aspire design and home proudly presents The Art of the Home, a transformational designer showhouse set within a breathtaking 13,000-square-foot estate in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. This curated exhibition of world-class design, architecture, and fine art will run from September 19 through October 19, with an Opening Night Event to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on September 17.
Each Tuesday and Thursday, we’re spotlighting a different designer whose creative vision is shaping this bold, curated home. From behind-the-scenes peeks to personal stories, you’ll get an inside look at the minds reimagining what a home can be. Today we’re showcasing the foyer designed by Elizabeth Ego.
Elizabeth Ego, the visionary behind Agape Design Group, epitomizes luxury and sophistication in interior design. She dedicates her craft to creating bespoke interiors for new residential and commercial construction projects, with work that transcends mere aesthetics, embodying a harmonious blend of elegance and timelessness.
Elizabeth combines her extensive training with a profound understanding of design principles to deliver exceptional, high-touch experiences for her discerning clientele. Her philosophy centers on creating interiors that are not only visually stunning but also meticulously tailored to complement the architecture, environment, and the unique lifestyles of her clients.
Tell us about your concept for The Art of the Home — what inspired your approach to the room?
Elizabeth Ego: My concept was inspired by the Garden of Eden, reimagined as a modern sanctuary where nature and human form merge seamlessly. The Richard Dupont sculpture, which represents Eve, anchors the narrative, representing purity, curiosity and the beginning of all stories.
What mood or feeling are you hoping to evoke with this space?
EE: I want the space to feel mysterious yet welcoming — like stepping into a hidden garden that feels lush, sensual and deeply calming all at once.
Designing for a showhouse comes with a unique kind of freedom. How has that influenced your process so far?
EE: It allowed me to design unapologetically around story and mood, rather than function alone. I could push the boundaries of what an entryway is meant to feel like, transforming it into an immersive art installation.
Even without seeing the final room yet, what detail or element are you most looking forward to bringing to life?
EE: Seeing the lighting installation above the staircase illuminating the Arte wallpaper and the entire space, creating shadows and reflections that shift throughout the day.
Do you have a particular person, place, or memory that informed your concept?
EE: My aim was to recreate “The Creation of Man” within the space, drawing significant inspiration from what I consider to be God, the Ultimate Designer, the creator of heaven and earth. I believe this concept allowed me to develop a unique and meaningful approach to design, focusing on elements of life, beginning and divine creation within the physical space.
Are you collaborating with any artists, fabricators, or makers on this space?
EE: Yes, I’m collaborating with Shakuff Lighting who designed my branch chandelier, VLN Upholstery, who made the custom sofa, Arte wallcovering and Richard Dupont.
If your room had a soundtrack, what would it sound like?
EE: Soft orchestral strings blended with ambient forest sounds — birds, wind and gentle water flows.
While The Art of the Home is still in progress, take a look at another immersive project by Elizabeth Ego.
What does “design lives here” mean to you, and how do you hope your room reflects that?
EE: It means design is more than aesthetics — it carries meaning, narrative and life. This room embodies that by telling a story that visitors will feel immediately.
What role does storytelling play in your design process, and how is that showing up in this room?
EE: Storytelling is everything. Here, it shows up through the narrative of Eve, lush natural life, and lighting that evokes dawn and dusk in the garden.
What’s something you’re learning — or being reminded of — through this showhouse process?
EE: That design is most impactful when it creates a feeling, not just a visual impression.
Purchase tickets to tour The Art of the Home here.
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