Krish Kothari of KKD.Studio designs a splendid sea-facing penthouse in Nigeria’s largest city

Gleaming oak floors, a high ceiling studded with a crystal chandelier and leather accents strewn across the 3,900 sq ft space—this waterfront penthouse in Lagos is effused with timeless elegance in a modern context. Built from scratch but without any changes to the existing structure, Krish Kothari of KKD. Studio took cues from the London members’ club for a classic look with hints of flamboyance in the inlaid metal work and vibrant accessories.

“This penthouse was conceptualised about two years ago when I had redesigned the client’s heritage home in Colaba. They connected with my design aesthetic and wanted me to remodel their Lagos holiday home. Vita tower is a stunning property in Victoria Island. The idea was to create an opulent family home that could also double up as a formal hosting space,” explains Kothari.

A crystal chandelier dominates the ceiling in the living room, where a backlit corner bar is set against metal inlaid walls and leather furniture, creating a chic spot for hosting intimate soirees. The dining table on the other side of the room resembles a fishbone. The Dalmata marble is waterjet cut to create a perfect 10 ft fishbone, which is further inlaid with metal. “That’s my personal fabourite,” says Kothari.

The master bedroom has a neutral palette of greige hues. The beige nubuck leather bed lends softness to the space, while the marble top dresser and Flos lighting give it a playful look. The other two bedrooms portray a similar theme with dark flooring, upholstered headboards and leather accents, all set against muted tones. In the second bedroom, KKD Studio customised the furniture in high gloss lacquered black for a contemporary look, while a pendant light from Flos with geometric elements uplifts the guest room.

The penthouse is characterised by sleek, geometric and asymmetrical metal lights. “We layered the space with materials such as nubuck leather, calacatta marble and solid wood to give it an elegant look. We kept it relatively neutral, with a dash of popping accents to create depth through texture rather than colour,” says Kothari. Wood flooring, bespoke furniture and textured wall panelling juxtaposed with metallic trimmings and dramatic, eclectic lighting render an atmosphere of glamorous sophistication.