Golden Glow Nest
The Golden Glow Nest is a special project by the Cypriot architect and designer Christia Angelidou. It is the first and primary residence of her other half, and the place they together call their home.
Part of the drama of reinventing this private penthouse was the way scale and height were redesigned to stun visitors as they walk in, creating this mix of expansive and intimate spaces. Symmetry was salient in all aspects of the design, which led to an image of order, clarity and perfection. All spaces embrace the sun and are characterised by meticulous detail, intimacy and eerie aesthetics.
Amber stained glass was installed to invoke a Gothic feel and to bathe the spaces in a golden glow ambience when the sun’s rays penetrate the glass and disperse. The sublime gleaming effect yields the perfect natural light for meditation and contemplation in the core of the penthouse. Sculptural art pieces in illuminated displays and modern furniture stand in light celebrating the warmth of the Mediterranean, its roots, and culture.
The living room is characterised by an engaging variety of objects, furniture and atmospheric lighting. The Wall System by Poliform exhibits traditional Greek-Cypriot art pieces and Christia’s own sculptures.The sofa and coffee table collection named ‘Sydney’ are by Poliform and designed by Jean-Marie Massaud. The ‘Mad Joker’ armchair is also by Poliform and designed by Marcel Wanders.
Located in a quiet neighbourhood in one of the most prominent downtown residential areas of the capital city, the penthouse overlooks the surrounding greenery of the nearby residences – a calming gateway from the couple’s busy schedule. Once inside, the space feels calm and welcoming. In the Summer, visitors are met with direct sunlight from the high floor-to-ceiling glass façade that is folded to extend the living room to the huge veranda. In Winter, you walk into the warmth of the central fireplace. At the heart of the apartment is the open plan kitchen, minimally designed to unite all the spaces as it is positioned along the main corridor. Its symmetric proportions and custom designed smooth counter- top surfaces encircle the interior from the entrance through to the bedrooms. The stools are used for casual dining or by guests having a glass of wine while the owner cooks in front of them. They are also used for enjoying the morning coffee before work.
The dining table is Christia’s own art piece titled ‘Unconscious Dining Table’ and stands on a sculptural base made of terrazzo. It is fixed on a metal (brushed brass) ring and has a tempered glass top. An abstractionist form integrated with structure; the inspiration for the form derives from the theory of the unconscious mind - a repository of wishes and impulse. The sculptural base becomes a current expression of beauty and comes forth in three-dimensional object furniture.
The entrance door is clad with stained sheets of olive wood whose organic patterns echo the sculptural shape of the terrazzo dining table.The wall extending past the door is a custom-made partition used as an entryway closet.The original layout of the penthouse was extensively remodelled, with ideas such as smoked-mirror-clad cupboards that bounce light around every part of each room. The curation of the open-plan space provides a seamless mediation between objects, interpretation and the ‘room’.
Using the wall colour of one room for the woodwork colour of another leads the eye and creates a harmonious feel. The wall panels emphasise height and manipulate perspective too. In the master- bedroom, a cleverly designed system of hinged screens / movable planes was crafted to blackout daylight when sleeping-in. The panel folds away again to let light in. The bathrooms in the penthouse have an almost identical minimalistic appearance, varying only in material finishes and custom sink designs. In the guest bathroom, large floor-to-ceiling Travertine tiles were combined with a grey Onyx in the counter-top area. In the master bathroom, Grey Stardust floor- to-ceiling tiles were combined with Noir Saint Laurent in the counter-top area. The flow of hues creates a water-like effect.
