When an apartment is so chic it has its own name, you know you are about to walk into something special. Fem Glam, conceived by acclaimed interior designer Peter Lam, is the personified home of Nichol Bradford, an American video game executive with a discerning eye and an eclectic spirit. Quietly nestled into the city’s former French Concession, it is easily one of the Shanghai’s most individual and unique residences.

Arriving in town a few years ago with what she half-jokingly refers to as “three suitcases and a dream”, New York and Los Angeles veteran Bradford quickly found a suitable apartment and set about finding a designer to give the space a personalised twist. After interviewing several candidates found on the Creative Hunt website, she promptly settled on Peter Lam, proclaiming that she clicked with him immediately.

Lam's approach to design is heavily based upon building trust through teamwork; according to Bradford they created a working relationship that was as successful as it was fun. After getting to know more about Bradford, her motives behind moving halfway around the world to China and what she wanted stylistically for her living space, Peter designed a concept he felt best mirrored her character.

“I told Peter that I wanted something elegant, but edgy and that I had no interest in playing it safe. When I went for too much drama, he pushed for comfort. When I went for something almost common, he pushed for uniqueness. It’s his ability to go from traditional, to bohemian, to Asian, to Hollywood-retro that made him a perfect fit for me because I was looking for a truly unique, singular space.”

Overall the process took approximately six months. Bradford lived in the apartment throughout the evolution, watching the space grow as each piece arrived, one by one, at irregular intervals. Most weekends Lam and Bradford spent together hunting for furniture, art or odds-and-ends in Shanghai’s markets – an enjoyable experience that led to a close friendship. Bradford says, “We had so many moments where we saw something, looked at each other and said, 'Wow!'”

Every large piece of furniture in the apartment is custom built. No two styles are the same, yet there is a strong sense of unity throughout. Originally hoping to have a predominantly white apartment, Shanghai’s air quality and Lam convinced Bradford otherwise; instead sharp-contrasting yellows, silver and black dominate and infuse vibrancy into the space. The use of a fantastically mirrored dining table expands the main room, while two small trees provide an artificial break at its centre-point.

Examples of Bradford's favourite pieces include an elegant silver armoire, a large plush bed with extra hidden storage space below, an outsized bust of David which is the first thing to greet visitors at the front door, an impossibly-comfortable sofa and a fuzzy chandelier. All are testament to Lam's aesthetic sense of balance and way-outside-the-box creativity.

Lam's design philosophy focuses on creating spaces that feel like the owner has planned everything themselves and all art and decorations within have been collected over many years. He contends, “I believe it’s important that the space say something about the owner – that they amplify the personality of the occupant. Rather than just creating a space that looks nice, we should create one that really represents the homeowner’s character.”

With Fem Glam, Lam has perfectly illustrated his doctrine – he has successfully made the inanimate take a life of its own, echoing the multifarious nature of his client Bradford. As she says, “I feel very lucky to have found him now, as I have no doubt that Peter Lam will become a legendary interior designer.”

Web: www.hotdogdecor.com