If there’s one thing that Robert Verdi, the ever-colorful entrepreneur, TV host, celebrity stylist, interior designer, and legendary party-thrower absolutely hates, it’s an empty white box. For the 2,200-square-foot event space he built in the garment district four years ago, he envisaged the very opposite of an emotionless cube. He wanted a public space that felt personal, where the dining chairs (from the Belgium company Sixinch) are dipped in bright-blue latex, the cast-concrete tables look like tree branches, and the light fixtures are comprised of handblown glass orbs (from Lindsey Adelman Studio). Photo: Wendy Goodman
Robert put down a solid wide-plank walnut floor and stained it a deep-plum color. The cabinetry is from Plain & Fancy; the counter surface is crystal stone. Photo: Wendy Goodman
Next to the Sub-Zero wine fridge in the studio’s kitchen is a wonderful mirror by Hervé Van der Straeten. Photo: Wendy Goodman
Every inch of the space has been maxed out for storage”including the kitchen island, with pullout drawers for place mats, napkins, and napkin rings. Photo: Wendy Goodman
Both the gold chandelier (made with recycled children’s toys) and the wood and Lucite chairs in the parlor off the main room are from Luciano Lorenzatti. Photo: Wendy Goodman
The chandelier up close. Photo: Wendy Goodman
The space’s biggest surprise: a spa with Kohler tub and shower outfitted with LED lighting and ambient sounds that change along with the lighting schemes (see the next slide for a shower-lighting demo). Photo: Courtesy of Robert Verdi
Robert demonstrates the various light settings, so that I could make my own Warhol portrait of him. Photo: Wendy Goodman
The back half of the loft includes a living area, where guests can relax and watch movies. Photo: Wendy Goodman
One of two inlaid-wood chests from Wisteria; this one is topped with Jonathan Adler vases. Photo: Wendy Goodman
