James Yarosh Residence - A Study in Curated Maximalism

James Yarosh believes that an artist’s home is autobiographical. His own home—a 2,000-square-foot townhome on the New Jersey Shore that he shares with his husband, Barnet Cohn, and their cat—is a testament to his lifelong passion for the arts and his distinct design philosophy. As an artist, gallerist, and interior designer, James’ approach to interiors is shaped by his artist’s intuition and influenced by his travels around the world studying the design of major art museums. A study in “curated maximalism,” thoughtfully developed over a seventeen-year process, James’ family home is a celebration of a life well lived and the beauty that he sees in the world.

The renovation of the home began in the living room, with a re-centering of the fireplace and a refresh of the surrounding molding. Blurring the home’s simple box townhouse origins, James designed elegant lines for the space including hand-carved columns, door frames, and ceiling medallions. The room offers a playful give-and-take of maximalist and minimalist details. The ornateness of the custom moldings is balanced by the muted gray paint color that envelops the entire space, which then provides a supportive context for the gallery-style art collection, hung in bold gold frames. Clean-lined, mid-century modern seating options outline the space while opulent bronze railings delineate the edge of the staircase. Custom silk drapery edged in Scalamandre pom-pom fringe echoes the patterned trim of the vintage Lalique Perles chandeliers. Whimsical parquet and mosaic marble flooring inform the patterning throughout the home.

The living room art collection focuses on Russian Realism, including pieces by Yuri Kugach, Vjachaslav Zabelin, and Nikita Fedosov, as well as a large-scale diptych over the mantel and a collection of white paintings in the stairwell by Nonconformist artist Vachagan Narazyan. Moving into the dining room, Miriam Beerman’s large-scale painting Nothing Has Changed takes a seat at the table, accompanied by Iliya Mirochnik’s Mudcracked Houses, and work by humanist artist Jacob Landau. On the table, Saint Louis Crystal and Magic Flute china designed by Björn Wiinblad for Rosenthal rest under an Artemide chandelier. In the kitchen, artwork includes Sheba Sharrow’s large expressionist work Moto Perpetuo and Charlie Sachaffer’s untitled self-portrait, among other Russian Realism works. The kitchen’s blue tones nod to the sea that sparkles just outside the windows.

In the primary bedroom, dark walls lead the gaze towards the exterior view. Pops of greens and golds around the room speak to the synergy of colors in nature, supporting the idea of rest and renewal. James’ own artwork graces the walls, including an intimate family portrait series. Canadian artist Daniel Berkley’s monumental Road to Bethesda commands the space, serving as a reminder that no matter your life journey, there are those among us who choose to put one foot in front of the other to continue on with dignity and grace. The collection also includes six portrait studies of sailors painted in the 1950s by Russian Realist artist Pointer Maltsev.

Reclining throughout each space are the family cats, reflecting James’ philosophy that an art-filled home is meant to be lived in. It is a backdrop for memories and a place where life unfolds. James’ seaside New Jersey home is a sanctuary, filled with the works of great artists that serve as a reminder to begin each day with hope.