Who is Donald Trump's decorator?

The person behind Donald Trump's most famous private spaces—especially that wild triplex penthouse in Trump Tower—was the late Italian-born designer Angelo Donghia. Donghia was basically a rockstar in the 1970s and 80s interior design world. Trump hired him back in the early 80s to turn the top three floors of Trump Tower into something that screamed Versailles, but with more gold. Sure, Trump has worked with plenty of other designers since then for places like Mar-a-Lago or his Bedminster golf course. But Donghia? He's the one who really locked in that whole "Trump look" of marble, gold, and over-the-top neoclassical stuff.

Who was Angelo Donghia and why did Trump choose him?

Angelo Donghia (1935–1985) was a big deal—a legendary interior designer and fabric guy who basically defined what American luxury looked like in the late 1900s. He was all about bold colors, rich textures, and putting a modern spin on classical designs. Donald Trump, still climbing the real estate ladder back then, brought him on to do the Trump Tower penthouse in the early 80s. Trump wanted something that screamed "money and power," and Donghia totally delivered. That project became the poster child for 1980s excess: 24-karat gold leaf everywhere, onyx, mirrored walls, a bedroom straight out of Louis XIV's playbook. Rumor has it Trump basically said "spend whatever you want," and the result was a space that became the Trump brand's visual identity.

Did Trump use any other decorators after Donghia?

Yeah, absolutely. After Donghia died in 1985, Trump kept working with other designers for his various projects. For Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, he brought in Roger P. M. de Cabrol, a French decorator who helped restore that mansion's old-school grandeur while tossing in Trump's usual gold and crystal touches. For his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, he went with David Easton, a traditionalist who knew how to do classic country club vibes. But honestly, none of those later projects ever hit the same iconic level as Donghia's Trump Tower penthouse. For private homes, Trump has also worked with Dawn Fitzpatrick and Sherri Donghia (Angelo's niece who took over his firm), but the core "Trump look" was all Angelo Donghia.

What is the signature style of Donald Trump's decorator?

So what makes Angelo Donghia's style for Trump's places so recognizable? Here's the breakdown:

• Gold overdose: Gold leaf on ceilings, walls, furniture—basically everywhere you look.
• Mirror mania: Mirrored walls and tables to make spaces feel endless and bright.
• Bold jewel colors: Deep reds, royal blues, emerald greens, all accented with brass.
• Classical revival stuff: Columns, cornices, pediments borrowed from French and Italian palaces.
• Fancy materials: Onyx, marble, silk, velvet—used without restraint.
• Massive chandeliers: Huge, ornate crystal chandeliers as the room's centerpiece.

What specific rooms did Donghia design for Trump?

Angelo Donghia designed the entire 8,000-square-foot Trump Tower triplex penthouse. The rooms that really stand out include:

• The Louis XIV bedroom, with a custom bed and a gold-leaf ceiling that's just ridiculous.
• The living room, which has this 22-foot-long onyx bar and floor-to-ceiling windows.
• The dining room, where the table is 24-karat gold-plated and the walls are mirrored.
• The entrance hall, with marble floors and a grand staircase that's pure drama.

People Also Ask

Did Donald Trump design his own homes?

Look, Trump definitely has strong opinions and often made the final calls, but he wasn't the one doing the actual decorating. He leaned hard on pros like Angelo Donghia to bring his vision to life. Trump has said he's got a "good eye" for style, but the real design work was Donghia's—and later, other designers he hired.

Is the Trump Tower penthouse still decorated by Donghia?

Mostly, yeah. The core of Donghia's design is still there, though Trump has tinkered with it over the years—added more gold, updated the tech. The penthouse is mainly used as a private home for Trump and his family now, but it's also been the backdrop for political events.

Who decorated Mar-a-Lago?

Mar-a-Lago was originally designed by architect Marion Sims Wyeth and interior designer Joseph Urban back in the 1920s. When Trump bought it in 1985, he hired Roger P. M. de Cabrol to restore and update the interiors. The result mixes the original Mediterranean Revival style with Trump's signature gold-and-opulence thing.

What is the cost of the Trump Tower penthouse decor?

Nobody's released exact numbers, but estimates from the 1980s put the Donghia-designed decor at several million dollars. The custom furniture, gold leaf, and onyx alone would be worth millions today. The penthouse itself? Valued at over $100 million.

Key Design Elements in Trump's Properties

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