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 get a sneak peek into Vanessa Deleon’s great room.
Vanessa is an interior designer, writer, award-winning designer for the Italian Trade Commission, ASID & IDS entrepreneur and television personality.
Tell us about your concept for The Art of the Home — what inspired your approach to the room?
The concept of growth and evolution inspired this room. The upward movement of the butterflies reflects transformation and new beginnings. At the same time, the soft, organic palette creates a sense of harmony and quiet strength, mirroring the beauty found in nature’s own unfolding.
What mood or feeling are you hoping to evoke with this space?
Calming and inspiring.
How did you begin the process — was there a single material, color, or image that set everything in motion?
I started the design with the wallpaper. I was drawn to the sense of calm and connection to nature it created. That led me to think about butterflies and the idea of growth as a central theme. While looking for a complementary wallpaper for the ceiling, I found this beautiful shimmery one that sparked the rest of the design: wrapping the piano in silver, incorporating mixed metal lighting, layering in the millwork, and bringing in the metallic butterflies to tie it all together. The curved furniture, with its soft edges and sculptural forms, added to the overall sense of tranquility and helped balance the metallic accents with a grounded, serene energy.
What can you share about your palette, textures, or material choices? Are there any unexpected combinations we can look forward to?
The palette is rooted in soft neutrals — creams and warm taupes — to create a calming, organic base. From there, layers of texture bring the room to life: smooth plaster-like finishes, tactile upholstery, and sculptural millwork. One of the more unexpected combinations is the mix of delicate, nature-inspired elements like butterflies with bold, modern metal finishes in silver and gold. The shimmer of the ceiling wallpaper plays off the wrapped piano and mixed-metal lighting, creating a subtle interplay of softness and shine. It’s all about balance — combining serenity with statement moments in a way that still feels cohesive and effortless.
Designing for a showhouse comes with a unique kind of freedom. How has that influenced your process so far?
Designing for a showhouse always allows for creative freedom. It is a chance to design without limitations, and that is incredibly energizing to me. It allows me to lean into storytelling and emotion, building a space around a certain concept. I always take more risks with finishes and lean into sculptural, artistic elements. The process has felt more intuitive and expressive, with every detail chosen to evoke a feeling rather than just serve a function.
Are there any design risks you’re taking that you’re particularly excited about?
One design risk I’m particularly excited about is the mixture of metals. It can feel risky- too much can easily become overwhelming or disjointed- but it’s something I fully embrace. When balanced thoughtfully, mixing metals adds richness, depth, and a sense of modern elegance. I pushed that idea further by incorporating metal finishes into the millwork- something I’ve done before, but never with multiple metal tones together. We even layered porcelain on the back, combining three materials into one cohesive, sculptural statement. It’s bold, but it tells a story — and that’s what makes it exciting.
How would you describe your room in three words?
Whimsical, organic, luminous.
Are you collaborating with any artists, fabricators, or makers on this space?
Yes, we’re collaborating with an incredible team of artists, fabricators, millworkers, drapery and wallpaper installers, and more. Everyone involved in this project is someone I work with regularly and trust deeply; they’re not just talented professionals, they’re an essential part of my creative process, which makes their involvement all the more meaningful.
What’s your relationship to scale? Are you leaning into drama, intimacy, or a mix?
The relationship to scale in this space is really a mix of all three — drama, intimacy, and balance. The butterflies and wrapped piano introduce a sense of grandeur and vertical movement, drawing the eye upward and creating a dramatic focal point. At the same time, the furniture is scaled for comfort and conversation — low, curved pieces that bring an intimate, grounded feel. Even smaller elements, like the side tables, were chosen to thoughtfully play with proportion, creating visual interest without overwhelming the space. It’s all about contrast, mixing large gestures with quieter moments to keep the room dynamic yet cohesive.
What’s one design “rule” you’re intentionally breaking in this space?
In this space, I’m breaking a few classic design “rules.” One of them is the mix of silver and gold finishes — this is often avoided, but when balanced thoughtfully, it brings richness and contrast. I also leaned into color drenching, keeping the palette tonal across the walls, ceiling, and trim to create an immersive, calming atmosphere. Traditionally, molding is painted white, but I wanted a seamless transition between the floor, walls, and ceiling. And instead of using wood for the millwork, I chose metal, an unconventional move that adds a refined, sculptural edge to the room.
What does “design lives here” mean to you — and how do you hope your room reflects that?
“Design lives here” to me means that every element in a space is intentional- that beauty, function, and storytelling all coexist. It’s about creating a room that doesn’t just look good, but feels alive, layered, and meaningful. In this room, I hope that comes through in the way materials, scale, and emotion are intertwined. From the upward flight of metallic butterflies to the sculptural millwork and mixed metals, every choice was made to reflect a sense of growth, transformation, and artistry. It’s a space that’s not just designed; the idea of design itself lives in it.
Purchase tickets to tour The Art of the Home here.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.