Design DNA: Inside a neutrally nuanced Mayfair duplex where work and wardrobe meet modern ritual

John Marsala and Becka Citron, the creative and business partners behind Modern Anthology, have shifted their focus to interior design services after closing their physical retail stores in Dumbo and Cobble Hill. This move builds on their original business model, as interior design was their primary focus before venturing into retail. Their signature industrial chic aesthetic, previously evident in their stores, is now a hallmark of their interior design projects, such as the Dumbo loft featured in this article. The project involved furnishing a 2,400-square-foot loft for a young couple with a small child. The loft, located in a converted industrial building, retained original features like exposed brick and wooden columns. The designers were tasked with creating a functional and stylish living space, moving away from the clients' initial plans for fully custom-made furnishings. A key structural change was the addition of a dividing wall to create a dedicated den/TV area, separating it from the main living space. The primary focus, however, was on sourcing new furnishings, predominantly from retail outlets. The design choices were influenced by the homeowners' existing art collection, which included quirky pieces such as a framed print humorously stating ‘I was young and needed the money’ and a striking, large-scale portrait. These artworks signaled to Citron that the clients were open to bold design elements and did not wish for an overly conventional approach. The designers integrated these artistic cues into a cohesive design that blended industrial elements with comfort and personality. Key furniture selections included a Chesterfield-style sofa and egg-shaped mid-century chairs from Restoration Hardware, demonstrating a blend of classic and modern aesthetics. A vintage wing chair was given a distinctive update with plastic-coated fabric imprinted with street signs on the back and a tailored pin stripe on the front. An over-dyed vintage rug from Nomadic Trading Company added texture and color, while a Serge Mouille wall-mounted sconce provided sophisticated lighting. For the informal breakfast area, blue vintage chairs paired with a Saarinen-style pedestal table created a casual yet elegant spot. The dining area features a live-edge table complemented by wire chairs reminiscent of Eames designs from Modernica. A long hallway leading to the bedrooms was transformed into a gallery space, displaying framed photos and art unified by simple wood and metal frames. The primary bedroom maintained a warm ambiance with natural brick, furnished with a bed by Brooklyn-based Uhuru Design, a dresser by L.A.-based designer Thomas Bina, and a chandelier from Apparatus, further emphasizing the blend of industrial roots with contemporary design. This project exemplifies Modern Anthology's ability to create warm, functional, and industrially chic interiors using a mix of sourced retail pieces and thoughtful design interventions. #DumboLoft #InteriorDesign #ModernAnthology #IndustrialChic #HomeRenovation #BrooklynDesign #FurnitureSourcing #ResidentialDesign

Mardi Doherty, founder of Melbourne-based Studio Doherty, established her firm in 2014, quickly gaining recognition for her distinctive interior designs. Her work is characterized by a unique and original application of colour, texture, and materials, creating spaces that are both full of character and highly liveable. Clients have often described Doherty as possessing an "X-ray vision," capable of envisioning the full potential of a space by creatively reimagining its structure and introducing striking new volumes. This innate talent for design has been cultivated since her early years. Doherty’s upbringing, where her parents frequently bought and sold motels, exposed her to constant renovations, significantly influencing her passion for design. She pursued her education in interiors at RMIT University in Melbourne and briefly embarked on an architecture degree. Although she later became a successful painter, her dedication to engaging in compelling design collaborations remained steadfast. Her early career included designing the Great Eastern Dining Room in Shoreditch, a project that led her to spend two years in the UK. During this time, she worked with esteemed firms such as Conran Design Group and David Collins Studio, contributing to significant projects, including the interiors of Madonna's Belgravia home. Studio Doherty’s contemporary aesthetic draws inspiration from 1970s and 80s styles, as well as from artists like the Australian stained-glass master Leonard French and the Dutch creative Sabine Marcelis, known for her colourful, sculptural works. Doherty also cites modernist architects, such as John Lautner, whose bold geometric forms inform many of her spatial design decisions. Recent projects by Studio Doherty exemplify this vision. The Gloss House, a new-build in Melbourne, was designed in collaboration with Enth Degree Architects for a client who desired a generous and quirky home reminiscent of mid-century Palm Springs style. Instead of direct imitation, the studio aimed to capture the era's essence through warm timbers, human-scaled spaces, and playful elements, utilizing materials in unconventional ways. This project features an electric-blue spiral staircase, an orange conversation pit, and an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area unified by a sweeping timber-clad ceiling and a curved tile system that reflects light. Another notable project is Gable House, a restored heritage home in Melbourne designed with Folk Architects. The interior is characterized by its joyful and confident approach, incorporating bold yet refined colour choices, such as a lipstick-pink pantry and a fire-engine-red fireplace. These vibrant elements are harmoniously juxtaposed with layered stone, Murano-glass chandeliers, and vintage pieces, showcasing a successful blend of heritage and contemporary invention. Currently, Doherty is engaged in two distinct projects: the renovation of a Georgian Revival mansion in Toorak, Melbourne, largely untouched since its 1936 construction, and a creative home for a toymaker in the city's bayside area. The latter project is a more restrained endeavour, with the design direction heavily influenced by the owner's extensive collection of new and vintage toys and clocks. The studio’s Elonera House project highlights their innovative use of tiling, with muddy-yellow zellige contrasting with skinny, blush-pink tiles on the kitchen island. Studio Doherty’s design philosophy prioritizes creating spaces that are both expressive and deeply personal, tailored to the unique narratives of each client. When it comes to expert advice, Studio Doherty emphasizes thinking beyond traditional applications for tiles, suggesting their use in living spaces, entrances, or even as furniture surfaces. They also highlight the transformative potential of curved tile systems and rounded edges in altering a space’s mood, softening geometry, and adding a playful touch. The importance of grout is also stressed, as its colour and thickness can significantly impact a tile's appearance, either enhancing contrast, echoing other tones, or creating a seamless finish. The studio advocates for confident, anchored use of bold colours, noting that an electric-blue staircase might be surrounded by neutrals, while an orange conversation pit is designed to dominate and breathe within its space. Finally, wood remains a fundamental material for its versatility, used for cladding ceilings to add warmth and architectural identity, or for tongue-and-groove panelling to introduce rhythm and softness to walls. #InteriorDesign #ColourInnovation #Materiality #MelbourneDesign #StudioDoherty #ResidentialArchitecture #HeritageRenovation #TileDesign #ContemporaryInteriors

Architect Andrew Magnes embarked on a transformative design journey for a 4,500-square-foot Madison Avenue duplex, which presented both a challenge and an opportunity due to its prime location offering 360-degree views of Central Park. While Magnes typically favors a clean slate approach, the immediate impression of the duplex compelled him to preserve the spectacular perimeter views, making them a central focus of the upstairs design. The downstairs, however, became an arena for comprehensive reorganization, drawing inspiration from Louis Kahn's architectural principles. Magnes conceived a central core for the lower level, housing essential services such as mechanical systems, storage, and stairs. This strategic consolidation freed up the surrounding areas for living spaces. The renovation included significant infrastructure upgrades, with new hybrid HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems installed to modernize the apartment. Ceilings were only lowered when absolutely necessary, maintaining a sense of openness and maximizing vertical space. The kitchen and dining room were designed with an open-plan concept, yet equipped with hidden telescoping doors that offer privacy and sound absorption when desired, providing flexibility for entertaining and daily living. A notable feature in the kitchen is the three-inch-thick glass work counter, custom-cast by Shiny Sparkle Studio and illuminated by interior coves within the elliptical, plaster ceiling, adding a touch of bespoke luxury. A copper backsplash serves as a visual transition to the wet bar, which is conveniently located near a circular media room. The media room itself is a vibrant space, characterized by its blue lacquer walls and a custom Roche Bobois sofa, complemented by a Dedar Milano shade and Lorenza Bozzoli Couture accents. The duplex is connected by two distinct staircases. To the north, an anigre veneer structure provides access to the upper level. To the south, a striking corten spiral stair, designed by Juan Alfredo Design, acts as a sculptural element, linking the lower level to the upstairs primary suite. The primary suite features lavish alba Chiara marble in the shower and sink areas, while the three additional bedrooms each boast their own unique tone of three-dimensional tile in their respective bathrooms, ensuring individuality and sophisticated detailing throughout. Andrew Magnes Architects collaborated with Fawn Galli Interiors to bring the interior design vision to life. Fawn Galli shared Magnes's appreciation for the panoramic views, integrating Central Park's natural beauty into the interior's color scheme and overall ambiance. Galli's design philosophy for the space focused on creating a joyful, fresh, fun, and energetic environment. The walls, painted in warm grey, are enlivened by compounds of colors and patterns, reflecting a desire to infuse the apartment with personality and vibrancy. This collaborative effort resulted in a unique and dynamic living space that harmonizes architectural innovation with a vibrant and playful interior aesthetic, making it an entirely distinctive residence. #DuplexApartment #MadisonAvenue #InteriorDesign #LuxuryRenovation #CentralParkViews #ArchitecturalDesign #CustomInteriors #FawnGalliInteriors #AndrewMagnes

This article explores the transformation of a 300-year-old London building, which has served various purposes from the Blewcoat School in the 1700s to an information center and a bridal boutique, into the first brick-and-mortar outpost for design firm Studio Ashby. The new space functions as both a Sister showroom and an office. Founder and creative director Sophie Ashby faced significant challenges due to the building's Grade I historical status, which imposed strict regulations on even minor alterations, such as hanging artwork or touching up paint, requiring lengthy approval processes. Despite the hurdles and a two-year-long negotiation period with preservation councils, Sophie Ashby was determined to realize her vision for a vibrant Studio Ashby hub, complete with community events and a comprehensive fabric swatch library. She describes the design process as a "surface intervention" due to the inability to modify the building's original framework. The decision to invest in a physical gathering space during a pandemic was driven by Ashby's belief in the immersive experience of a well-designed store, aiming to replicate that captivating atmosphere for her team and clients. The design approach treated the workspace as a client project, intending for it to be a physical representation of Studio Ashby's design philosophy. The main floor is organized into areas resembling a home's parlor, living room, and dining area, with four existing columns naturally defining these zones. A round table serves as a breakfast nook for client consultations, while a deep sofa and leather armchair create a welcoming space for weekly happy hours. Privacy in the open layout is achieved through strategically placed shelves filled with shoppable ceramics, sectioning off a quieter meeting area featuring a travertine desk and armchairs upholstered in pale green toile. Sophie Ashby meticulously selected furniture and fabrics to complement the building's original, unchangeable fixtures, such as the grayscale marble vanity in the bathroom. The primary workspace for the team is located upstairs, chosen for its abundant natural light, which even lower ceilings cannot diminish. Leopard-print chairs are incorporated to add a bold design element. The sample library is distributed between mood boards upstairs and extensive open shelving in the basement, both brimming with design inspiration. Ashby's design philosophy emphasizes eclecticism for timelessness. This is evident in the juxtaposition of diverse elements, such as a recycled plastic side table placed beside a mustard yellow velvet sofa, and an antique burl-wood chest paired with a modern ceramic lamp. Art installations were carefully executed using picture wires to avoid construction delays. Ashby notes that the building's historical white-box nature enhances whatever is placed within it, allowing each design element to stand out. #InteriorDesign #OfficeDesign #StudioAshby #LondonArchitecture #HistoricBuilding #DesignPhilosophy #WorkplaceDesign #EclecticStyle #RenovationChallenges

Pattern mixing in interior design elevates visual appeal by combining various prints, textiles, and materials. While it can be daunting, design experts often advise varying pattern scales, such as pairing large florals with small linear prints, and adhering to a predetermined color palette. However, individual designers implement unique approaches, resulting in diverse styles from elegant to playful. Designer Kim Armstrong effectively balances patterns and colors to create striking rooms. For instance, a living room features navy botanical wallpaper alongside chairs upholstered in similar azure patterns, with leopard-print stools adding a bold, unexpected element that contrasts with the traditional aesthetic. Subtle curtains ensure the room remains cohesive without being overwhelming. Ashley Avrea Cathey of Avrea and Company frequently incorporates plaid, often pairing it with florals, botanical designs, and geometric patterns. A signature pattern like plaid, chintz, or a stripe can establish a unifying theme throughout a home or a designer’s portfolio. The scale and color palette of these patterns can be varied from room to room to maintain visual interest. Studio Thomas James exemplifies the impact of bold pattern choices. In a Highland Park dining room, a rainbow striped rug and yellow curtains are combined with two-tone linear wallpaper, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This approach demonstrates how to layer edgy, fun moments with color and style while respecting a home’s existing architecture. Pattern mixing does not always require high contrast. Blue Print Interiors utilizes soft hues in blues, greens, and light neutrals to create serene spaces. An example includes gentle stripes on a decorative pillow paired with a botanical print on drapes, showcasing how subtle patterns can contribute to a peaceful ambiance. Kara Adam combines bold and subtle patterns to achieve a cozy, inviting feel in smaller spaces. Her designs feature four distinct patterns of varying intensity, from rugs to window treatments. The muted colors of the walls and window treatments allow brighter elements, such as a vibrant rug, to stand out. This layered approach can make compact areas feel more intimate and comfortable. Michelle Nussbaumer, owner of Ceylon et Cie, often uses a consistent color scheme to unify multiple patterns. In a bedroom she designed for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, various blue and white patterns on surfaces like rugs, walls, furniture upholstery, and lampshades are harmonized by their shared color palette. Avrea and Company’s design for the 2022 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas similarly uses a consistent palette to integrate plaids, stripes, florals, and botanicals, demonstrating that a strong color theme can prevent a multitude of patterns from becoming chaotic. Traci Connell extends pattern application to all surfaces, from rugs and furniture to ceilings. One living room features a wallpapered ceiling with a trendy floral pattern in moody hues, drawing the eye upward and showcasing that every surface is an opportunity for pattern play. Mary Beth Wagner uses a hero pattern as inspiration for others. In one bedroom, a vibrant butterfly wallpaper informed the choice of bright pink for other patterns. The patterns are also linked by a nature theme, with floral bolster pillows and subtle couch upholstery complementing the whimsical butterflies. Wagner also emphasizes harmonic scale, where patterns of varying sizes create equilibrium. In a living room, different-sized patterns on rugs, armchairs, and throw pillows are balanced, with small nods to other patterns, like blue accents on a pink pillow coordinating with armchair fabric. Denise McGaha’s personal bedroom illustrates the importance of pattern placement. A large-scale stripe on the bed, a medium botanical print on curtains, a geometric carpet, and small-scale dots on lampshades and pillows are combined. The bold stripe on the bed gives the room a contemporary feel, highlighting how pattern placement dictates the overall style. Maestri Studio incorporates patterns into hard surfaces, such as tiled floors with unique borders in a bathroom. This demonstrates that patterns are not limited to fabrics but can be integrated into structural elements during renovations or refreshes. Shelly Lloyd, known for maximalist designs, expertly blends surprising patterns and bold colors. In a study, an orange armchair, an animal-print chaise, and a geometric rug create multiple focal points. Cream-colored curtains with green trim and a blue velvet sofa provide visual resting points, balancing the boldness. Similarly, Kim Armstrong uses simple white walls to balance a vibrant mix of patterns and colors in a living space, allowing the room to feel bright yet not overwhelming. #InteriorDesign #PatternMixing #HomeDecor #DallasDesigners #ColorPalette #TextileDesign #MaximalistDesign #SpacePlanning #HomeStyling

The article details the design philosophy and interior of "The Ochre Home," the residence of artist and freelance stylist Geraldine Toh and her husband, Vincent Lim. The name "Ochre Home" was chosen by Ms. Toh to reflect the predominant color palette and earthy sensibility of their space, which primarily features shades of brown, yellow, and orange, reminiscent of the natural clay pigment. As an artist, Ms. Toh often uses ochre in her paintings, further solidifying its significance to her home's aesthetic. The home's style is described as mid-century modern inspired with an eclectic mix. Ms. Toh, who studied fine arts, showcases a keen eye for color, proportion, and design. The couple selected a 30-year-old apartment for its spaciousness, airiness, and square layout, which simplified space planning. Key layout modifications included removing a kitchen wall to create an open entrance, repositioning the common bathroom door for discretion, and moving the master bedroom door to facilitate an open-concept walk-in wardrobe. The initial impression upon entering the apartment is one of expansive open space. A central tenet of Ms. Toh's design approach is the belief that furnishing a home should be a gradual process, allowing for the collection of unique pieces with personal stories. She views her home as "forever a work in progress," emphasizing modularity and movability to allow for frequent rearrangements and to maintain visual interest. She favors eclecticism over perfectly matched sets, choosing standalone pieces that complement the overall color scheme and texture, ensuring that new additions enhance rather than disrupt the aesthetic. This approach creates pockets and corners with distinct functionalities within the larger open space. Throughout The Ochre Home, visual interest is evident in various details. Ms. Toh painted a mural of a flower on one wall, and customisable fabric outer jackets on the Toshiba Haori air-conditioning units blend seamlessly with the interiors. The couple dedicated time to assembling their furniture, often thrifting pieces or carefully selecting others for their historical significance and narrative. For instance, their Commune leather sofa was acquired from an expatriate family, and their stackable dining chairs are vintage 1980s Casala Obo Formsitz pieces sourced from AA Furniture, specializing in vintage Japanese furniture. The study area, carved out from the main living space without walls, features a 1960s Danish kidney-bean-shaped desk from local store Noden. Lighting fixtures also hold historical value, such as a vintage 1970s Louis Poulsen Panthella lamp from Aria Design Store, which exhibits a beautiful patina. Other notable pieces include a 1960s Danish coffee table, a thrifted Marcel Breuer cantilever chair, and a Flos Arco floor lamp. A 1970s pinecone wall lamp from a Danish vintage store in Vancouver was hand-carried home by Ms. Toh. Mid-century design signatures are prominent, with an Eames lounge chair, Hans J. Wegner’s CH24 Wishbone Chair, and a special-edition Safari chair by Kaare Klint. Personal touches include a pinewood side table and a kapur wood bench, both crafted by Mr. Lim. Beyond aesthetics, the home was conceived as a creative hub for the couple's artistic and hobby pursuits. A dedicated creative room stores art-making equipment, and plain white walls serve as a canvas for photographic prints, abstract paintings, and Ms. Toh’s first mural. The article concludes by noting that the couple's personal touches and years of inhabiting the space have successfully actualized their vision for The Ochre Home, creating a lived-in and deeply personal atmosphere. #EclecticHomeDesign #MidCenturyModern #OchreHome #ArtistHome #VintageFurniture #CreativeSpace #HomeStyling #SingaporeDesign #PersonalizedInteriors

Khushboo Rasaily, founder of Platform Design, a Delhi-based architecture and interior design studio, transformed a 1,200-square-foot empty basement into a serene, minimalist office space. The initial space, lacking natural light, was redesigned to foster interaction among team members while also accommodating her two-year-old daughter. The studio now incorporates public and semi-private workspaces, a conference room, a reading room, a pantry, a library, and a breakout area. The renovation focused on maximizing natural light by opening up the site and utilizing existing double-height spaces. The design aesthetic is characterized by a zen-like minimalism, with white walls and ceilings forming a clean backdrop. The material palette is intentionally simple, primarily featuring birch and plywood, which impart a gentle warmth to the environment. Rasaily emphasizes the inherent beauty and talent of these materials when used effectively. The layout was carefully planned to balance fluidity and privacy. Furniture choices are light and minimalist, designed for flexibility, with pieces easily movable to suit different requirements. Low platforms throughout the studio are designed with integrated storage, optimizing space and functionality. An open-plan workstation, configured in a ‘U’ shape with birch-topped desks, occupies the center of the studio. A low, open bookshelf acts as a subtle divider, creating a semi-private nook for quick meetings or focused work, while maintaining visual connectivity with the main workspace. For the conference room, pine partitions with frosted glass panels were installed to define the space without sacrificing the studio’s overall light and airy feel. Similar glass panels on the opposite side ensure visual access to the adjacent work zone. Beyond traditional workspaces, the studio includes dedicated areas for relaxation and informal gatherings. A compact, zen-like reading zone features a simple bench, a small center table, and a slender floor lamp on a cozy taupe rug. A larger section is designated for events, where the furniture serves multiple purposes; plywood planks on the walls function as both seating and display surfaces, and low platform seating in the center includes built-in storage. The decor is deliberately sparse, with only a few select items such as playful dinosaur figurines made from leftover wood, bookends, planters, and woven baskets. This minimalist approach was chosen to prevent decor from clashing with creative thoughts and ideas. Rasaily highlights that the project, undertaken during pandemic lockdowns, taught her the importance of patience, spatial planning, and the effectiveness of using simple materials to create a successful and aesthetically pleasing space. #WorkspaceDesign #MinimalistDesign #DelhiArchitecture #StudioDesign #BirchPlywood #OpenPlanOffice #PlatformDesign #ZenLikeInteriors #CreativeStudio

Charleston, South Carolina-based interior designer Angie Hranowsky, known for her vibrant use of color, showcases her distinctive approach in her own design studio. For Hranowsky, color serves as a primary source of inspiration and creativity, a philosophy evident across her diverse projects, from residential spaces to commercial installations. Her design signature is marked by the incorporation of saturated brights, applied through various elements such as paint, upholstery, large-scale art, and especially wall treatments. An example of her bold style is her Charleston home, which features a magenta living room sofa paired with Roman shades in a similar vibrant pink. Another instance is her installation at the design emporium Fritz Porter, where pale peony walls are accented with angular turquoise sconces and emerald green silk drapery. When designing her own studio, which functions as a showcase, a brainstorming hub for her team, and a client meeting space, Hranowsky deliberately opted for a bold aesthetic. She chose turquoise as the dominant color for her office, situated in a 1920s brick building in downtown Charleston. Hranowsky views turquoise as a color that reflects earth, sky, and water, providing constant inspiration. To achieve the desired depth and texture, she enlisted decorative painter Suzanne Allen, who applied layers of pigmented plaster to the walls. This labor-intensive process resulted in a multifaceted, earthy variance in texture and tone, transforming the turquoise from a simple color into an artistic element. Hranowsky made a conscious decision to not paint the entire height of the walls, leaving the upper sections and ceiling white. This choice was strategic, as it created an airy feel and provided a necessary contrast to the rich turquoise below. In decorating a room already featuring such a strong foundational color, Hranowsky employed a formula of adding more color. She strategically introduced fuchsia and golden yellow, hues she considers to have equal value in terms of their dense saturation and jewel-like richness. These colors serve as perfect accents to the turquoise. Her selection of a groovy desk chair and an angular accent chair in complementary colors exemplifies her skill in creating contrasting yet harmonious elements. Additional touches of golden warmth are incorporated through brass light fixtures, yellow-flecked abstract artwork, and fresh Forsythia branches. To maintain visual order, Hranowsky organizes her extensive collection of design resources, including swatches, samples, and strike-offs, by hue. These are neatly stored in assigned drawers within a custom quartzite-topped island, readily accessible when developing new schemes. The only concessions Hranowsky made to a more neutral palette were for the countertop and floors. This choice was deliberate and effective, allowing textiles placed on the island or spread on the floor to stand out without distraction. Although she is her own most adventurous client, the studio is fundamentally designed as a workspace to foster her creativity, ultimately benefiting the homeowners with whom she collaborates. #AngieHranowsky #InteriorDesign #ColorTheory #DesignStudio #CharlestonDesign #WallTreatments #TurquoiseDecor #HomeDecor #ColorfulInteriors

This blog post details a 5,310-square-foot textile studio in Bengaluru, designed by Between Spaces, which functions as both a live-work sanctuary. The design emphasizes sustainability, material integration, light, and spatial poetry, aiming for a visually striking yet unembellished aesthetic. The studio's architecture is a deliberate pause from urban intensity, characterized by a restrained approach that uses Cubist abstraction principles, creating layered rhythms and an unfolding experience rather than a singular form. The design features modern monochromes and elemental materials such as natural stone, corten steel, glass, and unfinished concrete, reflecting an ambitious brief that required accommodating various functions: a jacquard loom, a painting gallery, a material storeroom, team workspace, a private studio, a waiting lounge, and a boutique. The principal architect, Pramoad Jaiswall, aimed for a space that could adapt and breathe with the artist, fostering reflection and contemplation. The design philosophy was centered on subtraction rather than addition, celebrating the inherent expression of carefully chosen materials. The tactile material palette includes terrazzo floors with marble inlays, which metaphorically mimic woven fabric and guide movement. Skylights in the central weaving hall provide diffused natural light, reducing glare and creating a soft luminosity, while the overall orientation and openings minimize the need for artificial lighting and mechanical cooling. The exterior presents an austere yet grounded appearance, with stone bands on the façade creating shifting shadows and integrating planters to soften edges and invite nature. The architecture avoids mass elements, utilizing open spaces for performance, with projecting and recessed slabs responding to environmental conditions. Decks and voids serve as reflective thresholds rather than mere ornaments, encouraging a slower pace of interaction with the building. Sustainability is integral to the design, incorporating local materials, passive cooling strategies, and water harvesting systems. Decked terraces on the northern and southern façades act as transitional and reflective spaces, framed by various plants like frangipani and banana palms. The studio's functional core maintains an artisanal ethos, exemplified by a cantilevered concrete stair leading to the private studio and painting gallery, which opens onto a floating deck. Throughout the space, wooden windows, hot-rolled steel doors, and hand-finished surfaces contribute to a meditative rhythm. The design prioritizes intention and feeling, transforming the building into a living framework for creative life, much like the weaving practice it houses. The exposed seams and unembellished surfaces demonstrate an architectural lesson in creating meaningful spaces. #TextileStudio #BengaluruArchitecture #ModernMonochromes #SustainableDesign #BetweenSpaces #LiveWorkSpace #ArchitecturalDesign #Materiality #SpatialPoetry

In the bustling city of Mumbai, a 4,500-square-foot duplex in a unique residential complex offers a sanctuary of calm. Designers Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera of Quirk Studio were tasked with transforming this 'villa in the sky' into an expansive, uncluttered, and subtly luxurious home for a family of four. The apartment, situated in a development where every unit is a duplex featuring high ceilings, vast openings, and large private terraces, provided an exceptional foundation for the design. The initial inspiration for the design was the 800-square-foot outdoor terrace. The designers focused on creating a seamless flow between the living and dining areas, extending into the terrace, thus integrating the outdoors with the interiors. This lower-level living-dining zone stands out as a dramatic architectural element, with full-height openings that lead to the terrace, enhancing the sense of scale and openness and redefining urban living. The homeowners expressed a preference for open, functional spaces over fragmented, function-specific rooms. This led to a design approach emphasizing flexibility and modularity without compromising aesthetics. A notable example is the multipurpose den, which can be fully enclosed to function as a guest bedroom, showcasing intelligent spatial planning that adapts to varying needs while maintaining a minimal aesthetic. The upper level of the duplex is dedicated to private spaces, including two large bedroom suites, each with an indulgent ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, along with a study and a mandir. A significant design challenge involved connecting the two levels with both a visually striking staircase and a capsule elevator. The designers ingeniously integrated a sculptural, ribbon-like spiral stairway that gracefully wraps around a transparent elevator. This solution transformed a structural necessity into a central design feature, anchoring the home with its vertical sculptural presence. The design aesthetic is deeply influenced by the homeowners' personalities and lifestyle, prioritizing openness and emotionally resonant spaces over unnecessary excess. Quirk Studio aimed for a design vocabulary that was restrained yet immersive, achieving a sense of 'quiet luxury' through a deliberately minimal palette. Soft grey lime-plastered walls introduce a muted tactile quality, while continuous white marble with subtle grey veining unifies the lower level. Deep wood accents add warmth and gravitas, allowing texture, scale, and detail to create drama rather than overt ornamentation. Vibrant colored accents are strategically introduced in areas like the bathrooms, featuring marbles in rich reds, blues, and ashy greens, providing pops of color against the monochromatic base. Quirk Studio's core philosophy of 'less is more' is evident throughout the project. While adapting to the specific brief of the homeowners, the studio maintained its characteristic language of restraint and precision. The Mumbai duplex exemplifies this philosophy, presenting a home that is simultaneously expansive and warm, meticulously detailed yet uncluttered, and minimalist yet profoundly personal. #MumbaiHomes #DuplexDesign #UrbanLiving #QuirkStudio #LuxuryInteriors #MinimalistDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #IndoorOutdoorLiving #FlexibleSpaces

The eyewear brand KREWE transformed a former food storage warehouse in New Orleans' Lower Garden District into its new global headquarters. This project, spearheaded by KREWE's in-house designers and Olivia Erwin Interiors, aimed to create an adaptable, light-filled space centered around the sun, reflecting the brand's identity. The headquarters features an open floor plan that extends into a courtyard with a pool, serving as both a testing ground for new shade designs and a social club. The SUN_DAYS courtyard was designed in collaboration with hospitality group LeBlanc + Smith, intending to foster a community space for creative individuals in New Orleans. It offers amenities like a heated or chilled pool, wellness classes, and a sauna, and is utilized as a vital part of the company headquarters when not open to the public. The design emphasizes a minimalist aesthetic, built for function rather than preciousness, incorporating workstations from Poppin and Hem, alongside vintage finds. The kitchen areas feature concrete floors, marble counters, and Farrow & Ball's 'Breakfast Room Green' cabinets, with a nostalgic neon sign paying homage to a former Canal Street landmark. Beyond the headquarters, the article also explores KREWE's 1818 Magazine Street store and the gallery apartment above it, located in a historic early 1800s building. The store's interiors, a collaboration with Goodwood New Orleans and Nicole Cota, showcase a green terrazzo bar, custom-framed mirrors, and cypress cabinetry. The gallery apartment, designed by KREWE and Olivia Erwin Interiors, serves as a versatile space for hosting brand friends, dinner parties, or offsite retreats. This apartment signifies KREWE's evolution into a lifestyle brand, emphasizing physical spaces over an increasing number of products. Its entrance and stairway feature Farrow & Ball's 'Setting Plaster' and 'Cuban Heritage' tile, with a Signal Globe pendant from Workstead. The living room includes a vintage Milo Baughman sectional upholstered in pink, a custom coffee table, and a walnut dining table by Studioilse. The kitchen backsplash is pink marble, complemented by dark green fluted cabinets from Goodwood and a custom brass island. The apartment also features mid-century modern furniture, step-through windows leading to wraparound gallery balconies for natural light and indoor-outdoor flow, and outdoor furniture from HAY. A library features a custom sofa with paprika velvet cushions and automotive paint, with walls painted in Benjamin Moore's 'Dakota Shadow' and an Atollo Table Lamp. The bedroom includes a Nordic II Bed from Unison Home, an Ethnicraft 'Spindle' bedside table, a West Elm rug, and walls in Benjamin Moore's 'Winter Orchard'. The adjoining bath is painted in Farrow & Ball’s 'Green Smoke'. #WorkplaceDesign #OfficeInteriors #WarehouseConversion #NewOrleansDesign #EyewearBrand #CommercialArchitecture #InteriorDesign #LifestyleBrand #CommunitySpace

The new Gearbox studio in Montreal, Canada, designed by Patriarche, showcases an innovative approach to office design within challenging architectural parameters. The primary challenge was the building's distinctively long and rectangular floor plan. Patriarche, an agency that practices "augmented architecture" by integrating technical, sociological, and scientific knowledge into its design process, tackled this by employing high color contrasts across walls, ceilings, and furnishings. This strategy serves a dual purpose: it injects energy into the various spaces and aids in wayfinding throughout the office, making it easier for employees and visitors to navigate the expansive layout. The collaboration between Gearbox and Patriarche was a continuation of a successful previous project that had received an award from the Grand Prix du Design, ensuring a high standard of both functionality and aesthetic appeal for the new workplace. The office provides a diverse range of workspaces designed to support different modes of work, accommodating the varied needs of a video game development team. It includes 208 open-space workstations for collaborative or individual tasks, 11 enclosed offices for more private work, 12 dedicated meeting rooms for team discussions and presentations, and 11 lounge areas for relaxation and informal interactions. This variety offers team members the flexibility to choose an environment best suited to their current tasks, promoting productivity and comfort throughout the day. The intentional division of space through color blocking not only creates visually stimulating zones but also subtly guides occupants, ensuring that despite the large and linear floor plan, different functions are clearly delineated and accessible. Beyond functionality, the design draws inspiration from Montreal's Old Port neighborhood, known for its urban and industrial character. Patriarche integrated elements of street art and 90s pop culture into the office environment, moving away from conventional neutral office aesthetics. This creative direction is evident in unexpected details such as stools shaped like tree trunks, a transparent yellow curtain repurposed from a welding workshop, and colored glass doors. These unconventional design choices deliberately reject the notion that office spaces must be bland or understated to foster creativity. Instead, they aim to create an inspiring and dynamic atmosphere that reflects the vibrant and innovative nature of the video game industry, encouraging a more playful and imaginative work environment. The comprehensive design ensures that the Montreal studio is not just a place to work, but a stimulating hub that supports collaboration, focused effort, and creative thinking. #CommercialDesign #OfficeDesign #ColorBlocking #Patriarche #GearboxMontreal #InteriorDesign #WorkplaceInnovation #MontrealArchitecture

Located in Highland Park, Dallas, this home, curated by Ashby Collective, showcases a blend of eclecticism and modern luxury, transforming a blank canvas into a space with a distinctive identity. The design approach, termed "Highland Park Eclectic," reflects the neighborhood's luxurious charm and the homeowner's sophisticated yet playful style, according to Annie Bacon, senior designer at Ashby Collective. The homeowner, originally from the UK, sought to infuse the modern architectural base with timeless personality and a collected, refined yet inviting feel. The client provided inspiration combining vintage rugs layered under modern classic furniture, playful silhouettes, and rich textures. The primary living room exemplifies this fusion, featuring vintage elements like a traditional woven rug alongside mid-century leather furniture and luxurious marble, further enhanced by a Santa & Cole Tekio Circular Chandelier. The dining room continues the theme of contrasting styles, pairing classic furnishings with contemporary pieces. A large-scale Persian-style rug introduces warmth and intricate patterns, while modern dining chairs in a bold red provide a striking contrast. An abstract pendant light adds a modern edge and luxury, complementing the 18th-century hewn oak dining table and art pieces. The designers emphasized the use of rich tones and layered textures, meticulously curating furnishings and decor, blending classic modern furniture with organic lines to achieve effortless elegance and a timeless aesthetic. The second living area features vibrant colors, with yellow velvet armchairs and striking wall art. The space feels both elevated and uplifting, with a patterned rug adding warmth against the yellows and pale wood. The artfully arranged bookshelf displays meaningful decor, contributing to the room's accomplished design. Various forms of wood, including an abstract coffee table, introduce a modern organic touch. The designers sourced unique pieces globally, including quirky artifacts, bold artwork, and beautiful books, to create a home with soul, sparking curiosity and conversation. The kitchen, designed in a chic sage green (Benjamin Moore's Cabin Fever), balances luxury finishes with warmth. A quartzite counter and backsplash tie into the home's sophisticated grandeur. Wooden elements, such as midcentury modern bar stools and rustic chopping boards, add patina and warmth, while contemporary lighting by Holly Hunt integrates old and new seamlessly. The guest bedroom, with its warm color scheme of yellows, soft oranges, and warm browns, offers comfort and luxury. It features rich textures, including a velvet-upholstered bed, drapes, plush cushions, and soft carpet, balanced by a dramatic ebonized dresser. Annie Bacon noted her favorite space as the primary suite, describing it as a moody sanctuary. The bedroom is enveloped in woven chambray-colored grasscloth wallpaper, creating depth and softness. A custom 14-foot-wide walnut bed with integrated nightstands anchors the room, balancing the vaulted ceiling. A silk-patterned rug and pink velvet loveseat introduce whimsy and romance, resulting in a glamorous, organic, and intimate space. The en-suite bathroom, a complete reimagination, features pale pink limewash walls, striking blue marble tiles, and a fusion quartzite countertop. Custom-stained oak cabinetry, dark plaster walls, exposed polished nickel plumbing, and Belgian bluestone floors create a luxurious retreat. The media room is a vibrant, monochromatic pink space, painted in Benjamin Moore's Roman Shade, showcasing the client's openness to bold choices. The music room blends contemporary design with vintage inspiration, featuring a classic Eames lounge chair and ottoman, a 1970s-inspired geometric rug, and brass accents, evoking a luxurious, retro ambiance. The overall design by Ashby Collective is an eclectic work of art, merging vintage furniture and angular shapes with soft materials and luxurious finishes, embodying a "loud luxury" trend that is fun, luxurious, and comfortable. #HomeDesign #EclecticInteriors #LuxuryLiving #TransitionalDesign #VintageDecor #ModernFurniture #DallasHomes #InteriorDesign #AshbyCollective

The article details a collaborative design-build project undertaken by siblings Maria De Cotiis, an interior designer, and Marco De Cotiis, a homebuilder, in East Vancouver. The project involved transforming a duplex into a 1,850-square-foot, four-bedroom home that seamlessly blends Old World charm with modern design elements, creating a neoclassical aesthetic. This unique fusion was specifically tailored to Marco's desire for a home that deviated from his typical Craftsman-style builds, leaning instead towards a "modern blend, like Norwegian style, but adding a touch of the neoclassical." The design process, undertaken in the aftermath of Marco's divorce, aimed to create a fresh start for him and his three daughters. The collaboration capitalized on the siblings' long-standing professional relationship, allowing for a deep understanding of Marco's vision. Maria incorporated clever design solutions, such as integrating millwork into roof slopes to optimize storage, contributing to the home's perception as a "mini mansion" due to its practical layout and efficient use of space. The main floor features herringbone floors, decorative molding, and ceiling flourishes reminiscent of fin-de-siècle Parisian apartments, which are juxtaposed with contemporary elements like flat-profile cabinet doors. The kitchen, being the central focus of the main floor, was designed to be highly functional yet not visually overwhelming. Maria achieved this by extending millwork across the entire back wall, painting it to match the decorative molding, creating a soft, monochromatic feel. A reeded panel was used to discreetly conceal the hood fan, with a Calacatta marble enclave housing the range. Sculptural counter stools with spherical elements serve as a focal point while maintaining a neutral palette, emphasizing a calming ambiance. In the living room, a curved sofa and chair continue the neutral theme, accented by black elements that define the space. A Samsung Frame TV, disguised as a painting, is positioned above a custom black marble mantle. The primary bathroom was designed to reflect a deep, moody vision, incorporating layered black marble in various formats and textures, complemented by art deco-inspired mirrors and sconces, evoking a luxury hotel aesthetic with a traditionally masculine feel. Conversely, the secondary bathroom, shared by Marco's daughters, adopted a feminine yet enduring design, featuring dove grey and lavender tones with layered marble tiles in different shapes and sizes, and a mix of polished nickel and gold fixtures. A small powder room on the main floor, strategically located, was transformed into a dramatic focal point with deep-red paint, bold mosaic floor tile, a floating corner vanity, a whimsical bird-topped mirror, and a glass-rod chandelier. The overarching goal for the home's design was to create a timeless space that would endure by harmoniously blending modern and traditional elements. #InteriorDesign #DuplexDesign #NeoclassicalStyle #ModernTraditionalBlend #MariaDeCotiis #HomeRenovation #VancouverHomes #CustomMillwork #MarbleFinishes

Bella Mancini of Bella Mancini Design undertook the task of furnishing a nearly 3,500-square-foot loft in Dumbo, Brooklyn, for a family of four. The objective was to create a space that offered serenity at the day's end while also accommodating frequent entertaining. The loft, situated in a former industrial building, already possessed significant character with its natural wood columns, exposed brick walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows. High-end white oak floors and a new developer's kitchen were also existing features, meaning Mancini's focus was primarily on furniture, custom millwork, lighting, paint, wallpaper, and soft furnishings. The design process was heavily influenced by the clients' lifestyle. With two preteen daughters, a husband who works from home, and a wife with demanding hours, the need for both relaxation and functionality was paramount. The couple's enjoyment of entertaining also played a crucial role in the layout and furnishing choices. This led to the establishment of two distinct dining areas: a casual space near the large windows featuring an Eero Saarinen tulip table, wicker chairs, and a custom banquette that doubles as a desk, and a more formal dining setup elsewhere in the loft. The open kitchen and living area, centrally located, were designed for fluid movement and informal gatherings, encouraging guests to choose any available seat rather than adhering to a formal dining structure. Mancini aimed to infuse a relaxed, breezy Californian aesthetic into the New York setting. However, acknowledging the clients' British background and their Hamptons home's English country style, some glamorous and sparkly touches were incorporated to satisfy their preference for a slightly dressier city environment. The kitchen, visible upon entry, features a dropped ceiling painted in Farrow & Ball's Downpipe to conceal wiring, with Louis Poulsen glass globe pendants illuminating the island. The foyer is anchored by a vintage Scandinavian piece, setting an immediate tone for the home's curated style. Custom elements are prevalent throughout the loft, such as the banquette in the casual dining area, which is also painted in Farrow & Ball's Downpipe, a dark gray used in multiple spaces. The living area showcases a sophisticated and unconventional color palette, including a pink Chesterfield sofa complemented by vintage ochre and gray armchairs, with two coffee tables sourced from Jayson Home. The formal dining area is defined by pink grasscloth wall covering, featuring chrome Breuer chairs from Knoll upholstered in durable mohair, surrounding a wood table from the Danish Design Store. A custom-designed credenza by Mancini further enhances this space. The powder room received a facelift with Ellie Cashman floral wallpaper, an Apparatus light fixture, and a vanity painted in Farrow & Ball's Dead Salmon. The daughters' rooms also feature personalized designs, such as tie-dyed wallpaper from Donghia and canopy beds, alongside custom-built desks and bookshelves designed by Mancini. The master bedroom includes nightstands from Lawson Fenning, a whimsical side table from Artemest, and a chaise lounge from Gubi, with Italian garment-dyed linens from Society Limonata at ABC Carpet & Home. These design choices collectively create a functional, stylish, and comfortable environment tailored to the family's needs and aesthetic preferences. #BellaMancini #BellaManciniDesign #InteriorDesign #LoftDesign #OpenPlanLiving #DumboBrooklyn #CustomMillwork #ResidentialInteriors