Habitat: Bespoke Tailoring in Rittenhouse

Master bathroom. Photography by Jason Varney

Moody, masculine style often gets an unfair rap: man caves, blob-like leather recliners, walls dominated by hulking flat-screens. But a local entrepreneur’s Federal-style townhome just off Rittenhouse Square defies convention thanks to a trio of pros who brought his overarching design directive — a European feel, the sort you get when wearing a finely tailored Savile Row suit — to life.

Designer Ashli Mizell collaborated with Wayne-based architect Warren Claytor and Ardmore building company Pinemar to transform the home. “We had the furnishings designed and hand-tailored locally,” Mizell says. Add some custom finishes, herringbone wood floors and a few carefully selected found objects, and the result is luxuriously masculine, but with enough whimsy and color to dash the man-cave trope for good.

Photography by Jason Varney

Living Room

In the living room, Savile Row style gets a literal interpretation via rich textiles, like striped wool upholstery and a vintage hand-dyed Persian rug.

Library

The library is a classic club room, but with a twist: Lacquered oxblood built-in shelves and dark linen on the walls mix with lively fabrics on the chairs.

Kitchen

For the kitchen, “we wanted something that had an air of utility but was also interesting, masculine, richly textured and refined,” Mizell says. The island features a custom pewter countertop, the ceiling is done in horsehair fabric, and the walls are marble tile.

Elevator

The elevator is “pure London,” Mizell says of this colorful cage, which features a punchy paint job, inlaid wood floors, and a brass-finished traditional Japanese stool.

Master Bathroom

Modern glass-and-iron doors lead from a graphic tiled master bathroom to an outdoor deck. The stand-alone porcelain-and-zinc tub is from Waterworks.

Breakfast Room

A custom built-in banquette anchors the breakfast nook just off the kitchen. The walls are covered in the same horsehair fabric as the kitchen ceiling for a seamless blend of the two spaces.