“For some of my clients, only the utmost in formality will do, and I’m all for it. Formal may seem like a safe choice, but it’s actually its own form of rebellion – rebellion against today’s casualness and I-can’t-be-bothered attitude. These clients eschew false humility and embrace the unapologetic fantasy of living like royalty. Don’t be fooled by their Chanel suits. A wild heart beats underneath. It’s not about what everyone else is doing. It’s about what they want: silver-leaf ceilings, gilded mirrors, silk velvet where one should never put silk velvet, and china on the table every day. I’m proud to help bring artisanship back, filling these storied homes with hand-cast metals and mouth-blown glass. I happily go against the grain to embrace the fabulous freedom of utter lavishness.

This monochromatic room [above], with its arched built-in bookshelves and deep blue mohair sofa, envelops you in its rich tones. It’s easy to just sink into it and escape from the real world. In fact, when you’re in this room, there is no other world. You are in a cocoon of sensual and lavish luxury. There’s plenty of space for collected treasures and interesting reads. A vintage Venetian mirror hung behind the sofa is perfectly positioned to reflect the Baccarat chandelier and velvet-covered walls beyond.

Formality doesn’t have to be restrictive. It can be fun. Traditional homes typically have a reserved palette, but that doesn’t mean we were going to choose timid colors. I prefer shades that are intense and stirring. Where a grey sofa might have been expected, I chose a lapis blue sofa instead. Rich details like horsehair upholstery, hand embroidery, hanging tassels, and silver leaf all transport you back in time. Baccarat chandeliers, printed velvets, a leather-wrapped desk, and bronze-capped chairs are just some of the ways we tell the story of opulence and refinement in this house. But I couldn’t just leave it at that. I created some tension between refinement and drama by taking the tasteful and the traditional and juxtaposing it against something that shakes things up a bit, like an animal print or an unexpected colour.

That’s what gives this grand residence the modernity it craves. It helps the design feel fresh among all the traditional notes. From the moment you enter this house, the experience is immersive, with monochromatic tonal shades working together in every room to create an elevated, dramatic, European feel. My client asked me to err on the side of formality, and I embraced that desire wholeheartedly. I think if you’re going to do something, you should lean all the way in. Yet for all its formality, there’s nothing stiff or untouchable here. The sofas are deep and the fabrics feel good on the skin. It’s a pampered, pretty way to live. A world you can feel very good waking up in – as long as you are wearing the right pyjamas. Silk ones, of course.”

From Wonderland: Adventures in Decoration by Summer Thornton, published by Rizzoli, out now.

A classic Pierre Frey wallpaper looks insanely cosy in this kitchen. The hanging brass-and-glass shelving allows the owner to display a collection of antique glassware, porcelains, and silver services – a mix of inherited and collected pieces. There’s an airiness to an island when it is not solid. This one is a reproduction of an antique farm table. Big baskets underneath serve as drawers. A classic black hood with strapping is a natural contrast to the white subway tiles.

This garden-inspired bathroom, off the blue-velvet office, was led by a glorious handpainted Gracie wallpaper. Silver clamshell sconces are a favourite of mine, so naturally I found a place for them here. I left instructions that they should be allowed to tarnish because I think things that are slightly less than perfect feel more alive. Blue Calacatta marble on the floor and the vanity looks cool, calm, and collected. Light pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Waking up in this bedroom is like waking up in a suite at the Ritz in Paris. It is so buttoned up and decadent at the same time. The silver-leaf beds have green silk velvet headboards and footboards. They look antique. The Pierre Frey shades have an embroidered velvet trim. Every wall is covered in silk, a distinctly elegant look that elevates any room. The Empire-style dressers are exquisite, with gold fluting and a step detail, while the gilded wavy mirror takes the dressers down a notch.

The bathroom adjoins the bedroom and has an old European look, with a deep bath and printed damask cotton drapes. A deep sconce with tiny shades that match the drapes, is a cheeky finish.