Located on the historic Upper East Side, 829 Madison Avenue introduces an unexpectedly theatrical impulse within TOTEME’s rigorous design framework. The space blends the ornate with the austere, setting surrealist details and bold proportions against a backdrop of tactile materials that reinterpret the neighborhood’s historical vernacular through a modern lens.

A sculptural staircase in high-gloss red creates a dramatic counterpoint to polished Portuguese limestone and oversized door frames in the double-height space. Nearby, “Half Girl (left)”, a bronze sculpture by contemporary Swedish artist Anders Krisár, is displayed in striking contrast. Bespoke bronze rails, library ladders, and floor-to-ceiling shelving further heighten the sense of scale, joined by a flamboyant painting by Swedish artist Rolf Hanson and a crocodile-embossed leather and brass El Rey armchair by Mats Theselius.

Upstairs, the atmosphere turns more intimate. Carpeted floors and custom vitrines display fine and signature jewelry, centered around a red lacquered steel, leather, and walnut chaise longue by Theselius.