Veronica Mishaan details design of Bogotá penthouse

Veronica Mishaan’s interest in design began at an early age. Her mother, Susana Mishaan de Millán, was an established designer working in Bogotá and Cartagena, Colombia, and played a major role in shaping Veronica’s appreciation for painting and the visual arts. “We have different styles, but she has taught me about confidence, layering, and proportions,” Mishaan notes, crediting her mother with instilling an enduring love of art.

After completing her degree at Tufts University in quantitative economics and international relations, Mishaan initially planned to pursue a career as a painter. At her father’s suggestion, she channeled her artistic talents into assisting her mother’s interior design practice. “I came to see interior design as another form of art,” she says. What was meant to be a six-month involvement turned into a professional path spanning 16 years.

Working with her mother, Mishaan helped grow M De M Designs, creating custom interiors and handcrafted furniture in Bogotá and Cartagena. Six years later, she took full leadership of the firm and transformed it into Veronica Mishaan Design House, where she could explore her own aesthetic and expand internationally. Today, with offices in New York City, Bogotá, and Bermuda, Mishaan leads projects across residential, hospitality, commercial, and product design sectors around the globe.

Mishaan’s artistic training combined with an analytical approach shapes her design method. She treats each interior like a blank canvas, layering hues, textures, forms, and materials to build spaces that feel dynamic and purposeful. “When I design, I aim to balance materials, scale, and circulation,” she says. Her approach shifts with each client; she avoids repeating a single formula and treats every commission as an opportunity to expand her knowledge.

Veronica Mishaan is our guest for today’s Friday Five. In a brief conversation we discussed a 6,250-square-foot penthouse in Bogotá she recently completed and the ideas that guided its transformation.

The Bogotá Penthouse Project

“This Bogotá residence embodies our central belief in creating interiors that age gracefully, carry personal stories, and blend historical and contemporary elements,” Mishaan explains. The apartment, which has remained in the family for more than three decades, juxtaposes treasured heirlooms and long-collected furnishings with modern pieces designed by her studio.

Design Influences for the Bogotá Penthouse

Three Decades of Family History

The floor plan was redesigned to suit the owners’ present-day needs while keeping a strong connection to the home’s past. Renovation work introduced custom-tinted wide-plank oak flooring, a combination of recessed and decorative lighting schemes, and walls finished in smooth plaster.

The owners’ primary suite was moved to a new location and wrapped in a deep navy wallcovering. Furnishings include a paisley-wool upholstered bed, a bouclé chaise and bench by Kelly Wearstler, and bespoke shelving in brass, wood, and glass. The en-suite bath is lined with pink marble underfoot that rises up the walls and transitions into blue-and-white waterjet marble detailing.

A luxurious dressing area features mirrored surfaces, a custom vanity clad in parchment, and a curved bench upholstered in Pierre Frey velvet. Guest bedrooms were customized for the family’s needs, with specially designed bunk beds installed for the grandchildren.

“The client wanted the apartment updated for their current chapter, but didn’t want to erase the memories accumulated over 30-plus years,” Mishaan says. Existing furniture and artworks were repurposed and placed in new spots throughout the home—for instance, a desk that once stood in the living area now resides in the primary bedroom.

The Andes and Bogotá’s Verdure

The spectacular views of the Andes played a significant role in the design choices. “Not many cities provide a mountain backdrop like Bogotá’s, so I used that as a key source of inspiration,” Mishaan says.

That natural panorama informed the palette and material selections in rooms such as the playroom, which features sage-green millwork, honey-toned oak floors, dark wood doors and baseboards, and walls finished in natural marmorino plaster. Earthy hues throughout the apartment reference the surrounding landscape, while wooden elements and botanical patterns strengthen the visual connection to nature. In the primary bedroom, a dark-blue blossom wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries contributes to a calm, garden-like atmosphere.

Art Collection and Material Choices

The owners’ art collection provides cultural resonance and emotional grounding, including works by artists such as Peter Halley, Sophia Vari, Pedro Ruiz, and Larraz. Mishaan emphasizes that material selection ultimately shaped much of the project’s identity. “There wasn’t a single narrative at the outset,” she explains. “It evolved into a balanced mix of materials that felt right to both the client and me.”

The interior brings together a considered assortment of textures and patterns: leopard-pattern Stark carpets, printed linen window treatments, a repurposed antique Aubusson rug, a wool bouclé sofa, and dark-brown velvet draperies. Custom-designed furniture, detailed millwork, and bronze hardware personalize the spaces, while honey-colored wood floors, rich wood accents, bespoke doors, and a family-room bookcase wrapped in white parchment add warmth and character. “Widespread use of marmorino plaster in the common areas provides softness and warmth,” Mishaan adds.

Much of the custom furniture and millwork was crafted by artisan workshops across Colombia, further reinforcing the apartment’s ties to its place of origin.