Hans & Werner / van Baal interior design + Tomasz Budnicki

First-time homeowners Kaisha and Joey Flynn embarked on a significant renovation of their unique Bernal Heights home, a property characterized by its unusual setback and hidden nature. Initially, the couple sought to revamp only two bathrooms, a task that proved challenging in San Francisco due to architects' reluctance to undertake small-scale projects. They enlisted Ryan Leidner, an architect who had recently established his own practice. While Leidner agreed to the bathroom assignment, he was immediately struck by the property's challenging layout, which involved descending over 30 stairs to a sunken front yard and then climbing another 20-plus steps to reach the front door. During a conversation, Joey Flynn asked Leidner what changes he would make without any limitations. Leidner, who had been contemplating the property's design throughout the meeting, proposed building a bridge to address the complex entry. This suggestion transformed the project from a modest bathroom renovation into a comprehensive reimagining of the entire property. The renovation, which began before the COVID-19 pandemic, spanned two and a half years. The finished entry now features a new gate that leads to a 30-foot-long footbridge. This bridge dramatically improves accessibility and offers an ideal vantage point to view the house. The property's exterior is clad in charcoal-stained cedar planks, evoking the appearance of redwood weathered by San Francisco's fog, and the landscape, designed by Stephens Design Studio, bursts with lush greenery. The bridge leads directly to the front door, opening into an entry landing illuminated by a skylight that connects to the main living area. The original exposed-beam ceiling has been meticulously restored, and the interiors feature light white oak floors and cabinets, complemented by gallery-white walls, providing a versatile backdrop for the couple's burgeoning art and vintage furniture collection. Both Kaisha and Joey Flynn are product designers themselves, working at Open AI and Instagram, respectively, and share a keen eye for detail. Leidner frequently collaborates with creative clients who are similarly committed to intricate design. The home showcases a blend of modern architecture and vintage pieces, carefully curated by Joey. Notable items include a 1970s patchwork leather sofa by Swiss brand de Sede and vintage Italian dining chairs. An innovative design feature is a cross-beam converted into a ceiling-spanning planter box, adding a touch of nature and a unique aesthetic. The home's design was also influenced by the couple's travels, particularly a record-listening lounge on the lower level, inspired by similar concepts in Japan. This room features floor-to-ceiling white oak, a dedicated turntable station, a comprehensive vinyl collection, a wet bar, and a built-in olive green daybed. The lounge can be fully opened to the front garden through disappearing pocket doors, integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces. The Flynns designed the house as a child-free couple but welcomed their daughter shortly after the renovation's completion, reaffirming their design philosophy that their choices would not have significantly changed even with children in mind, given their initial willingness to embrace the property's unique challenges. #BernalHeights #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #ModernArchitecture #InteriorDesign #SanFranciscoHomes #LandscapeDesign #VintageFurniture #CreativeClients

This article features an interview with Norwegian designer Daniel Rybakken, who discusses the trajectory of his career, from his childhood influences to his current projects in lighting, furniture, and electronics. Rybakken highlights a consistent vision across his work, despite evolving into various design disciplines. He attributes his early exposure to fashion and graphic design, through his parents, to shaping his aesthetic and compositional interests. Rybakken emphasizes that his primary motivation is the act of creation and inventing new products, rather than financial gain, a perspective he believes is supported by Scandinavia's robust social safety net. The interview delves into specific products that have marked significant milestones in his career. The Counterbalance light for Luceplan is identified as his first industrial piece and a particularly memorable design, pioneering the slender, graphical, and geometric silhouette that later became prevalent in lighting. He also discusses his recent forays into furnishings, including the 124° wall-mounted mirrors and the Kiila collection for Finnish manufacturer Artek. Rybakken notes the unique challenges of designing for Artek, given the company's rich heritage with Alvar Aalto, and his approach to balancing contemporary design with modernist principles. The Kiila collection, consisting of functional "domestic helpers" like a bench and coat tree, marked his initial venture into wood as a primary material, where he aimed for a logical and sober aesthetic, distinct from traditional Danish woodcraft. Rybakken also introduces the W172 Bokeh floor and pendant light for Wästberg, explaining his exploration of transparency and 'not transparency' using frosted glass to create a blurred effect, referencing the photographic term "bokeh." He reveals that he is currently engaged in collaborations with multiple furniture companies and a Japanese technology company, exploring new territories beyond his established work in lighting and furniture. The designer shares insights into his decision to live and work in Gothenburg, Sweden, explaining that it offered more opportunities for designers compared to Norway at the beginning of his career, and now serves as a retreat from the competitive design scene in Stockholm. He stresses the importance of avoiding common influences like design blogs to maintain originality in his work, finding inspiration instead through travel, particularly to places like Japan. Rybakken expresses admiration for designers like Dieter Rams and artists like Donald Judd, appreciating their minimalist approaches and the conceptual layers in their work. Finally, he discusses his interest in photography, considering the image—rather than the physical object—as the ultimate result of his design process, echoing his admiration for artist Thomas Demand, who creates stylized, strange images from cardboard models, blurring the lines between reality and artifice. His approach underscores the belief that design is fundamentally about communication, and the image is the primary medium through which this communication occurs, outliving the temporary nature of physical objects or installations. #DanielRybakken #ProductDesign #LightingDesign #FurnitureDesign #ScandinavianDesign #Artek #Luceplan #Wästberg #IndustrialDesign #DesignPhilosophy #InteriorDesign

Johannes Budde's LITE is a unique light installation that challenges traditional perceptions of lighting design by merging elements of art and function. The piece playfully explores the boundaries of physics and established viewing habits through its 'floating candle' concept. Budde, a German designer, has crafted LITE using a combination of industrial and natural materials, specifically wired glass and sandstone, to create a sconce-style lamp that is both visually intriguing and interactively engaging. The core components of LITE include a large sheet of wired glass, typically used in industrial applications, and a base made from natural sandstone. The wired glass is upcycled from a German manufacturer, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and material reuse. The sandstone is locally sourced from a family-owned business, minimizing transportation impact and supporting local economies. Budde meticulously cuts and files the sandstone to form cube-shaped feet that securely hold the wired glass sheet in place. One of the most captivating aspects of LITE is the illusion of a 'floating' candle. This effect is achieved through a cleverly designed screw connection with a pointed stick, inserted into the center of the glass sheet. From the front perspective, this attachment is not visible, creating the impression that the candle levitates unsupported. This design choice not only adds a magical element to the installation but also encourages a more intimate interaction, as users must manually light the candle. This interactive quality distinguishes LITE from many traditional art pieces, which often adhere to a 'no touching' rule. Budde's material selection is deliberate, combining the raw, industrial aesthetic of wired glass with the organic, earthy texture of sandstone. This juxtaposition highlights the beauty in repurposed materials and showcases how everyday substances can be elevated into sophisticated design elements. The use of sustainable and locally sourced materials underscores a thoughtful approach to design, focusing on environmental responsibility. LITE is presented as a piece that blurs the lines between art and functional design. While it serves as a lighting fixture, its conceptual nature and unique form provoke contemplation on the definition of art itself. The installation's antique sconce-like silhouette provides a sense of familiarity, yet its innovative execution and interactive component push the boundaries of what a light can be. The design invites viewers to question their conditioned viewing habits and engage with the object on a deeper, more personal level. #HomeDecor #ArtDesign #SustainableDesign #LightingDesign #IndustrialDesign #MaterialInnovation #JohannesBudde

The article provides an intimate look into the Sunfish Lake home of antiques dealer Robert Riesberg and his wife, Christine Hartman, which doubles as both their residence and a by-appointment-only gallery for Riesberg's business. Their Federal-style house, built in 1925, is characterized by a blend of traditional design and warm hospitality, furnished with museum-quality 17th, 18th, and early 19th-century antiques, art, objects, and rugs. Riesberg, with over 50 years of experience, emphasizes buying pieces he would personally want to keep, noting that this passion drives his successful career. The home features a series of formal rooms, including a front parlor with a mahogany drum table, sideboard, and a 1760 cherry New England flip-top secretary desk, with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Rosy Apple. A light-filled formal dining room and gallery, added by Riesberg, is used for parties and family gatherings, showcasing French Louis XV rococo console tables with rare brèche d’alep marble from approximately 1760. The exterior of the home maintains its Federal-style architecture, while the kitchen, though the least formal space, is adorned with 18th-century Windsor chairs and Delft tiles depicting manganese figures from the same period. Creative design solutions are evident throughout, such as a small closet ingeniously converted into a walk-in bar with a Dutch door. The sunporch, featuring terrazzo floors and shelves filled with Delftware, opens to a grape arbor, offering a serene space. The fireplace mantel and paneling were custom-designed based on Connecticut fireplace patterns, symmetrically decorated with blue-and-white 18th-century Delftware. The central hallway boasts ash and walnut flooring modeled after traditional French parquetry, complemented by 19th-century oil landscapes, a late 18th-century portrait, and a Regency commode from around 1710. Riesberg’s study, designed with Connecticut inspiration, features millwork painted in a custom green and houses a substantial collection of books and catalogs on antiques, art, landscaping, and architecture. The article also includes five tips from Robert Riesberg and Christine Hartman for incorporating antiques into one's home. These tips encourage individuals to discover their personal taste by visiting various sources like museums and antique shops, and building a file of preferred items. They suggest taking inventory of existing belongings to identify pieces that don't align with one's aesthetic or function, thereby creating space for new acquisitions. The couple advocates for broadening one's scope beyond furnishing a room strictly by a singular period, encouraging the mixing of contemporary furnishings with antique gems to create a space that reflects individual taste and personality. Riesberg advises understanding the craftsmanship of antiques, particularly those made before the machine age (pre-1840), to appreciate their design details and value. Finally, they recommend taking a slow approach to building a collection, emphasizing that a few beautiful, well-chosen pieces are more valuable than a multitude of mediocre ones, and that truly beautiful homes evolve in stages. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #Antiques #FederalStyleHome #VintageDecor #HomeTours #LuxuryInteriors #CollectingAntiques

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

Denoe BCN Design, a Barcelona-based design studio comprising industrial designer Noé and graphic and interior designer Maria José, specializes in creating colorful, simple, and playful products. The duo draws inspiration from everyday objects, reinterpreting their use in innovative ways. This approach is evident in their product line, which transforms common items into functional and aesthetic home furnishings and decor. One featured product is the Fyl chair, a simple and stackable seating solution distinguished by its colorful outline enclosing a bent metal sheet. This design emphasizes minimalism while adding a vibrant touch. Another innovative offering is Pennxero, a modular storage system that reimagines pencils as functional hooks for organizing various items. Denoe BCN Design articulates their philosophy by stating that design encompasses not only the projected object but also the interaction between people and spaces. This perspective guides their creation of pieces that are both practical and engaging. The Gipsy barstool showcases a minimalist and lightweight design with an almost-backless structure, available in a variety of colors, making it a versatile addition to modern spaces. The Zeen rocking chair integrates functionality with leisure, featuring a built-in magazine or book nook within its seat, providing a comfortable and convenient spot for reading. The Nuus collection, inspired by the natural forms of roots and ropes, demonstrates how historical methods of fastening and connection can inform contemporary design. Pyo is an exposed bulb lamp that incorporates a whimsical birdcage-shaped shade, adding a playful and decorative element to lighting. The Maka chair, designed as an indoor lounge, evokes the relaxed aesthetic of a beach chair, allowing users to experience a sense of seaside tranquility within their homes. Each product from Denoe BCN Design reflects a commitment to simplicity, functionality, and a unique, often colorful, interpretation of everyday living. The collection collectively highlights the studio's ability to infuse joy and ingenuity into home furnishings and decor. #DenoeBCNDesign #ProductDesign #ColorfulDesign #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #InnovativeDesign #ModernDesign #BarcelonaDesign

Val Spaces Interior Design, led by its founder Val, offers a personalized approach to interior design, emphasizing both aesthetics and functionality. Val, who was born and raised in Argentina, initially pursued architecture, graduating from the National University of Cordoba. After moving to the U.S., she transitioned to interior design, which she considers her true passion. Her design philosophy is heavily influenced by a diverse range of sources, including food, music, and travel, but most significantly, by the individual stories and lives of her clients. This approach allows her to avoid being confined to any single traditional style, offering unique and tailored designs. A significant aspect of Val's work involves creating spaces specifically for mothers and families. Drawing from her own experiences as a mother, she guides families in making practical and informed design decisions. This includes recommending stain-resistant furniture, designing functional storage solutions, and integrating thoughtful decor items, such as a basket of blankets that can enhance family movie nights. Her understanding of the challenges and needs of family life informs her designs, ensuring that the spaces she creates are not only beautiful but also highly livable and adaptable to dynamic family environments. Building a strong relationship with clients is a cornerstone of Val Spaces' methodology. Val initiates the design process by engaging in conversations with potential clients to understand their inspirations, visual preferences, and overall aspirations for their spaces. This collaborative approach ensures that the final design truly reflects the client's vision and needs. An example of this successful collaboration is a project where Val transformed a client's bachelor pad into a welcoming home for his blended family. This transformation was so successful that the client chose to get married in his newly designed home, surrounded by his children and stepchildren, highlighting the meaningful impact of a well-executed design. Val emphasizes the importance of trust in all creative work. She believes that a strong foundation of trust between the designer and client is essential for achieving successful outcomes. At Val Spaces, the objective is to work closely with clients to develop spaces that create a lasting positive impression. The firm operates under the core belief that every space has the potential to be extraordinary and strives to deliver designs that enhance the lives of its inhabitants. For potential clients considering Val Spaces Interior Design, Val's message underscores the value of trust and collaboration. She invites clients to engage in open dialogue and share their visions, assuring them that her team is dedicated to bringing those visions to life through a process built on mutual understanding and shared goals. Val Spaces Interior Design is based in New Orleans and can be reached via email at [email protected] or through their website, valspaces.com. #InteriorDesign #ValSpaces #NewOrleansHomes #FamilyFriendlyDesign #MothersDesign #CustomInteriors #FunctionalDesign #DesignInspiration

This article features an interview with Vance Burke, a prominent interior designer known for his modern aesthetic that occasionally incorporates equestrian themes. Burke, who divides his time between Santa Monica and Palm Springs, has a rich background in design, having studied in New York and Paris and worked for notable firms like Donghia Associates and Parish-Hadley. He also worked for Jed Johnson, where he gained experience with high-profile clients like Mick Jagger and Richard Gere. Burke emphasizes a collaborative approach to design, working closely with both architects and clients to ensure a fun and stress-free process. The designer shares insights into his philosophy, stating that design is a continuous collaboration. He believes in creating a consistent experience, from the landscaping and architecture to the interior upholstery, rugs, and art, ensuring everything feels cohesive and unique. Burke highlights the importance of understanding and prioritizing client happiness, acknowledging that there isn't a single 'right' solution in design but rather multiple valid approaches. When it comes to integrating equestrian elements into modern interiors, Burke suggests starting with foundational elements that possess an earthy, organic integrity, such as reclaimed-wood floors or rough-cut stone. He advocates for juxtaposing these natural textures with sleek modern walls and a high-contrast, dressage-inspired color palette, perhaps using saddle leather, off-white linen, or dark navy and black accents, along with lacquered surfaces. For accessories, his mantra is "fewer, bigger, better," recommending select pieces like a Deborah Butterfield sculpture, a Susan Rothenberg drawing, minimalist black and white photography, or a Tang dynasty horse to continue the equestrian narrative. Burke also notes that equestrian clients are often passionate about their horses, sometimes prioritizing barn aesthetics over their own homes. Burke discusses the influence of fashion on interior design, particularly in color trends. He cites the 1980s equestrian style with its dark, jewel-toned colors like burgundy and emerald, and patterns such as paisley and plaid. He sees both fashion and interior decorating as a process of reinterpreting the past to create something new, combining classic and modern elements. He praises brands like Hermès for their ability to blend these aspects seamlessly. He also recounts a personal, albeit challenging, horse-riding experience during a ride-a-thon in India, where he rode Marwari horses, which ultimately deterred him from further riding. Looking ahead, Burke is venturing into furniture and fabric design, with plans for a new fabric line currently in its preliminary stages. He also humorously shares his "retirement plan." The interview was conducted by Carol Cohen Hodess, editor at large for Equestrian Living magazine, who has worked with Burke on her own homes. The full article originally appeared in "Equestrian Living June/July 2017." #InteriorDesign #EquestrianDesign #VanceBurke #ModernInteriors #DesignPhilosophy #HomeDecor #CollaborativeDesign #FashionInfluence #LuxuryLiving

Shreyas Patil Architects embarked on a transformative project, converting a dilapidated century-old colonial dwelling on Havelock Road, Belgaum, into their eponymous architecture studio. The building, previously abandoned after multiple remodels, captivated founder and principal architect Shreyas Patil with its inherent character despite its disrepair. Patil envisioned the property's potential to house an offbeat office, blending vintage charm with modern architectural intervention. The exterior of the studio, primarily visible from the west, is designed to interact with the natural elements. Thin corten steel mezzanines, suspended by twisted metal cables, protect a series of west-facing windows from the elements while allowing western winds to permeate. These structures also serve as a shield against the southwest monsoons, safeguarding the original teak windows. The main entrance, relocated to the north face, features a bold blue metal door with a small pivoting window. This design subtly blurs the boundary between the street and a dense garden courtyard, which houses a temple tree, bamboo, raphis palms, lilies, bougainvilleas, and monsteras, fostering a seamless transition into the workspace. Internally, Patil reconfigured the layout by removing and repositioning existing fenestrations and internal walls to create a free-flowing, boundless interior. The original west-facing entrance was re-angled to the north, integrating it with the formerly overgrown backyard, which now functions as an informal outdoor waiting and discussion area. The material palette is thoughtfully curated, with each room featuring a distinct pigmented oxide finish on the hand-polished flooring, showcasing varied shades of greys, greens, and solid blacks. These diverse floor treatments are harmonized by a continuous teak skirting that contrasts with the white walls and rafters, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout. An al fresco discussion area is a prominent feature, comprising a cast-in-situ concrete bench extending along the compound wall, mirrored by a wooden bench. The flooring here combines wood and leather-finish kadappa stone, evoking a bygone era. Pergolas running north to south cast dramatic, dynamic shadows on the white stucco-finished compound wall, offering an ever-changing visual element. This outdoor space is designed for informal discussions and tea breaks, with kadappa stone fins providing privacy and regulating light and ventilation. The studio emphasizes modularity in both its spaces and furniture, allowing for flexible configurations. The rooms are designed with fluidity, capable of functioning independently or as interconnected zones. The entrance features a five-piece, cement-finish lounger, where each modular cube can serve as either a seat or a table. These plywood units are light, movable, and can be arranged in numerous permutations, forming a sculptural and monolithic appearance when linked. Adjacent to the entrance is the main working area, characterized by teak-toned workstations arranged informally to promote circulation, light, and ventilation. A dark, smoky blue wall and old teak windows contribute to an offbeat, quirky atmosphere. This area seamlessly extends into Patil's personal cabin, separated by a fixed glass partition. Patil repurposed a window niche to create library shelves, and his desk is a simple wooden cantilevered structure supported by a truss on the blue wall. The conference room serves as a dedicated space for brainstorming and client meetings. A whimsical painted glass door separates it from the pantry, doubling as a marker board. The room's centerpiece is a table with a white duco top and a stacked frame of thick circular rods, adding a structural edge. The pantry, located behind the conference room, connects back to the courtyard and also functions as a lunchroom and model-making area, highlighting the studio's multifunctional design approach. #ArchitectsStudio #BelgaumArchitecture #BungalowTransformation #HeritageRenovation #ModernOfficeDesign #ModularFurniture #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation

This article showcases the unique interior design styles of three designers, Jenny Powell, Edward Girardi, and Biff Bartron, as demonstrated in their personal homes. Each designer offers insights into their design philosophy, material choices, and practical tips for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces. Jenny Powell, owner of Somethings Unique, resides in a spacious Landenberg home with her family. Her design approach emphasizes a blend of elegance and family-friendliness, incorporating a relaxed European style with Scandinavian influences. After moving into their home, the Powells lightened dark wood floors and painted walls in pastel yellow and beige to create a brighter atmosphere. Powell's design is characterized by mixing old and new elements, such as Swedish Rococo-style sidechairs paired with contemporary fabrics, and the use of natural light and preserved greenery. Key elements of her home include fauteuil chairs from Spain with a gray-blue glaze, silk curtains in two colors, and durable microsuede upholstery for family-friendly living. The kitchen features granite countertops and unique hammered metal hardware, while the sunroom offers a casual dining space with a pine farmhouse table. Powell's home is adorned with her father's art, and she advocates for mixing styles, choosing tactile materials, incorporating personal art, and using a soft Scandinavian color palette. Edward Girardi, a proponent of high-rise living, has transformed his 16th-floor condominium in Wilmington into a sophisticated urban sanctuary. His design focuses on maximizing space and functionality in a compact environment. Girardi converted an adjoining unit into an intimate media room, painted in a custom purple-tinged gray. He meticulously blends his own paint colors and uses a sophisticated neutral palette as a backdrop for his home. A large, self-painted contemporary artwork dominates the living room, complementing the angular, masculine aesthetic. He repurposed a cocktail table by replacing its gold top with etched glass and staining the wood mahogany. Girardi's philosophy includes investing in neutral basics and updating accessories with lively prints. He emphasizes grouping family photos for impact and keeping them current. The dining area features a glass and chrome table for spaciousness, and custom built-in cabinets hide a bar and storage. His galley kitchen is designed for efficiency, with ceiling-height cabinets, slate tiles, and cork flooring. In the bedroom, a contemporary pedestal bed is paired with Shaker nightstands, and the space is unified by painting moldings and doors the same color as the walls. Girardi's advice for small spaces includes using larger tiles, decluttering with built-in storage, grouping pictures, measuring furniture carefully, and using solid colors to enlarge a space. Biff Bartron, a partner in BW Design Group, showcases an elegant California ranch home in Wilmington that balances luxury with simplicity, reflecting his preference for peaceful, spa-like environments. Despite initially being in disrepair, Bartron envisioned an open, light-filled space. He renovated in stages, prioritizing the kitchen and bathrooms. The enlarged kitchen features two dishwashers, three microwave ovens, stainless steel sinks, granite counters, and porcelain tile floors that mimic limestone. Sleek cherry cabinets with frosted glass panels and a pass-through window enhance light. A clever design integrates a Sub-Zero refrigerator, with the back half extending into the garage. Bartron unified the public spaces by installing dark ebony-stained hardwood floors. The dining table has an acid-treated copper top, and the living room offers comfortable seating for 11 around a baby grand piano. A chocolate brown daybed and silk curtains frame a bay window, allowing the city lights to become part of the decor. His color palette and simple furniture highlight a dramatic art piece from Paris. The powder room features hand-painted bamboo shoots and polished river rocks in the sink, adding a surprise element. The master bath is a spa-like retreat with a large stone shower and bamboo accents. Guest rooms on the lower level open to a private garden, and a secondary kitchen caters to entertaining. Bartron upgraded lighting and installed a whole-house stereo system. His recent addition of an Asian-inspired front porch creates a tranquil entry. Bartron recommends an Asian-inspired palette, using frosted glass for light and privacy, pampering oneself with luxury baths and linens, keeping window treatments simple to preserve views, and choosing durable materials for pet and family-friendly living. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #DesignerHomes #ScandinavianDesign #UrbanLiving #ModernRanch #SpacePlanning #Renovation #HomeStyling

Architects Noam Dvir and Daniel Rauchwerger, founders of the New York-based firm BoND (Bureau of Noam and Daniel), share insights into their design philosophy, creative process, and the unique challenges and inspirations behind their projects. Having met in 2010 at the Venice architecture biennial and later forming BoND in 2015, the duo has become known for their nuanced approach to physicality and use in design, particularly in New York City and Fire Island. The discussion highlights the specific considerations for working on Fire Island, a narrow stretch of land susceptible to environmental factors like climate change and sea-level rise. Dvir and Rauchwerger explain how these environmental realities, combined with the island's rich Modernist architectural legacy, necessitate innovative design solutions. They detail how new ground-up constructions must be elevated significantly, prompting questions about the aesthetics of the house's base when typically seen nestled within dunes. The architects also touch upon the increasing sophistication of buildings and the challenge of incorporating technology without making it part of the problem. Material choices are also evolving; for instance, the rising cost of traditional cedar has led them to explore alternative wood materials, such as a silvery-toned wood from Texas that offers easier assembly and application. BoND's approach to renovating existing Modernist homes on Fire Island involves viewing the house as a cohesive whole rather than focusing on isolated areas. They aim to unify design elements, such as extending cedar siding where it wasn't originally present, and infuse utilitarian spaces like bathrooms with humor and sexiness. Custom furniture design plays a crucial role in re-imagining social conditions within these homes, creating spaces for various interactions, from pre-dinner gatherings to intimate conversations on a rainy night. The architects emphasize the intentional orchestration of social situations in their designs, creating platforms for living and socializing that encourage interaction and engagement. They strive for openness and connectivity between spaces, maximizing the dramatic interplay with the surrounding landscape. Their client relationships are deeply integrated, often stemming from personal connections and shared communities. Many clients are younger, having acquired homes post-Covid, and have specific priorities, such as cooking, which BoND meticulously addresses in their designs for these often smaller spaces. The firm's background in architecture journalism significantly influences their project approach, with a strong emphasis on narrative and storytelling. Each project is seen as an opportunity to create a unique story or fantasy that captures the imagination of their community. BoND does not differentiate significantly between commercial and residential projects, applying a consistent "style of thinking" that seeks unique elements within each program. They find excitement in New York City lofts, particularly in understanding and integrating the existing character of a space into new designs, distilling its core attractive qualities. Art serves as a major driver in BoND's work, viewed as a reflection of cultural attitudes and a source of aesthetic inspiration for color palettes and contextual contrasts. They often select art for their projects, maintaining relationships with artists to stay attuned to cultural trends. While they consider architecture a beautiful craft rather than an art form, they acknowledge art's role as an emotional and personal component of a home. Dvir and Rauchwerger also share insights into their partnership, highlighting their complementary strengths and the collaborative nature of their work, with Noam as the managing partner and Daniel as the creative director, though both are deeply involved in all project phases. Finally, they discuss the concept of "sexiness" in architecture, defining it as a cultural construct and an integral part of their clients' desire topology. This manifests in design decisions, such as the placement of an outdoor shower or views within a house, aiming to create a sense of "flirty intrigue" that makes people look and feel great in their spaces. #BoNDArchitects #NoamDvir #DanielRauchwerger #FireIslandDesign #ModernistArchitecture #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #ArchitecturalJournalism

The article explores ten of the most influential pieces of furniture and homeware designed by Bauhaus artists and architects, celebrating the school's centenary. The Bauhaus school, known for its distinctive modern style rooted in simplicity and functionality, produced designs that became iconic in the 20th century. Bauhaus furniture emphasized practicality, stripping down objects to their basic elements and utilizing simple geometric forms. The aim was to create aesthetically pleasing items that were also accessible for mass production, leveraging modern industrial techniques and unconventional materials like steel, glass, plywood, and plastic. Key designs highlighted include Marcel Breuer's Wassily Chair, inspired by bicycle handlebars and reducing the club chair to an outline of tubular steel and canvas. Peter Keler's Baby Cradle, designed for the first Bauhaus exhibition, draws inspiration from Wassily Kandinsky's color theory, featuring primary colors and simple geometric shapes like triangles, rectangles, and circles. Josef Hartwig's Bauhaus Chess Set simplifies the pieces to represent their movements, removing traditional religious and monarchical symbols to modernize the game. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Brno Chair showcases the cantilever principle, eliminating the need for four legs with a single C-shaped bar. Marianne Brandt's Tea Infuser exemplifies functional design by stripping a conventional teapot of ornament, creating a compact, geometric metal vessel for a concentrated tea extract. Josef Pohl's Wardrobe on Rollers, or "Bachelor's Wardrobe," is a versatile and space-saving plywood design mounted on castors, making it affordable and convenient for apartment living. Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich's Barcelona Chair, created for the Barcelona International Exposition, features slim cushions on a stainless-steel frame, initially bolted and later redesigned as a seamless piece. Wilhelm Wagenfeld and Carl Jakob Jucker's MT8 Lamp, known as the Bauhaus Lamp, embodies the "form follows function" principle with its simple, geometric shape of glass and metal, using an opaque industrial lampshade. Walter Gropius's Door Knob, first mass-produced in 1923, features a cylindrical grip and a squared stem made from nickel-plated brass, becoming the most commercially successful Bauhaus product. Finally, Josef Albers' Nesting Tables, designed during his tenure as artistic director of the furniture workshop, are a set of accent tables made from solid oak and lacquered acrylic glass, incorporating Albers' signature colorful and geometric style with blue, red, yellow, and white elements. These designs collectively showcase the Bauhaus's enduring impact on modern design through their innovative use of materials, emphasis on functionality, and minimalist aesthetics. #Bauhaus #FurnitureDesign #Homeware #MarcelBreuer #MiesVanDerRohe #MarianneBrandt #WalterGropius #JosefAlbers #ProductDesign

Nate Berkus, a prominent figure in interior design for 26 years, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of home aesthetics, especially in the context of recent global events. Berkus, who gained widespread recognition after his 2002 debut on 'Oprah,' emphasizes the shift towards authenticity and personalization in design. He notes that the pandemic played a significant role in this change, moving clients away from Instagram- and Pinterest-driven trends to a desire for spaces that reflect their individual stories and needs. This shift has fostered a period of deep creativity, where clients are increasingly seeking unique, layered interiors. A growing appreciation for handmade and one-of-a-kind items marks another key trend. Berkus recalls attending art fairs as a child, where handmade goods were often overlooked, contrasting it with the current demand for such pieces in auction houses and among clients. This renewed interest extends to antiques, where online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Chairish have democratized access. Clients are now more informed and actively involved in sourcing unique items from around the world, mixing them with handcrafted elements to create distinctive, personalized spaces. The ease of online shopping and shipping has made it simpler to assemble collections of vintage and antique objects, which Berkus believes are essential for a finished room. The concept of home functionality has also been redefined, with increased interest in separate structures for offices, studios, or guesthouses. This desire stems from a need for adaptable living spaces that can accommodate various activities and provide privacy, especially in a world where remote work and learning have become more common. Berkus highlights the appeal of guest rooms that offer comfort and independence, reducing concerns about proximity and hygiene. Furthermore, he discusses the emergence of 'sanitation rooms' or transitional entries equipped with advanced mechanics, like infrared lighting, designed to keep homes cleaner and safer. This trend resonates with Berkus's long-standing germaphobia, indicating a broader societal concern for health and well-being within the home environment. Social media, initially viewed with skepticism by Berkus, has become an integral part of the design world, mirroring the move towards authenticity. He explains that social platforms now serve as valuable tools for understanding clients' aesthetic preferences and for fostering genuine dialogue within his community of followers. Berkus differentiates his approach from simply reposting beautiful imagery, emphasizing his commitment to sharing his extensive experience, including successes, challenges, and mistakes, through initiatives like 'History Lessons.' This segment delves into the historical context and origins of design movements and objects, connecting personal aesthetic choices to broader cultural narratives. Finally, Berkus observes a shift towards a 'more is more' philosophy, redefined not by excessive spending or material accumulation, but by sentiment, practicality, and thoughtfulness. This means maximizing the utility and emotional connection within a space, designing for a new lifestyle that might include hybrid work arrangements or evolving family needs. The emphasis is on creating homes that are responsive and adaptable, greeting their inhabitants with comfort and functionality, regardless of immediate circumstances. This holistic approach underscores a deeper engagement with the home as a dynamic and evolving sanctuary tailored to individual well-being and evolving needs. #InteriorDesign #NateBerkus #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #AuthenticityInDesign #HandmadeGoods #VintageFinds #FunctionalLiving #SocialMediaAndDesign

The article profiles Ilana Aronowitz, a senior interior designer at Clive Daniel Home in Boca Raton, highlighting her expertise in residential, commercial, and hospitality interior design. With over 20 years of experience, Aronowitz has been a part of CDH since its inception almost a decade ago. Her design philosophy centers on creating a comfortable and personalized haven for clients, emphasizing that a home should be an oasis from the demands of everyday life. She meticulously understands each client's needs and lifestyle, often beginning a design project with a focal point such as a piece of art, a specific chair, or a color, and then building the rest of the design around this central element. If a client doesn't have a clear starting point, she takes the initiative to create one for them. Aronowitz's approach involves a hands-on method to bring visions to life. Instead of merely describing ideas, she physically tapes walls and places material samples on them, allowing clients to see and feel how the proposed design elements will look and interact within their space. She has a particular passion for creating dynamic backgrounds and incorporating various layers into her designs. This includes not only hanging art but also blanketing feature walls with a mix of wallpaper, stone, and wood to generate visual interest and depth. Her intuitive understanding of color is another hallmark of her work, as she enjoys introducing clients to new palettes and blending different hues. Currently, popular color trends Aronowitz observes and incorporates include rusts, earth tones, and dusty rose, which she notes are presented with a modern and improved aesthetic compared to their 1980s counterparts. In terms of patterns, geometrics, houndstooth, and herringbone are prominent, often combined with a rich variety of textures within the color schemes. She asserts that Clive Daniel Home is a trendsetter in Boca Raton, constantly innovating and offering fresh perspectives on design. The company's 70,000-square-foot showroom in Boca Raton features a vast selection from over 250 suppliers, ensuring they remain at the forefront of design trends. Aronowitz's educational background includes degrees in photography and advertising and design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, followed by interior design studies at Berkeley College in New Jersey. After establishing her career in design, she moved to Florida 17 years ago. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with multiple Gold and Silver Aurora Awards, underscoring her achievements and influence in the interior design industry. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #CliveDanielHome #BocaRaton #IlanaAronowitz #ResidentialDesign #CommercialDesign #HospitalityDesign #DesignTrends

This article features an interview with the renowned interior designer, Bunny Williams, known for her classic and refined elegance in design and world-renowned gardens. Williams shares insights into her four-decade-long career, which began after being inspired by Dorothy Draper's design at The Greenbrier Hotel when she was 15. Her early career involved working at an antique shop, Stair and Co., where she gained knowledge of furniture, quality, scale, and patina, followed by a 20-year tenure at the famed Parish-Hadley firm before establishing Bunny Williams, Inc. in 1988. Williams discusses the Southern influences on her design philosophy, highlighting the importance of incorporating inherited pieces and antiques, which bring character and history to a room. She emphasizes the value of mixing old and new elements for a more interesting aesthetic. Her Southern upbringing also instilled in her a focus on entertaining and creating versatile seating arrangements to accommodate various group sizes, ensuring rooms are both beautiful and functional. Regarding her famous Connecticut gardens, Williams mentions her upcoming lecture at Nashville’s Antiques and Garden Show, where she plans to illustrate the evolution of her gardens over 30 years. She describes gardening as a continuous learning process, involving mistakes, patience, and valuable lessons from the land itself. She will show the various stages of her garden rooms, from initial planting to their current state. Looking ahead to design trends for 2022, Williams anticipates a continued demand for thoughtfully designed, multi-functional workspaces within homes. She also foresees a greater emphasis on outdoor spaces, recognizing the increased appreciation for nature's importance in daily life, especially given recent global events. Her own gardens have served as a significant source of comfort, reinforcing her belief in the beauty and benefits of well-designed outdoor environments. Williams shares her appreciation for Southern design elements, such as the integral role of porches in connecting indoor and outdoor living. She explains that her own choice to live in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut was influenced by its resemblance to her childhood landscape in Charlottesville, Virginia, where porches were central to social life and comfort during hot weather. This connection to outdoor living remains a key aspect of her design approach. As a mentor, Williams expresses honor that many younger designers look up to her. While acknowledging the current ease with which new designers can establish themselves through social media, she stresses the critical importance of mastering design fundamentals, often through mentorship, as a foundation for a successful career. She highlights the ongoing mentorship within her own firm, including her business partner Elizabeth Lawrence, and views it as a continuation of the legacy established by Parish-Hadley. When asked about her inspirations, Williams cites iconic interior designers such as Renzo Mongiardino, Henri Samuel, and Frances Elkins. Her gardens draw inspiration from international travels, specifically mentioning Russell Page’s gardens in Normandy and the Wirtz Gardens in Belgium. She advocates for seeking inspiration broadly by exploring the outdoors, visiting antique shops, museums, and traveling. Her key design advice is to invest in quality pieces that one loves and wishes to keep for a lifetime, as these items will transcend different homes. Her favorite space in her own home is the conservatory in her Connecticut country house, a space built around salvaged arched windows, which has become a beloved area for entertaining, reading, and enjoying plants. Her five-word design philosophy is: "Buy what you love most." #BunnyWilliams #InteriorDesign #GardenDesign #DesignPhilosophy #SouthernDesign #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #Mentorship #AntiquesAndGardenShow

The article offers an intimate look into the Venice Beach residence of designer Lenny Steinberg, providing insights into her creative process and personal collection. Located just a few doors down from Frank Gehry’s Norton House, Steinberg's home is a transformed 1960s post-and-beam duplex, now serving as an archive and showroom for five decades of her work, alongside her extensive art and object collection. This minimalist retreat, which she shares with her husband, Bob, features an impressive view of the Pacific Ocean. Steinberg's design philosophy is deeply influenced by movement and music, which she attributes to her background in music, initially at the University of Southern California and later at UCLA where she shifted her focus to design. She emphasizes injecting a sense of 'kick' or 'surprise' into her furniture, exemplified by prototypes for a Manhattan apartment featuring arms reminiscent of a 1950s Ford Fairlane, complete with red lens reflectors. Her work often combines Art Deco and Japanese aesthetics with elements drawn from Los Angeles car culture, a nod to her childhood experiences riding in her father's 1938 Buick and exploring the city's evolving landscape. The double-height living room of her home, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows inspired by Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre, showcases a deliberate departure from strict orthogonality with an angled cross beam, reflecting her desire to introduce a 'new note' into architecture, much like a musical composition. Her career trajectory includes a partnership with Sarah Binder in the 1960s, forming Vivid, which produced mirrored furniture, and later Links Design, where they experimented with cork and multi-coloured plastic laminates. By 1997, Steinberg established her own practice, Lenny Steinberg Design, venturing into full architectural projects. Her home displays a broad range of her oeuvre, from a Vivid mirrored side table that merges Art Deco with the Light and Space movement, to her 'Push-me Pull-U' sofa, a study in material contrasts. The collection is unified by what Steinberg calls 'space, time and energy,' a consistent vision that is evident in pieces like her Pyramids & Parallels series. This series, characterized by jutting angles and sculptural forms, is present in her kitchen island and outdoor furniture on the roof deck, where pieces lean obliquely, evoking the dynamism of wind and movement. This interest in dynamism is also informed by her engagement with modern dance, a passion shared by two of her daughters. Architect Annie Chu highlights Steinberg's acute awareness of the body's relationship to space and objects, noting her strength in creating evocative vignettes. Steinberg's designs also incorporate a subtle sense of humor, as seen in her 'Pony' chair, which features legs that kink like the hind limbs of a horse, designed to accommodate the sitter comfortably despite its unconventional appearance. The article concludes by noting the natural weathering of her home and some of her earlier works, which she embraces as part of the design process, evident in the 'Six Degrees of Disintegration' exhibit of her 'Pony' chairs, showing signs of rust from the salty ocean air. #LennySteinberg #VeniceBeachHome #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #FurnitureDesign #LosAngelesArchitecture #ModernDesign #CreativeProcess #ArtCollection

The article highlights five Copenhagen-based creatives who are redefining Danish design by blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary approaches. These designers are characterized by their respect for heritage, openness to new ideas, and a focus on pushing creative boundaries, moving beyond the well-established minimalist, muted, and naturalistic style often associated with Scandinavian design. They are introducing fresh perspectives while maintaining a strong connection to craftsmanship and human-centered design principles. Helle Mardahl, a former fashion designer, transitioned into creating colorful blown-glass objects, including lamps, tableware, and decorative pieces. Her work is notable for its vibrant colors and whimsical forms, reminiscent of candy and childhood treats, which challenges the traditional muted palette of Danish design. Mardahl’s experience studying abroad in London influenced her appreciation for Copenhagen and inspired her to incorporate bolder aesthetics, proving that exposure to diverse cultures can enrich local design. Architect Søren Pihlmann operates his studio with an unconventional approach, emphasizing the use of existing building elements in renovations. His methodology avoids fighting against a structure's inherent potential, instead allowing the building to guide the design process. Pihlmann's work, which spans from industrial breweries to private homes, focuses on understanding materials and their stories, advocating for a shift away from purely conceptual architecture towards a more tangible, material-driven practice. He also questions profit-driven trends, prioritizing sustainable and respectful renovation. Thomas Woltmann, a furniture designer, focuses on bringing conceptual artistic thinking into relatable, functional design. His award-winning Re-C chair, made from recycled wood from an old church, exemplifies his commitment to using regional and recycled materials, re-establishing a connection between humans and the physical objects in their lives. Woltmann believes in drawing inspiration from Denmark's rich craft history to address contemporary challenges, such as the climate crisis, by focusing on natural materials, longevity, and craftsmanship, echoing the spirit of past Danish design masters while adapting to modern needs. Interior designer Jessica Vedel, with a background in fashion and photography and international experience in Berlin, London, and New York, blends Nordic minimalism with cosmopolitan elegance. Her designs are characterized by bespoke furnishings, intricate architectural details, and a keen sense of form and scale. Vedel's work is influenced by her Danish roots and the tradition of quality materials and architecture but incorporates more volume and layering, reflecting her global exposure. She also designs furniture, collaborating with brands and developing custom pieces, always driven by an intuitive creative impulse. Danielle Siggerud, an architect from Oslo, initially considered a career in medicine due to an interest in helping people, but her awareness of how spaces affect human feelings led her to architecture. Her firm specializes in both new builds and historic renovations, applying a "refined minimalism" that emphasizes materiality and tactility. Siggerud's approach, refined under John Pawson, considers the routines and situations of inhabitants, focusing on creating sensory experiences through thoughtful integration of elements like lighting, doors, and surfaces. Her work, which extends to furniture design, aims to elevate the everyday and interact with the past through a deep appreciation for human interaction with built environments. These five creatives collectively represent a dynamic evolution in Danish design, honoring its foundational principles while boldly exploring new directions. #CopenhagenDesign #DanishDesign #CreativeInnovation #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalRenovation #SustainableDesign #FurnitureDesign #InteriorDesign #MaterialExperimentation