Let me tell you about a place where the boundaries between nature and urban living dissolve into a riot of pink, petals, and playful insects. Picture this: a Manhattan apartment that feels less like a penthouse and more like a whimsical escape from reality. The kind of space where you might find a scarab beetle crawling along your curtain, not because of a pest problem, but because its owner, designer Kate Reid, thinks it’s art. This isn’t just a home—it’s a manifesto. A declaration that luxury isn’t about minimalist restraint or sleek modernity, but about embracing the chaos of life, love, and the occasional garden worm.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how the couple behind this design—Melissa Powell and Kate Reid—have turned their personal passions into a living, breathing aesthetic. Powell, a managing editor at Sandow Books, and Reid, a partner at Marshall Watson & Reid Deane Ganes, aren’t just professionals in the design world; they’re living it. Their apartment isn’t a curated Instagram feed—it’s a reflection of their decade-long partnership, their careers, and their love for things that bloom, crawl, or sparkle. And let’s be honest, if you’ve ever wondered why someone would spend thousands on a beaded curtain, this is the answer: because they love it. Who needs a handbag when you can have a rooftop garden?
Now, I’ll admit, the first thing that grabs you isn’t the roses or the vintage lanterns—it’s the bugs. Those hand-beaded scarabs on the curtains? They’re not just decorative. They’re a metaphor. In a city where every inch of space is fought over, Reid and Powell have carved out a niche for the unexpected. It’s a reminder that true creativity isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about saying, ‘Yes, this is ridiculous, but it’s also beautiful.’ And honestly, isn’t that what we all want from our homes? A place where the absurd is allowed to thrive?
But let’s talk about the roses. Oh, the roses. This apartment is a love letter to the floral. Potted roses on the rooftop, illustrated roses on the walls, and a primary bedroom drenched in blush rose patterns. It’s as if the entire space is trying to convince you that roses are the ultimate luxury. And maybe they are. In a world obsessed with neutral tones and ‘timeless’ design, Reid and Powell are throwing caution to the wind. They’ve built a sanctuary where color isn’t just allowed—it’s required. And honestly, I think that’s a radical act of self-expression. Why should we be limited to beige when we could be surrounded by the soft pink of a David Austin rose?
Here’s what many people don’t realize: this isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about intention. Every choice in this apartment—from the vintage heart-shaped headboard in the guest room to the decoupage ivy above the tub—tells a story. Reid, inspired by her grandmother’s toile bedroom, created a space that feels like a cozy enclave. But it’s not just cozy—it’s curated. The mismatched door frames, the clever curtain solutions, the way toys are tucked away in storage—they’re all part of a larger narrative. This isn’t a showpiece; it’s a home that’s been shaped by real life, real challenges, and real love. And that, to me, is what makes it so compelling.
What really stands out to me is the way Reid uses ceilings as a canvas. Wallpapered ceilings, ivy creeping through skylights, and even a ceiling that feels like a hug? It’s a bold move, and one that speaks to a deeper trend in interior design: the rejection of the ‘invisible’ space. Ceilings, often overlooked, become the focal point here. It’s a reminder that design is about more than just what you see at eye level—it’s about creating a full sensory experience. And if that means feeling like you’re being hugged by a ceiling, then so be it.
Let’s not forget the practical side of this. Yes, there are bugs, and yes, there’s a baby (or two) in the mix. But Reid and Powell have found a way to balance the whimsical with the functional. The storage solutions, the paint tricks, the way they’ve transformed awkward spaces into something elegant—it’s all a testament to their skill. But more than that, it’s a testament to their partnership. They’ve built a home that reflects their shared vision, and that’s something rare in today’s world of individualism and fast-paced living.
So what does this say about us? About the way we live, the way we design, and the way we seek meaning in our spaces? I think it speaks to a longing for connection—to nature, to history, to the people we love. In an era where homes are often seen as status symbols or investment properties, Reid and Powell remind us that a house is only as good as the stories it holds. And if those stories include scarab beetles, roses, and a little bit of chaos, then maybe that’s exactly what we need.
If you take a step back and think about it, this apartment isn’t just a design triumph—it’s a rebellion. Against the sterile, against the predictable, against the idea that a home should be anything less than a reflection of who you are. And that, my friends, is the kind of space that makes me believe in the power of design to change lives.
