Meet Leo Cesareo | Interior Designer

F. Taylor Colantonio, a furniture and object designer, resides in a theatrically furnished loft in Rome's Campo de’ Fiori neighborhood, where he emphasizes the 'fake' nature of his possessions. Colantonio is known for his surrealist objects, including coiled-rope vases, rebar candlesticks, and transparent rugs, which are sold in London boutiques by Alex Eagle and Jermaine Gallacher. His designs frequently reinterpret suburban decor and imitate antiquity. His apartment features a ceramic tiger, a daybed upholstered with hand-painted violet-striped linen, and an intricate savanna mural created with children's tempera paints. In his dining area, a black-and-cream rope vase, inspired by Greek kylixes, deliberately flops to one side, embodying his concept of 'wonkiness' adding personality. Colantonio, 30, grew up in Massachusetts, studied furniture design at RISD, and moved to Rome two years prior after an artist’s residency in Puglia. Although his works are manufactured in Rhode Island, he prefers living in Rome, drawing inspiration from its Classical and Baroque architecture and the Surrealism of Giorgio De Chirico, rather than contemporary design trends. He crosses the Tiber River daily to his studio in Trastevere, a space previously occupied by artist Gino De Dominicis. The studio houses ongoing projects, such as wallpaper designed to mimic circus tent stripes and PVC lamps with colorful swirls, paying homage to Roman artist Carla Accardi. In his studio, Colantonio works amidst his creations, including six-foot-tall rope vases, blazers hand-painted with ancient architecture reminiscent of De Chirico’s designs, and 'magic carpets' made of transparent plastic. These transparent rugs, which expose the floor beneath, exemplify his concept of 'material shift,' removing the traditional 'rugness' of the object. Colantonio aims to connect people to archetypes and familiar objects while introducing a surprising shift that blurs boundaries between suburban and exotic, mass-produced and handmade, authentic and fake. He expresses a genuine interest in 'trash' but seeks a balance between familiarity and the avant-garde, demonstrating this by handling a stiff, crystalline rug as if it were a supple textile. #FTaylorColantonio #RomeDesign #SurrealistDesign #ObjectDesign #InteriorDesign #MaterialShift #ContemporaryArt #DesignPhilosophy #ItalianInfluence

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

Home-design experts Matt Armato and Beau Ciolino recently appeared on the "Fave Follows" segment with Hoda and Jenna to discuss their insights into interior design, offer practical DIY tips, and introduce their debut book, "Housewarming." The segment highlighted their approach to creating inviting and stylish living spaces, emphasizing that good design does not necessarily require a large budget or professional intervention for every project. They advocate for a balanced approach where homeowners can tackle certain design elements themselves, leveraging their creativity and personal touch, while understanding when to seek professional advice. Armato and Ciolino shared several key principles from their book that form the foundation of their design philosophy. "Housewarming" focuses on making design accessible and enjoyable for everyone, irrespective of their prior experience or financial constraints. They elaborated on how personalizing a space is crucial, suggesting that a home should reflect the personalities and lifestyles of its inhabitants rather than adhering strictly to transient trends. This personal connection, they argue, is what truly makes a house a home. The discussion also touched upon the importance of functionality in design, ensuring that beauty coexists with practicality in every room. During their appearance, the duo provided actionable DIY tips that viewers could implement immediately. These tips ranged from simple cosmetic upgrades, such as refreshing paint colors or rearranging furniture, to more involved projects that could significantly impact a room's aesthetic and utility. They stressed the value of understanding basic design principles like color theory, spatial arrangement, and lighting to create harmonious and comfortable environments. For instance, they demonstrated how strategic placement of mirrors can make a small room feel larger or how varying textures can add depth and warmth to a minimalist space. They also offered advice on sourcing affordable materials and engaging in sustainable design practices. Furthermore, Armato and Ciolino discussed how their book, "Housewarming," serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals looking to enhance their living spaces. The book includes detailed instructions, illustrative examples, and creative ideas for various home improvement projects. It aims to empower readers to take control of their home's ambiance and functionality, transforming their residences into personalized sanctuaries. Their segment underscored the belief that thoughtful design can significantly improve one's quality of life, making everyday living more pleasant and inspiring. The authors expressed their excitement about sharing their passion for home design and empowering others to create beautiful and functional spaces. #InteriorDesign #DIYTips #HomeDecor #HousewarmingBook #DesignPhilosophy #AccessibleDesign #PersonalizedSpaces #FunctionalDesign