How Interior Designer Trip Haenisch Adds “Pops of Color” to Hollywood Homes

This article features insights from three prominent Philadelphia-based hotel designers: Katie Pass, Hospitality Design Director at Daroff Design; Lance Saunders, Director of Design at Stokes Architecture + Design; and Kate Rohrer, Founder of Rohe Creative. These designers share their perspectives on current interior design trends, offering advice for both hospitality and home settings. Katie Pass, known for her work on the Loews, The Rittenhouse, and Ritz-Carltons in Aspen and St. Thomas, expresses her admiration for all 1 Hotels properties. She favors Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams as her current go-to paint color. Pass advises against placing a desk in a sleeping area for a hotel but suggests that multiple light sources at varying levels are crucial for eliminating dark corners in any space. She finds too much technology in social spaces to be a tiring trend and prefers brass over rose gold, stripes over florals, and neutrals with added textures over jewel tones. When asked about high ceilings or hardwood floors, she opts for both. Lance Saunders, whose portfolio includes Pod Philly, River House at Odette's, and Le Cavalier at Hotel Du Pont, believes in reinventing classics, as people crave familiarity. His dream design project is Hotel Kinsley in Kingston, New York, and he currently favors Waterbury Green by Benjamin Moore. Saunders's first observation in a hotel is always the floor material. For making a home feel more like a hotel, he recommends housekeeping if budget allows, or investing in nicer toiletries and bedding. He prefers wainscoting over wallpaper and neutrals over jewel tones. His unique take on high ceilings or hardwood floors is to have hardwood on the high ceiling. Kate Rohrer, recognized for her work on Guild House Hotel and Houston’s C. Baldwin, admires The Standard in London. White Dove by Benjamin Moore is her favorite paint color at the moment. Her initial thought upon entering a hotel is how to operate the lights. Rohrer champions being unapologetic about personal design preferences and has a particular fondness for handmade tiles. She anticipates that the pandemic will lead to more meaningful hospitality design, as people long for social experiences in these spaces. She enjoys a mix of florals and stripes and prefers wall sconces over chandeliers or table lamps. Her choice between wallpaper and wainscoting is wallpaper, and she adapts her preference for neutrals or jewel tones based on her mood. The designers collectively provide a comprehensive look into their design philosophies, preferred materials, and predictions for the future of hospitality design, while also offering practical tips that can be applied to residential interiors. The article emphasizes the blend of functionality, aesthetics, and user experience in creating inviting and memorable spaces. #InteriorDesign #HotelDesign #HospitalityDesign #PhiladelphiaDesigners #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #PaintColors #ResidentialDesign #KateRohrer

The "Showhouse Resource Guide" provides a comprehensive list of designers, brands, and specific items used in the "Design Hollywood at the Century" showcase, highlighting the creative vision and detailed sourcing behind each curated space. The guide categorizes the contributions by residence and specific rooms, offering insights into the diverse styles and design philosophies employed by the participating designers. For Residence 20A, Joan Behnke’s master bedroom and closets featured pieces from Scott Daniel for Environment (table lamps), Stark Carpet (area rug), Micucci (cashmere throws, pillow covers), and Holly Hunt (Christian Astuguevieille cabinet, Sandra Jordan drapery fabric). Other notable contributions included custom casegoods by G&E Custom, plaster work by Arte Bella, and various accessories from Charles Jacobsen and Vis-a-Vis. The master closets were styled by Clos-ette, with clothing from Brooks Brothers and Shopbop. Tim Clarke’s dining room showcased furniture and a rug from Grace Home Furnishings, sconces from Circa Lighting, and wallpaper by Caba/Barkskin. His own designs for dining chairs and decorative accessories were also featured. Waldo Fernandez’s Great Room incorporated a bronze sled-based ottoman by Calvin Klein Home, a floor lamp from Circa Lighting, and several Jean Royere-inspired pieces by Waldo’s Designs, such as the Ours Polaire sofa, chairs, sconces, and a console. Other unique items included a vintage Moroccan rug from Mansour and French Georges Jouve vases from JF Chen. Jane Hallworth’s Bedroom 2 included bathroom sconces and table lamps from Circa Lighting, wall and drapery fabric from Beacon Hill, and a walnut music console from BDDW. Blackman Cruz provided a bronze record side table and a molar stool, while Lee Stanton contributed vitrines and artwork. The room also featured a rug from Jamal’s Antique Rug Collection and paintings by Jaime Orozco. Kathryn M. Ireland’s kitchen and family room highlighted a sectional sofa from Grace Home, a console from Environment, and her own designs for sheer curtain drapery, pillows, and a coffee table. Photographs from Peter Fetterman Gallery and a rug from Woven Accents completed the space. Robert A.M. Stern Architects designed the elevator vestibule with Farrow & Ball ceiling paint, an overhead light from Maison Gerard, and sconces by Pascal Boyer. Dragonette supplied a decorative screen, and a bench from Bernd Goeckler was upholstered with Edelman Leather. Adam Bram Straus’s powder room and hallway utilized Stark Carpet for wall upholstery fabric and Farrow & Ball paint. His own designs for the vanity and bookcases were fabricated by Showcase Cabinets, with art from Los Angeles Modern Auctions and John Wolf Fine Art. Between Residences 20A and 20B, Cliff Fong’s passage featured Farrow & Ball paint, furniture, lighting, and art from Galerie Half and JF Chen, and rugs from Woven Accents and J Illoulian. In Residence 20B, Natasha Baradaran’s powder room and hallway displayed a spider rug by Neisha Crosland from The Rug Company, an axel console by Jean De Merry, and a custom mirror from Downtown. Her own facett bench was upholstered with Dedar fabric from Kneedler-Fauchere. The powder room included a Ramo mirror by Jean De Merry and a Doria crystal chandelier from Downtown. Oliver M. Furth’s elevator vestibule featured Farrow & Ball paint, an antique malayer carpet from Stark Carpet, and unique items such as 19th-century North Korean Bandaji chests from Susanne Hollis and “Argente” stools by Paul Evans from Galerie XX. JF Chen provided Dutch Bubble-Glass sconces and a convex horn mirror. Trip Haenisch’s master bedroom and closets included a rug from The Rug Company, bathroom sconces from Circa Lighting, and Fromental Wallcoverings wallpaper. Custom Cal king beds and throw pillows were sourced from Thomas Lavin/Mark Alexander and Hollywood at Home/Peter Dunham, respectively. Marmol Radziner & Associates’ Bedroom 3 showcased Beacon Hill throw pillow fabric, Calvin Klein Home bedding, and a goat fur rug from The Rug Company. Custom walnut beds and leather-wrapped nightstands were created by Marmol Radziner Cabinet Shop. Nickey • Kehoe’s Bedroom 2 featured Stark Carpet wallpaper, a tapestry art piece from The Rug Company, and chairs from Nickey · Kehoe. Walnut supplied niche book wallpaper, and artwork was sourced from Sears Peyton Gallery. David Phoenix’s Great Room incorporated Beacon Hill fabric for drapes and furniture, Jean De Merry cocktail tables and sconces, and an area rug from Natural Carpet Company. Warner Bros. constructed the sectional sofa and club chairs, while fine art and sculpture were provided by Travis Hansson. This detailed guide serves as a valuable resource for understanding the design elements and collaborations that brought the showcase to life. #InteriorDesign #Showhouse #DesignHollywood #HomeDecor #LuxuryDesign #InteriorStyling #Furniture #Textiles #Lighting

Color drenching, a design trend that involves painting every surface in a room the same hue, including walls, ceilings, trim, and doors, and sometimes even furniture, is gaining significant traction in 2025. This immersive approach aims to create a seamless, high-impact aesthetic that can be both dramatic and calming. This trend is not new; interior designers have been utilizing it for decades, with a seasoned designer sharing her insights on its application and effectiveness. This design strategy functions by eliminating visual clutter caused by contrasting elements. When all surfaces are coated in a single color, the eye moves uninterrupted across the space, enhancing cohesion and often making the room feel more expansive. This technique can highlight architectural details such as crown molding, paneling, and archways, allowing them to stand out through shape and shadow rather than color differentiation. It can also serve to minimize the appearance of unusual dimensions or awkward room proportions, effectively acting as a 'blur tool' for less-than-perfect features. Color drenching is particularly well-suited for rooms where a bright and airy feel is not always desired, such as dining rooms, powder rooms, libraries, and bedrooms, where it can foster a sense of atmosphere and coziness. Powder rooms are ideal candidates for bold color choices due to their small size, which creates a 'jewel box' effect and allows for easy repainting if preferences change. Bedrooms benefit from deeper, moodier shades to create a 'cocoon effect,' especially when combined with layered textures and thoughtful lighting. For open-concept spaces or rooms without distinct architectural features, more careful consideration and styling are needed to prevent the effect from becoming overwhelming. The guiding principle is to let the room's architecture inform the decision, enhancing existing features or creating visual interest through styling in more neutral spaces. Implementing color drenching involves several key steps. First, it is advisable to start with smaller, less critical spaces like powder rooms, entryways, or laundry rooms to experiment with the concept without a high level of risk. Second, full commitment to the color by extending it to the ceiling is crucial; a white ceiling can disrupt the continuity and diminish the overall impact of the design. Third, selecting a matte or flat paint finish is recommended, as it absorbs light, conceals surface imperfections, and contributes to a sophisticated, architectural look. Fourth, rather than matching every item to the wall color, layering within the chosen palette using varying shades, textures, and materials (e.g., velvet pillows, subtle rugs, brass accents) helps add depth and prevents the space from appearing cartoonish. Finally, the success of color drenching is maximized when it either highlights the existing architectural character of a room or is complemented by strong styling choices, such as sculptural lighting, textured fabrics, or bold bookshelves, to provide visual depth. #ColorDrenching #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #PaintTrends #DesignTips #HomeImprovement #ArchitecturalFeatures #SpaceTransformation #MoodLighting

This article explores how three local interior designers in Northern Virginia utilize vibrant colors to transform residential spaces, moving beyond neutral palettes to create dynamic and personalized interiors. The focus is on using color to evoke specific moods, enhance existing architectural features, and reflect homeowners' personalities and travel experiences. Interior designer Bonnie Ammon shares insights from an ongoing home redesign in McLean, where the goal is to create "happy, colorful rooms" using bright, warm tones. For a sunroom, Ammon envisioned a casual, vibrant living space with a Southern California vibe and Moroccan influence. This was achieved through elements like a light fixture sourced in Turkey, Moroccan-style tilework, and coral back-and-seat cushions on a built-in banquette. Throw pillows further carry the bold coral hue, while neutral black, white, and gray tones in the tile, walls, and furniture provide a balanced backdrop. The dining room, in contrast, features a graphic wallpaper in vivid tangerine, a color echoed in the cut-velvet upholstery of Chinoiserie-style dining chairs. Cream-colored chair finishes soften the look and balance the antique dining table. A guest bedroom showcases layered blush tones from an Osborne & Little wallpaper, repeated in velvet shams and an embroidered lumbar pillow, creating a sophisticated yet serene atmosphere inspired by a homeowner's desire for a 'little girl's room she never had'. Carrie Miller of Lapis Ray Interiors discusses integrating color into a compact 410-square-foot studio apartment in Crystal City. Miller emphasizes that color dictates ambiance, with soft colors creating serenity and vibrant hues invoking energy. The design for this studio apartment was influenced by the homeowner's existing art, which included cobalt-blue abstracts and a large-scale white horse head photograph. The palette centered on a neutral base of gray walls and white furnishings, allowing the art to be the focal point. To extend the cobalt blue theme, Miller incorporated strong blue cabinetry in the kitchen, balanced with a white countertop and subway-tile backsplash. Touches of red were introduced through accent pillows and throws, contributing to a lively red, white, and blue patriotic palette that adds character and cohesion throughout the small space. Melanie Whittington and her team at Whittington Design Studio tackled a five-bedroom family house in McLean, aiming for a clean, stylish, and functional space with a timeless neutral base and bright accent colors. The homeowners favored nature-inspired greens (chartreuse, lime, Kelly) and blues (denim, turquoise, navy) for accents, complemented by quiet gray and beige tones. Each room was given a distinct color personality while maintaining overall harmony. For instance, the front parlor features chartreuse, and the kitchen is adorned with denim blues. Whittington explains that a neutral base in varying grays and beiges is established, followed by the addition of accent furnishings in the green and blue families. Transitional-style patterns in drapery, pillows, and upholstery further blend colors, as seen in a kitchen banquette with a navy background and Kelly-green trellis. Art plays a crucial role as a focal point, with pieces sourced from various galleries chosen to integrate and enhance the color schemes in each room, reflecting the clients' personal taste and contributing to the home's vibrant personality. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #VibrantColors #ColorPalette #DesignTrends #ResidentialDesign #VirginiaDesigners #ModernInteriors #HomeTransformation