The home was most recently owned by Prince Alexander Nikitich Romanoff of Russia and his wife Sicilian Princess Maria Romanoff.  Prince Alexander is the great-nephew of the last Russian Czar.  They lived in the home for over 50 years. Maria passed away in 2023 and the home was sold by her heirs.

The greatest challenge for Jason Saft from Staged To Sell Home was knowing that you have entered someone else's castle — it was clear the owners had a clear vision and point of view — then trying to respect yet reinterpret that.

At first the plan was to comb through all the existing belongings and select certain pieces to be utilized in hopes to work with the estates furnishing and incorporate in some new lighting and select pieces.

The majority of things ended up going to auction so Saft reapproached the space with a slightly more modern eye. The opportunity to start fresh was incredibly exciting. Saft did have a few pieces to work with, like the stunning pair of antique Italian gilt mirrors in the living room and the formal tables in the grand double height entry.

It took about 2 weeks to paint the entire apartment and clear out all the excess. From there the staging installation took 4 days. Saft spent the winter planning it out and had most things lined up well in advance. He loves traditional elements, furnishings, architecture, but loves modernity equally. At the core of his work in historic spaces, he is consciously trying to preserve, respect and honor the past, while moving firmly into the present. That usually is done through art, accessories, select furnishings and lighting.

Saft enjoyed sourcing the art from his available inventory as well as having several pieces commissioned by some of his favorites like Josh Young, Louis Venturelli, Ron Giusti, Artstar and his go to source for vintage art, Gillian Bryce Gallery.

Although Saft entered the design world late in life, he had always wanted to be a decorator, ever since I was a young child. He can still remember being in his bedroom at around 6 or 7 and decorating every day. He used to hide his mother’s design magazines in his room and late at night, when everyone went to bed, he would escape into the magazines, dreaming that one day he would design spaces.

This project was more than a dream come true… it’s a dream Saft didn’t know was possible.

Team:

Designers: Staged To Sell Home 

Photographers: Francisco Rosario; Shannon Dupre; Hayley Ellen Day 

Materials Used:

Living Room: 
Paintings: Marseille by Josh Young, Abstracts by Kiel Weuhlner, Botanique Painting 1 & 2 by Josh Young
Lamp Pair: Sophia by Danny Kaplan
Sensorio Accent Chairs: Athena Calderone for Crate & Barrel 
Babylon Marble Table: CB2 
3 Vintage Mohair Sofas
Marseille 1926 painting over sofa, oil on canvas by Josh Young
White Floral Ceramics: Dear You Ceramics 
Lennon Day Bed: Christian Siriano 
Rug: Beige Stripe by Colin King for West Elm 

Dining Room:
The Louvre Golden Hour: Matte Acrylic & 24K gold leaf on Italian linen by Louis Venturelli 
Antique Dining Table
Foley Dining Chairs: CB2
Antique Gilt Swan Table
Vintage Italian fruit sculpture - Scout Chicago

India Yellow Bedroom Inspired by Maria “Mimi” Romanoff:
Paint: Farrow & Ball
Rug: Giancarlo Valle for Nordic Knots
Mini Heart Abstract: Ron Giusti 
Vintage Hollywood Regency Swan Chair: Antik Brooklyn (Jenna Chused)
Vintage Art: Gillian Bryce Gallery
Mushroom Poof: Forsyth Art with Beata Hueman fabric 
Cleo Table Lamp: West Elm 
Vintage Art & Antiques: Stylists Collection 

Jenna Chused Inspired Brinjal Den
Paint: Brinjal Farrow & Ball 
Rug: Arrell by Arvin Olano for RugsUsa
Coffee table:  Espira by CB2 
Bozzi Chair: CB2
Gropius Chair: Noom
Art Over Sofa: Lost Room Artstar.com 
Vintage Art & Antiques: Stylists Collection 

Athena Calderone Inspired Bedroom (Intricate moldings)
Diana Bed: Ross Cassidy for CB2
Honore Nightstands: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
Ruins Lamps: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
La Strana concrete table: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
Ruins Pedestal: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
Tuco Chair: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
Vence Sconce: Athena Calderone & Simone Bodmer Turner 
Koukero Rug: Sarah Sherman Samule for Lulu & Georgia 
Bibelot Lamp: Athena Calderone from Crate & Barrel
Vintage Art & Antiques: Stylists Collection 

Colin King Inspired Bedroom:
Coverlet: Colin King for Cultiver
Ancora Rug: Colin King for Beni Rugs
Travertine Lamps: Colin King for West Elm
Sensorio Side Chair: Athena Calderone for Crate & Barrel
Torchiere Lamp: Colin King for West Elm 
Painting: Louis Venturelli 
Stance Vases: Colin King for Audo
Sentiment Brass Pair paperweight: Colin King for Audo