A well-known hostess among her inner circle, Magoon had requested for flexible spaces for entertaining. The solution: pocket doors that could be opened and closed in the kitchen, living and dining zones to facilitate easy changes in configuration, depending on the occasion. Nicdao also had to take into consideration the room layouts, which are expansive in size but come in a long and narrow configuration. “It was important to ensure the art could be viewed and experienced at various distances and from different perspectives.”

In the living room, three distinct areas were created; these range from a lounge area with a Thierry Lemaire sofa to an intimate Chapter & Verse game table with matching seats. The focal points of this wondrous space are a painting by Elizabeth Neel and a custom Misha Kahn rug, which served to inspire subsequent furniture selections. Amid the vibrant scene, a Tracey Emin painting anchors another corner of the living room.

The adjoining dining room is as striking. A chandelier from Rogan Gregory hangs above a dining table by Sebastian Errazuriz, while a pair of Monster Chairs by the Haas Brothers is among the quirky additions to the space. While the sheer number of statement pieces may seem overwhelming, Nicdao says it was important to “not be afraid of getting it right”. “Rather than limiting yourself with a specific palette or too many rules, make sure there is enough breathing room around the pieces to ensure there are places where the eye can take a break. The white walls in this home were key.”

The designers chose a high-gloss white for the living room, while the hallways and bedrooms feature a textural plaster created in collaboration with Fresco Decorative Painting. “Through the client’s direction, everything placed in the apartment was intentional. She wanted every piece to have importance. It was a great exercise for our team in both pushing boundaries and simultaneously editing down.”

The same inventive design ethos permeates the private rooms, too. The master bedroom features another custom rug by Misha Kahn, and is complemented by a collectible quilt by Tracey Emin. In its lounge area, a Mela Morsicata Apple chair by Studio 65 sits alongside a floor lamp by Salvador Dali and a 1950 George Nakashima side table.

Reflecting on this exceptional project, Nicdao says: “My favourite part is how the eclectic nature of the pieces all came together harmoniously in the end. It was an enjoyable collaboration all around.”

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