15 william street Dekar x Ballard Designs

Ambika Hinduja Macker undertook the design of her brother Shom's suburban Mumbai home, transforming an octagonal guest cottage into a modern sanctuary. The original structure, over 30 years old and designed by architect Phiroze Pantaki with interiors by the late Parmeshwar Godrej, served as the foundation for Ambika's vision. Shom's desire for a space of relaxation and reflection led him to Ambika, a polymath with diverse experience in film, interior and product design, and art curation. The design ethos for the home was a blend of old and new, incorporating the original octagonal form with contemporary rectilinear elements. Key influences included the natural world, particularly flora and fauna, the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi which embraces imperfection, and the minimalist styles of Scandinavian and Japanese design. To achieve Shom's vision, Ambika retained only parts of the original octagonal structure and its sloping roofs, which were converted into green roofs to promote sustainability—a principle both Shom and Ambika, as a conscious designer, strongly support. The rest of the structure underwent significant reinforcement, restructuring, and redesign. A central aspect of the renovation involved opening up the living spaces. Exposed beams and columns were removed to create a more expansive and free-flowing interior with larger rooms and cleaner lines. Ambika collaborated with landscape designer Kunal Maniar to enhance the surrounding lush gardens, ensuring that the interiors and exteriors harmonized. Each room was imbued with a distinct personality, designed to be deeply calming, sensual, and evocative, benefiting from uninterrupted views of the garden and the Arabian Sea. The dining area, a part of the original design, maintained its sloping ceiling structure, which Ambika clad in naturally oiled Burma teak, creating an engaging contrast in design language. This area features vintage 1952 tan leather dining chairs by William Katavolos, Ross Littell, and Douglas Kelley, and a 1960s ceramic screen by the Cloutier Brothers. Artwork plays a significant role, with Bruce Munro's 'Whizz Pop' fibre-optic light installation adding a fantastical element, and Alex Turco’s aluminum composite triptych of painted branches serving as a ceiling installation to conceal trapdoors. Janaina Mello’s 'Ciclotrama', a site-specific installation of unwoven strands, evokes natural forms like plant roots and circulatory systems. Shom's passion for cooking and hosting influenced the inclusion of two kitchens. The guest powder room features customized metallic wallpaper from De Gournay. In the den, Fred Eerdekens’s copper-wire sculpture creates a calming shadow. The focal point of the home's art collection is Joseph Walsh’s 'Magnus', a three-dimensional wooden sculpture that hangs gracefully in the living room ceiling, designed specifically for the space. Ambika, who represents Walsh as an artist, designed the entire living area around this piece. The overall design results in a home that feels like a luxurious yacht journey, particularly at dusk when the glazed living room offers panoramic views of the sea. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #BeachHouse #MumbaiArchitecture #AmbikaHindujaMacker #JosephWalshArt #LuxuryHomes #SustainableDesign #ArtInstallation

This article highlights the top five most popular stories on Brownstoner from the past week, offering a glimpse into real estate and interior design trends in Brooklyn. The first featured story showcases a duplex condo loft in south Williamsburg, located at 330 Wythe Avenue in the Esquire Building, a converted shoe polish factory. This unit is noted for its industrial aesthetic and a bespoke handcrafted kitchen, drawing parallels to the work of sculptor JB Blunk. Despite its spacious layout, the loft contains a single bedroom and bathroom, and is listed for $1.495 million. Another prominent story details a comprehensive gut renovation of a four-story brownstone in Carroll Gardens. The homeowners, in collaboration with Dan Kaplan of Bowerbird Architects, opted to maintain the original configuration of two duplex apartments. The article specifically references the upper duplex, which has been transformed into a high-end rental unit. This renovation was particularly extensive due to significant termite damage in the lower two floors, which now form the owner’s three-bedroom apartment, necessitating the replacement of joists and substantial internal structural work. A related piece further elaborates on this project, highlighting how the architect addressed the dire structural condition of the narrow Carroll Gardens brownstone, initiating a full gut renovation after a plaster medallion fell, nearly causing injury. The list also includes news outside of residential real estate, announcing the official opening of the Trader Joe’s Williamsburg outpost. Located at 200 Kent Avenue, the store was set to open on Friday, December 10, with live music to mark the occasion. The article mentions that a mural adorned the entrance, and interior work was ongoing just prior to the opening date, indicating community anticipation for the new grocery store. Finally, the fifth popular story presents a renovated two-family brownstone in Bed Stuy. This property, though described as petite, features appealing historical details such as intricate plasterwork, decorative moldings, and five mantels. The listing price for this brownstone is $1.695 million, and it boasts updated kitchens and bathrooms, combining classic charm with modern amenities. Together, these stories provide an overview of notable residential properties, renovation projects, and local developments attracting significant attention within the Brooklyn real estate and lifestyle landscape. #BrooklynRealEstate #WilliamsburgLoft #CarrollGardensRenovation #BrownstoneRenovation #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #RealEstateMarket #TraderJoesWilliamsburg

The article explores the evolution of the Williamsburg brand, which has shifted from merely reproducing 18th-century colonial furniture and decor to creating contemporary pieces inspired by historical archives. Historically, residents of Colonial Williamsburg were influential in American high style, importing trends from prominent 18th-century London cabinetmakers. The restoration efforts initiated by Rev. Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin, John D. Rockefeller, and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller in the late 1920s solidified Williamsburg's reputation as a bastion of American traditional style and helped popularize Colonial Revival-style architecture. The initial Williamsburg brand collections launched in 1936 to meet consumer demand for colonial reproductions. Kiri Franco, Director of Brand and Licensing for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, highlights the brand's adaptation to modern living, noting that contemporary interpretations often surprise people with their "trend meets tradition" aesthetic, especially in collaborations with licensees like Global Views, Robert Abbey, and Capel. Williamsburg Licensing’s associate director, Liza Gusler, and senior brand designer, Jillian Pyle, emphasize that new product introductions often derive from design elements discovered in the foundation's extensive archives, which house over 70,000 items. These archives provide inspiration for innovative products that bear little resemblance to the original items or traditional reproductions. An example is the Shoe Buckle Mirror from Global Views, inspired by an 18th-century shoe buckle. The process involves curators and designers exploring the archives to find graphics, shapes, or details that can be reinterpreted into new, contemporary designs. In a significant move, Williamsburg introduced its first Designer in Residence, Anthony Baratta, who reimagined the interior of the historic Palmer House (circa 1750) on Duke of Gloucester Street. Baratta, known for his eclectic, all-American, and maximalist style, was invited to furnish and decorate the 18th-century home with a fresh take on Americana. Due to the home's historic designation, structural changes were not permitted, so Baratta focused on paint and furnishings. He utilized a palette of historically accurate primary colors (vermilion, blue, yellow, and green) in various rooms and incorporated a mix of traditional Williamsburg reproduction furniture, contemporary Williamsburg products, and antiques from his personal collection. Baratta’s design approach involved blending different eras and styles. In the living room, he combined a Victorian balloon-back armchair, a Duncan Phyfe-style sofa, and a Chippendale-style wing chair. Accessories included neoclassical-style urns and traditional brass candlesticks. In the dining room, he paired Caskata’s Blue Marble dinnerware, inspired by antique hand-marbled endpapers from the archives, with Mottahedeh’s traditional Imperial Blue dinnerware. The master bedroom featured a brass bed once owned by Gore Vidal, Robert Abbey swing-arm reading lamps, and a metal sculpture from Global Views inspired by 18th-century clock hands. He also layered the walls with contemporary paintings, vintage prints, ship models, and dioramas from his collection alongside reproduction artwork. Baratta's residence at the Palmer House provided an immersive experience, allowing him to create a lived-in feel rather than a period-specific show house. Future plans include another Designer in Residence and new collaborations that extend beyond traditional home interior spaces, showcasing Williamsburg's continued evolution in home design. #HistoricPreservation #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #HistoricHomes #Williamsburg #AnthonyBaratta #ColonialRevival #DesignEvolution #ProductInnovation

Darien Wilson, a dedicated and passionate designer, found her true calling in the Kitchen and Bath Design program at Algonquin College after initially studying Marketing. Since joining Deslaurier Custom Cabinets in 2017, she has become one of their star designers, contributing to the company's long-standing reputation for personalized design solutions in Ottawa. Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, a family business established in 1979 by Jim Deslaurier and currently led by Jason Chartrand, has grown significantly while maintaining its core family values. The company, which boasts over 180 employees, is known for its strong relationships with top developers and builders in the city. Their state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly manufacturing facility in Renfrew enables them to create custom cabinetry that accommodates any lifestyle, fulfilling their promise: “If you can imagine it, Deslaurier can create it.” Darien Wilson is highly qualified, holding NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) and AKBD (Associate Kitchen and Bathroom Designer) certifications. Her work has received recognition in prestigious publications, and she was a finalist for Designer of the Year in the 2020 GOHBA (Greater Ottawa Homebuilders Association) Awards. She specializes in high-end renovations, emphasizing a client-centric approach rooted in active listening and building trust. Her diverse designs are showcased in homes throughout the city, reflecting her adaptability and commitment to client satisfaction. Wilson continuously researches new trends in the field, even though she prefers to use her imagination rather than strictly follow what is currently in vogue. Her design process is heavily informed by her deep understanding of the client and their feedback. She values working with a wide array of materials, finishes, and accessories available through Deslaurier’s extensive catalogue and heralded showroom. While she appreciates traditional materials like wood, she also embraces new products, tailoring her choices to the specific space, circumstances, and client preferences. Darien prioritizes setting realistic expectations and timelines with clients. She believes that honesty from a designer, combined with excellent communication and coordination with her team, leads to a smooth project experience. She typically consults with clients three to four times before commencing work, with projects usually spanning one to three months. She acknowledges that challenges and surprises are inherent in job sites but, as a natural problem-solver, she collaborates with her creative and communicative team to overcome obstacles and deliver successful outcomes. Each project serves as a learning experience, continually enhancing her professional intelligence. The positive online reviews for her work highlight the appreciation clients have for her dedication and craftsmanship, fueling her professional pride and passion for design. #DarienWilson #DeslaurierCustomCabinets #KitchenDesign #BathDesign #InteriorDesign #CustomCabinetry #HomeRenovation #OttawaDesign #DesignTrends

The Blockheads of the 2025 season faced the challenge of differentiating their homes, despite all five properties sharing the exact same size and layout in Daylesford. This year's competition pushed contestants to adapt their preconceived design visions to suit the unique circumstances of their assigned houses and the local environment. Han and Can, for instance, initially planned a 'luxe barnyard' aesthetic. However, upon receiving a modern, box-shaped house, they pivoted significantly. Their new approach, dubbed 'arte-zen,' aimed to transform the contemporary structure into a sanctuary, focusing on creating a serene and art-inspired living space. This shift highlights the necessity for flexibility and adaptability in design, especially when the initial vision clashes with the property's inherent characteristics. Similarly, Emma and Ben, who typically favored a mid-century modern style influenced by coastal living, found themselves embracing a country aesthetic. The inspiration for this change came directly from the Daylesford landscape, prompting them to move away from their usual preferences and integrate design elements that resonated with the rural setting. This illustrates how geographical location and surroundings can significantly influence and redefine a design project. Robby and Mat opted for an 'Australian contemporary country' style for their home. This choice reflects a blend of modern design principles with traditional Australian country elements, likely aiming for a sophisticated yet comfortable feel that is rooted in local heritage. Their concise nickname for the style further emphasizes their clear and unified vision for the property. Alicia, meanwhile, had to reconsider her preferred neutral palette. The quirky country town of Daylesford necessitated a departure from her usual comfort zone, pushing her to explore and integrate new styles and color schemes that would better complement the local character. This situation underscores the importance of context in interior design and the need for designers to be responsive to the unique personality of a location. Overall, the Blockheads' experiences this season demonstrate that while contestants arrive with distinct design preferences, the practicalities of the competition, such as the specific house allocated and the regional environment, often necessitate significant adjustments. These adaptations lead to diverse and sometimes unexpected design outcomes, as each team strives to create a unique and appealing home that stands out on Auction Day. The narratives of these design journeys offer insight into the creative processes involved in residential renovation and the continuous negotiation between personal vision and external constraints. #TheBlock2025 #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #Renovation #Daylesford #DesignStyles #LuxuryHomes #ContemporaryCountry #ArteZen