An avid collector, Adnan greatly enjoys the thrill of the hunt. He isn’t afraid to take a thrifty approach at times, occasionally acquiring free items during his neighborhood strolls. “I think people who don’t live in New York City love to complain about garbage on the streets, and I don’t view it as a negative,” he insists. “To me, it’s actually a massive positive, because you can’t miss it if something’s really good.” Adnan’s wooden Lane coffee table is one such favorite freebie. “In this apartment, one thing I was consistent about was that I wanted a coffee table that could take abuse, and I didn’t know what it was going to look like,” the designer adds. “I found this piece sitting on the curb when I was leaving a client meeting. I ended up taking it home in an Uber, and it was the perfect size.”
It’s no surprise, then, that Adnan doesn’t believe a space should be too fussy or impractical. “Interiors are for living,” he emphasizes. “If you’re stressed about spilling your coffee or a glass of wine or a dog’s muddy paw, it’s not working and you’re never going to be at ease and truly happy.” He notes that slipcovers on a sofa “are a great way to put your mind at ease,” and by no means do they have to be commonplace. “When I do slipcovers for clients, I always try to make them special somehow,” he adds.
