Central Home: Dance, crepes and connection

Ann Buehler, who began dancing at 2½ years old due to a medical recommendation for leg braces, developed a lifelong passion for dance, eventually teaching beginner classes at 16. She pursued various dance forms during her time at Southwest Missouri State University and, after graduating, balanced a career as a second-grade teacher with teaching dance on the side. Initially, she taught as 'Ann’s Dancers' in a church basement in Mt. Vernon, progressively expanding and operating studios in both Mt. Vernon and Springfield. Buehler transitioned to full-time dance instruction, founding Ann’s Performing Arts Centre in 1992. After years in a studio that no longer met her needs, an opportunity arose when Paula Daugherty, whose children were Buehler’s students, and her husband, developers of the new Paige Reese Plaza in south Springfield, invited Ann’s to establish a new location. Buehler collaborated with Daugherty and architect Brian Kubik of Buxton Kubik Dodd Creative to design an optimal space based on her extensive experience. Kubik translated Buehler's requirements into architectural plans, while Daugherty oversaw the interior design. The resulting studio features an open and airy layout, incorporating modern furnishings with accents of red and crystal chandeliers. Key areas include an open lobby, a locker room, a tumbling room, two main dance studios, an office, and an upstairs area for staff with a study nook for students. The lobby serves as a communal space for families, equipped with a kitchenette for snacks. The locker room, furnished with 100 lockers, is a popular gathering spot for students. The tumbling room is designed for younger dancers, equipped with mirrors, mats, and safety gear, with all tumbling activities tailored to support dance training. The second level provides a comfortable retreat for employees, featuring a seating area and kitchenette, and offers views into Studio A and the lobby. The two main dance studios are versatile, separated by a garage door that allows them to be combined into one large space for special events. Both studios are outfitted with Marley Sprung floors, mirrors, ballet bars, and stall bars. The studio also accommodates 'The Company,' a group of select dancers who participate in competitive dance, with their photos displayed in the lobby. The new center is celebrated by Buehler for its chic, sleek, and fun aesthetic. #DanceStudio #PerformingArts #InteriorDesign #Architecture #SpringfieldMissouri #DanceEducation #CommercialDesign

The University of North Dakota (UND) is enhancing its student living experience through the construction of new residence halls and the renovation of existing ones, focusing on comfort, convenience, and fostering a strong sense of community. The recent opening of McVey Hall and significant renovations to Brannon Hall are central to this initiative, aiming to provide a 'home away from home' for students, particularly freshmen transitioning to college life. Lukas Metropoulos, a Community Assistant at McVey Hall, highlights the importance of creating an engaging and safe environment where students feel a sense of belonging. He emphasizes the need for a space where students can decompress, relax, and feel valued. This sentiment is echoed by Troy Noeldner, Director of UND Housing & Residence Life, who notes that while community programming has always been strong, the physical infrastructure needed an upgrade to meet modern student expectations. McVey Hall, which replaced the original 1965 structure, and the extensively renovated Brannon Hall, offer suite-style living designed to contrast sharply with older, more utilitarian dormitories. The new suites feature movable furniture, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows, vinyl-plank flooring, and soothing two-tone gray walls. Each four-student suite includes a private shower room, a separate toilet room with its own vanity, and a larger shared vanity area, along with individual thermostats for climate control. These design choices aim to maximize comfort and personalize living spaces. The broader Wilkerson Complex, which includes Selke, Noren, and the upcoming West Hall (The Second), will eventually house approximately 1,700 students, roughly equivalent to UND's average first-year student population. This complex is designed as a 'mini' freshman city, with all buildings connected by indoor passageways, eliminating the need to brave harsh weather. This integrated design is a significant departure from older models, emphasizing social spaces and amenities over just providing sleeping quarters. Noeldner explains that the shift to approximately 95 percent suite-style housing across UND's residence halls is a strategic move to modernize the student living experience and attract students in a competitive higher education market. The enhanced housing options are seen as a unique advantage in recruiting diverse students from around the globe. Furthermore, this capital project addresses over $200 million in deferred maintenance costs and reduces the university's housing footprint by 1 million square feet, contributing to significant utility savings and mitigating inflationary pressures. The emphasis on creating density on campus is a key element of the university's long-range plan, aiming to encourage students to live and engage in campus activities, thereby improving retention rates. Ashley Gunderson, Marketing Manager for UND Housing & Dining Support Services, shares her personal experience as a transfer student who regretted not living on campus, underscoring the value of proximity to campus life and social opportunities. The immediate popularity of McVey Hall, with 85% of students moving in ahead of schedule, attests to the success of these new facilities. Community spaces are a central feature of the new and renovated halls. McVey Hall boasts multiple large main lounges, some with recreational facilities like Ping-Pong, and additional lounges off elevators on every floor, all designed with comfortable furniture, natural light, and modern aesthetics. These spaces are versatile, used for studying, social gatherings, club meetings, and entertainment. Two stylish kitchenettes, equipped with basic cookware and ample lounging/eating areas, offer students additional options for cooking and socializing. Brannon Hall also features large open kitchen/lounge areas, a ground-floor lounge with a pool table, and dedicated study nooks. It also hosts Living Learning Communities for students in Aviation, Nursing, Engineering, and Atmospheric Science, fostering stronger connections between academic and social life, with an upcoming flight simulator room for aviation students. The ultimate centerpiece of the Wilkerson Complex is 'The Landing Zone,' a 1.7-acre grassy courtyard scheduled for completion in spring. This outdoor space will feature a large patio, a 12-foot fire pit, walking paths, benches, potential for an outdoor stage and movies, sand volleyball pits, and a hammock farm, all with outdoor directional Wi-Fi. This area is designed to be a vibrant hub for student activities and gatherings, further enhancing the sense of community and providing a blank slate for programming. The overall goal is to create an environment where students form lasting relationships and have a fulfilling college experience, making the residence halls an integral part of their college journey. #StudentHousing #ResidenceLife #CampusDevelopment #StudentExperience #HigherEducation #UniversityOfNorthDakota #ModernArchitecture #CommunityBuilding #StudentRetention

Perng Aw, the General Manager of Greater Club, shares a curated list of her favorite things, offering insight into her personal passions and what brings her joy and fulfillment. Her selection highlights a diverse range of experiences and interests, reflecting a life driven by connection, personal growth, and appreciation for various forms of art and culture. Her first and arguably most significant favorite is her dog, Dre, a Lab and Alaskan Malamute/Husky mix. Dre is presented as a profound teacher of unconditional love, care, and loyalty. Aw emphasizes the simple yet incredible nature of life with a dog, recounting how Dre inspires her to be more caring and empathetic. Weekends spent watching Dre play at dog runs or pools are particularly cherished, serving as a reminder to live in the moment and appreciate the infectious energy of her canine companion. This bond underscores the deep emotional connection she shares with her pet and its positive impact on her daily life. The second item on her list is longboarding, an activity she picked up during the pandemic. Longboarding has become her 'happy place' amidst stress and uncertainty, offering an 'adrenaline-fueled meditation.' Beyond the mental relief, she highlights the physical benefits, including health advantages and vitamin D exposure, as factors that keep her engaged and 'hooked' on the activity. Third, Aw expresses a profound appreciation for tiling art, describing it as a 'feast of texture, color and intricate tile pattern.' She finds herself captivated by its timeless quality and its significant contribution to extraordinary interior design. Her admiration extends to the talent and dedication required to create world-renowned decorative tile arts from centuries past. An accompanying image of tiling from the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, taken during her first international trip since the pandemic, illustrates this passion. Good American BBQ ranks fourth among her favorite things. Having lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades, American barbecue serves as a comfort food deeply tied to her fondest memories. She reminisces about summer traditions of grilling and socializing with friends around a fiery pit. In Singapore, she continues this tradition with her closest friends, particularly enjoying the challenge of cooking brisket due to the skill it requires to tenderize. For Aw, food is not just sustenance but an essential element for community building and creating lasting memories. Fifth, running at dusk is featured for its multifaceted benefits. Beyond the well-known health advantages like improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and stress reduction, Aw particularly values the opportunity to witness beautiful views during her runs, adding an aesthetic dimension to her physical activity. Being a gastronomic tourist is her sixth passion. She believes that food and culture are inherently intertwined, making local cuisine an invaluable avenue for understanding a country. For Aw, planning restaurants and local dishes to try is the most exciting part of travel planning, emphasizing that an authentic travel experience is incomplete without experiencing the local culinary landscape. A traditional Turkish breakfast from her Istanbul visit exemplifies this interest. Seventh, Aw highlights her commitment to striving to be better, particularly in her professional life as a community builder. Singapore has provided her with opportunities to thrive in building professional communities and ecosystems across various industries, including women in tech, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and fashion, now extending to business professionals at Greater Club. She enjoys bringing people together, a role she initially didn't plan for but has grown to love, valuing her position as a facilitator connecting inspiring individuals and witnessing the positive impact of community building professionally and personally. Finally, her eighth favorite thing is being fashion-forward, a passion she pursued by transitioning from a stable banking career to fashion in her mid-20s. Despite the inherent risks, her dedication to fashion led her to spearhead an initiative at the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF) that helped a local designer debut a collection at Paris Fashion Week 2022. This experience reminds her that her initial small step into fashion created a significant opportunity for someone else, underscoring the ripple effect of pursuing one's passions. #PerngAw #GreaterClub #PersonalPassions #CommunityBuilding #Travel #CulinaryExperiences #InteriorDesign #FashionJourney

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the spring performance season for ballet dancers, forcing them to adapt their home environments into makeshift studios to maintain their rigorous practice schedules. This transition presented unique challenges, particularly concerning suitable flooring and space for large movements. Despite these obstacles, renowned dancers found creative solutions to continue their training. Isabella Boylston, a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, transformed her Downtown Brooklyn kitchen into a dance space. The kitchen, being the largest room in her new construction condo, allowed her to use the countertop as a barre. She addressed the issue of slippery wood floors by obtaining a piece of marley flooring, a material that provides necessary traction for pointe shoes. Boylston also incorporated personal touches into her space, including a well-stocked bar cart and an art wall featuring works by friends and family. While the kitchen served for her daily classes, she sought outdoor spaces like Brooklyn Bridge Park for grande allegro, or big jumps, to avoid shin splints on her hard kitchen floor. Dores André, a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, approached her Twin Peaks apartment with a minimalist and utilitarian design, viewing it as a "canvas" dominated by white, wood, copper, and pink tones. Her open-plan living area, where she primarily dances, has a hard concrete floor, which she mitigated by placing a Harlequin marley floor over a carpet or yoga mat. André improvises with a chair or the back of a large canvas as a barre. She also has a small backyard where she practices jumps when the weather permits, occasionally having to move her numerous plants, which she affectionately names, to create space. Gonzalo Garcia, a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet, and his partner Ezra Hurwitz, purchased a parlor apartment in a brownstone on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. A significant draw was the charming backyard garden, which they meticulously transformed into an outdoor lounge and Garcia's primary ballet studio. This outdoor space is equipped with a professional ballet barre and mirror, surrounded by various plants. Their decor, inspired by the French Riviera and Mediterranean styles, includes yellow chairs from Article and furniture from CB2. When the weather is unfavorable, Garcia utilizes a large inherited mirror in his bedroom for practice. He initially found his living room floors too slippery and uneven for ballet, emphasizing the need for a stable and visible practice environment. Joseph Gordon and Adrian Danchig-Waring, also principal dancers with the New York City Ballet, temporarily relocated to a midcentury ranch-style home on Shelter Island, owned by friends. The house's open layout, featuring three skylights and a vaulted ceiling, offered ample space for their training. They personalized the rental with their own "wabi-sabi, boho-chic" style, adding items like Noguchi lanterns and Pendleton blankets. They utilize the sunroom's windowsill or a dining chair as makeshift barres, recognizing the height challenges these improvisations present. The expansive wraparound deck serves as an alternative outdoor dancing space. Both dancers acknowledged the surreal nature of training at home and the challenge of maintaining motivation without a ballet master's direct guidance, relying on each other for encouragement and adapting to the limitations of their unconventional practice environments while embracing a more flexible approach to their artistry. #WorkFromHome #BalletDancers #HomeStudios #InteriorDesign #CreativeSpaces #HomeTours #DanceTraining #DIYHome #PandemicLife

Erie Makes! is hosting a week-long series of free, family-friendly maker events from November 13th to 18th, designed to celebrate creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning for all ages. The events, which are primarily held at various branches of the Erie County Public Library and partner sites, offer a diverse range of activities from robotics and art to 3D printing and traditional crafts. Registration is open for many of the activities, and early sign-up is encouraged due to limited spaces. The event schedule kicks off with ongoing activities at Claytopia throughout the week, where participants can paint their own ceramic tiles, with registration required to claim a tile. Monday, November 13th, features activities like Scribble Bots for ages 8 to adult, Fall Button making for all ages, and Tiny Tin Shadow Boxes for teens at Blasco Library. Other locations on Monday include the Lincoln Community Center offering Rainbow Wall Hanging crafts for ages 6 and up, the Iroquois Avenue Branch Library with Beach Glass Art for ages 10 and up, and Edinboro Branch Library hosting a Fall Craft Night for all ages. Tuesday, November 14th, continues the creative workshops at Blasco Library with Paper Luminaries for ages 13 to adult, Soap Making, and Acrylic Pours, both requiring registration and catering to ages 13-14 and up, respectively. The Lincoln Community Center on Tuesday provides Magic Tile Art sessions for all ages and a dedicated tween/teen session, both using Glowforge-engraved ceramic tiles and sharpies. Edinboro Branch Library will host a "Make a Terrarium" event for ages 6 to adult. Wednesday, November 15th, includes Blasco Library's "Make a Magnet" session using infusible ink pens, a "Make a Website" workshop with Google Sites for ages 13 and up, and a "Young Writer's Workshop" for ages 9-12 focusing on NaNoWriMo. The Lincoln Community Center offers a Jewelry Making session with three different stations for ages 10 and up. Thursday, November 16th, at Blasco Library, features "Make a Charm Bracelet" involving beach glass and laser-cut pendants, multiple "Let's Start Creating Your Next Novel!" 30-minute appointments for aspiring writers, and a "Watercolor Flowers" class for ages 13 to adult. Studio Blu will host "The Wonderful World of 3D," allowing all ages to color a 3D model's UV map and see it rendered. Friday, November 17th, continues the "Let's Start Creating Your Next Novel!" appointments at Blasco Library. The Lincoln Community Center offers "Wood Cookie Owls" for all ages. The Iroquois Avenue Branch Library presents "Homeschool Tweens and Teens: Paper Water Garden" using a Cricut machine. Whitethorn Games will host an open studio tour, and CAM Erie provides "Design Your Own Podcast!" sessions for all ages. The week culminates on Saturday, November 18th, with a wide array of activities at Blasco Library, including a "Home Sweet Home Sign" workshop for adults, a "Mosaic Painting-Community Art Project" and "Make-It Journals" for all ages, "Recycled Book Origami" for ages 5-12, and "Historic Letter Writing and Letter Locking." The Lincoln Community Center features "Pixel Brick Art" for all ages, and the Inner City Neighborhood Art House offers "Art Stars," a mixed-media workshop. Other Saturday events include "Experience ECAT" at Erie Center for Arts & Technology, "Stamp-It!" at Grounded Printshop, additional "Design Your Own Podcast!" sessions at CAM Erie, a "Woodshop Open House" at Lake Erie Woodworks, and "Sculpting Faceless Dolls - “Una Mezcla De Razas”" at the Erie Art Museum, inspired by Latin American art. #ErieMakes #MakerEvents #HandsOnLearning #CreativeWorkshops #FamilyFriendly #ErieCountyPublicLibrary #ArtAndCrafts #STEMActivities #CommunityEvents

The Chan Zuckerberg Community Space, located at 801 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 100 in Downtown Redwood City, provides complimentary meeting and event facilities for organizations. Its primary objective is to foster collaboration, convenience, and programming that benefits the local community. The initiative stems from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg's commitment to supporting their Bay Area home. In 2025, the Community Space expanded its eligibility criteria to include Bay Area non-profits that operate in San Mateo County, in addition to organizations based directly within the county. This expansion allows organizations from cities like Oakland or San Francisco to utilize the space for meetings, convenings, and events, provided their programming serves San Mateo County. Government agencies in Redwood City and San Mateo County also continue to be eligible. Detailed guidelines for eligibility are available for review. Operating Monday through Friday, the space accommodates day events from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and evening events from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The facility features three distinct areas available for reservation by Community Space members: The Grove, the Redwood Conference Room, and the Sequoia Conference Room. The Grove is a large, versatile event space spanning 2,500 sq. ft. with a capacity for 200 people. It is equipped with free WiFi, eight microphones, and two large projection screens. Layout options for The Grove include a "Bleacher Gathering" setup seating 115, a "Theater" style with 195 seats (combining chairs and bleachers), a "Banquet" arrangement with 10 round tables accommodating 60 people, and a "Mix and Mingle" setup for 200 standing guests with high tables. Members can submit reservation requests up to one year in advance, with a calendar indicating booked times. The Redwood Conference Room, measuring 760 sq. ft., is designed for larger meetings and formal gatherings, with a capacity of 20 people. It offers free WiFi, access to a presentation screen, videoconferencing tools, and a whiteboard. Its standard layout is a conference room setup with 20 chairs around a long table. Similar to The Grove, this room can be booked up to a year in advance. The Sequoia Conference Room, the smallest of the three at 417 sq. ft., is suitable for more intimate meetings and small gatherings, accommodating 12 people. Amenities include free WiFi, a presentation screen, videoconferencing tools, and a whiteboard. It features a conference room layout with 12 chairs around a long table. This room also follows the one-year advance booking policy. For more information on membership and to book a space, interested organizations are directed to contact the CZI Community Space directly. #CommunitySpace #RedwoodCity #SanMateoCounty #NonProfitSupport #EventSpace #ConferenceRooms #CommunityEngagement #ChanZuckerbergInitiative

This article explores a Washington, D.C., home designed by Zoe Feldman, which showcases a maximalist yet restrained approach to interior design. The residence, owned by a young, fashion-forward couple with an affinity for British style, particularly House of Hackney, challenges conventional design norms by seamlessly integrating bold patterns, vibrant colors, and diverse textures. Feldman emphasizes that despite the eclectic mix of elements, the home maintains a cohesive and surprisingly neutral feel. The dining room, for instance, features a large, square layout adorned with striped Farrow & Ball wallpaper. This bold pattern, rather than being overwhelming, is described as soothing. The space offers a view into a floral-covered foyer, which in turn leads to a chartreuse-colored living room where various animal prints are harmoniously incorporated. Feldman explains that the striped wallpaper in the dining room naturally complements the William Morris Pimpernel print found in the stairwell, with both areas utilizing tame color palettes that subtly prepare visitors for the vibrant chartreuse living room. A key design philosophy employed by Feldman is balancing quirky and traditional elements, ensuring that "everything can’t be the star." This approach is evident in the inclusion of a vintage landscape tapestry in one corner and a human hand-shaped catchall for keys, a signature touch in Feldman’s projects. She stresses the importance of natural relationships between design elements, rejecting the idea of simply throwing disparate items together. The leopard stair runner is highlighted as an example of a seemingly bold choice that functions as a neutral, according to Feldman, who believes animal prints are inherently neutral and can coexist in nearly any space. The living room further exemplifies this adventurous design, featuring nude sketches by a team designer, antique glass mirror panels, and a 1970s tiger-print daybed. The striking chartreuse walls and window trim, painted in a Benjamin Moore hue matched by Fine Paints of Europe’s Hollandlac finish, create the illusion of lacquer without the associated cost and labor. In contrast to the vibrant communal spaces, the kitchen acts as a palette cleanser with its gradient blue cabinetry. Feldman applied various shades of Farrow & Ball paint—Pale Powder for the walls, Light Blue for medium door fronts, and De Nimes for pantry cupboards—to create a calming, smudged effect. The Donatello marble countertops, integrated sink, and backsplash, with their subtle blue veining, enhance this optical illusion. The adjacent family room, described as the "heartbeat of the house," is designed for both the couple and their young children. A TV is concealed behind bifold cabinet doors, painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stone Blue to match the walls and baseboards, allowing for a versatile space that can be active during the day and serene at night. Feldman’s use of antique brass grilling to disguise lower cabinet panels, a technique often used for radiators and AC returns, adds a functional yet decorative touch. The primary bedroom features an upholstered bed frame that is complemented by speckled Matouk Margot print pillows and duvet, chosen to play up the pattern rather than mute it. Feldman argues that small-scale prints can complement larger ones in ways solids cannot. The children’s bedroom incorporates playful pink dinosaur wallpaper from House of Hackney, with the border painted in an icy blue-green, a tone present in the motif, to ensure a cohesive and impactful design. This careful consideration of trim, doors, and ceiling colors maximizes the effect of the wallpaper, avoiding a stark white that would feel out of place. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #MaximalistDesign #PatternMixing #ColorPalette #ZoeFeldmanDesign #WashingtonDCHome #TextileTrends #EclecticStyle

The article details House Beautiful's seventh annual Whole Home project, which took place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, specifically an area between Asheville and Hendersonville. The location was chosen for its culinary scene, high brewery-per-capita ratio, proximity to the Biltmore Estate, vibrant art scene, and scenic views, as well as a local bakery famous for salty chocolate chip cookies. The 4,000-square-foot mountain contemporary home was built in partnership with Sean Sullivan of Living Stone Design + Build, named 2023 National Custom Home Builder of the Year, and Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interiors & Design, along with 11 other design teams. The initial goal of the project was to celebrate vacation home living and promote downtime. However, the project took an unexpected turn on the final day of the team's visit when Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The storm caused significant devastation to the region, including the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, resulting in power outages, loss of communication, and displacement. Although the House Beautiful team was safe, the widespread destruction prompted a shift in the project's mission. The focus moved from design inspiration to supporting the community's rebuilding efforts, highlighting the resilience of the local tradespeople and designers who continued their work despite personal losses. The article emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the project, acknowledging the extensive contributions of Sean and Laura Sullivan, Sarah Caldwell, Jill Jones, Chris Culler, Matthew Jones, Will Hewitt, and a person referred to as “Blackstone,” all of whom played crucial roles in the home's construction and design. Their dedication was particularly notable as many were directly impacted by the hurricane. The home itself is described as energy-efficient, located in the conservation-minded community of Sprout in Hendersonville. It features heating and cooling systems by Trane and window treatments by Hunter Douglas, which contribute to its energy efficiency. The exterior paint colors, Pantalon and Off-Black, are from Farrow & Ball. The article also lists various brand partners, including Architectural Grille, Fabricut, Feeney Railings, Fibreworks, Lee Industries, Minted, Monogram, Harlequin, Serena & Lily, Spoonflower, The Container Store, Visual Comfort & Co., and Wayfair Professional. House Beautiful also partnered with Wellness Within Your Walls, an organization dedicated to educating and guiding on reducing toxins in living environments, reflecting a commitment to meaningful and healthy design. The article concludes by encouraging readers to visit the region when it is ready, not only for its natural beauty and culinary delights but also to support its recovery. The full story of the home will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of House Beautiful, which is scheduled to be released on November 26. #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #NorthCarolina #HurricaneHelene #SustainableDesign #HomeDecor #DesignPartnerships #CommunitySupport

nCino, a rapidly growing financial services technology company based in Wilmington, has designed its global corporate headquarters with a strong focus on employee well-being and a commitment to local community and sustainability. The company, known for its recent IPO and significant global expansion, achieved over $250 million in revenues in 2021 and serves more than 1,200 financial institutions worldwide. This growth is mirrored in its workplace design philosophy, which aims to create a 'home away from home' for its employees. The interior design of the headquarters on Parker Farm Road at Mayfaire is characterized by a warm and casual ambiance. It incorporates noise-dampening accent walls, natural stone, and soft textures and hues, reflecting the company's investment in its workforce. Katie Smith, senior vice president of finance and operations, highlights that the relaxing indoor environment is crucial given the demands placed on employees. The design balances modern elements, such as stainless steel and expansive interior glass walls, with natural features like hardwood ceilings and ledger stone accent walls. The entrance lobby sets the tone with a water wall, vintage light fixtures, and lush botanicals. A popular upper-level conference room features a large botanical accent wall from Kim Fisher Designs, which, along with a custom-fabricated metal logo, symbolizes the company's forward-focused technology rooted in nature. This approach also considers the potential for plants to enhance indoor air quality. nCino's dedication to its employees extends to providing unique amenities and fostering a supportive internal culture. The headquarters includes a Bitty and Beau’s coffee shop, marking only the second such partnership for the company that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The first floor also boasts a rec room with ping pong and foosball tables, a kegerator, a full kitchen, and a 'jam zone' for musical talents. Currently, these areas overlook a construction site for a new 90,000-square-foot nCino building, which will further enhance employee facilities with professionally designed outdoor spaces for gatherings and alternative work environments. A surfboard check-out zone is also available, promoting outdoor activities and work-life balance. The company’s internal culture is a key factor in its recognition as one of the 25 highest-rated public cloud computing companies to work for by Battery Ventures, and its inclusion on Comparably lists for best company for diversity, best company culture, best work-life balance, and best company happiness in 2021. CEO Pierre Naudé emphasizes that fostering a positive culture and taking care of employees fuels their passion and commitment to nCino’s continued growth, which saw its workforce expand from 1,200 to over 1,500 in 2021. Candice Gurganus, operations project manager, explains that coastal-themed artwork and extensive use of rich wood accents contribute to an inviting and casual space. The design intentionally balances large glass expansions with warm textures and natural elements like the main water wall and botanical accents. The company also prioritizes repurposing existing materials and supporting local artists and designers. An executive-level conference room features a massive live-edge resin table crafted by a local Raleigh artist, which had to be installed via crane through a window. Reclaimed wood is utilized in cubicles, and phone booths with a modern twist offer quiet spaces for focused work or calls, further illustrating the careful consideration given to every detail of the workplace environment. #WorkplaceDesign #CorporateCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #SustainableDesign #OfficeInteriors #FinancialTechnology #WilmingtonNC #CommunityPartnerships #ModernArchitecture

The Cochran family, including parents Sheryl and David, and sons Luke and Matt (with wife Courtney), shares a distinct interior design aesthetic characterized by a blend of modern, vintage, and quirky elements. This aesthetic has evolved through their shared love for music, art, and eclectic pieces, with the parents' curated home inspiring their sons' living spaces. David Cochran, an artist, contributes significantly to their art collections, and family painting sessions further enrich their homes' decor. The siblings' individual design choices also influence each other, with new finds by one often sparking ideas for the other. Courtney and Matt Cochran’s historic home in the Fan District, built in 1909, exemplifies this shared style. They meticulously preserved the home's original charm, refinishing floors and retaining existing chandeliers to maintain its inherent grandeur. Their approach to furnishing involved a slow and deliberate process of acquiring pieces from estate sales, antique markets, and local stores like Class and Trash. The entryway features an original crystal chandelier juxtaposed with an industrial console table and an African elephant mask, showcasing their ability to blend diverse styles. The dining and living area combines a West Elm dining table with midcentury modern chairs and a velvet sofa, illuminated by vintage stained-glass panels. The use of subtle color notes and carefully chosen art and decor creates a harmonious space that seamlessly merges new and old. Luke Cochran's South Side Richmond home also reflects the family's aesthetic, with his mother, Sheryl, providing design guidance. Renovations in Luke's home were minimal, primarily focusing on removing walls to create a more open layout, thereby preserving its original character. His design philosophy centers around unique pieces, such as an antique carved wooden cabinet sourced from Circa in Charlottesville, which is contrasted with contemporary gold lamps. The dining room features deep blue walls and modern cabinets, softened by a wooden pantry door from Caravati’s in Ashland. A retrofuturistic Sputnik-inspired light fixture bridges modern features with warm wooden elements, resulting in a refined yet comfortable atmosphere. Across both homes, a consistent theme emerges: the juxtaposition of furniture with eclectic art collections and luxurious mirrors. This common stylistic thread connects the generations, illustrating how a shared passion for design can manifest uniquely in different living spaces while still retaining a familial signature. Each home, while reflecting the individual tastes and travel experiences of its occupants, maintains an inviting ambiance where art, music, and creativity are central to the living experience. This intergenerational influence and the conscious curation of diverse elements define the Cochran family's interior design approach. #homes #interiorDesign #homeDecor #families #antiques #vintageStyle #artCollections #eclecticDecor

NestSpace Design has completed the 'Revival House: Echo of the Body' in Taipei, Taiwan, a dwelling designed for a contemporary dancer. The project aims to cultivate a micro-community for living, dancing, and interaction. Inspired by the continuous motion of body flow, the architects integrated concepts of immersive theater and a subtle seat hierarchy to create an open-plan layout promoting calm and harmony. The design philosophy centers on making people and space interconnected, with the dancer's body serving as the primary measurement for scale within the residence. Each room is intended to gather energy from perception, creation, and performance. The design concept is structured around three phases of the dancer's mind: 'the state of consciousness,' 'the path of contemplation,' and 'sleep | dream,' which guided the development of a gradual floor plan to facilitate a multi-dancing experience within a residential setting. The front area of the 'Revival House' is designed to evoke a fluid state of mind, encouraging the activation of original senses, particularly in relation to nature. This is achieved through the extensive use of wood materials and natural textures, creating a warm and forest-like ambiance. A sloping ceiling enhances the overall mood, while a distinctive clay plaster wall design symbolizes the transformation of clouds at sunset, adding a meditative quality to the space. The open-plan layout of the front area is likened to an immersive theater, allowing anyone to become both character and audience. This configuration provides flexibility for various activities, including dancing, stretching, seating on extensive platforms, or simply relaxing. The space can function as a single stage or be divided into two distinct areas for different purposes. In contrast, the practice room, located at the rear of the public stage, incorporates mirrors and glass walls to create multi-experiential reflections and extensions, resulting in an obscure and ambiguous environment. An aisle along the practice room wall separates the public areas from more private spaces, serving as a transitional link to the dining area and bedroom. The 'Revival House' covers a gross built area of 109 square meters in Taipei, Taiwan. The architectural firm responsible for this project is NestSpace Design, with the design team comprising Jun-Cheng Yeh and Chun-Ting Yeh. The photography for the project was done by Hey!Cheese. This project was submitted through designboom's DIY submissions feature, which allows readers to share their work for publication. The design effectively combines functionality for a dancer with a harmonious living environment, demonstrating an innovative approach to residential architecture by integrating artistic movement and daily life into a cohesive spatial experience. #ResidentialArchitecture #TaiwanDesign #NestSpaceDesign #DanceStudioHome #OpenPlanLiving #NaturalMaterials #ImmersiveDesign #SpatialFluidity

Mifune Design Studio has implemented an innovative and interactive design concept for Room 211 of Hotel T'Point in Osaka City, Japan. The project redefines the spatial arrangement of a hotel room by utilizing three flexible partitions, inspired by shower curtains, to delineate different functional areas. This approach challenges conventional hotel room layouts, which typically feature fixed walls, by offering guests the ability to reconfigure their immediate environment. The core idea behind this design is to create a dynamic and engaging experience for the guests. Instead of static boundaries, the translucent curtains can be moved to enclose or open up the bed, shower, and toilet areas. This flexibility allows guests to personalize their space according to their preferences and needs at any given moment, transforming the act of defining space into a 'graceful dance'. The studio intentionally placed these essential functions in close proximity to emphasize the need for their concealment, thereby highlighting the curtains' role. The design aesthetic of Room 211 is minimalist, with decorative elements purposefully omitted. This stripped-back environment ensures that the interaction with the movable partitions becomes the primary visual and experiential focus. The 'dance' of the shower curtains serves as the room's sole decoration, drawing attention to their material quality and the way light interacts with them as they are repositioned. This absence of traditional decor encourages a more thoughtful engagement with the spatial dynamics. A key functional detail in the design is a slight inclination of the floor around the shower area. This subtle change in elevation is the only physical differentiation in the floor plan, serving the practical purpose of containing water while maintaining the overall fluidity of the space. While curtains are commonly used to prevent water splashing, Mifune Design Studio expands their utility beyond this conventional role, showcasing their potential as versatile architectural elements. The project, named 'Room 211 (Hotel T’Point)', was designed by Yasutoshi Mifune of Mifune Design Studio. Located in Osaka City, Osaka, Japan, the hotel room covers an area of 42 square meters. The primary materials used are shower curtains, plaster, and concrete, chosen for their practical and aesthetic qualities within the minimalist scheme. The construction was carried out by Obai Carpentry Shop, and the photography was done by Yasunori Shimomura. This design was submitted to designboom through its 'DIY submissions' feature, inviting readers to share their work for publication. The design offers a unique perspective on hotel room functionality and guest interaction, prioritizing adaptability and interactive spatial experiences over static room layouts. #HotelDesign #ShowerCurtains #FlexibleSpace #MinimalistDesign #InteractiveDesign #SpatialDynamics #YasutoshiMifune #HotelTPoint #OsakaArchitecture

Lori Olsen McElvain and Jay Eiler, former colleagues with a history of working together at two design firms, have reunited to establish a shared office space, transforming a former Webster dance studio into a functional and collaborative environment. This joint venture provides a mutually beneficial arrangement, especially for McElvain, who notes the challenges of maintaining a workspace alone while balancing a part-time and working mother's schedule. Eiler emphasizes that their established relationship, built on trust and respect, allows them to effectively brainstorm and share ideas, metaphorically leaving 'breadcrumbs on each other’s desk.' The designers' new office is strategically located within a developing 'mini-design district,' situated between two other interior design and architecture firms and in close proximity to a PPG Paints store, a factor Eiler highlights as making their shared space a logical choice. The office setup itself demonstrates practical design solutions for a dynamic workspace. To manage the inherent challenge of a large, open space that can quickly become cluttered, they utilize an ample supply of bins from IKEA to maintain organization and tidiness. Key features of their collaborative workspace include homemade presentation boards constructed from galvanized metal sheets set on plywood magnet boards. These boards are instrumental in helping clients visualize proposed designs, such as a unique whisk chandelier concept presented to St. Louis Kolache, one of McElvain's clients. The designers also incorporate versatile furniture, exemplified by a metal restaurant-style table that has served multiple functions, including a desk, kitchen island, and work table. Two tall desks are also present, allowing the designers to work standing up, which promotes productivity and physical well-being. This variety of surfaces is crucial for spreading out materials when working on multiple projects simultaneously. Lighting throughout the office is provided by metal Bryce table lamps, also known as hotel lamps, which are equipped with USB ports. This selection is particularly fitting given Eiler's extensive work in boutique hotel design, both nationally and locally, including the upcoming Hotel Saint Louis. These lamps serve the practical purpose of allowing the designers to charge their electronic devices throughout the day, aligning with McElvain's vision for a flexible workspace. The transformation of the dance studio into a dynamic and organized shared office underscores the designers' ability to combine their individual expertise and resources into a synergistic and efficient working model. This article was originally published in *Design STL*'s May/June 2018 issue, showcasing innovative approaches to interior design and collaborative professional spaces. #InteriorDesign #SharedWorkspace #OfficeDesign #CollaborativeEnvironment #DesignSolutions #WebsterGroves #LoriOlsenMcElvain #JayEiler #DesignSTL