthetic Movement style.

This National Historic Landmark houses the studio of acclaimed portraitist Michael Shane Neal, a sixth-generation Nashvillian. To date, Neal has completed more than 500 commissioned portraits, including Nashvillians U.S. Senator Bill Frist, Congressman John Lewis, Jon Meacham, Martha Ingram, John Seigenthaler, as well as President George H.W. Bush and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

The studio was initially occupied by Frank Vincent Dumond (whose students included Norman Rockwell and Georgia O’Keeffe), followed by Neal’s mentor, Everett Raymond Kinstler, who painted in the space for 66 years. Fate intervened when Neal was awarded the lease and became the studio’s next occupant. Thus, Neal became the steward of this exceptional space with a profoundly personal provenance. Neal is only the third painter to work in the studio in over 100 years.

He turned to his friends of over 20 years, Jennefer and Rick Guthrie of Interior Anthology, to design the studio into a showplace that reflects Neal’s own impeccable gentlemanly style. The result is a live/work environment that takes full advantage of the historic architectural elements, high ceilings, and north-facing windows overlooking Gramercy Park.

The vast two-story gathering space is meticulously appointed with beautiful antiques and perfect accessories—a green leather Hancock & Moore Chesterfield sofa, a circa 1830 wing back chair, and a vintage campaign-style cocktail table, all atop an antique Heriz carpet. The original mantle, carved by sculptors from the firm of Ellin and Kitson, is flanked by a 1940s era Kinstler portrait of a woman and a John C. Johansen head of a man.

Rick has been Neal’s framer for as long as they have known one another, and he custom-designed an acrylic display box to house a prized possession: Neal’s painter’s palette, which once belonged to 19th-century portraitist John Singer Sargent.

Jennefer’s knack for combining textiles by mixing plaids, prints, and tapestries is evident throughout the apartment. Matching animal print pleated roman shades create a soothing environment and incorporate the rooms into one cohesive space.

Jennefer worked with Shane to make sure his studio functions best, not just for his easel but also for his lifestyle. For example, the space can accommodate several guests for cocktail parties by pulling up chairs, movable ottomans, and drink tables. The table behind the sofa was custom built based on a 17th-century design. The drop-leaf refectory table doubles as a desk/work surface behind the sofa and can move out into the center of the space to host an intimate dinner party. Every detail was meticulously planned to be multifunctional to maximize flexibility within the room.

The adjacent bedroom has a pair of beds with St. Kitts bamboo headboards by Lexington that add that antique je ne sais quoi to the room. A late 19th-century antique burled oak dresser holds a painted lamp, an antique collar box, and a vintage radio. Jennefer designed custom bedding from Eastern Accents—a Rudy Wool Plaid duvet cover with Samuel & Sons braided leather cord tape. Like the gathering space, the bedroom also has its original fireplace. The mantle area is expertly accessorized with mounted antlers and wooden biscuit jars and watercolor by James Montgomery Flagg for a Hearst newspaper article.

Together, Jennefer and Rick have created a picture-perfect space for their friend that fits as impeccably as one of Shane’s bespoke suits.

Interior Anthology’s Design Studio is available by appointment for full-service design and art curation. The Emporium at Interior Anthology has a selection of fine art, luxury home goods, and décor and is Tennessee’s only stockist of Farrow & Ball paints and papers.