The penthouse has come to represent the pinnacle of urban living; a luxury abode that occupies the top floor of a building and is characterised by the best of the best.

It wasn’t always so. In earlier times the penthouse was simply the machinery shed perched on the rooftop and used to house the controls for the elevators, or heating and cooling system. Nobody would want to actually live in one, except maybe pigeons.

It wasn’t until the roaring 20´s in New York City that a penthouse became the name for an uber-luxury apartment on the top floor, or floors. One of the first was owned by publisher Conde Nast at 1040 Park Avenue; a grand duplex that included a rooftop terrace for partying.

We’re not too sure about the partying habits of the residents of this stunning penthouse apartment in Clayton USA, but we do know they have damn good taste and a head for heights.

Created by the highly acclaimed team from Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design and Dana Romeis from Castle Design (winners of Houzz.com Best in Design Award for three consecutive years) the goal was to transform 4,600 square feet of raw space into a penthouse home for an active family.

The dominant architectural feature of the building is the broad, concave curve of floor to ceiling windows.

Clean flat planes, niches, crisp casework, tray and dropped ceilings are repeated throughout. The finishes are gracious and understated thanks to the attention to detail by interior designer Dana Romeis of Fibercations. The palette of near-black, taupe, cream and glass green are at the same time rich and calming creating a handsome backdrop for contemporary art. The furnishings are classic and spare.

Achieving that delicate balance between an intimate interior and an expansive horizon is no easy task, and we like to think our LINK pendant lamp helped in no small way. The LINK, designed by Irish Penthouse Pet, Ray Power, is a careful assembly of Mobius strips, lending the notion of eternally flowing space to the inside of the home and echoing the endless views outside.

It just goes to show. Our beautiful handmade wood veneer lamps are just as at home up in the sky as they are on the ground.

Photographer: Alise O’Brien