Sussanne Khan and Gauri Khan get personal about design basics—take notes!

This article features an interview with Mary Graham and Nicole Salvesen, co-founders of the interior design firm Salvesen Graham, renowned for their classic-meets-contemporary aesthetic. The discussion centers around the launch of their debut book, ‘A New English Style: Timeless Interiors by Salvesen Graham,’ offering insights into their design philosophy, sources of inspiration, and fundamental style principles. The designers reflect on the book's creation process, noting that it prompted a deeper consideration of their client work, their evolution as a practice, and their aspirations for growth. They emphasize that English style is inherently dynamic, characterized by ongoing change and the layering of new elements onto existing structures. The process also allowed them to revisit earlier projects, confirming the enduring quality of their initial designs even after a decade. Addressing the balance between English style's rich legacy and contemporary relevance, Salvesen and Graham explain that they always begin by examining the building itself. This approach helps identify traditional elements to be preserved, restored, and celebrated, guiding the overall design direction. They stress that homes should be vibrant and lived-in, not static museums. To inject modernity, particularly in traditional settings, they prioritize personal belongings such as artwork, books, and object collections. They highlight the impact of combining a formal drawing room with a striking piece of contemporary art as a central feature. Regarding the influence of location and setting, the designers assert that the essence of English style is not geographically confined. It can be successfully applied globally, adapting its unique character to each new environment. They liken this adaptability to how each project differs based on individual client preferences. The core of their approach lies in the 'spirit of decorating,' which encompasses layering, incorporating antiques, and prioritizing comfort, rather than being dictated by a specific setting. Layering is a fundamental aspect of their style, and they advise confidence in its execution, suggesting that more layering often leads to better results. They advocate for a mix of patterns and plains, alongside a variety of textures, to achieve depth in a room. For instance, the light-absorbing quality of thick cotton velvet can effectively contrast with a light-reflecting chintz. They clarify that layering extends beyond fabrics to include all elements of a room: flooring, lighting, art, books, and the tones and finishes of paintwork. The aim is a considered, not necessarily fussy, aesthetic. The designers emphasize the critical role of antiques in grounding a room and imparting authenticity, advocating for pieces with clean lines and excellent proportions, whether a 1970s glass lamp or a Georgian center table paired with a modern pendant light. They advise a gradual approach to incorporating antiques, adding pieces over time until a personal balance is achieved. Their approach to color involves strategic splashes in unexpected places within traditional spaces, such as inside a larder cupboard or at the end of a corridor. They acknowledge a contemporary conservatism regarding color in homes, contrasting it with historical periods that embraced more vibrant palettes. Often, they derive color inspiration from a favorite patterned fabric, extracting various hues and applying them with differing intensities to establish a room's identity. The designers confess to occasionally bending conventional design rules in their own homes, particularly regarding pragmatic considerations like heating requirements, prioritizing aesthetics over strict guidelines. They also take a relaxed stance on rules concerning wall light height or furniture spacing, believing that comfort and intuition are paramount. Living with their own interiors has reinforced the importance of quality design and craftsmanship. They note that well-made, classic pieces provide a stable foundation around which styles can evolve, allowing accessories, artwork, and furniture coverings to change while the room's essential structure remains. This concept of 'getting the bones right' applies to architectural details, room layouts, and investment pieces. They draw a parallel to fashion, where a timeless core allows for subsequent embellishment. The concept of 'Future Heritage' means creating interiors that honor and draw inspiration from the past while integrating modern aesthetics, technologies, and lifestyles. Their designs aim to bridge historical elements with contemporary innovations, yielding interiors that are both timeless and forward-looking. Ultimately, they hope their book offers readers a versatile, approachable, and accessible guide, encouraging them to celebrate heritage without being constrained by tradition, and to confidently infuse their homes with personal expression. #InteriorDesign #SalvesenGraham #EnglishStyle #FutureHeritage #TimelessInteriors #DesignInspiration #HomeDecor #Layering #Antiques

The Singapore-based interior design firm, Prestige Global Designs, founded by Michael Ong and Jeremy Tay, has garnered international acclaim for its unconventional approach to design. Both founders bring distinct perspectives to their work, with Ong's early aesthetic sensibilities influenced by portraiture and Tay's unexpected entry into design sparked by the elaborate stage presentation of a Faye Wong concert. This diverse background has contributed to their brand's identity, which prioritizes unique and boundary-pushing designs. Ong and Tay draw inspiration from various sources. Ong admires architect Frank Gehry for his commitment to unique designs, innovative shapes, and materials, particularly highlighting Gehry's Knoll’s Cross Check Chair for its blend of form and function. Tay, on the other hand, is inspired by Godefroy de Virieu, the creative director of Petit H, a Hermès sub-brand that reassembles old or imperfect Hermès products into new forms, emphasizing sustainability and creative reuse. This philosophy translates into Tay's own practice, where he transforms items like chopstick rests into wall art or Hermès scarf rings into drawer embellishments, aligning with Gehry's belief in exploring and pushing creative envelopes. Beyond their professional inspirations, the founders share personal interests that subtly influence their design ethos. Both are food enthusiasts; Ong favors Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare for its unique setting in a shophouse and warm Sicilian hospitality, while Tay, who finds cooking therapeutic, appreciates The English House by Marco Pierre White for its colonial-inspired interior and quality food. They describe cooking as analogous to design, involving a careful balance of ingredients and concoctions. Their work attire, ranging from smart casual to formal, reflects a belief in neatness and respect for their work and clients, with Tay highlighting the subtle elegance of an Hermès Fantome jacket. Their design philosophy embraces both vintage and custom pieces, depending on the project's requirements. They aim to infuse character into their designs, often incorporating vintage items like artworks or armchairs, and are open to re-upholstering sentimental client pieces. An example of this is a vintage art deco lamp with a goose-shaped base found on 1stdibs, which they customized with a new lampshade for a showroom kitchen. In terms of personal development, Ong found guidance in Norman Vincent Peale's 'The Power of Positive Thinking' for navigating challenges and staying goal-oriented, while Tay appreciates Vince Poscente's 'The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self' for its insights into harnessing subconscious potential. Their travel experiences also offer design insights. Ong recalls the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, appreciating the architecture and cooler climate of Paris during winter, citing the Louvre Pyramid and Foundation Louis Vuitton as architectural highlights. Tay's preferred destination is Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku, valuing Japan's blend of old-world charm and innovation, which provides a balance of relaxation and exploration. For them, a house becomes a home when it fulfills basic functional and aesthetic needs while also providing a sense of safety and relaxation, telling a unique story, and fostering memories. They envision the future of design to be increasingly experiential and digitally integrated, with innovations like 'smart walls' that can transform a room's scenery with a touch, offering greater flexibility and an evolving quality of life. #InteriorDesign #PrestigeGlobalDesigns #LuxuryDesign #DesignInnovation #SingaporeDesign #CreativeProcess #ExperientialDesign #FutureOfDesign

This article highlights the significance of in-house design teams for various brands, emphasizing their role in maintaining brand relevance and aesthetic appeal. It compiles a list of five prominent in-house graphic design teams on Instagram that offer insights into their creative processes, product launches, and company culture. These accounts provide a unique perspective into the design world, often sharing exclusive content, designer interviews, and valuable advice. PepsiCo Design & Innovation's Instagram account, @pepsico_design, serves as a primary source for new product announcements and collaborations, such as the 2020 Design + Innovation Book and the MTN DEW FLAMIN' HOT collaboration. The account showcases impressive graphics and branding strategies, making it a valuable resource for those interested in product and packaging design. It also occasionally features discussions with company leaders on how design contributes to brand value. TBD, the in-house design team for Taco Bell, uses its Instagram account, @tacobelldesign, to reveal upcoming releases like Truff Sauce Nacho fries. Beyond product previews, the account offers a behind-the-scenes look at photoshoots, detailing the transformation from storyboards to final product shots. It also provides a glimpse into the team's dynamics through birthday wishes and highlights the inventive design work characteristic of the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand, including downloadable wallpapers. Google Design's Instagram, @googledesign, focuses on the creative aspects behind Google's ubiquitous presence. The account features inspiring Google Fonts and engaging interviews with designers, exploring their perspectives on the internet and design. This content is designed to offer a deeper understanding of the design philosophy and innovation within one of the world's leading technology companies. Dropbox Design, through its Instagram handle @dropboxdesign, embodies the company's philosophy that joy drives the best ideas. The account is a source of cheerful inspiration, offering advice on cross-cultural design and reflections on the creative process versus practice. It showcases how Dropbox integrates its core values into its design work, encouraging followers to think beyond conventional boundaries. Finally, Spotify Design's Instagram account, @spotify.design, is a valuable resource for music enthusiasts and aspiring designers. The team curates various playlists and features a segment called "In The Spotlight," which highlights the daily routines and inspirations of different designers. The account also serves as a recruitment tool, regularly posting new job opportunities and providing insights into Spotify's hiring process, all while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing visual presence that mirrors the brand's user interface. #GraphicDesign #InHouseDesign #InstagramMarketing #BrandIdentity #CreativeProcess #DesignInspiration #ProductDesign #PackagingDesign #DesignCulture

This article celebrates Suzanne Tick's induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame, highlighting her multifaceted career as a material innovator, textile designer, and artist. Tick's work is characterized by a forward-thinking approach, integrating sustainability, advanced technologies like 3D knitting, and concepts of transparency and digitalism into woven surfaces for commercial interiors. Her textile brand, Luum, for instance, launched its 'Fabric of Space' collection with patterns inspired by celestial phenomena, coincidentally aligning with the public release of images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Throughout her four-decade career, Tick has collaborated with prominent brands such as Tarkett, Tandus Centiva, 3form, and Skyline Design, creating a diverse range of products including upholstery, drapery fabrics, high-performance carpeting, broadloom, cement-tile, LVT flooring, and etched glass panels. Beyond her commercial endeavors, she maintains an active fine-art practice, producing tapestries and experimental handweavings for clients like the Gates Foundation and BlackRock. Before establishing her independent studio and Luum, Tick served as an in-house design lead for Knoll Textiles, Unika Vaev, and Brickel Associates. However, she values the autonomy and risk-taking opportunities afforded by her entrepreneurial path. This independence has enabled her to innovate, as seen in Luum's pioneering contract industry fabrics made from postconsumer-recycled biodegradable polyester and discarded garment waste. Her journey began in the early 1980s after earning textile design degrees, where she quickly sought to understand the entire production process, learning everything from fiber sourcing to pattern implementation, an experience that shaped her holistic approach. Sustainability has been a cornerstone of Tick's philosophy, encompassing raw material development, structural innovation, and manufacturing method revitalization. At Luum, the focus is on developing new fibers and constructions, resulting in distinct fabrics. Her handweavings also incorporate novel and salvaged materials, such as dry-cleaning hangers, shredded ledgers, and cut-up paint sample discards. Tick attributes her salvage mindset to her upbringing, influenced by her father's scrap-metal business and her mother's creative pursuits and Eastern philosophy interests. Meditation has also profoundly influenced Tick's creative process and studio culture. After a period of personal dissatisfaction, she embraced Vedic meditation seven years ago and now teaches it, crediting it with enhancing collective creativity and clarity within her design teams. This practice has also reinforced her commitment to social responsibility, leading to free weaving workshops and involvement with The Light Inside, an organization teaching meditation to prison inmates. Tick's dedication extends to environmental stewardship, evidenced by her role in creating Resolution, the first solution-dyed panel fabric for Knoll Textiles, and her studio's textile waste recycling efforts. Her work consistently pushes boundaries, merging technology, craft, and human ingenuity to promote circularity in design. #SuzanneTick #InteriorDesignHallOfFame #TextileDesign #MaterialInnovation #Sustainability #LuumTextiles #KnollTextiles #SkylineDesign #VedicMeditation #ArtInstallation

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

This article introduces Shadé Akanbi, a Brooklyn-based freelance pattern designer and the Creative Director and Designer behind Printed Pattern People. Akanbi's design philosophy is rooted in her multicultural upbringing, which has instilled in her a passion for creating global fusion lifestyle and brands. Her work involves translating traditional ethnic patterns and textiles into contemporary interpretations suitable for everyday use. Akanbi's creative process often begins with identifying a specific motif or detail from traditional textiles. This chosen element then serves as the central inspiration, around which she constructs new patterns using fresh colors and additional details. She is prolific in her output, creating between one to six prints daily, drawing inspiration from personal collections, client ideas, or a combination of both. Akanbi is known for her collaborations with various brands, in addition to maintaining her extensive collection of global textiles. Her first major collaboration was with Anthropologie in early 2020, where her artwork was featured in an accessories and sleepwear collection. Since then, she has partnered with notable brands such as Intermix, Zuri, S'well, Chasing Paper, Netflix, and Target. Her most recent collaboration at the time of the article's publication was with Bounty Paper Towels, as part of their Inclusive Artists Project initiative. This partnership involved her artwork being featured on the Bounty Prints collection paper towels and her image appearing on the packaging, an experience she described as surreal due to the widespread nature of the household item. The article highlights Akanbi's ambition and future aspirations. As an avid traveler, she expresses a desire to collaborate with airlines and boutique hotel brands, specifically mentioning Delta, Jetblue, Kimpton, and Hyatt, envisioning these as platforms to showcase diverse art mediums. Her interest extends to athletic footwear brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Vans, reflecting her passion as a sneaker collector. Furthermore, her background as a collegiate basketball player and a fan of the NBA/WNBA drives her dream to work with her favorite sports teams. Ultimately, Akanbi seeks to partner with brands with which she shares strong personal connections, aiming to utilize these collaborations as unique avenues for artistic expression. Her personal history significantly influences her artistic vision. Akanbi recounts how her upbringing, from her mother's styling choices to her father's Nigerian cooking, and her early travels, particularly her first trip to Nigeria, profoundly shaped her as an artist. These diverse experiences, encompassing sights, sounds, textures, tastes, and emotions, have cumulatively impacted her design sensibility. Her ability to blend cultural influences and her innovative approach to pattern design underscore her unique position in the design world. The article concludes by encouraging readers to explore more of Shadé Akanbi's work via her Instagram and mentions a past collaboration where she provided a Designer Desktop wallpaper for Design Milk. #PatternDesign #ShadeAkanbi #TextileArt #CulturalFusion #BrandCollaborations #ArtisticProcess #DesignInspiration #GlobalTextiles #CreativeDirector

Material selection is a critical yet complex aspect of interior design, requiring designers to consider aesthetics, durability, sustainability, and cost. Technical constraints, if discovered late in the design process, can lead to costly changes. To address this, a study explores the integration of generative AI tools, specifically ChatGPT and DALLE-2, into the conceptualization stage of interior design to aid in 3D texturing and material selection. The research involved developing a prototype web application that mimics common 3D modeling software interfaces. This prototype uses DALLE-2 to generate texture maps from text prompts and ChatGPT to provide contextual material and color suggestions. The system does not use fine-tuned models but relies on prompt engineering to leverage the capabilities of these large-scale generative AI models. The Material Generator module allows designers to input material names to create various texture maps, including variations and keyword-based refinements. The Suggestion Chatbot offers material and color palette suggestions based on user queries, incorporating details on properties and reasons for suggestion. It can also integrate web search results for current trends and consider a design brief for contextual relevance. An exploratory user study was conducted with 11 participants (six professional designers and five interior design students) who were tasked with texturing an untextured outdoor patio according to a design brief. The choice of an outdoor patio highlighted the need for careful material selection due to environmental considerations. The study aimed to assess how generative AI benefits designers in texturing and material selection and to understand their interaction patterns with these tools. Task load was measured using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and creativity support was assessed with the Creativity Support Index (CSI). The results indicated a moderate task load, with an average NASA-TLX score of 47.26 out of 100. Professionals experienced higher mental demand, while students reported higher frustration. Participants generally found the system provided moderately high creativity support, with an average CSI score of 72.82 out of 100. High scores were noted for enjoyment and exploration, suggesting that the system effectively helped designers discover different materials and textures. However, expressiveness and immersion scores were moderate, indicating room for improvement in aligning the tools with designers' intuitive expression and enhancing user engagement. Qualitative feedback revealed several benefits: designers found it easy to search for specific textures and materials, saving time compared to traditional search methods. The contextual suggestions from the chatbot, especially when integrated with the design brief, were deemed accurate and helpful. Informative material descriptions aided ideation, particularly for students. Designers also appreciated the ability to explore an infinite array of texture maps and material options, overcoming limitations of predefined material libraries. Challenges included the system's slow response time, which impacted workflow and user satisfaction, and the lack of essential 3D features (like adjusting objects and lighting) due to the prototype's standalone nature. Concerns about the chatbot's credibility and its knowledge cutoff for current trends were also raised. Some designers struggled with using text-based input for visual tasks, preferring image-based selection. Mismatches between suggested material descriptions and their accompanying texture maps were also noted. Interaction patterns showed two primary approaches: some designers heavily used the Material Generator for exploration, experimentation, and refinement through keywords, often involving a trial-and-error process. Others adopted an assisted creativity approach, frequently consulting the Suggestion Chatbot for suitable materials and colors, then using the Material Generator to explore texture variations. Designers also considered lighting and color themes, frequently rendering scenes to visualize material appearance under different lighting conditions. The study concludes with suggestions for future improvements, including fine-tuning AI models with domain-specific datasets, enhancing usability, and expanding the scope to include other design elements like furnishings and lighting setups. #GenerativeAI #HumanAICocreation #MaterialSelection #3DTexturing #InteriorDesign #DALLE2 #ChatGPT #DesignWorkflow #CreativitySupport

Cuff Studio, based in Los Angeles, has unveiled its Common Ground collection of furniture and lighting as part of the Virtual Design Festival (VDF) x Sight Unseen collaboration. This collection is featured in Offsite Online, a virtual exhibition curated by Sight Unseen, a digital magazine focused on contemporary design. The Common Ground series includes two tables, a bench, an armchair, and a light, all designed to showcase the studio's distinctive design philosophy that merges angular, architectural forms with playful, feminine elements. The studio's co-founder, Kristi Bender, explains that Cuff Studio consistently integrates curves and edges, formality with casualness, and femininity with a sense of 'testosterone' into their designs. This approach is evident in the Arc bench, chair, and console table, which incorporate the classic architectural arch. For the seating designs, this typically masculine architectural element is softened by luxurious leather or pink velvet upholstery. The Arc console table, while possessing a solid volume, features brass-filled channels that allow light to pass through and hand-chiselled grooves on its exterior, providing an organic counterpoint to its geometric shape. Another piece, the Paddle table, modernizes a traditional material, solid oak. The oak is bleached to achieve a clean white tone, and its thick edges are rounded, giving it a playful, substantial silhouette. The Five Track Surface Light, conversely, utilizes a flexible material—rope—which is meticulously wrapped around a rigid, tubular frame. This light fixture can be installed on walls or ceilings and is available in natural white cotton, as well as a variety of other colors. Wendy Schwartz, the other half of Cuff Studio, emphasizes that the collection aims to demonstrate how contrasting design elements can coexist harmoniously, reflecting a broader message of unity. The studio believes that the creative process can bring people together, particularly in a world marked by political polarization. The Common Ground collection was initially launched in early 2020 at the duo's new studio in Hollywood. This launch was intended not just for press or buyers but as a celebration with fellow makers and artisans, fostering in-person connections within the design community in Los Angeles. This initial gathering highlighted the value of direct interaction and shared passion among creatives. #FurnitureDesign #LightingDesign #CuffStudio #VirtualDesignFestival #SightUnseen #InteriorDesign #ContemporaryDesign #ProductLaunch #DesignPhilosophy

This study addresses the limitations of traditional interior design and space planning, which often lack real-time decision-making support and machine-aided creativity, by proposing an intelligent framework. The framework integrates human cognitive insights with an AI-powered design process, bridging the gap between spatial ability cognitive understanding and practical design applications. The proposed system combines hybrid models, specifically CenterNet, StyleGAN3, and a Transformer model, to enhance artistic cognition in interior design and space planning. The system's workflow begins by utilizing CenterNet to detect and map spatial aspects from user input, which can include text, sketches, or spatial signals. These semantic and spatial features then guide StyleGAN3 to generate visually coherent interior visuals that align with the desired style. The Transformer model functions as a sequence-aware logic engine, responding to user interactions to refine the design process. This approach moves beyond instructional modeling by offering machine-aided co-design that considers user preferences and aims for enhanced utility and aesthetic appeal. Experimental evaluation involved categorized user intents, room layouts, and high-resolution interior style images. StyleGAN3 successfully generated high-quality and diverse outputs, indicated by a Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) of 11.6. CenterNet demonstrated excellent performance in spatially accurate localization with a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 84.3% at an IoU of 0.75. Human assessments, conducted with artists, yielded high usability satisfaction and support for creativity, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5. These results highlight the effectiveness of integrating generative artistic cognition with structured spatial thinking within a collaborative AI system. The research further explores the practical and theoretical implications of this human-AI interaction. Theoretically, it contributes to understanding how spatial cognition and AI can be combined to support creative decision-making, bridging educational models of spatial aptitude with applied AI-driven design tools. Practically, the technology offers a scalable, real-time method for optimizing the efficiency and quality of interior design processes. It enables professionals to accelerate laborious layout procedures while maintaining personalized visual outputs that reflect client intentions. The integration of user feedback through the Transformer module dynamically alters design iterations, leading to faster turnaround times and improved customer satisfaction. The framework’s accessibility, supporting input via sketches, text, and style notation, caters to users with varying levels of design expertise. The study also includes an ablation study to quantify the contribution of each module. The full integration consistently demonstrated the best performance across metrics: lowest FID (19.2), highest Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) of 0.74, and highest human satisfaction rating (4.3). This confirms the value of the cognitive-visual fusion in interior design creation, demonstrating that each additional module progressively improves visual realism and perceptual quality. Ethical considerations for human evaluation were addressed through approval from the Ethics Committee of Shenzhen City Polytechnic and informed consent from participants. The study utilizes publicly available datasets such as Structured3D, MIT Indoor Scenes, and COCO Captions for training and evaluation, ensuring reproducibility. #InteriorDesign #SpacePlanning #HumanMachineInteraction #ArtisticCognition #DeepLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeDesign #CenterNet #StyleGAN3

Chencong Zhang, an interior designer and spatial experience designer, embarked on her creative journey driven by a deep desire to create spaces that evoke a sense of belonging. Her personal experience of longing for comfort and familiarity, stemming from being away from her family since the age of 11 and being unable to see them for over 4.5 years due to the pandemic, fueled this aspiration. Initially, Zhang pursued civil engineering as an undergraduate, a popular field in China at the time. However, after two years, she realized it was not her true calling and took a gap year to explore modern arts, design, and other creative avenues. This period ignited an urge to pursue work that resonated emotionally and could impact others' feelings positively. Her first significant step into interior design came in 2015 when she had the opportunity to work on a 7000 sq ft office in Shanghai. The project's goal was to create a comfortable, communicative working environment that seamlessly integrated with its spacious outdoor terrace. Zhang's creative input, particularly her use of colors and materials in material boards and Photoshop renderings, was highly praised. She also collaborated on designing and installing a ceiling installation made of stone and wood, a challenging but rewarding experience that solidified her passion for design. In 2016, Zhang officially began her interior design education at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). There, she learned about transforming old spaces, gaining inspiration from successful case studies, and connecting with like-minded peers and professors. A pivotal experience was a 2018 visit to Morocco with the Architecture and Ceramics department, where she immersed herself in Islamic art, rich colors, and intricate patterns. This trip, and the subsequent creation of pieces reflecting cross-cultural exchange, broadened her perspective and reinforced the impact of cultural fusion in design. Zhang views storytelling as the core magic behind creating distinctive and tailored spaces. She emphasizes that interior design is about imbuing spaces with personality and crafting a journey for occupants. Her process involves extensive research and imaginative exploration of possibilities. She cites a hotel rooftop design project in Miami, where she integrated elements inspired by the local subtropical climate, lush landscapes, and Bahamian murals, resulting in a bold and unique space that garnered positive online reviews. Zhang attributes her ability to be a good storyteller of spaces to her sensitive nature, which allows her to deeply feel and, in turn, enable others to feel. Her time at RISD, interacting with artists from various disciplines like digital art, glassmaking, furniture design, and textiles, further enriched her understanding of different media and their application in expressing a space's personality. While acknowledging the challenges of bringing creative designs to fruition, including time, cost, and durability, Zhang highlights the importance of problem-solving. Her experience leading the construction administration for a 200-key, $50 million hotel renovation project taught her invaluable lessons in collaboration with consultants, contractors, and clients, and in making informed compromises to deliver high-quality results. She defines her role as a designer as helping clients realize their dreams, emphasizing listening to their needs, offering options, and respecting their perspectives. Zhang's personal journey underscores the message of following one's heart to discover one's true self and purpose. #InteriorDesign #SpatialExperienceDesign #CreativeJourney #StorytellingInDesign #RISDAlumni #CulturalExchange #ProjectManagement #DesignPhilosophy #Entrepreneurship

Tiffany Thompson, founder of Duett Interiors in Portland, Oregon, shares insights into her journey from working at Nike to establishing her interior design firm, emphasizing the unconventional path she took and the unique principles guiding her business. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Thompson initially had no exposure to interior design as a career. Her early life was immersed in sports, leading her to believe that a career not requiring formal attire was her calling. After playing soccer in college, she worked for a basketball team in Miami, which eventually led her to a position at Nike in Chicago at 22, and later in New York and Portland. Throughout her time at Nike, Thompson found herself naturally decorating her dorms and apartments, an activity she initially dismissed as a viable career. Her friends, however, consistently sought her help with their spaces, paying her modest sums or offering free food. This informal side hustle grew, especially after she purchased a house in Portland in 2016. At Nike, Thompson moved through various roles, starting as an administrative assistant and transitioning into marketing for influencers before it became a mainstream concept. She built significant relationships, including with figures like Virgil Abloh, by focusing on genuine connections rather than transactional interactions. She later worked as a tech rep, discussing Nike products, and eventually joined the apparel design team in Portland, where she managed product lines for athletes like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, and contributed to women's sportswear footwear, including Air Force 1s. Her core strength throughout these roles was storytelling, connecting products to new consumers by highlighting their heritage and tweaking designs. Thompson credits her Nike experience with teaching her how to run a $50 billion company, including identifying market gaps and converting opportunities into sales. She also learned the importance of making mistakes and seeking guidance from leaders. Storytelling remains a cornerstone of her design philosophy; she uses it to connect clients emotionally to their spaces, drawing inspiration from diverse sources like global architecture and personal travel experiences. Her design approach often starts with the "why" behind a design choice, engaging clients in the narrative before presenting the aesthetic. This method is deeply personal, stemming from her own experience of being adopted and her desire to create comfortable, belonging-infused spaces for others. The transition to full-time design was unexpected; Thompson was fired from Nike, an event she now views as a necessary push to pursue her passion. Her first clients were acquaintances and friends, including an NFL player and an NBA superstar, who trusted her based on her reputation and past work ethic at Nike. These high-profile projects, including designing a $17 million condo in San Francisco, prepared her for the demands of high-end clientele. She now works on a variety of projects, including residential homes, a custom build for the NW Natural Street of Dreams, and an English Tudor-style house. She also participated in a TV show for Discovery+ and HGTV, redesigning spaces for teenagers who made significant contributions during COVID-19, which allowed her to apply luxury design concepts to more approachable projects. Thompson is deliberate about her project selection, prioritizing compatibility with clients, as she views the design process as an intimate, emotional collaboration. She aims for her designs to serve as backdrops for clients' memories rather than temporary trends. Her firm, Duett Interiors, reflects her belief in harmonizing client needs with unexpected, beautiful outcomes. She emphasizes creating grand moments and activating the five senses rather than adhering to a minimalist or maximalist label. She strives to build an all-female or majority-women team with diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives to ensure variety and prevent her designs from becoming repetitive. Thompson plans for Duett Interiors to grow steadily, focusing on quality over quantity, with an eventual expansion into product design and television to showcase her firm's ethos to a broader audience. She and her boyfriend are also committing to planting roots in Oregon, aiming to contribute to and diversify the local design scene, highlighting the state's unique advantages like no sales tax and a vibrant artisan community. #InteriorDesign #BusinessDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #StorytellingInDesign #NikeInfluence #FinancialLiteracy #PortlandDesignScene #WomenInDesign #ClientRelationships

The article explores the availability and utility of complimentary design services offered by several home retailers, providing a practical solution for individuals seeking professional interior design advice without incurring significant costs. Many home retailers, including popular brands like Article, Lulu and Georgia, and Serena & Lily, extend these free services to assist customers in clarifying their vision, selecting appropriate pieces, and planning layouts. While these services are primarily intended to encourage product purchases from the respective brands, they serve as a valuable starting point for those with specific aesthetic preferences or budget constraints that prevent hiring independent professional designers. To assess the effectiveness and quality of these complimentary services, two writers from House Beautiful, Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie and contributor Margaux Lushing, tested four brands. Their evaluation focused on key aspects such as speed of service, communication quality, adherence to budget, and the degree to which the recommendations aligned with their creative vision. The findings for each brand highlight distinct strengths and processes. Article's design service, utilized by Lushing for an outdoor bar area, involved an initial email exchange for preferences and measurements, followed by a 30-minute Zoom call with a designer. The designer provided detailed mood boards and a comprehensive design plan, including product recommendations, alternatives, and pricing. Lushing noted the thoroughness of Article's recommendations, affirming that the purchased items successfully realized her vision for the space. Maiden Home's service was tested by Lushing for her living room, specifically to find a cat-friendly sofa. The process commenced with a request for images and a floor plan, leading to a proposed design plan via email within a week. This plan included two layout options, material suggestions, and additional furniture recommendations, all drawn to scale. Lushing particularly commended Maiden Home for the excellent communication and patience of their design team, which facilitated an informed decision-making process for her sofa purchase, despite the brand's curated and focused product selection. Janae McKenzie engaged Lulu and Georgia's complimentary service to redesign her windowless, grey bathroom into an airy and serene space. After completing an in-depth design form, she had a brief phone consultation with a designer who helped refine her vision for a spa-like environment. The designer provided a mood board and maintained communication via text, demonstrating thoroughness and adherence to McKenzie's budget of under $1,000. McKenzie appreciated the flexibility and quick turnaround time of 24 hours, noting the designer's ability to seamlessly integrate her preferences for renter-friendly wallpaper, organization, and towel textures. Lastly, Serena & Lily's virtual design service was tested by Lushing for revitalizing a covered outdoor entryway, aiming for a coastal-with-a-touch-of-MCM aesthetic. The service started with a digital form submission, followed by a 30-minute Zoom meeting with a local designer. Despite minor scheduling issues, the designer presented a mood board and a follow-up Zoom session to fine-tune the plan. Lushing found the styling recommendations invaluable for transforming a challenging space, enabling her to combine furniture, decor, and location details effectively with some patience. Overall, the tested services offer accessible and valuable design guidance, though the level of detail and communication varies across brands. #InteriorDesign #FreeDesignServices #HomeRetailers #DesignConsultation #HomeDecor #ArticleHome #MaidenHome #LuluAndGeorgia #SerenaAndLily

This blog post features an interview with Dana Romeis, the managing principal at Castle Design, who brings over 25 years of experience to the design industry. The interview delves into various aspects of her work, offering insights into her design philosophy, challenges, and preferences. Romeis emphasizes that client input is highly valued in her design process, stating that the best outcomes result from collaborative relationships between the client, designer, and contractor. She highlights the importance of open communication and mutual understanding in achieving successful design projects. When asked about local artists, Romeis expresses her admiration for Charley Blood of Charles Blood Artistic, particularly for his trompe l’oeil work. She praises his willingness to tackle any artistic challenge, noting that he has never refused a request, no matter how complex. This appreciation for skilled craftsmanship and creative problem-solving underscores her professional values. Regarding overlooked spaces in a home, Romeis identifies the guest bedroom as the most frequently under-decorated room, sometimes including the powder room. She sees the powder room as an opportunity for creative expression and urges clients to pay attention to details in guest bedrooms, such as providing comfortable seating, reliable Wi-Fi, and convenient luggage storage. Her advice extends beyond aesthetics, focusing on practical functionality and guest comfort. Romeis discusses the diverse challenges encountered in her career, stating that every project offers a new learning experience. These challenges can range from integrating home automation systems into overall designs and resolving construction issues to navigating interpersonal dynamics with clients. She highlights the importance of understanding client patience levels and interpreting body language to ensure their wishes are met. This adaptability and continuous learning are central to her professional development. Finally, Romeis shares her preference for alternating between designing new builds and renovating historic homes. She finds that variety keeps her creativity and energy levels high, preventing her from falling into "cookie-cutter solutions." This desire for diverse projects reflects her commitment to innovative and unique design solutions, ensuring each project remains fresh and engaging. The interview concludes by referencing the St. Louis At Home November/December 2017 issue, suggesting that this discussion provides a glimpse into the broader trends and insights within the local design community. #InteriorDesign #HomeDesign #DesignInterview #ClientCollaboration #DesignChallenges #DanaRomeis #CastleDesign #StLouisDesign #CreativeProcess

Gencork is redefining the application of cork in design through its integration of high-tech computational design with cork's natural and sustainable attributes. This approach rejuvenates cork's aesthetic and expands its utility, moving beyond traditional uses to contemporary applications in surfaces and interior elements. Cork, known for its hydrophobic, compostable, recyclable, lightweight, elastic, thermal, and acoustic insulation properties, as well as fire resistance, is being presented in a new light. At the core of Gencork's innovation is the collaboration between Sofalca, a Portuguese cork processor established in 1966, and DIGITALAB, an innovative studio specializing in generative design and digital fabrication. Sofalca, situated near Portugal's cork oak forests, emphasizes environmentally and socially conscious production, utilizing a closed-loop system where biomass from harvesting fuels its manufacturing process, achieving 95% energy self-sufficiency. DIGITALAB, led by Ana Fonseca and Brimet Silva, applies digital technologies across various design disciplines, previously creating cork threads for lighting and furniture. Toni Grilo, an acclaimed designer and art director for Sofalca’s Blackcork brand, also contributes significantly to Gencork’s pattern designs. The manufacturing process begins with cork harvested from oak branches, leaving the trees intact. Sofalca processes these branches into pellets, which are then baked in an autoclave. Water vapor injected during this stage causes the pellets to expand and agglomerate into solid blocks, bound solely by cork’s natural resins without added chemicals. These blocks are subsequently cut into panels and precisely milled using CNC technology, guided by computational design principles. Algorithmic scripts enable the creation of a diverse range of shapes and scales, allowing for tailored applications. The 2020 Corkllection showcases these advancements, featuring cork tiles, modular cork bricks for wall coverings, a cork table light, and customizable generative wall panels. The autoclaving process imparts a distinctive dark, rich, chocolatey color to the cork. Gencork's designs draw inspiration from nature, mathematics, geometry, and biomimetics, resulting in patterns that range from fluid ripples and swirls to abstract geometric forms reminiscent of origami. The granular texture of the cork maintains a warm, organic feel, even with precise milling, and the 3D panels exhibit a characteristic lined texture. These dynamic patterns allow for the creation of undulating or complex geometric wall surfaces. Corkbricks, available in square or triangular modules, facilitate regular or uniquely irregular 3D installations. Two-dimensional designs include a progressive hexagonal pattern inspired by M.C. Escher, magnetic wave motifs, and op-art grids. Tessellating cork tile designs like Corkunit and Corkarc create complex topographic surfaces, while Corkboard offers a minimal diamond tile with optional shelves for display. The generative designs are functional, enhancing cork’s inherent thermal and acoustic properties. They transform cork from a utilitarian, often concealed material into a prominent feature in contemporary design. Gencork’s approach adds significant value and broadens cork's appeal for both commercial and residential projects, elevating cork wall tiles beyond their traditional perception into an attractive and disruptive design element. #MaterialsAndSurfaces #InnovationDesign #InnovativeMaterials #SustainableDesign #CorkDesign #GenerativeDesign #DigitalFabrication #InteriorDesign #ComputationalDesign

In 2017, Snarkitecture and Gufram collaborated on the 'Broken' series, which featured mirrors and a bench with frames that appeared stone-like but were actually made of polyurethane and coated in concrete-looking Guflac paint. This innovative use of materials created an ambiguous mix of hard appearance and unexpected softness in their initial collection. Now, the Italian radical design brand Gufram and the experimental New York architecture and design studio Snarkitecture have revisited this collection, introducing a new edition of furniture in a pastel pink shade. The inspiration for this new color came from classic bubblegum, chosen to add a fresh layer of playfulness to the 'Broken' series. This specific shade of pink was meticulously developed over the last year in close collaboration with the Gufram team. The newly colored 'Broken' bench by Snarkitecture for Gufram and the 'Broken' mirror are central to this updated collection. This pink furniture collection was specifically created for a special display at K11 Musea in Hong Kong. K11 Musea, inaugurated in 2019 by Adrian Cheng, serves as both a retail and art venue. For its annual 'Art Karnival' event, Gufram exclusively presented an immersive, all-pink showcase to debut this new color palette for their collaboration with Snarkitecture. The event provided a unique platform to highlight the playful and innovative nature of the revisited collection. Accompanying the full-sized pink furniture pieces, a collection of 'Guframini' was also launched in the same bubblegum pink shade. These 'Guframini' are miniature versions of some of Gufram’s most iconic radical design classics, including the 'Bocca' sofa and the 'Cactus' coat stand. These miniature versions were exclusively created for the K11 Musea event, further expanding the pink theme across their product range. Charley Vezza, Gufram’s global creative orchestrator, explained the choice of pink. He noted that Gufram had never previously released a product in this color. For the 'Broken' series, pink was a significant departure from Snarkitecture's usual black and white palette, signifying a deliberate and well-considered color choice. The decision to use pink was a simple yet bold one, encapsulated by the question, 'Pink… why not?' The collaboration highlights Gufram's legacy of radical design and Snarkitecture's experimental approach, demonstrating how a change in color can recontextualize and inject new life into an established collection. #Snarkitecture #Gufram #FurnitureDesign #PinkFurniture #RadicalDesign #ProductCollaboration #DesignExhibition #K11Musea #InteriorDesign

Universal Design Studio (UDS), an architectural practice founded in 2001 by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, is celebrating two decades of groundbreaking work. Documented in their new book, 'Inside Out' (Phaidon), the studio’s success is attributed to its collaborative spirit, involving over 240 individuals throughout its history. Unlike traditional design firms that emphasize a singular artistic vision, UDS operates as an “experimental playground” where multiple thinkers contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects. These projects span retail spaces for luxury brands like Stella McCartney and Mulberry, hospitality ventures such as the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch and a cocktail bar for Fortnum & Mason, exhibition designs for the V&A Museum and Frieze Art Fair, and workspaces for IMB and Jimmy Choo. Barber and Osgerby initially established UDS to differentiate their architectural and interiors work from their product and furniture design studio. They recognized that while a multidisciplinary approach was common in Italy, it was less understood in the UK. This led them to create a new division focused on architecture and interiors, with a strong emphasis on collaboration. The studio maintains an egalitarian approach, where no single author dictates a project's direction. Instead, teams work collectively, valuing diverse perspectives to break new ground and challenge conventional thinking in each sector. UDS is also known for its commitment to reusing and repurposing existing buildings, prioritizing how spaces are utilized and how they serve their communities over demolition and new construction. Despite being an architectural practice, Osgerby notes that they primarily focus on interior and adaptive reuse projects rather than constructing new buildings from the ground up. Jason Holley, director of UDS, explains that the studio's principle is to work 'from the inside out,' focusing on human experience and the specific context of a building. This ensures that every design solution is tailored to its site and users, rather than adhering to a signature stylistic approach. Key projects illustrate UDS's impact. The Stella McCartney stores in New York and London, completed in 2003, were early successes, demonstrating the seamless integration of bespoke product, industrial design, and interior architecture. The custom-made tile used in these stores exemplifies the studio's philosophy of bringing the detail of furniture design to architectural spaces. In 2012, the interactive Google Web Lab at the Science Museum showcased UDS's ability to blend physical and digital worlds, creating an engaging space for technological exploration and storytelling. The Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, completed in 2013, marked a pivotal moment for both the studio and the surrounding neighborhood. UDS, despite having no prior hotel experience, embraced the challenge and collaborated closely with the Ace team. This project, which blended hotel functionality with local culture and casual workspace, became a significant contributor to the area's identity. This success led to a long-term partnership with The Office Group, for whom UDS designed Tintagel House and other workspaces. Looking ahead, co-director Paul Gulati identifies future areas of focus, including improving experiences in healthcare for the aging community and revitalizing high streets, leveraging their expertise in creating community-focused spaces. Mobility and electric vehicles are also areas of interest. Holley emphasizes the studio's goal of creating spaces that people deserve, seeking clients and collaborators who share their passion for openness and innovation. Osgerby reflects on the studio's core aim as recreating a 'campus atmosphere,' reminiscent of his time at the Royal College of Art, where interdisciplinary collaboration fostered productive and exciting exchanges of ideas. #UniversalDesignStudio #ArchitecturePractice #InteriorDesign #CollaborativeDesign #SustainableDesign #EdwardBarber #JayOsgerby #HospitalityDesign #RetailDesign