On a warm spring morning in Brooklyn, Mark Grattan’s Himalayan cat, Amiga, lounges comfortably around the apartment—stretching across custom furniture, sinking into soft rugs, and claiming every corner like it’s hers. And honestly, it’s kind of is. But the beautifully transformed apartment is also a reflection of Grattan’s bold creative vision and hands-on approach to design.
The designer originally didn’t plan to stay in New York. During the pandemic, he was living in Mexico City, creating furniture under his former label, VIDIVIXI, when musician and creative director Solange Knowles invited him to collaborate on projects for Saint Heron. What was supposed to be a short six-month stay quickly turned into something more permanent.
Before he knew it, Grattan had rented a wood shop, brought Amiga to Brooklyn, and started rebuilding a life in the city he once called home while studying at Pratt Institute. After bouncing between Airbnb’s and temporary spaces, he eventually found an apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant that gave him exactly what he wanted: freedom to experiment and create.
And create he did. With permission from his landlords, Grattan completely transformed the apartment from top to bottom. He widened doorways, redid electrical systems, redesigned walls and ceilings, and turned every room into an immersive design experience. The interiors are bold yet thoughtful—featuring leopard-print walls, rich green accents, Rouge Griotte marble, African mahogany, mirrors, lacquer finishes, and custom details throughout.
Even the bathroom became a statement space, with a cherry-colored bathtub, blue-glass shower panel, and matte-black fixtures.
Inside his apartment, nearly every piece of furniture was designed by Grattan himself. An octagonal dining table made from sapele wood anchors the space, while wall-mounted shelving, layered textures, and curved forms create a sense of flow from room to room. Repetition plays a major role in his style, with recurring shapes, colors, and patterns tying the apartment together.
For Grattan, the process wasn’t about perfection. It was about learning through building. He spent months living inside an active construction zone, working alongside contractors and physically helping bring the designs to life. That hands-on mindset defines his work. Since winning Ellen’s Next Great Designer, Grattan has become known for creating interiors and furniture that blend sculptural beauty with functionality. His work has attracted clients like Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, while also earning recognition from institutions like the Brooklyn Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
But despite the craftsmanship and design precision, the home still feels deeply personal. Family tributes, artwork from friends, travel finds from Brazil, and carefully selected pieces from favorite brands all add warmth and character to the space. For Grattan, this apartment became more than just a place to live. It became a home for his ideas, his process, and the work he spent years building toward. And, of course, a home for Amiga too.
