36 ARCHDIGEST.COM
1. DANCERS (FROM LEFT) LAUREN POST, ALEXANDRA BASMAGY, AND
LUCIANA PARIS WITH THEIR BABIES IN ABT’S NEW NURSERY, DESIGNED
BY NATE BERKUS AND JEREMIAH BRENT. 2. AND 3. HUMMINGBIRD
MOBILE AND MODERN ELEPHANT ROCKER BY BRENT FOR POTTERY
BARN KIDS (POTTERYBARNKIDS.COM). 4. THE NOOK.
GOOD WORKS
Raising the Barre
Along with designing residences coast to coast, Nate Berkus and
Jeremiah Brent recently squeezed in another project dear to their
hearts: a nursery for the Manhattan home of American Ballet Theatre.
Affectionately dubbed The Nook, the 150-square-foot corner offers
ABT’s dancers and staff a cozy spot to relax with their babies whenever
they wish. Set off from the dancers’ lounge by salvaged French doors,
The Nook offers all the comforts of home: a crib, a glider, a changing
table, two bassinets, and a passel of soft toys, all in gender-neutral hues.
“I had my baby five weeks into my job, so I know how much joy it can
bring to have your child visit,” notes Kara Medoff Barnett, executive
director of ABT. “The dancers and staff work incredibly long hours and
are so committed to their jobs. We want their babies to be able to join
them here.” Pottery Barn Kids generously donated furnishings—many
of them from Brent’s new collection for the brand—to the project
(spearheaded by AD as a follow-up to its 2017 renovation of the dancers’
lounge). Brent, Berkus, and contractors Highline Construction Group
contributed their talents pro bono. “Having two kids under the age of
five, we know how important it is to have a work environment that
supports families,” says Brent. “We are huge ABT fans. Our daughter,
Poppy, even takes dance classes there.” —CATHERINE HONG
DISCOVERIES
1
4
2
3
SHARON RADISCH (2): PRODUCTS: COURTESY OF THE COMPANIES
