For over a decade, Mai Pham has been the internet’s favorite big sister. From her early days in Alberta, Canada, to becoming a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Alchemai, Mai’s journey has been defined by her “glow-up” transformations. Her latest $18,000/month NYC Central Park penthouse is more than just a renovation—it’s a masterclass in Zen-Minimalism, Grandparent-Core, and Curated Art Gallery design.
Living in a space with 18-foot ceilings and a “Minecraft portal” entryway, Mai has moved away from generic “HomeGoods” decor in favor of pieces with “past lives.” If you’re looking to turn your home into a high-vibe sanctuary, here is exactly how to get the look.
1. The Entryway: Setting the “Portal” Vibe
Mai believes the entryway sets the tone for the entire home. She uses architectural features to create a transition from the chaotic NYC streets to her sanctuary.
- Embrace Cultural Roots: Mai prominently features a Map of Asia and a Vietnam Airlines plane model, grounding her space in her Vietnamese heritage.
- The Power of Protection: She frames her double doors with golden Buddha plates and keeps a dragon coaster as an homage to her mother (Year of the Dragon).
- Thrift the Statement Pieces: Her entryway features pink marble tables and paper lanterns sourced from flea markets and Facebook Marketplace.
2. The Living Room: Art Gallery Meets Comfort
Mai describes her living room as an art gallery with soul. Her philosophy is that furniture has energy—especially pieces crafted by artisans.
- Outdoor Furniture Indoors: Mai’s “baby” is a massive outdoor sofa that she custom-stained a deep cherry red to match the wood throughout her house. It’s a genius hack for durability and unique texture.
- The Noguchi Influence: She is obsessed with paper lamps because they bring an airy, “crinkled” texture that balances out heavy wood.
- No TV, Just Vibes: Mai uses a projector instead of a television, allowing the room to remain an art gallery until it’s movie night.
3. The Bedroom & Bathroom: A Sanctuary for Sleep
In her bedroom, Mai focuses on Feng Shui. She avoided a heavy light fixture over the bed for a long time, eventually settling on a light paper pendant to keep the energy flowing.
- Soundscapes: Mai uses an eBay-sourced Hello Kitty boombox to play “Buddha Bonsai” soundtracks during her night routine to avoid phone usage.
- The “One Great Item” Rule: She advocates for buying one high-quality item you use every day—like her luxury blue-bordered towel—rather than multiple cheap ones.
Shop the Aesthetic.
Furniture & Large Decor
- The Statement Sofa:
- The Akari Style:
- Organic Seating:
- Asian-Style Finds:
Living Room Furniture
- Vintage Style:
- Window Dressing:
Wellness & Beauty
- Mai’s Signature Scent: [Insert Link to Parfums de Marly – Delina]
- The Sleep Savior: [ Silk Pillowcases or Brooklinen Burnt Orange Sheets]
- Zen Tech: [ Home Projectors for a “No-TV” Living Room]
The “Zen” Details
- Plant Care: [Insert Link to Self-Watering Planters or Ceramic Teal Pots]
- Crystal Healing: [Insert Link to Raw Amethyst or Quartz Crystal Sets]
- Unique Essentials:
Final Thoughts: Building a Home with a Soul
At the end of the day, Mai’s penthouse isn’t just a lesson in high-end design; it’s a reminder that our homes should be a sanctuary for our past, present, and future selves. Whether you’re adding a simple prayer mat to your bedroom or hunting down the perfect vintage screen on Facebook Marketplace, the goal is to create a space that “shows gratitude back to you.” Building a home with a soul takes time, a bit of thrifting, and the courage to move your furniture sixteen times until the vibe is finally right.
Want to see every corner of this iconic NYC sanctuary ? Check out Mai’s full video tour below for the ultimate dose of inspiration:
Watch the Full $18,000 NYC Penthouse Tour on YouTube.
and another in detail,from HOMEWORTHY: