During John Demsey’s three decades at the helm of Estée Lauder, his business know-how came second only to his unique radar for rising stars. He had an eye for allure, recruiting everyone from Lady Gaga to Nicki Minaj for MAC campaigns in the early 2010s. After leaving the company last year, Demsey switched gears, turning toward decorating his six-story town house, on the Upper East Side, which is the subject of a new coffee-table book. In a testament to his “maximalist mantra,” every square inch of the home brims in color, pattern, and texture. Photographer Douglas Friedman captures the art and accessories that distinguish each room, and journalist Alina Cho delves into Demsey’s creative process.