Step Inside the Taylor Mattos-Designed Apartment Space at The Gallery at 200 Lex

She began with a discovery walk around The Gallery in search of a unifying theme that bridged together eras, genres, styles and categories of objects—conceptualizing the floor plan and allowing the items in the gallery to guide her. A pair of late 1920s art deco lounge chairs led her to a deep blue as this connector. “Styling this “apartment”was a wonderful opportunity to really stretch my creativity,” the designer says. “Since I couldn’t reupholster anything, finding a unifying color became essential to create cohesion and avoid a mismatch of random items. I kept gravitating toward beautiful pieces in varying shades of deep blue—from the chairs and benches to the subtle pops of blue throughout the art and accessories.”

From there, milky glass, rich velvets and metallic accents brought in warmth and holiday sparkle, contrasted with natural elements like flocked branches to complete her Winter Wonderland theme. An antique mantel created a focal point for Taylor to design her setting around, and an Aldo Chaparro sculpture lent an artistic lean alongside a more abstract work. “I always aim to create spaces where my clients feel comfortable and at ease,” she says. “It was crucial to me that the space felt elevated yet still very livable. When I saw the fireplace on The Gallery floor, I instantly knew it had to be the focal point—it’s warm, inviting and creates the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and connection, essential for the holidays.”

As she curated her selections, she notes: “restraint became just as crucial as creativity to ensure the design remained cohesive yet lively and fun.” The installation process was seamless, she says, as a team of holiday helpers assisted her in getting all of the major pieces in place. Then she dove into her favorite part: styling and accessorizing with objects also found on  The Gallery floor. “When it comes to styling, I always recommend picking a theme and sticking with it to avoid feeling overwhelmed,” Taylor says. “This year, I loved blending a sparkly, snowy natural theme with velvet and silk ribbon accents to coordinate with the furniture. For a personal touch, I put out caramels wrapped in blue as a treat for guests, which not only makes a lovely gift but also ties in beautifully with the art pieces, adding another layer of design.”

And what’s holiday magic without ambiance? Taylor set the mood by layering lighting sources, a design trick that can be implemented at home. “You should aim for high, middle and low light to create depth and warmth,” she says. “For example, I chose the Murano chandelier for overhead light, added up lights to provide a soft glow, and used the fireplace and table lamps for low lighting. This combination sets the perfect mood for holiday decor.”

With a cozy fireplace mantel in place, come-hither seating, and stylish, storied accessories spanning decades, Taylor indeed created the quintessential apartment-like setting fit for collectors and holiday-lovers alike—a destination to enjoy the holidays, design and a martini in equal measure.