Go Inside a Cinematic Las Vegas Residence Conceived by Designer Daniel Joseph Chenin

Being so close to one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, the clients wanted the home to have the atmosphere of a boutique hotel, with a grand entrance that gives way to visually stunning public areas that then evolve into sanctuary-like suites. “From the moment you arrive, even before you cross the threshold, it starts that whole progression of being pulled into a resort,” says the designer, who launched his career designing high-end hospitality projects around the world.

Hidden from the street, the 20,000-square foot, H-shaped residence is accessed through a long, narrow drive that opens into an auto court excavated from the mountain. The structure itself is tucked into the hill, meaning the property slowly reveals itself in stages. In the design, the lower portion of the H is reserved for the husband and wife, the middle section the communal areas, and the third portion the guest wing, which can be closed off when not in use, adding to the home’s efficiency. “We were trying to limit the amount of hallways and corridors, so you can move through spaces and experience the house through rooms, much like a hotel,” says Chenin.

The residence’s cinematic atmosphere is presented right from the get-go, with a dark entry hall leading to a 12-foot bronze door with a radiant pattern that nods to the circular theme displayed throughout, the motif an homage to the idea of the family coming together at the property. From there, visitors enter a grand outdoor room that offers views straight through the residence and out over the landscape to the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Doors and thoroughfares are framed by a striking black border, an architectural parallel to the couple’s art collection. “Once we found out that they had this huge collection of Hudson River School paintings that are characterized by this beautiful frame, we decided that we needed to use that to create scenes as you move through the house,” says Chenin.

Within those emphasized boundaries, the designer needed to select pieces that held their own, adhering to the client’s request for an interior that was both modern and traditional. To that end, he installed contemporary Warren Platner chairs from Knoll with a classic Baker sofa in the living room that also boasts a bright blue Dunn Edwards paint and 12-foot orange onyx fireplace. An expansive table by Chenin is set with oval-back dining chairs customized with a metallic embroidery in the dining room and the office boasts a bespoke desk made using burlwood, marble, and leather situated in front of eye-catching shelves comprised of brushed brass, silver leaf, and oak shelves. “These spaces are big, but they’re cozy,” explains the designer. “There’s lots of little details; it’s pretty sophisticated and glam in a way that nods to old Vegas.”

Since the completion of the three-year project, the designer has gone on to craft multiple residences for family (including California homes for the couple’s children). “Our whole philosophy when we work with a client is to try to develop that relationship to so there’s no honeymoon on the next project,” says the designer. “You can just jump into doing real work.”