When I first met Lucia Tait Tolani, she laughed and joked: “I’m allergic to white!” Anyone who has even spared a glance at her Mid-Levels home would see why. Upon opening the door to her apartment, you are instantly greeted by golden yellows, animal stripes, velvety greens, unique marble veining, splashes of pink and earthy raffia…a cacophony of colours, patterns and textures that would not simply make sense in any other home but Tait Tolani’s.
A vintage 1970s Vivai del Sud screen from 1st Dibs anchors the living room
A vintage mid-century brass mantlepiece from Chairish adorns the fireplace beneath a Pichwai artwork from from Ganesha Emporium in Udaipur
It may be hard to believe now, but Tait Tolani once lived in a home with white walls. “While I’ve always loved pattern, texture, and colour, I’ve explored this passion in different ways — my decorating eras, if you will. When I lived in New York in my 20s, my bachelorette pad was almost exclusively white, with pattern and texture expressed in this restricted palette (even the exposed brick was painted white!) It was meant as a sanctuary from my life outside, which was more emotional, exciting and erratic,” she reveals.
The dining room features a custom marble table paired with 1970s vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Gabriella Crespi style brass and rattan
A vintage Raynaud Limoges coffee and tea set from Permanent Resident sits atop the kitchen counter
“Hungry” (2022) by Jono Toh hangs on the wall above a Kelly Wearstler Souffle Bench
Her current Hong Kong apartment, which she has called home since she started her family in her 30s, has grown with her. “My life is now more orderly and predictable, and I found myself shaking things up at home by playing with the decor. However, now in my 40s, I’ve become drawn to rich, warm, natural tones, again heading towards a more limited palette by phasing out bold hues yet incorporating more contrast. It’s more about cocooning and creating a family space with a history. The only constant is change! Each home is very much a matter of marrying where I am in life with the location and characteristics of the space itself.”
Tait Tolani is the co-director of Permanent Resident, a retail destination boasting thoughtfully designed in-house collections, coveted vintage pieces, and even upcycled or preloved furniture for those seeking to make their living space one-of-a-kind — and Tait Tolani’s home is a testament to that.
When you walk into her favourite space in the home – her cozy living area – you will see a vintage 1970s Vivai del Sud screen she found on the online marketplace 1st Dibs. On each side of the statement screen sits a table with custom Indian bone inlay from Etsy with Linden Lamps by Kelly Wearstler. At the centre stands a Bowerbird coffee table, used to house cocktail party spreads or casual buffet dinners. And the beautiful sofas? Well, they’re upcycled. “Like we say at Permanent Resident, the magic is in the mix,” Tait Tolani smiles. “Our home is authentically layered and pleasantly lived-in, an effect that can only happen naturally over time by combining vintage, upcycled and new pieces — items that are made by hand, collected from around the world, thoughtfully repurposed, or designed specifically for the space.”
The Belvedere Bar Cart designed by Permanent Resident is complemented by a vintage silver engraved champagne bucket, Ada champagne flute set by Creart and Lolli Murano Glass set — all from Permanent Resident
Ash Pillow Chair in custom Larsen Fabric; Linden table lamp by Kelly Wearstler; side table with custom Indian bone inlay from Etsy
Next to the living room is the dining area, where a piece of Pichwai art from Ganesha Emporium in Udaipur, India hangs on top of the mantle in between vintage Venini Murano glass sconces from the 70s. Around her self-designed marble table sits her vintage Italian Hollywood Regency dining chairs crafted from brass and rattan, where she enjoys hearty meals with her husband and her children. “Our family is multicultural therefore our home’s design draws on our different backgrounds,” she reveals. “Being American with a previous NYC-base, I have an anything goes philosophy. I love to blend locally-made custom furniture with European vintage pieces with objects that pay homage to my husband and children’s Indian heritage.”
The terrace seating is adorned with custom cushions in Jim Thompson fabric and Teste di Moro ceramics sourced in Sicily
The highlight of the dining space is a bar cart, but not just any bar cart — it’s Permanent Resident’s three-tier Belvedere Bar Cart, which is handmade using rattan, rafia and Tanguile Wood in the Philippines. “At Permanent Resident, we made the pieces we wished we had in our own homes,” she shares. “I’m absolutely thrilled that I now have the bar cart of my dreams and the wall bracket I could never quite find. I also love using our table linens, especially around the holidays.”
Her son’s custom daybed features pillows in custom Leontine Linens, while the Visual Comfort Wimberley Double Library Wall Light lights up the room
The study floor is covered with a Moroccan Beni Ourain rug; a 1970s vintage mid-century Italian desk is paired with an armchair upholstered in a vintage Oushak rug
Simply put, Tait Tolani’s home is a symphony of cultures and design influences. The first object to catch your eye in her vibrant blue study is a vintage brass mid-century armchair wrapped in a vintage Oushak rug, which she paired with a 1970s vintage Italian glass table, with bamboo and rattan legs — all of which sits on top of a Moroccan Beni Ourain rug. Turn your head slightly and you will see Hong Kong artist Jono Toh’s 2022 painting “Hungry” hanging on the wall. In the master bedroom, a juju hat sourced in South Africa is displayed alongside crystal lamps sourced in from Paul Bert Serpette in Paris. “I take design cues and source items from places I’ve visited around the world, particularly from local artisans and handicrafts. I hope our home also evokes a sense of the city of Hong Kong — vibrant, warm, tropical, and dynamic,” she shares.
The master bed sits in between drawer chests from Trove by Studio Duggan; above it hangs a Juju hat sourced in South Africa
“Home is a physical manifestation of our multi-faceted lives. Home is creating your own little world, a space where you can explore who you are and what is important to you and where your guests can gain a deeper understanding of your taste and values,” she continues. “My home is the place I’d rather be more than anywhere else. That is why I loath going on staycations — it just doesn’t get any better than home!”
Next to her daughter’s Million Dollar Baby Abigail crib is a giant giraffe from Hansa Toys, all placed against the backdrop of Morris & Co.’s Owl and Willow wallpaper
Photography: Natalie Dunn
Makeup Artist: Vanessa Wong
Hair Stylist: Vic Lai
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