In the furniture world, Michael Amini is known as the ‘King of Bling’, thanks to his crystal-infused creations and penchant for Russian palace decor. So, when the designer's private home landed on the market, we couldn't help but take a peek inside – and you won't quite believe what we found. Dripping in diamonds, Amini's OTT abode is almost too extra to be true. Put on your sunglasses and let's take a tour of his blindingly beautiful mansion...
Aptly named 'Palais de Cristal', which literally translates to 'Crystal Palace', Amini's opulent spread is imposing and impressive in equal parts. The property can be found on a prominent 26,600-square-foot parcel on the coastline of Newport, California, in an area rather amusingly named Crystal Cove. The upscale Mediterranean-style mansion was designed by Amini and only recently finished, after he paid $5.1 million (£3.6m) for the plot in 2007, Realtor reported.
Step through the front door and you'll be confronted by a dazzling entrance foyer that wouldn't look out of place in Abu Dhabi. Glistening surfaces, gilded accents, palatial columns and a soaring ceiling render this hallway truly one-of-a-kind. The sweeping imperial-style staircase takes centre stage. Reportedly inspired by The Peninsula Hotel in Paris, the staircase is decorated with 24-karat gold detailing for a glamorous finish.
Everywhere you look you'll find a medley of onyx, gold and brightly coloured glass – the very finest materials money can buy. In the very centre of the foyer's ceiling lies a spectacular glass dome finished with dozens of delicate Swarovski crystals. According to the listing agents, Compass, the dome is the only one of this magnitude in a residence in the United States. Perhaps this is why the bling-tastic beauty has been given a $69.8 million (£50m) asking price...
The entrance leads into the home's many extravagant living spaces, each one more luxurious than the next. Spanning 15,500 square feet, the property comes complete with seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms, we well as a spectacular lounge finished with a gigantic bespoke chandelier, white Jordanian marble and onyx walls. Every door handle has also been plated with 24-karat gold.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a dramatic library with remarkable ocean views, a grand formal dining room with a luxe wine cellar and three kitchens – two indoors and one outside. The property also provides an impressive 'entertaining pavilion', which comes equipped with everything you might need to host lavish parties with endless VIP guests.
The luxurious basement level offers a state-of-the-art movie theatre that puts public facilities to shame, as well as a gorgeous bar that appears plucked from a high-end hotel. There’s also a fitness centre and a wellness spa, complete with a massage room, steam shower and dry and wet saunas.
Of course, the master suite epitomises Amini’s signature style. Grand and oversized, it offers a custom cove ceiling, a kitchenette and two enormous spa-inspired bathrooms with heated marble floors and Kohler Numi 2.0 'intelligent toilets', which cost a staggering $8,000 (£5.7k). The room also offers dual walk-in closets and a decorative balcony that overlooks the home's palatial garden.
The lucky new owner need not worry about guest parking, either, because there's a 3,725-square-foot, climate-controlled garage for up to 10 vehicles. The garage doubles as a nightclub and boasts its own smoke machine and sound system, while its car turntable acts as a rotating dancefloor whenever the party gets started, the Wall Street Journal states. It also boasts 3,640 square feet of exterior decks, all of which offer unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and nearby Los Angeles.
Of course, Amini's garden isn't without bling, either. Taking inspiration from the panoramic views that lie beyond, the furniture guru commissioned a one-of-a-kind swimming pool, which was masterfully crafted by British artisans. Aptly named 'Sunrise to Sunset', the pool boasts handmade tiles, assembled to form a functioning piece of art. If the house sells for $69.8 million (£50m), it will beat Orange County's record, since the area's current most expensive home sold for $61 million (£43m) in 2020, according to the LA Times.
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