It is a home that gives 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a run for its money.
Republican presidential candidate and billionaire businessman Donald Trump hopes to move into the White House, but his New York City penthouse may be difficult to kiss goodbye.
Trump Tower sits on Fifth Avenue and is home to The Donald’s business as well as his three-level, 66th floor penthouse. It boasts breathtaking views of Central Park and over-the-top decor – starting with the gold and diamond front door that greets visitors.
Inside is an almost literally dazzling scene: floor to ceiling marble, ceilings painted with scenes from the classical Greek myths – and some surprisingly homely touches.
The penthouse is currently home to Trump, his third wife Melania, 45, and their son Barron, 9. He also has four elder children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany – with his daughter Ivanka set to hit the campaign trail for him soon.
Lap of luxury: Donald and Melania Trump’s New York City penthouse is on the 66th floor of Trump Tower and features marble walls, floors and columns throughout. 24-carat gold accents like platters, lamps, vases and crown molding that outlines each room and tableau ceilings
Art of the deal-maker: Classical art dominates here with a bronze of Eros and Psyche, one of the great love Greek love stories, and Apollo led by Aurora – the Greek goddess of the dawn, suggesting Trump sees himself the mold of Apollo, Zeus’s son, and one of the most powerful of the gods. But there is also family time with on the far right a portrait which appears to show his father Fred Trump, and possibly his siblings. His father also features on the central table, while the choice of book is expensive – it is worth $15,000
Perfect symmetry: Candelabras, two candy bowls as well as a Vogue and Vanity Fair book are placed strategically on each coffee table. On the ceiling is another classical reference. The chairs are Louis XIV-inspired, in common with the apartment
The Midas Touch: Donald and Melania’s breakfast room is packed with intricate details including a gold rimmed glass of orange juice sitting on top of a gold tray, a gold-rimmed tea cop, and an antique clock. The furniture is also Louis XIV
All about the details: A fountain sits in back of the Trump’s sitting room behind a semi-circle, ivory couch. A crystal chandelier lights up its beauty as it is planted on the tableau ceiling above. It shows a scene of Greek – or Roman – gods and seems likely to be Apollo again, who is often portrayed crossing the heavens in his chariot
Melania’s office: A Louis Vuitton case of jewelry sits on couch as a reproduction of Renoir’s ‘La loge’ painting is hung from the wall above. The original is in the Courtald gallery in London. La loge means the theater box and some art historians argue that the woman represents a mistress rather than a wife being taken to the theater. Renior painted it aged 33, when he was in dire poverty, and it was exhibited in 1874 at the first Impressionist Exhibition in Paris. A rather more modern feature on her desk is colored pencils – possibly with her son in mind
Family affair: A side-table is covered in pictures of Trump, Melania, the couple together and (center, right), their son Barron
Grand jewels: Melania designs and sells a collection of watches, rings, bracelets and earrings for QVC that range in price from $10 to $162. They all feature her signature ‘M’. Here they are shown in her Louis Vuitton jewelry case that has a price tag of nearly $10,000. Her style mimics pieces that she herself owns such as the sun design flower earrings and a gold-linked watch. She often uses mother of pearl and pave-style crystal accents in her watches
Risqué business: The bronze statue that sits behind Melania Trump’s desk is quite racy for a home office, with a man caressing a woman and the man planting a kiss on the woman’s neck
Behind the design: Angelo Donghia, known as ‘the Saint Laurent of sofas’, designed Trump’s penthouse in Louis XIV-style. His list of clients beyond Trump included Ralph Lauren, Barbara Walters, Mary Tyler Moore, Liza Minelli, Neil Simon and Diana Ross
The elegance and perfection of Trump’s penthouse was the creation of designer Angelo Donghia – also referred to as ‘the Saint Laurent of sofas’.
The renowned designer became a powerhouse in the 70s and 80s working with A-list clients such as Ralph Lauren, Barbara Walters, Mary Tyler Moore, Liza Minelli, Neil Simon and Diana Ross.
He was said to have created total environments – using the philosophy ‘You should feel at all times that what is around you is attractive… and that you are attractive.’
Donghia received several awards throughout his lifetime including the Tommy Award for Fabric Design.
He died in 1985, age 50, and was posthumously inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.
Donghia’s trademark featured attention to ceilings and ‘fat’ furniture.
When it came to creating the ultimate luxurious home for The Donald, he kept Louis XIV in mind while picking furniture and textiles.
Louis XIV led the absolute monarchy during France’s classical age, ruling from 1643 until 1715 – and was known for his aggressive foreign policy.
His political principles were not quite in line with democracy, as he ruled with complete control over the country and was known as The Sun King.
Whether he actually said ‘L’etat, c’est moi’ (I am the state) to the country’s parliament is doubtful, but the inspiration for a businessman who refers to his Trump companies as an ’empire’ is certainly.
The monarch was also known for his over-the-top decor. Louis XIV transformed his father’s modest hunting lodge and transformed it into Versailles, the largest palace the world had ever seen.
It was home to his court, the richest and most decadent of the era – and known, like Trump, for its gilt and its gold.
Designers took typical wood furniture and added shine to it – with gilt, bronze or solid silver, and it was all enhanced by lots of candlelight.
Much of his interior decorations showed off his political supremacy – for instance, the Hall of Mirrors was painted with depictions of various military victories he commanded.
That style is reflected in Trump’s grandiose penthouse with 24-carat gold accenting the tableau ceilings, crystal chandeliers and the desk sitting in Melania’s office.
In the breakfast room, a cup of tea and orange juice served in a gold rimmed glass sit neatly on a gold platter.
And the golden delight doesn’t stop there; there are lamps, vases, crown molding and even golden cherubs that help to complete the posh modern-day palace.
In the sitting room, a fountain sits behind one of the two semi-circled, ivory couches.
Vogue and Vanity Fair books are placed strategically on each table, two candy bowls and candelabras polish it off. Everything is in perfect symmetry.
The Trump family coat of arms, a family portrait and an individual picture of Donald’s late father Fred are proudly shown off in another sitting area inside of the penthouse.
The billionaire also has ‘GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali’. The book was limited to 1,000 individually numbered copies, each one signed by Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons. Its estimated value is $15,000.
And it appears the Trumps have a taste for art and some rather risqué statues.
Sitting above the white marbled fireplace is Apollo, Zeus’s son, and one of the most powerful of the gods – being led in his Chariot by Aurora.
And on top of the mantle – Greek vases in Athenian style. They sit again, in perfect symmetry – and in height order with the other decor.
A statue of Eros & Psyche – one of the best love stories in classical mythology – towers over the picture of his father.
His 9-year-old son Barron also enjoys the finer things in life – placed right on the marble floor is a red Mercedes toy car along with a personalized license plate for the youngest Trump.
Donald developed Trump Tower, which was completed in 1983. It is home to not only the billionaire businessman but also to retail stores and other businesses.
He has used it as a platform for his presidential campaign, last week signing copies of his latest book in the lobby, and also holding a press conference there after signing an agreement not to run an independent campaign if he does not win the Republican nomination.
Celebrities like actor Bruce Willis and Portuguese professional soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo have also called it home.
Vanity: Louis XIV’s Hall of Mirrors in Versailles was painted with depictions of various military victories he commanded