All of my projects have stories because my clients are people with unique tales to tell. One such project was a 4-bedroom apartment and a roof deck on the penthouse floor of a famous building on Fifth Avenue, right across the street from Central Park.

This was a significant project with a tight deadline. However, what we didn’t anticipate was the building becoming a constant news headline during our time there. The reason?

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer leaves his apartment building on New York’s Fifth Ave., Wednesday morning, March 12, 2008. Spitzer announced Wednesday, March 12, 2008, that he would resign effective March 17, completing a stunning fall from power after he was nationally disgraced by links to a high-priced prostitution ring.

That was when the media arrived, and from then on we wore sunglasses going in and out of this building that Elliot Spizer lived in with his family and owned.

As we celebrate our 25th year in business, I'm thrilled to reflect on one of our favorite projects. To me, the key to success is establishing a great rapport with clients. When there's mutual trust and positive energy, everything falls into place beautifully.

This project was a true testament to the power of joyful collaboration. The clients, a happy couple who had just become empty nesters after marrying off their children, were looking for a pied-a-terre that would serve as a peaceful retreat in the heart of Tribeca. Since both of their newlywed children lived nearby, they wanted a cozy space where they could all come together, visit and unwind.

The challenge was to create a design that combined bold, exuberant colors with a sophisticated style that conveyed a sense of understated luxury and comfort. The result was a space that radiated joy, happiness, and tranquility, perfectly suited to the client's needs and personalities.