When Shane Glover says his home is his sanctuary, he truly means it—no matter where that home might be. The South African−born artist and designer has had many residences over the years, from continental Europe to London to Cape Town to New York, where he has lived for the last decade. The common denominator among them all: They are highly curated, colorful, and deeply personal. “My taste is eclectic, contemporary, and warm,” says Glover, who, in addition to conceptualizing large-scale sculptures, designs everything from interiors and modular furniture to landscapes and television production sets. “I can’t stand neutral, hotel-like palettes. For me, color is sunshine, and I want an environment that is going to make me feel welcome and happy.”
Although Glover is thoroughly comfortable with a change of scenery, he moves house only if he happens upon something special, and he simply couldn’t resist the sweeping vistas of City Hall Park from his current pad in FiDi. “I overlook the tree line and the historic buildings in the distance,” he says. “Greenery provides a healthy energy and brings me peace. This view is a piece of art itself.”
Todd James’s cheeky 2013 canvas Pee’s Keeping Forces Two hangs in the living room. Works by Pieter Hugo and Alex Prager line the adjacent kitchen wall.
Normann Copenhagen chairs surround a table from DWR in the kitchen. The pendant is from Flos.
In the living room, a Niko Luoma work plays foil to a graphic area rug by Jan Lei. Seating pieces include a pair of molded plywood chairs and a rocking chair by Charles and Ray Eames and a Nova sofa from Rolf Benz.
Berndnaut Smilde’s Nimbus Powerstation, 2017, a digital C-type print mounted on aluminum, commands attention in a hallway.
Artwork by Frank Böttger and Aron Warszawski punctuates the vestibule leading to the primary bedroom.
The primary bedroom features a Tufty bed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia and a rug from ABC Carpet & Home. The large photographic works are by Sam Taylor-Wood (left) and Dean West (right).
In the primary bath, Ray Caesar’s 2017 Communion serves as a vantage point.
In the second bedroom/ office, a vintage Hans Wegner CH22 lounge chair sits on a geometric kilim by Front. Works by Levon Biss and John Holcomb hang above a shelving system by Vitsoe.
As a designer and collector of furnishings, art, and objects, Glover also approaches his apartments as if he’s “creating a living, breathing work that’s constantly changing with the light.” To this end, he always prepares a detailed floor plan before setting foot into any new domicile. “I’ve been collecting for nearly 40 years, so it’s comforting to know that I’ve found space for certain pieces and that my furniture will fit,” he says, adding that he relishes the opportunity to pull different items out of storage with each new home. “Before I move in, I do a scale drawing of every wall and determine which artworks will go where. In this apartment, I was able to fit 72 pieces, eight of which are sculptures.”
Indeed, practically every bit of wall space is occupied, a necessity given the corner unit’s large expanses of glass. He has even hung a beloved photograph in his closet. “It’s a very moving portrait taken in Rwanda that reminds me of Africa,” Glover explains. “Coming from South Africa, where the earth is literally red, I have a love of color and the vibrancy of the people there.” A telephone-wire basket woven by a Zulu woman is another object that Glover holds dear. “Every piece is a favorite in its own way,” he muses. “I buy things that I fall in love with. My taste is quite varied, but if something is unusual, it speaks to me. I even collect children’s toys because I like things that are whimsical.” From compelling photography to more abstract works that are grouped together like puzzle pieces, all form a seamless whole. In the second bedroom, which doubles as an office and an extra sitting area, a pair of geometric kilims by the Swedish design studio Front anchor a heady mix of photography, paintings, and sculpture. “It’s a busy, eclectic room, but instead of feeling claustrophobic, it feels cozy.”
As a self-proclaimed creature of habit and someone who embraces the idea of sustainability, Glover has brought many of his large furnishings with him from place to place. “I prefer to invest in quality foundational items once,” says Glover, who has an affinity for adaptable pieces from sources such as Vitsoe and USM. “I like modular furniture because you can reconfigure it according to each new space, and it takes on a different life. It grows and evolves with you. When I design an interior, the furniture provides the structure, and everything else is me following my gut. I try to design from the heart and be true to myself. It’s important that the place I retreat to after experiencing all the madness outside feels organized and balanced. My home is my haven.”
