Waldo Works Designs Wartski’s New London Boutique Using the Golden Ratio

This blog post highlights a unique studio apartment located at 400 West 12th Street in the Superior Ink condo building, West Village, New York City, currently listed for $2.3 million. The 943-square-foot residence, described as a “zen suite,” features an interior meticulously designed with a focus on luxury, custom elements, and smart home technology. The apartment's aesthetic is characterized by a blend of natural materials and contemporary finishes, creating a tranquil and sophisticated living space. The entrance to the home features a narrow hallway adorned with leather walls, artistic displays, and subtle light coves. This hallway provides access to essential amenities including a full bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a washer/dryer closet. A smaller closet ingeniously houses a Savant smart home system, allowing for integrated control of the apartment's various functions. The bathroom itself is a showcase of modern design, featuring heated travertine floors, a limed oak vanity topped with white Quartzite, a spacious walk-in shower with a teak floor, and a separate water closet, emphasizing both comfort and style. The kitchen area is equipped with white Quartzite counters, a distinctive blue-vein Cipolino marble backsplash, a Sub-zero refrigerator, and stainless-steel Viking appliances, indicating a high-end culinary setup. Adjacent to the kitchen is a bedroom alcove, which has been reconfigured into a custom dressing room surrounded by built-in closets, catering specifically to individuals with a significant wardrobe. Both the kitchen and the dressing room can be privately enclosed using hand-carved sliding doors imported from Bali, adding an exotic touch to the interior. The main living space is accessed via a hallway lined with architectural mirrors. The bed area is distinguished by a white leather headboard and a coordinating footboard that cleverly conceals a custom television lift. The room offers ample space for a separate sitting area and features Shagreen counters, grasscloth walls, and large south-facing windows that fill the space with natural light. The apartment boasts 10-foot ceilings throughout, Morado wood floors, custom light fixtures, a built-in audio system, and electronic drapes, sheers, and shades, enhancing the luxurious feel. The Superior Ink condo, built in 2010 and designed by Robert A.M. Stern, is LEED-certified, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability. Its prime location offers residents convenient access to Hudson River Park, the High Line, the Whitney Museum, and other cultural attractions within the West Village. The building also provides a range of amenities, including a residents’ lounge, a screening room, a fitness center with a pilates/yoga room, a playroom, and 24-hour concierge and doorman services, ensuring a comprehensive luxury living experience. #WestVillage #StudioApartment #LuxuryRealEstate #SuperiorInkCondo #InteriorDesign #SmartHome #Fashionista #NewYorkCity #RobertAMStern

Daniel Lalonde, CEO of Design Holding, a prominent luxury multibrand group in the high-end interiors market, outlines his strategic vision for the company's future, focusing on making the experience of purchasing high-end interior products more accessible. Design Holding, established through Investindustrial's acquisitions of Flos (2014), B&B Italia (2015), and Louis Poulsen (2018), has expanded its portfolio to include nine brands, such as Maxalto, Azucena, Arclinea, Fendi Casa, Audo, and Lumens. This consolidation has positioned the group as a significant entity in design-led, luxury interior products, operating in over 130 countries with ten manufacturing facilities. Lalonde, who assumed the CEO role in late 2021, brings extensive experience from luxury multi-brand companies like LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and SMCP. He acknowledges the transition from high fashion to interiors as a "leap of faith" but recognizes commonalities in heritage, craftsmanship, and the use of top designers. The company's brands collectively boast an extensive collection of works from celebrated designers, including modern classics by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, and contemporary pieces by Tobia Scarpa, Antonio Citterio, Philippe Starck, Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and Piero Lissoni, among others. The group also actively seeks emerging design talent. A key aspect of Lalonde's strategy involves shifting the sales model to be more consumer-centric. Historically, over half of Design Holding's business relied on wholesale channels. To address this, the company has opened a 25,000 sq ft retail center at 135 Madison Avenue in New York. Designed in part by Lissoni & Partners, this flagship store provides distinct spaces for each brand, offering a comprehensive multibrand experience. This move aims to engage architects and designers, who significantly influence furniture sales (up to 45% in the US), by providing an immersive environment for both professionals and consumers to make informed decisions. Technological advancements are also integral to the strategy, with new e-commerce platforms and a configurator app being developed for individual brands. However, Lalonde emphasizes the importance of physical interaction with products, which the Madison Avenue store facilitates. The company is also exploring other innovative showcases, such as the West Coast model home at the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills, which features B&B Italia products exclusively. Lalonde's role includes maintaining the distinct identity and character of each brand while fostering collaboration. He highlights the complimentary nature of the brands, noting, for example, the different design DNA between a B&B Italia sofa and a Maxalto sofa. Collaborative efforts among contract teams across brands are encouraged, especially for large projects. The group includes Italian brands (B&B Italia, Maxalto, Azucena, Flos, Arclinea, Fendi Casa), Danish brands (Louis Poulsen, Audo), and the San Francisco-based Lumens. Sustainability and ethical practices are central to Design Holding's environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) strategy. The company prioritizes product longevity, quality, ease of maintenance, and repairability. They also focus on sourcing sustainable and ethical supply chains, with benefits extending across all nine brands, such as sourcing wood from certified forests. The preservation of traditional manufacturing techniques and skills is also a priority, with investments in technical schools in Italy to ensure the continuity of craftspeople. The company is also targeting expansion into new markets, particularly Asia, where there is a large luxury market but a relatively nascent high-end design market. Plans are underway to open stores in China, as Design Holding aims to bring the enduring value of design to a global audience. #DesignHolding #LuxuryInteriors #FurnitureBrands #RetailStrategy #DanielLalonde #SustainableDesign #GlobalExpansion #DesignInnovation #Craftsmanship

Valentino has undertaken a significant transformation of an iconic space on New York’s Madison Avenue, formerly the flagship store for Calvin Klein until 2019. This new three-floor boutique, a testament to Italian style, spans an impressive 1,142 square meters and is nestled behind the neoclassical limestone facade of a 1927 building, featuring soaring fluted columns. The redesign not only continues Valentino's refreshed architectural approach but also integrates a robust cultural component. Upon entering the ground floor through grand double doors, visitors are immediately immersed in the monumental scale of the space, characterized by towering seven-meter-tall ceilings and exposed steel columns. These industrial elements are softened by luxurious touches such as a statuesque green onyx display, elegant trompe l’oeil marble carpets, and plush red velvet seating. This floor is primarily dedicated to showcasing Valentino’s extensive collection of footwear and accessories. A distinct 'jewel-box' area, adorned with rich red velvet walls, offers a curated selection of the label’s ready-to-wear pieces, providing an intimate shopping experience within the expansive store. A dramatic and intricately designed staircase, crafted from a harmonious blend of various marbles—including striking red travertine, pristine white Bottinico, and deep black Marquino—serves as a central architectural feature, leading guests to the second floor. This upper level is exclusively dedicated to the women’s ready-to-wear collection. The design ethos of the second floor mirrors the ground level, maintaining a cohesive material palette. It is distinguished by giant red lacquered wardrobes, which add a vibrant splash of color, and an eye-catching black and white marbled checkered floor, reinforcing the store's sophisticated and luxurious ambiance. In the more exclusive VIP areas, which include private sitting rooms and dressing spaces, the design carefully cultivates a residential feel. This is achieved through the incorporation of bespoke chandeliers by Roll & Hill, elegantly designed chairs by French architect Charles Zana, and artisanal ceramics by Massimiliano Pipolo. These carefully selected pieces contribute to an atmosphere of refined comfort and exclusivity. This residential influence extends to the men’s collection floor, located in the building’s basement, which features a sprawling 1970s DeSede ‘Snake’ sofa and iconic Mario Bellini Camaleonda sofas and poufs from the same era. These vintage furniture pieces inject warmth and character into the underground space, making it both stylish and inviting. A unique aspect of the new New York flagship is the dedication of its mezzanine floor to art. This space will host a rotating exhibition program featuring local galleries, commencing with the Magazzino Italian Art. The store’s grand opening is marked by an exhibition of large-scale paintings by Mario Schifano, which further reinforces Valentino’s deep connection to its Italian heritage and artistic identity. The integration of art within the retail environment enhances the customer experience, transforming a shopping trip into a cultural immersion, and underscores Valentino's commitment to design, luxury, and artistic expression. #ValentinoStore #MadisonAvenue #LuxuryRetail #StoreDesign #FashionBoutique #InteriorArchitecture #NewYork #ItalianStyle #ArtIntegration

Wilsonart has expanded its Timeless Luxury Collection by introducing six new Solid Surface designs. These additions are presented in cool tones of white and gray, offering versatility for both residential and commercial applications. The patterns are engineered to be combinable with other recently launched Wilsonart Quartz and Laminate options, allowing for the creation of customized surfaces. The Solid Surface material itself boasts several practical benefits, including renewability, non-porosity, and resistance to fading, heat, mold, mildew, and stains. Furthermore, the material has achieved GREENGUARD Gold Certification, indicating its low chemical emissions and contribution to healthier indoor air quality. Natalia Smith, design manager at Wilsonart, emphasizes that these six new patterns in the Timeless Luxury Collection are intended to foster design creativity. She highlights their potential for integration with diverse materials or as standalone design elements, providing a strong foundation for crafting personalized spaces. The article proceeds to detail each of the six new patterns, offering a glimpse into their aesthetic characteristics and potential uses. One of the new designs is 'Arctic Dune,' a white-on-white pattern distinguished by organic linear movement and shimmering white flecks. This design also offers the capability of being backlit, enhancing its visual impact. Another addition is 'Kimberlite,' which draws inspiration from concrete with its gray quartz appearance, interspersed with clear and translucent particulates, giving it a unique depth and texture. 'Grey Beola' presents a quartz-inspired look, mimicking vein-cut stone with a sophisticated blend of white, charcoal, and warm gray tones. 'Brooklyn Concrete' is characterized by a medium gray surface, subtly accented with small white, brown, and and black flecks, evoking an urban aesthetic. 'Tumbled Stone' introduces a lighter, warmer taupe hue, featuring medium gray and small white and brown particulates that add to its natural, earthy appeal. Finally, 'Luminous White' is a solid white surface designed for both its clean aesthetic and its ability to be backlit, similar to 'Arctic Dune', offering an opportunity for dynamic lighting effects. These new Solid Surface options aim to provide designers and homeowners with an expanded palette of durable and aesthetically pleasing materials for various interior design projects, reinforcing Wilsonart's commitment to offering versatile and high-quality surfacing solutions. #Wilsonart #SolidSurface #TimelessLuxuryCollection #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #CommercialDesign #BuildingMaterials #Countertops #DesignInnovation

The often-overlooked restroom in a retail establishment, particularly in jewelry stores, plays a crucial role in creating a complete and cohesive design experience for both clients and employees. Interior designer Leslie McGwire emphasizes that a stylish and well-decorated bathroom can make a significant statement, countering the idea that these spaces should be out of sight and out of mind. Several jewelry stores have successfully integrated their overall design concept into their restrooms, demonstrating that attention to detail in these smaller spaces can elevate the customer experience. For instance, Tanmai in Irving, TX, owned by Sanjay and Sapna Singhania, extends its elegant store theme into the restroom with gold and bronze finishes, unique wallpaper, wall-sconce lighting, sleek fixtures, and patterned-tile flooring. This design draws inspiration from architecture and design seen in Las Vegas, ensuring a seamless aesthetic throughout the establishment. Wanna Buy a Watch in West Hollywood, CA, designed by interior designer June Robinson Scott, embraces its distinctive quirkiness in the restroom. With vibrant red walls, framed prints, and a crystal chandelier, the space achieves a romantic, vintage ambiance. Owner Ken Jacobs notes that the chandelier, initially intended for disposal, became the central inspiration for the boudoir-style bathroom. Northeastern Fine Jewelry in Albany, NY, underwent a $1.3 million renovation, meticulously planned by Michael Roman of C2 Design Group. The focus on experiential design led to a restroom described as the “Wynn Hotel in Albany.” The store’s Vice President, Gregg Kelly, developed the concept based on extensive research, ensuring that the upscale and timeless aesthetic, characterized by high-end finishes and cool lighting, extends into every detail of the restroom. At Fakier Jewelers in Houma, LA, the comfortable, residential feel of the main store is seamlessly carried into the restroom. This is achieved through windows adorned with plantation shutters and floor-to-ceiling draperies, sophisticated furniture-style fixtures, and inviting, plush seating. Owner Manon Fakier collaborated with French Mix by Jennifer Dicerbo Interiors to bring this cohesive vision to life. Other examples highlight various design elements. Clarkes Jewelers in Shreveport, LA, uses colorful walls and flattering lighting to enhance the restroom experience. Coughlin Jewelers in St. Clair, MI, incorporates patterned tiles, art on the walls, and even a live plant—a suggestion from interior designer Ruth Mellergaard to add oxygen and natural air freshening. The Jewelry Design Center in Spokane, WA, makes a bold statement with a distinctive sink, interesting textures, a decorative mirror, and dramatic wall-sconce lighting. John Atencio’s Boulder, CO, location showcases a sleek and seamless restroom design that perfectly complements the store’s modern aesthetic and the jewelry designer’s signature style. Kelley Jewelers in Weatherford, OK, designed by Leslie McGwire herself, features white brick walls, large-scaled side tiles, 1-inch by 4-inch glass tile stripes, gold bar lights and faucets, and a square sink with a high-end counter, all contributing to an extra design splash with highly patterned porcelain. Sather’s Leading Jewelers in Fort Collins, CO, creates an elegant atmosphere with a gold mirror, colorful artwork, and an interesting backsplash design, offering a unique family-friendly touch with two sinks. The Diamond Center in Janesville, WI, also designed by Leslie McGwire, maintains a contemporary feel with black, gray, and white tones. Large porcelain floor tiles extend up the walls, while a streamlined black granite counter, contemporary faucet, and brushed silver horizontal mirror complete the look. Metal strap artwork further reinforces the modern design. Williams Jewelers in Englewood, CO, provides a distinct experience with separate “His and Hers” bathrooms. The women’s restroom features white porcelain tiles embedded with 1-carat Swarovski diamond-shaped crystals, a flush-mounted crystal light fixture, and sconces, creating a sparkling “wow” effect. The men’s room, in contrast, offers a masculine design with porcelain wood floors extending halfway up the wall, a decorative tile border, and a highly textured large mirror coordinating with the room’s color palette. Finally, YLANG YLANG in St. Louis achieves understated elegance with a chandelier, gold fixtures, and modern flooring. These examples collectively illustrate that the restroom, far from being a purely functional space, can be an extension of a store's brand identity and a key component in enhancing the overall customer journey and aesthetic appeal. #jewelryStoreDesign #restroomDesign #interiorDesign #retailExperience #luxuryRetail #architecturalDetails #customerExperience #designInnovation

At Milan Design Week 2025, Belgian design house NOËL & MARQUET, in collaboration with Milanese design collective studioutte, unveiled Galerie Rouge. This independent showcase presented an evocative, monochromatic installation that reimagined decorative mouldings as sculptural elements. The exhibition, bathed in a bespoke burgundy hue developed with Sigma Coatings, offered visitors an immersive experience highlighting the expressive potential of wall décor. It blended classical inspiration with contemporary aesthetics, focusing on symmetry, texture, and mood to redefine the role of walls in interior design. The core of the Galerie Rouge experience featured a curated selection of NOËL & MARQUET’s three-dimensional wall panels. These panels were presented not as mere embellishments but as distinct design statements, functioning as sculptural and intentional elements. A notable piece was DORIQUE, which draws inspiration from ancient Greek Doric columns, translating this historical symbol into a contemporary context with its vertical rhythm and structured lines to imbue modern interiors with timeless elegance. Expanding on this concept, DORIQUE FLEX, set to launch in May 2025, introduces fluidity by adapting to curved surfaces such as pillars, counters, and rounded walls, thus providing designers with enhanced freedom in spatial arrangement and movement. Further demonstrating the brand's vision, the CANELÉ S and L panels incorporate gentle, wave-like textures that introduce softness to geometric forms. These panels evoke the serene minimalism found in Scandinavian and mid-century design, subtly altering a room's atmosphere by adding depth and calm without being overwhelming. In contrast, the ARC S and ARC L panels offer a bolder and more playful aesthetic with their sweeping curves and smooth surfaces, reflecting the retro-futurism of the 1970s, an era characterized by optimism, rounded shapes, and tactile qualities in interiors. These panels can be used individually or in combination to inject personality into various settings. Collectively, these wall panels articulate NOËL & MARQUET’s belief that surfaces are not merely to be covered but should be celebrated, shaped, and experienced as integral parts of design. Beyond the wall panels, NOËL & MARQUET exhibited a selection of decorative profiles, emphasizing their role as subtle yet impactful design elements that enhance architecture through meticulous detail, establishing visual rhythm and continuity within an interior. Among these were the IL8 and IL12 lighting profiles, which discreetly integrate LED lighting to cast a warm, ambient glow, transforming ceilings and walls into sources of atmosphere and depth, treating lighting as architectural poetry rather than a mere function. The Z52 cornice made a stronger statement with its sharp, geometric lines, forming a clean, linear connection between wall and ceiling, creating dynamic shadows that add texture and definition to a room without dominance. For designers seeking both structure and subtlety, the Z13 and Z1360 chair rails offer versatility, serving to divide color fields, frame specific areas, or introduce layered visual interest, acting as tools for precision and personalized expression. The collection is completed by the FL2 skirting, which provides a refined connection between the floor and wall, grounding the space with elegance. Studioutte, founded by Guglielmo Giagnotti and Patrizio Gola, applied its signature "warm minimalism" approach to the project, conceptualizing NOËL & MARQUET’s components as artifacts. The exhibit functioned as a modern temple of decorative arts, where light, texture, and silence converged into a sensory experience. Galerie Rouge underscored that walls are not merely backdrops but canvases for emotional and architectural narratives, with NOËL & MARQUET reaffirming its commitment to "Create Unique Living Spaces," where intricate details become foundational design elements and traditional forms are reinterpreted with contemporary expression. #MilanDesignWeek #ArchitecturalInstallation #WallPanels #InteriorDesign #DecorativeMouldings #Studioutte #NOELMARQUET #MonochromaticDesign #ProductLaunch

Swarovski has revealed the second installment of its Designers of the Future initiative at Design Miami/Basel, showcasing three innovative crystal-related projects. This year's award recipients are Anjali Srinivasan, Studio Brynjar & Veronika, and Yuri Suzuki, who have spent the past six months developing new crystal-based works, following their announcement as winners earlier this year in Paris. Each designer or studio had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Swarovski's crystal world at the company's headquarters in Wattens, Austria, leveraging Swarovski's expertise and materials to bring their visions to life. Glass artist Anjali Srinivasan's project is an installation inspired by human gestures. She seamlessly integrated her glass artistry with Swarovski’s crystal craftsmanship, specifically utilizing the company’s 'Touch Crystal' technology. This innovative feature allows the crystal to respond to human touch with light, blurring the lines between a solid object and interactive visual effects. Srinivasan's installation is a monumental crystal wave, standing six meters tall and supported by a mesh structure. It incorporates 3,000 Swarovski crystals and 5,000 pieces of glass, which she produced at her studio in Dubai. This project aims to explore the intersection of optical and physical phenomena, pushing the boundaries of human-centric design. Studio Brynjar & Veronika, an Icelandic duo, contributed a dynamic interpretation of crystal with their installation titled 'Currents.' This piece explores the interaction between light and crystal, bringing the material into a domestic setting through three distinct elements. They re-envision common household items, such as a standard window blind, by incorporating prisms that project rainbow-colored light when illuminated. Additionally, their crystal tiles are designed to diffuse a liquid reflection of their surroundings when they come into contact with water. The third component of their installation features a collection of crystal sticks, designed to highlight the transparency and light-refracting qualities of the gems, showcasing new uses and applications for crystal in everyday environments. Japanese sound artist Yuri Suzuki approached crystal from an acoustic perspective, blending his sonic practice with Swarovski's signature material. His research delved into how crystal vibrations can be translated into sound. The result is a mechanical, interactive 'crystallophone' comprising 16 brass mechanical ‘notes,’ each fitted with a handmade crystal form that represents tones ranging from C1 to D3. Suzuki collaborated closely with engineers at Swarovski’s Wattens facility to execute this complex project, which stands as a testament to the fusion of art and technology. Nadja Swarovski highlighted the excitement of seeing a diverse group of emerging talents from around the globe explore their visions of future living through these beautiful and thought-provoking crystal works. The collective installations demonstrate Swarovski’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its remarkable capacity for experimentation with its unique material. The company's continued engagement with initiatives like Designers of the Future, alongside its ventures into fashion, home collections, large-scale installations, and micro-crystal creations, underscores its dedication to research and development, constantly challenging perceived limitations of crystal as a medium. #Swarovski #DesignersOfTheFuture #CrystalArt #DesignMiamiBasel #AnjaliSrinivasan #StudioBrynjarVeronika #YuriSuzuki #InteractiveDesign #MaterialInnovation

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

Maya Newlin, the driving force behind KAMO Studio, shares her entrepreneurial journey, detailing the motivations and experiences that led her to establish her own interior design business. From a young age, Newlin harbored aspirations of entrepreneurship, often sketching floor plans and envisioning room transformations. Her passion for design was nurtured through a childhood fascination with a Victorian dollhouse, which served as an early outlet for her creativity in curating and storytelling within spaces. Prior to founding KAMO Studio, Newlin pursued a career as a national competitive figure skater, a background that instilled in her ambition and a strong-willed approach. Her professional path included a significant role as an Imagineer for Walt Disney Imagineering. While initially perceived as a dream job, the large-scale, impersonal nature of designing for global audiences at Disney led her to realize a longing for more intimate, one-on-one creative problem-solving. This experience, though valuable for fostering creativity, reinforced her desire to work independently, leading her to pursue a Master's degree in Interior Architecture, complemented by business courses, to equip her for launching her own venture. KAMO Studio, co-founded with business partner Jasmine, specializes in residential and boutique hospitality projects. The studio's philosophy centers on creating personalized spaces that genuinely reflect their clients' personalities and life stories. They emphasize incorporating unique elements like vintage finds and generational heirlooms into contemporary designs, aiming to celebrate everyday moments and evoke specific emotions within a space. The focus is on achieving an effortless aesthetic that also boasts hidden functionality, a skill KAMO Studio has refined and prides itself on. Newlin highlights the matchmaking aspect of design, where understanding and translating a client's often unarticulated desires into a tangible design is paramount. The studio guides clients beyond transient trends, encouraging them to trust their instincts and create spaces that resonate deeply with their individual needs. Newlin also provides a detailed, week-long itinerary for experiencing Los Angeles, offering a glimpse into her personal preferences and local favorites. The itinerary covers a range of activities, from active pursuits like rollerblading from Venice to Malibu and hiking in the Vicente Bluffs Reserve, to cultural experiences such as visiting art exhibitions at Hauser & Wirth. Dining recommendations span various cuisines and atmospheres, including Gjusta for baked goods, Ospi Venice for handmade pasta, Blueys Santa Monica for brunch, Le Great Outdoor for farm-to-table fare, Manuela or Bavel in the Arts District, and Broad Street Oyster Company for seafood. The itinerary also includes shopping excursions at Abbot Kinney and ROW DTLA, a nightcap at the DTLA Proper hotel, exploring Culver City's Citizen Public Market, and a day in Malibu with a visit to Cielo Farms for wine tasting. Sundays are reserved for the Brentwood farmers market and Jon & Vinny's for Italian food, showcasing a balance of local exploration, culinary delights, and relaxation. Finally, Newlin dedicates a "shoutout" to her mother, Kathy, acknowledging her as a primary source of inspiration and support. Her mother's pioneering career as one of the first female scientists in STEM, despite facing challenges, serves as a powerful role model for Newlin as a female entrepreneur. This recognition underscores the personal influences that have shaped Newlin's drive and resilience in building her business. #InteriorDesign #SmallBusinessOwner #Entrepreneurship #KAMOStudio #WaltDisneyImagineering #LosAngelesTravel #DesignPhilosophy #FemaleEntrepreneur #BusinessJourney

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

The Sonoma-based interior design firm Hommeboys, led by Alex Mutter-Rottmayer and Austin Carrier, has opened a new studio and launched three new capsule collections for their furniture line, Haus of Hommeboys. The firm is known for its thoughtful design approach and hands-on craftsmanship, blending classic Wine Country aesthetics with a modern, refreshing twist. Mutter-Rottmayer and Carrier, who have been married since 2019, have previously garnered acclaim for their designs in projects such as Healdsburg’s Marine Layer tasting room and Sonoma’s Valley Bar + Bottle restaurant. The new studio, which also houses a woodshop and cabinetry studio, is situated just off the plaza in downtown Sonoma. This expansion represents a significant step for the Hommeboys, fulfilling a long-held ambition to establish their own showroom. Mutter-Rottmayer expressed a mix of excitement and apprehension about the venture, acknowledging the risk involved in showcasing their unique design vision to a wider audience, but emphasizing their consistent desire for a dedicated space. The Hommeboys’ design philosophy is characterized by an emphasis on mixing materials and incorporating organic and natural elements. They experiment with various shapes in plaster, stone, and wood, aiming for a look that is both earthy and deeply connected to the Californian landscape. This approach is reflected in their furniture line, which features organic and natural materials. One of their new capsule collections for Haus of Hommeboys draws inspiration from rustic themes. This collection includes dark, ebony-stained, hand-notched cedar furniture, designed to evoke a raw, rustic, and edgy feel. The shapes within this collection are described as anthropomorphized, influenced by the golden hills of California. The design process at Hommeboys is driven by creativity and a desire to have fun. Alex Mutter-Rottmayer highlighted an instance where green velvet from a photo shoot was spontaneously used to cover a bedroom’s walls, illustrating their adaptive and playful approach to design. This method emphasizes utilizing available resources and embracing unexpected inspirations to shape their distinctive interiors. #InteriorDesign #Sonoma #DesignStudio #FurnitureDesign #HausOfHommeboys #WineCountryDesign #OrganicDesign #Craftsmanship

This article highlights 25 influential power duos comprising high-end clientele and their style gurus who collaborate to curate spectacular interiors, ranging from private homes and palaces to public monuments and retail spaces. These partnerships are notable for their impact on the design world, setting high standards for aesthetics and functionality. The article details various collaborations, showcasing the diverse styles and approaches employed by these design teams. One prominent duo features hip-hop superstar Kanye West and Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. Vervoordt, known for his tasteful minimalism and admiration for the Japanese aesthetic concept of wabi (exalting simplicity), was enlisted by West to perfect his Los Angeles crib's look. Vervoordt's client list also includes Bill Gates, Sting, and Calvin Klein, underscoring his reputation in high-end design. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow partnered with Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams for the Goop Lab in Brentwood, her first permanent store. Roman and Williams, named for their grandfathers, also opened the Guild, a showroom and café in Soho, indicating their expanding influence in the design and lifestyle sectors. Fashion mogul Tom Ford and William Sofield, an inseparable pair for 25 years, have redefined luxury retail spaces. Their collaborations on stores in Madison Avenue and Rodeo Drive are renowned for their opulent design, challenging conventional retail aesthetics. Sarah Jessica Parker initially sought decorating tips from movie executive Eric Hughes in the '90s. His design career officially launched in 2002 after Parker commissioned him to design her Bridgehampton home. Hughes is currently working with architect Morris Adjmi to merge Parker's two West Village townhouses, demonstrating a long-standing and evolving client-designer relationship. The Beckhams, Victoria and David, chose antiques dealer Rose Uniacke to decorate their $44 million Holland Park palace in London. Uniacke is celebrated for her ability to modernize historical settings, creating a unique blend of classic and contemporary design. Lauren Santo Domingo, co-founder of Moda Operandi, continued a family tradition by enlisting French designer Francois Catroux to work on her 18th-century Paris apartment. Catroux has a history with the Santo Domingo family, having worked with them since the early '90s. LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault consistently collaborates with architect Peter Marino, who has designed numerous Louis Vuitton stores, including the flagship on Place Vendôme, showcasing Marino's significant role in shaping the luxury brand's physical presence. Actor Brad Pitt engaged starchitect David Adjaye for sustainable housing projects in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Pitt's Make It Right Foundation, with Adjaye's involvement, constructed over 100 homes in the Lower 9th Ward, highlighting a commitment to socially conscious design. Adjaye later gained acclaim for his work on the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Raf Simons, during his tenure at Calvin Klein, relied on artist Sterling Ruby to infuse the brand's shows, headquarters, and flagship store with distinctive, vibrant energy. This partnership highlights the intersection of art and fashion in design. Collectors Edythe and Eli Broad have a long-standing relationship with Pritzker Prize winner Frank Gehry, commissioning him for their Brentwood manor and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Their collaborations underscore their patronage of groundbreaking architecture. French luxury boss Francois-Henry Pinault entrusted Parisian designer Pierre Yovanovitch with his personal office and the Hôtel de Clermont-Tonnerre, the headquarters of his Artémis conglomerate. Yovanovitch is known for incorporating vintage touches into contemporary settings. Former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill selected Victoria Hagan, known as the “queen of restrained elegance,” to design their official private residence. Hagan's clean, timeless interiors aligned with the Bidens' aesthetic preferences. Designer Robert Couturier, celebrated for French-inspired exuberance, is collaborating with artist Jeff Koons to combine two Upper East Side townhouses. This partnership merges Couturier's classic style with Koons's grand artistic vision. John Pawson and Ian Schrager have a two-decade-long friendship and professional collaboration, extending from apartments at the Gramercy Park Hotel to Schrager's penthouse at 40 Bond, and now the West Hollywood Edition hotel. Their work emphasizes minimalist yet luxurious design. Tory Burch first met designer Daniel Romualdez in the late '90s and subsequently hired him for her apartment at the Pierre, followed by numerous homes and over 100 stores, including her Long Island location, showcasing a long and fruitful design partnership. Fashion designer Alexander Wang and Ryan Korban are close friends who collaborate on various projects, including Wang's flagship store and private residences, highlighting a youthful and contemporary approach to design. Ken Fulk, known for his flamboyant designs, is the trusted designer for Silicon Valley's elite, including Instagram's Kevin Systrom. Fulk designed Systrom's home and his wedding, demonstrating his versatility in creating bespoke experiences. Jamie Drake, known for his crisp and colorful rooms, has designed multiple properties for Michael Bloomberg, including his Upper East Side townhouse and his Georgian estate in Southampton, and also restored Gracie Mansion during Bloomberg's mayoral term. Michael Smith decorated the private residence of the Obamas in the White House, earning praise from former First Lady Michelle Obama for upholding the building's history. Smith also designed their 8,200-square-foot Kalorama home after their departure from office. The bond between decorator Stephen Shadley and Oscar winner Diane Keaton spans over 30 years and four homes. Keaton even documented their creation of her 8,000-square-foot Brentwood compound in her book, "The House that Pinterest Built," illustrating a deep, enduring creative partnership. #DesignDuos #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #ArchitecturalPartnerships #CelebrityDesign #HomeDecor #HighEndClientele #ResidentialDesign #CommercialDesign

Tarkett, a prominent global provider of recyclable flooring solutions, has officially opened its new UK and Ireland showroom, Tarkett Atelier, situated in the vibrant creative district of Clerkenwell, London. This innovative space, located at 47-53 St John Street, was designed in collaboration with Stockholm-based Note Design Studio and contractor Area Square, opening its doors on July 6th. The showroom aims to offer architects, designers, and end-users a comprehensive experience, showcasing the latest sustainable and design-led interior finishes and demonstrating how various materials can be creatively re-envisioned. The design ethos of Tarkett Atelier draws inspiration from Britain's industrial city heritage, adopting a 'soft industrial' aesthetic. A core principle of the design is sustainability and adaptability, evident in every curated aspect of the interior. The entire space utilizes materials from circular collections and is composed of 100% recyclable components. The showroom redefines the conventional showroom experience by seamlessly integrating technology with digital features, including interactive displays and virtual reality elements. This approach allows for a deeper engagement with the products and design possibilities. A distinctive feature of the showroom's interior is the thoughtful selection of contrasting materials and textures by Note Design Studio. These materials were chosen for their tactile qualities, durability, and striking industrial aesthetics. The design team employed an unconventional approach to traditional materials, particularly hard and soft flooring. These materials are imaginatively transformed into various functional elements, such as linoleum counter bases, work surfaces, vinyl tabletops, structural pillar cladding, and even lighting fixtures, highlighting their versatility beyond typical applications. The showroom prominently features several of Tarkett's key collections, including Desso Fields, Retrace, Linowall, iQ Granit, Natural, and Parade Excellent. A dedicated gallery area serves as a platform to exhibit Tarkett's flagship products and materials, providing visitors with an understanding of each product's benefits within a well-structured and purposefully designed environment that extends beyond simple samples. Furthermore, the space is designed to host bespoke art installations crafted from Tarkett flooring, showcasing artistic applications of their products. An open product lab is integral to the Atelier, fostering co-creation and experimentation. This lab enables visitors to develop their project ideas by selecting from Tarkett's extensive range of carefully curated materials and products. The multi-functional nature of Tarkett Atelier is further enhanced by incorporating areas for various activities, including socializing, hosting events, dedicated meeting rooms, quiet phone booths, and collaborative workspaces. The showroom provides a dynamic and inspiring environment that facilitates creativity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for sustainable and innovative interior design solutions. #TarkettAtelier #NoteDesignStudio #FlooringDesign #SustainableInteriors #ShowroomDesign #LondonArchitecture #MaterialInnovation #RecyclableMaterials #InteriorDesign

Architect Julian King has meticulously renovated a 19th-century cast-iron silk warehouse in Soho, New York, transforming a long, narrow apartment into a bright, open living space while preserving its historical character. The project, dubbed Soho Loft, focuses on a comprehensive overhaul of the layout, finishes, and decor, aiming to create a more fluid and light-filled environment that respects the building’s original loft aesthetic. Key features of the renovation include the strategic relocation of the bedroom to a newly installed sleeping mezzanine, enclosed by sculptural white walls that subtly allude to the building's past as a silk warehouse. A flexible LED strip integrated into a partial wall provides a soft, ambient glow to the mezzanine area. The sleeping loft is accessed by a wooden staircase, with the area beneath housing practical elements such as a laundry space, mechanical equipment, and storage. Adjacent to the mezzanine is a bathroom characterized by an undulating wall and a full-height glass pivot door. This bathing area is appointed with a cantilevering sink, a freestanding tub, and waterproof plaster walls, creating a minimalist yet functional space. A striking design element in the bathroom is the original sprinkler main, painted bright cherry red in compliance with New York City regulations, which introduces a vibrant contrast to the otherwise pristine white interior. The shower is lined with Thassos marble blocks, chosen for their ability to reflect light, enhancing the subtle illumination from cove lighting. The public areas of the apartment were designed to be open and austere. The living room occupies the north end, featuring a tall bookshelf equipped with a rolling ladder. A central dining area is furnished with a live-edge walnut table and wooden chairs, creating a natural focal point. The southern end of the apartment houses a spacious kitchen, where three large windows allow ample daylight to nurture garden boxes filled with herbs and vegetables. The kitchen is designed with white cabinetry, concealed appliances, and a stove seamlessly integrated into a stone island, contributing to a streamlined and uncluttered appearance. Custom details, such as a slender sink faucet and a disappearing downdraft vent, further enhance the minimalist aesthetic. A unique, custom-made steel wine-glass rack, bolted to the exposed brick wall and designed with I-beams whose flanges mirror the profile of a wine glass base, serves as the only visible above-counter shelf. The apartment features two entrances: one connected to a stairway and another to an elevator. For the elevator entrance, a new foyer was created, leading to an enclosed study. This study is equipped with a built-in murphy bed, allowing it to function as a versatile guest room. Folding and pivot doors provide the flexibility to close off this room from the main living space as needed. The renovation successfully maintains the apartment's open plan from end to end, celebrating its high ceilings and honouring the historical essence of the 1872 cast-iron building. Through a series of bespoke details, the previously cluttered space has been transformed into a clean, open loft that thoughtfully acknowledges its origins and location within Soho. #SohoLoft #WarehouseConversion #JulianKingArchitect #NewYorkApartments #InteriorRenovation #MezzanineDesign #MinimalistInterior #HistoricalBuilding #CustomCabinetry

The Coach House, a compact three-bedroom residence with an ash-lined guest annexe, has been completed by London-based Open Practice Architecture and interior design studio Kinder Design. Situated on a previously neglected infill site in East Dulwich, which once housed a Ministry of Transport (MOT) garage and its outbuildings, the project represents a growing trend of architectural firms venturing into property development. Open Practice Architecture and Kinder Design jointly acquired the site in 2017, acting as both developers and designers. The main house, organized around a central courtyard, was finished in 2022, followed by the adjacent annexe in 2023. Rupert Scott, director at Open Practice Architecture, highlighted that this approach allows architects to navigate challenging market conditions by directly engaging in development. Despite aiming for an "architecturally unique" outcome, the design intent was to create a structure that integrated subtly into its surroundings rather than drawing overt attention. The primary objective was to deliver a serene, well-lit, and functional family home that also met high standards of insulation and energy efficiency. The L-shaped layout of the Coach House mirrors the footprint of the original structures on the site. The ground floor accommodates the living, dining, and kitchen areas, which feature full-height sliding glass doors that open directly onto the central courtyard, fostering an indoor-outdoor connection. A white-steel staircase provides access to the first floor, where three bedrooms are situated. These bedrooms offer views of both the central courtyard and a strategically placed lightwell, designed to draw natural light into the deeper, naturally darker sections of the plot. Scott elaborated on the challenge of maximizing natural light, given the building's north-facing orientation. The inclusion of a "light pocket" at the rear was crucial in allowing two of the bedrooms to benefit from south-facing light, preventing all rooms from being clustered around the courtyard and ensuring a more equitable distribution of sunlight throughout the upper level. The material palette reflects a blend of historical context and modern functionality. Reclaimed London brick was chosen for the exterior, enabling the Coach House to harmoniously blend with the surrounding mews buildings and acknowledging the site's utilitarian past. The interiors are characterized by painted and plywood walls, complemented by a concrete floor with exposed aggregate, maintaining an industrial yet refined aesthetic. A large sliding wooden door, suspended from an exposed steel beam, marks the entrance, further referencing the site's previous function. The guest annexe presents a material contrast, featuring natural ash cladding on both its interior and exterior surfaces, including a hinged shutter on the first floor. This singular material application for the annexe, while simple, provides a deliberate visual counterbalance and acts as a distinct "bookend" to the main residence, according to Scott. This project contributes to a series of infill developments in London, such as a textured brick house by Platform 5 Architects and a cluster of homes with sawtooth roofs by Dallas Pierce Quintero, all of which creatively repurpose former industrial or neglected spaces. #CoachHouse #OpenPracticeArchitecture #KinderDesign #LondonArchitecture #EastDulwich #InfillDevelopment #ResidentialArchitecture #SustainableDesign #ReclaimedBrick #CourtyardDesign

Nathan Warkentin, founder of his eponymous firm established in 2023, has carved a niche in the interior design world through a refined and strategic approach. His background spans various artistic endeavors, including photography and music, but he found his true calling in interiors, drawn to its immersive and dimensional creative process. Warkentin Associates operates with offices in New York and Los Angeles, allowing Warkentin to infuse the distinct essences of both coasts into his hospitality and residential projects. His design philosophy emphasizes integrating originality with functionality, aiming to create spaces that resonate on a profound level with their occupants. Warkentin draws inspiration from a diverse research library filled with books on subjects ranging from fashion to Japanese design. He continuously expands this collection, often seeking out rare finds in used bookstores during his travels. For Warkentin, life and career are seamlessly intertwined, with all experiences, whether culinary or media consumption, ultimately influencing his creative work. He embraces the constant evolution within the design field, finding excitement in the variety each new project brings, with its unique city, scale, and client requirements. In this Friday Five interview, Warkentin shares several sources of inspiration. The first is Shiro Kuramata's 'Homage to Josef Hoffmann,' a piece he encountered at M+ in Hong Kong. This artwork, which involves a Josef Hoffmann bentwood chair wrapped in steel wire and then burned, leaving only a wire silhouette, captivates Warkentin with its layering of reference, materiality, and transformation, blurring the lines between functional design and art. His second point of inspiration comes from 90s music and fashion magazines, such as Interview and Raygun. He appreciates their raw, chaotic layouts and the glimpses they offer into an underground culture of obscure nightclubs, record shops, and galleries that he feels is largely absent from print media today. The third inspiration is the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, which he visits frequently. Warkentin admires its architecture, the simplicity of its materials, its impressive volume, and the balanced way it allows the building to be appreciated without overshadowing the art it houses. The fourth inspiration is the dynamic view from his studio window in the Orpheum building in downtown Los Angeles. This provides a constant source of entertainment and distraction, from K-Pop fans to amateur photo shoots and eccentric street performers. Lastly, Warkentin expresses an enduring affinity for the color brown and its various shades, such as sienna, ochre, caramel, amber, and rust. He values these warm neutrals for their depth, versatility, and how beautifully they age in a space, increasingly choosing brown over black for the warmth it imparts. The article also showcases several projects by Warkentin Associates. The Lighthouse Venice, a creative campus located in the historic 1939 Venice Post Office, was reimagined with a Bauhaus spirit, focusing on simplicity, functionality, and honesty to foster both focused work and collaboration. The Echo Park Residence, a hillside home, takes cues from Ray Kappe's Rustic Canyon house, emphasizing light and materiality, while incorporating playful and unexpected colors with vintage pieces and custom designs. Noun Coffee and Wine in Marina del Rey is a cafe and lounge designed for all-day use, blending the comfort of a living room with the charm of an artist’s loft, featuring vintage and postmodern elements. The Eagle Rock Residence, Warkentin's own home, features an open plan that connects with the outdoors, constantly evolving with collected art and furniture. Finally, a Los Angeles Residence in Mt. Washington, a mid-century home, was updated using Japanese and Chinese principles of light and empty space to achieve a warm and calming atmosphere while preserving its original character. #InteriorDesign #NathanWarkentin #DesignInspiration #ArchitecturalProjects #CreativeProcess #WarkentinAssociates #ColorPsychology #BauhausDesign #MidCenturyModern

The Jil Sander flagship store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris has reopened, featuring a minimalist design that aims to create a welcoming and serene retail experience. Located in the architectural heart of the 8th arrondissement, the store's design emphasizes the clothing pieces by making them the central focus. The interior incorporates elements that pay homage to the surrounding neighborhood, with benches along the walls inviting guests to engage with the space. Natural light plays a crucial role in the store's ambiance, streaming in to highlight the inherent qualities of the ready-to-wear materials and connect with a sense of nature. The store's design, a collaboration between Jil Sander creative directors Lucie and Luke Meier and architect John Pawson, is characterized by its 'minimal extravagance.' The first floor is uniquely segmented, offering distinct sensory experiences within the same space. One section features walls finished with Calacatta marble and plaster, exuding a sense of refined elegance and a stark, clean aesthetic. Another section utilizes timber walls and cherry wood displays, introducing warmth and a natural texture that complements the brand's aesthetic. This division allows for an 'intra-discovery' element, encouraging guests to explore different facets of the Jil Sander universe. The overall retail ambiance is carefully curated to reflect the brand's core values of sophisticated minimalism and high-quality craftsmanship. By integrating architectural elements that are both inviting and luxurious, the flagship store transcends a typical retail environment, positioning itself as an immersive brand experience. The thoughtful selection of materials, the strategic use of light, and the structured yet flowing layout all contribute to an atmosphere that elevates the shopping experience. This re-opening marks a significant moment for Jil Sander, reinforcing its presence in a key fashion capital with a store design that embodies its contemporary vision while respecting its heritage of understated luxury. #JilSander #ParisFashion #FlagshipStore #RetailDesign #MinimalistArchitecture #LuxuryFashion #JohnPawson #InteriorDesign #AvenueMontaigne