Tucked inside a 1929 Art Deco building in Philadelphia's Garden Court neighborhood, Williams' tenth-floor apartment is a testament to what a focused design vision can achieve without a single renovation. Working almost entirely within a palette of black, white, and gray, the interior design consultant layered leather chairs, white oak-style laminate floors, herringbone tile backsplashes, gray wallpaper accents, and bold abstract art to create a space that feels both deeply personal and visually commanding. Rare pops of warmth come through brass lamps, a gilt dining mirror, a wood-toned Parsons table, and carefully chosen ceramics, including glazed clay domes by New Zealand artist Sam Mayell, arranged as a wall installation above the living room.
- The 1,000 square foot one-bedroom apartment at Garden Court Towers features a near-complete black, white, and gray palette, with Williams deliberately painting accent walls, cabinet covers, and folding doors to maintain the cohesive design throughout
- Williams drew direct inspiration from the building's original 1929 Art Deco architecture, selecting gray and white geometric wallpaper for the bedroom that mirrors the hallway carpeting's Art Deco patterning
- A career shift from nonprofit project management to interior design consulting informed Williams' approach, which balances bold contrast with softening elements like gray upholstery, warm wood tones, and brass accents
- Personal heirlooms, including a miniature antique radio inherited from her late grandmother and artwork modified with her sister to achieve a more muted palette, add layers of meaning to the otherwise minimalist aesthetic
Jasmine Williams' Garden Court apartment is proof that a restrained color palette, thoughtfully executed, can produce a space of remarkable depth, personality, and warmth. In a city full of eclectic interiors, this monochrome haven stands in a category entirely its own.
By: Sally A. Downey | The Philadelphia Inquirer | March 5, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Allie Ippolito for The Inquirer
