Top interior design programs in St. Louis

This article highlights seven prominent and emerging interior designers in St. Louis, recognized for their distinct styles and contributions to the local design scene. The selection process involved scouting homes featured in the magazine, receiving recommendations from industry professionals such as designers, architects, photographers, contractors, and homeowners, as well as acknowledging award winners and reader tips. The focus for this year's list was specifically on up-and-coming designers who are either new to the profession, relatively unknown, or young, emphasizing fresh talent in the field. The featured designers include Retta Leritz DiFate and Zachary Cramberg of Schoen Wahl designlab, who blend traditional and modern aesthetics and are pursuing LEED certification for their projects. They favor mixing high-end and affordable pieces and consider the Saarinen Tulip table a design icon. Julie Abner of Julie Abner Interiors, with 12 years of experience, is known for tailored and simplified interiors, valuing soft wool upholstery and suggesting updating light fixtures as a quick fix. She draws inspiration from current fashion color palettes featuring grays and jewel tones. Kim Taylor of Kim Taylor Interior Design, a reader-selected designer, is noted for her transitional style, combining abstract art with traditional furniture and clean lines. She emphasizes the use of warm tones with cool accents and highlights the practicality of hidden audiovisual units for flexible room usage, while disliking low-slung upholstery. Her favorite design icon is Barbara Barry, and she encourages using digital photos of beloved items for design inspiration. Denise Fogarty of Denise Fogarty Interiors showcases a classic Californian style, favoring blue hues and natural, organic textures like sisal and linen. She is inspired by Barclay Butera and suggests new lampshades as an easy update. Marci Marsh of Marci Marsh Design prefers traditional styles with clean lines, incorporating cool tones and organic textiles. She advises a phased approach to decorating and suggests paint and pillows for quick room updates, while expressing a dislike for the coral trend. Her favorite design icon is Stark's diamond-pattern jute. Jacob Laws, Senior Designer at CURE Design Group, brings a diverse background in theater, art history, and fashion to his designs. His trademark style blends classic elements with a modern edge, creating a sophisticated look through the juxtaposition of old and new. He appreciates linen, silk velvet, and lacquered pieces, and draws inspiration from art, travel, fashion, culture, and history, citing the movie *Auntie Mame* as a particular influence. Laws stresses the importance of living with cherished pieces and considers good art and Chinese Chippendale armchairs as design icons. #InteriorDesign #StLouisDesigners #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #ResidentialDesign #ModernAesthetics #TransitionalStyle #SustainableDesign #DesignInspiration

Aspiring interior designers seeking professional training can explore numerous reputable institutions across the United States. Many of these programs are recognized by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), signifying their adherence to high educational standards. These schools typically offer comprehensive curricula that blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students for diverse career paths within the interior design field. The New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) stands out as a university solely dedicated to interior design, providing CIDA-accredited undergraduate programs that combine interior design with liberal arts, and graduate programs for specialization in areas like lighting or sustainability. Its Manhattan location facilitates internships and networking opportunities. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) offers a broad spectrum of art and design programs, including a CIDA-accredited interior design program that emphasizes health, wellness, style, and sustainable practices across various design sectors. SCAD also allows students to complement their interior design studies with numerous minors and certificates, and provides campus options in Atlanta and Lacoste, France. George Washington University in Washington, D.C., is highly regarded for its interior architecture program, which is CIDA-accredited and encourages cross-collaboration on studio projects within the university. Syracuse University, located in upstate New York, offers a CIDA-accredited environmental and interior design program that focuses on challenging and re-envisioning the built environment to promote positive change, integrating sustainable design practices and an understanding of the business of design with a liberal arts education. Parsons School of Design at The New School, which pioneered interior design education in the U.S. in 1906, takes a research-oriented approach, preparing graduates for roles in established architecture studios or their own design practices. This NASAD-accredited program covers areas like set design, consulting, sustainable design, and historic preservation. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) offers an interior architecture program that centers on the adaptive reuse and modification of existing buildings, teaching students to revitalize structures from the inside out. The four-year program includes a foundational year and culminates in a final studio project showcasing specialized expertise. The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides a CIDA-accredited interior design program that emphasizes practical skills through hands-on studios and collaboration with New York City design experts, covering diverse spaces from residences to hospitals, with a focus on sustainability and user safety. The University of Cincinnati's five-year CIDA-accredited interior design program focuses on problem-solving, formal design skills, and historical and technical knowledge, including a mandatory co-op experience. Cornell University’s STEM-certified and CIDA-accredited design and environmental analysis program emphasizes design innovation, sustainable futures, and health and well-being, combining studio training, field experience, and applied research. Kansas State University offers a CIDA-accredited interior design program focused on how interior environments impact well-being, exploring human ecological theory and design practice, with graduates pursuing various specialized roles. Drexel University in Philadelphia offers a CIDA and NASAD-accredited interior design program that integrates art, art history, and general education with a focus on sustainability, professional preparation, human experience, and material exploration, featuring problem-solving design studios and cooperative employment. Pratt Institute, a top art school, also has a CIDA-accredited interior design program in Brooklyn, emphasizing deep philosophical and theoretical explorations to achieve diverse aesthetic expressions while adhering to ethical responsibility and professional standards. Finally, Auburn University's CIDA-accredited interior design program in Alabama fosters critical and creative thinking, preparing professionals to organize information, solve problems, and enhance the quality of life through environmental shaping, including design studios and foundational business coursework. #InteriorDesignEducation #DesignSchools #CIDAAccredited #CareerInDesign #SustainableDesign #DesignPrograms #InteriorArchitecture #ProfessionalDevelopment #HigherEducation

This article explores the unique interior design challenges and solutions for the residence of Lindenwood University president, Jim Evans, and his wife, Lois. The 9,200-square-foot house in St. Charles functions simultaneously as a comfortable private home and a sophisticated venue for entertaining university dignitaries and donors. Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design, along with senior designer Colleen Ertl of Diane Breckenridge Interiors, were tasked with creating a space that could seamlessly transition between these two distinct purposes. The design approach involved essentially creating "two houses in one." The formal areas, intended for university events, boast an elegant and traditional aesthetic. The dining room, for instance, seats 14 people and features a coffered ceiling, a grand fireplace, and French doors opening to a balcony. Its design evokes a modern interpretation of "Downton Abbey" style, balancing formality with comfort. The color palette in this space incorporates browns, greens, blues, cream, and touches of gold, aiming for a timeless yet contemporary feel that avoids being perceived as old or stuffy. This room is routinely used for formal occasions, donor engagements, alumni gatherings, and meetings with the university's board of directors. Adjacent to the dining room, the living room is designed in the style of a grand hall, complete with a dark, wood-beamed ceiling and an elegant fireplace. An inlaid floor visually connects the two formal spaces, with the color scheme from the dining room echoed in an area rug in the living room. Ertl emphasized the importance of the furniture being comfortable and inviting, despite the room's formal function as a receiving area for events. The goal was to create an atmosphere where guests could feel at ease and "just plop down." In contrast to these public and formal spaces, the residence also includes private, more casual living areas. These are primarily located on the lower level and feature a cozy kitchen, a breakfast nook, a hearth room, and a master-bedroom suite. The overall house comprises four bedrooms and eight bathrooms, demonstrating the extensive scale of the property. A key aspect of the design strategy was to ensure the house felt like a personal home rather than merely a showroom. This was achieved by incorporating personal touches throughout the space. For example, large bookshelves, standing 15 feet tall, display photographs and other items personal to the Evanses and Lindenwood University. The article also mentions an antique piano, a focal point in one of the rooms, which has a long history with Lindenwood University. However, the designers acknowledge that the house, particularly its cream-colored sofa, is not designed to be pet-friendly, highlighting a practical consideration in maintaining the pristine environment required for official functions. The architectural style of the house is described as "Collegiate Gothic" by Carol Wall of Mitchell Wall, a style often seen on Ivy League campuses, further reinforcing its connection to the university environment. This dual-purpose design successfully merges the requirements of a high-profile public residence with the need for a comfortable private dwelling, creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment for its occupants and their guests. #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #HomeDecor #LindenwoodUniversity #StCharles #MitchellWallArchitecture #DianeBreckenridgeInteriors #CollegiateGothic

Los Angeles is experiencing a vibrant surge in its home design retail landscape, with numerous new shops and pop-ups offering a diverse array of styles and unique finds. These establishments cater to a wide range of tastes, from minimalist modern and industrial chic to coastal elegance and vintage aesthetics, attracting both celebrity clientele and design enthusiasts. Cassina, an Italian furniture manufacturer, has opened its largest store to date in Los Angeles. This three-level space, designed by art director Patricia Urquiola, showcases modular works by Virgil Abloh and features its iMastri Collection, which includes timeless pieces resulting from collaborations with significant architects and designers such as Charlotte Perriand and Gaetano Pesce. The showroom is located at 145 N. Robertson Blvd. Olive Ateliers, a shop that has gained popularity through TikTok and Instagram, has become a favorite for home accessories, even attracting celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Elsa Hosk. Co-founded by Kendall Knox, Ben Knox, and Laura Sotelo, Olive Ateliers specializes in “objects with old souls,” such as worn Turkish vases and vintage Chinese elm benches. The store is situated at 1210 Mateo St. Inner Gardens, a long-established garden emporium known for landscape designer Stephen Block’s global finds and reproduction pots, has relocated to a former bank building in Culver City. The store's unique and serendipitous inventory appeals to high-profile clients including Spago, Soho House, Kelly Wearstler, Elton John, and Ellen Pompeo. Its new address is 4444 Sepulveda Blvd. Habitat Home & Garden, a family business with its third outpost in Malibu, emphasizes unique furnishings and one-of-a-kind designs that reflect the laid-back luxury of coastal California. The store, which includes rustic wood furniture, vintage rugs, and sun-bleached accessories, counts the Duke and Duchess of Sussex among its customers. It is located at 21249 Pacific Coast Highway. LDV, an establishment co-founded by Guido Callarelli and Birta Ólafsdóttir, now has a pop-up store near the West Hollywood Design District, allowing in-person viewing of its impeccably restored Art Deco and 1970s-era furniture. Previously, its inventory was available exclusively through an invite-only online platform. The pop-up is at 156 S. Robertson Blvd. Pop-Up Home, a furniture shop previously known for its roving nature, has found a permanent location in Melrose Hill. Founder Tricia Benitez Beanum curates a diverse collection that includes sculptural vintage furniture, 1970s studio pottery, and contemporary art from UNREPD, a gallery co-founded by Beanum that focuses on emerging artists. The store is located at 642 N. Western Ave. NB Shop, run by interior designer Natasha Baradaran, offers an experiential retail space that reflects her tactile approach to home and life, appealing to clients such as Heather and Christopher McQuarrie, Luis Miguel, and Kate Hudson. The shop, located at 725 N. La Cienega Blvd., features her Persian Garden textile collection, inspired by her Iranian heritage. The Expert, a design consultation platform co-founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's interior designer Jake Arnold, has expanded with an e-commerce arm, Showroom, and a by-appointment warehouse in West Adams. The Showroom offers vintage pieces alongside Arnold's made-to-order furniture line. Appointments can be made via email. Flora Grubb Gardens, a well-regarded San Francisco garden shop known for its focus on sustainability and drought-tolerant plants, has opened a new location in Los Angeles, taking over the Marina Del Rey Garden Center at 13198 Mindanao Way. The Future Perfect, led by David Alhadeff, continues to elevate the concept of blending residence and retail with its fourth Los Angeles iteration. Now housed in a historic Beaux-Arts neoclassical home, newly landscaped by Art Luna, the space offers collectible contemporary design by appointment. House of Leon and Tappan Collective, run by siblings Jordan, Steven, and Chelse Neman Nassib, occupy adjacent shops on Melrose Avenue. House of Leon provides stylish and accessible furniture, while Tappan Collective showcases art from emerging talent, demonstrating how to integrate furniture and art seamlessly into residential spaces. They are located at 8200 Melrose Ave. Kalon Studios, known for its minimalist wood furniture favored by Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, has opened its first space at 3559½ Casitas Ave., Atwater Village, featuring a landscaped roof deck designed by Teremoto. Pierce & Ward, the interior design duo behind homes for celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Dakota Johnson, has opened their first shop at 1956 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz, featuring their maximalist aesthetic softened by sage green walls. Maquette, a collective formed by interior designers Caitlin Scanlon, Abby Wolf-Weiss, and Julie Goldman, has transformed a bungalow into a retail and co-working space. Located at 507 N. Larchmont Blvd., the shop attracts clients like UTA’s Blair Kohan and CAA’s Risa Gertner. Cooper Reynolds Gross has partnered with Fred Segal to launch his first commercial furniture collection, “Feels Right, Feels Good,” at Fred Segal on 8500 Sunset Boulevard. Coup D’Etat, a San Francisco-based gallery, is opening a new location on Robertson Boulevard. It will offer high-end furniture, exclusive artist collaborations, curated vintage pieces, and a dynamic visual program, attracting renowned designers. Gilded Owl, a decorative arts gallery from Hudson Valley, has established a presence on Beverly Boulevard at 7282 Beverly Blvd., showcasing mid-century Italian furniture and collaborations like “The Pool Table Series,” appealing to patrons such as Kirsten Dunst. Seventh House LA, located at 7001 Melrose Ave. in a building designed by Frank Gehry, presents a collection of early 20th-century Art Deco, postmodern, and contemporary art furniture. Albertz Benda | Friedman Benda, a New York gallery, has an L.A. outpost at 8260 Marmont Lane, aiming to broaden the concept of art and design by incorporating craft, architecture, and technology. This addition is significant for the L.A. design scene, as noted by interior designer Oliver M. Furth. Studio Balestra, Adriano Balestra’s shop at 767 N. La Cienega Blvd., blends his Italian heritage with Japanese antiquities to create a unique wabi-sabi aesthetic. This compilation provides an overview of the burgeoning home design scene in Los Angeles, highlighting various styles, celebrity endorsements, and key figures driving the industry. #LosAngeles #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFurniture #VintageDecor #Lifestyle #Retail #ArtAndDesign #CelebrityStyle

Rome, a city renowned for its art and history, also offers a vibrant scene for interior design enthusiasts. This guide highlights a curated selection of the best furniture and home decor stores in the city, perfect for those looking to refresh their living spaces with unique and inspiring pieces. From established galleries to emerging concept stores, each location presents a distinct approach to home aesthetics. Galleria Mia, situated near Piazza di Spagna, offers a fusion of retro and contemporary styles. This store features a diverse range of items from bedroom and bathroom essentials to kitchenware and accessories, all selected for their beauty and individuality. Founded by three women with a shared vision for unconventional luxury, Galleria Mia's collections provide ample inspiration for furnishing a flat. Yaky, located in the Jewish Quarter, caters to those with an appreciation for Asian influences and new design experimentations that incorporate ancient artisanal techniques. The gallery emphasizes finesse, style, and attention to detail, creating an immersive cultural journey with its Art Deco, modern, Western, and Asian-inspired pieces. Yaky also provides personalized advice from architects and interior designers. Sleepers, found in the Nomentano neighborhood, specializes in Nordic design. For nearly two decades, this store has showcased classic and original designs with a focus on conscious and fashionable living. Beyond larger furniture items, Sleepers offers a selection of accessories and high-quality Danish bed comforters made with white goose feathers. Notable brands carried include Muuto, Normann Copenhagen, and Fatboy. Atelier Monti, nestled in the artistic Monti area, embodies the neighborhood's creative spirit. This store offers a wide array of decorations for every room, characterized by pop colors, creative designs, and finesse. The Atelier also functions as an ideas laboratory where customers can collaborate on custom furniture pieces. Scenography in Parioli presents an industrial and vintage aesthetic, resembling a Brooklyn loft. This store is a destination for those who enjoy decorating and experimenting with interiors, blending classic curves with ultra-modern colors. A unique aspect of Scenography is that some pieces are sourced directly from movie sets, appealing to those who wish to incorporate a cinematic flair into their homes. Ines Art Design, another gem in Monti near the Cavour metro stop, functions as a showroom that explores the interplay of light and shadow through contrasting colors and materials. Founded in 2003 by Italian artist and designer Oçilunam, the store successfully merges art, craft, and interior design, offering a playful and inspiring selection. Dispensabile, a mini-store located in Piazza Venezia, combines Roman and Nordic design elements. It primarily features refined and sophisticated accessories suitable for any room. Created by three architect friends, Dispensabile continuously refreshes its collections with inventive and inspiring items. La Rinascente, the department store on Via del Tritone, dedicates its underground floor to interior design. This section, designed by Claudio Silvestrin and Giuliana Salmaso, offers a comprehensive range of items including art pieces, gadgets, accessories, small furniture, lighting, and electronics, providing a vast selection for any home decor project. Finally, Fóndaco on Via della Frezza in Centro Storico is the go-to place for the latest design trends. Its Design Gallery highlights emerging designers and features a blend of Italian contemporary, 20th-century, and Nordic designs. The concept store is not only a source of inspiration but also a place to purchase unique design pieces, particularly within its lighting area, which showcases leading light design brands. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FurnitureStores #RomeShopping #DesignTrends #ItalianDesign #NordicDesign #LuxuryDecor #HomeAccessories