From the Archive: This Early Kelly Wearstler Project Glimmers with Gilded Finishes and Rich Textures

This article highlights the work of renowned California interior designer Kelly Wearstler, focusing on her furniture collection launched in partnership with E.J. Victor. Wearstler, known for her avant-garde and exciting approach to design, is celebrated for her unique sense of flair, evident in her dramatic lighting and exquisite furniture pieces. The collection, which debuted to significant acclaim, is characterized by its fashion-forward yet expensive nature, catering to a clientele seeking high-end design. The collection emphasizes the use of luxurious materials, including alabaster, burnished bronze, marble, ruched leather, bleached ash, ebonized walnut, cerused wood, fractured glass, and goat fur. These materials are meticulously combined to create pieces that embody a "raw and refined" aesthetic, a signature style of Wearstler. Examples of her distinctive designs include the limited-edition Bejeweled Stool, priced at $28,000, which is adorned with semi-precious stones. Another notable piece is the Trousdale dining table, valued at $17,500, featuring an intricate inlaid top with geometric blocks. The table is presented in both natural oak, which evokes a 1960s aesthetic, and ebonized oak, where the dark parquet creates a rich interplay of grain. The furniture range extends beyond dining tables and stools to include beds, chests, and various upholstery options. Wearstler's design philosophy aims for a modern yet timeless appeal. This is achieved through distinctive details such as rough stone hardware paired with gunmetal, and bronze mirrors encircled with chunks of jewels. The collection also features unlacquered perforated bronze, handcrafted into console and dining tables designed to develop a unique patina over time. Additionally, an architectural side table is crafted from stripes of honed black and white marble, showcasing a striking visual contrast. E.J. Victor, the manufacturing partner, is recognized for its history of producing esteemed collections for prominent designers like Ralph Lauren and Aerin, the granddaughter of Estee Lauder. Wearstler's collaboration with E.J. Victor places her in a distinguished category of designers. Her work is seen as catering to individuals with discerning tastes and the means to acquire high-value design pieces. Some industry observers have credited Wearstler with pioneering a revolution in modern American design, continually pushing boundaries with her innovative and opulent creations. #InteriorDesign #FurnitureDesign #LuxuryInteriors #KellyWearstler #ModernDesign #TimelessDesign #HighEndFurniture #DesignerCollection #HomeDecor

Kelly Wearstler, a prominent figure in contemporary American design, views design as an intuitive process akin to falling in love repeatedly. Her distinctive style, characterized by sumptuous and vibrant interiors, is evident in high-end residences and luxury hotels worldwide, from Beverly Hills to the Caribbean. Wearstler's design philosophy is deeply influenced by a wide array of sources, including global travel, nature, architecture, fashion, graphic design, literature, and art, with particular admiration for the works of Pierre Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Carlo Scarpa, Louis Kahn, Gio Ponti, and Carlo Mollino. Her eponymous luxury-lifestyle brand encompasses a broad spectrum of design services, including residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design, alongside curated collections of furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wallcoverings, tiles, luxe bedding, fine china, and decorative home accessories. Wearstler's design approach is marked by a sophisticated contrast of raw and refined elements, a harmonious blend of color, and a thoughtful integration of diverse periods of furniture. This unique methodology has earned her recognition on prestigious lists such as Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Architecture & Interior Design, Elle Décor’s A-List, Wallpaper’s Top 20 Designers, and TIME Style & Design’s Design 100. She conceptualizes each project as an opportunity for storytelling, aiming to create evocative, adventurous, and soulful narratives through a rich mix of materials and influences. Her mantra, “love color, take risks, stay curious,” guides her attraction to designs that intelligently utilize materiality, juxtapose various historical styles, and introduce an element of surprise. Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1967, Wearstler honed her skills in interior and graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art. After relocating to the West Coast, she launched her design business, initially gaining traction with the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. This success paved the way for numerous international projects, including the Viceroy Santa Monica, multiple properties for the Viceroy Group, and the Four Seasons Anguilla, where she skillfully merged natural elements like driftwood and petrified wood with global textiles to redefine Caribbean luxury. Her portfolio also features the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant in New York City, which elegantly combines elements from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the Compartés flagship store in Los Angeles, a modern reinterpretation of classic European chocolate shops. Her residential work spans high-profile homes for celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Ben Stiller. A current venture, Proper Hospitality, involves the design of high-end residences and hotels, with completed projects including the Hollywood Proper Residences, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, and San Francisco Proper Hotel. These projects showcase her signature blend of vintage and new furnishings, custom lighting, bespoke elements, and local artworks. Upcoming Proper hotels in Austin and Downtown Los Angeles further demonstrate her expansive vision. Wearstler emphasizes the importance of client collaboration, stating that the most successful projects arise when clients actively voice their vision. Her role is to interpret and filter these ideas, creating spaces that evoke specific moods and tell compelling stories. She stresses the significance of scale and hierarchy within a space, advocating for a thoughtful mix of texture, history, pattern, and color to achieve balance and allow statement pieces to stand out. Her creative process involves deep research into a location's history and architecture, followed by an intuitive selection of art, rugs, and vintage pieces to establish the core vibe. She uses “vibe trays” to visualize how all elements, textures, and colors will harmoniously interact within a space, sourcing unique items from around the globe to curate truly distinctive environments. Wearstler sees windows as framed artworks that integrate external elements and colors into the interior, further enhancing the cohesive design narrative. Throughout her career, Wearstler has continually challenged herself, taking risks and expanding her artistic horizons. She views her clients, particularly those from the film, music, and art industries, as vital partners and teachers, each contributing unique perspectives that enrich her design process. A key distinction in her work is the tailored approach to residential versus hospitality projects; while both receive the same passion and explorative process, hospitality designs require a greater focus on commercial specifications and creating a comfortable, home-like atmosphere unique to the location. Turning points in her career include the Avalon Hotel, the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant, and the large-scale Westfield Century City renovation, all of which pushed her creative boundaries and fostered a sense of accomplishment. Wearstler's home collections target individuals who appreciate art, travel, and thoughtful details, offering environments designed to expand experiences and heighten senses. Her ongoing projects continue to explore new commercial and residential ventures globally, consistently seeking the next design adventure. #KellyWearstler #InteriorDesign #ModernAmericanDesign #LuxuryInteriors #HospitalityDesign #ResidentialDesign #DesignPhilosophy #ArchitecturalDesign #StorytellingInDesign

This article highlights the transformation of a high-rise galley kitchen in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, owned by Ivee and Sam Fromkin. Perched on the 18th floor, the apartment offers panoramic views of the Shrewsbury River, the Atlantic Ocean, and the New York skyline. After 25 years, the existing kitchen, which had become worn from daily use and frequent entertaining, underwent a significant renovation to maximize space and modernize its aesthetic and functionality. Ivee Fromkin, an interior designer herself, spearheaded the renovation. The initial galley kitchen was constrained, prompting her to raise the ceiling to create a more open feel. A wall separating the kitchen from the dining room was removed, allowing for a more fluid connection between the spaces. To further enhance the kitchen's footprint and functionality, 4 feet were incorporated from the adjacent dining room. This reclaimed space allowed for the installation of a counter with seating for four, strategically angled to provide diners with optimal views. Despite retaining a galley layout, the redesigned kitchen feels considerably more spacious. Ivee emphasized the importance of accessibility and efficiency in her design, noting that during cooking, everything is within easy reach. The renovation also included significant appliance upgrades, such as replacing a single wall oven with a double oven. A notable addition is a refrigerator featuring French-style glass doors, which Ivee describes as a "gem" for its aesthetic appeal. Material selection was a crucial aspect of the renovation, balancing beauty with practicality. The countertops were chosen in hammered black granite with a dull finish, contrasting with the shiny black granite floors that were original to the apartment. This choice was deliberate, as the dull finish helps conceal fingerprints and dust, making maintenance easier. The rough edges of the countertops also add a textural element and visual interest to the space. Glass-front cabinets were installed, offering both a decorative element and practical visibility, allowing the Fromkins to easily locate items. The backsplash features white Carerra marble, cut in two different sizes to add visual depth and interest. The walls were painted white, with a subtle touch of pale lilac used inside the tray ceilings, providing a "tiny pop of color." The reconfigured layout also created space for a dedicated bar area on the dining room side, where the Fromkins proudly display their collection of cocktail shakers. The article mentions that bar stools, purchased in 1990, were revitalized with crisp white slipcovers, chosen for their easy washability. This choice inspired Ivee to use the same pure-white cotton fabric for slipcovers on all the living room furniture, ensuring durability and ease of cleaning, especially with grandchildren actively using the space. Completed in 2008, the kitchen continues to maintain a chic and contemporary appearance. For the Fromkins, it has become the central hub of their home, where they enjoy dinner at the counter each night, savoring the sunset views. The breathtaking views from their apartment are cited by Sam Fromkin as a primary reason for their continued enjoyment of the residence. #HomeRenovation #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #HighRiseLiving #SpaceMaximization #LuxuryKitchen #MonmouthBeach #HomeDecor #ApplianceUpgrades

Kass Wilson, owner and creative director of WallsTreat Studio, is a renowned faux artist specializing in subtle and sophisticated finishes for both residential and commercial spaces. Moving to Atlanta in 1985 from Minnesota, Wilson's passion for design led her to work with architects and designers in corporate interior furnishings. In 1992, she transitioned into decorative artistry, focusing on creating unique finishes and eventually authoring the how-to book "Creative Finishes." WallsTreat Studio, established in 1993, offers architectural finishes and decorative arts services, serving as a vital resource for interior designers and architects in Atlanta. Wilson clarifies that 'faux finish,' often mistakenly associated with simple techniques like sponge painting, is a broader term encompassing various decorative artistry methods, including murals and simulations of natural elements like wood and marble. These finishes can be applied to diverse surfaces such as walls, ceilings, cabinets, columns, mantels, vent hoods, and floors. Decorative finishes play a crucial role in enhancing a space by providing balance, disguising imperfections, accentuating architecture, unifying color schemes, and adding dramatic flair. Modern finishes incorporate innovative materials like glass beads, mica sheets, glitter, reflective elements, foils, and intricate patterns. These techniques are versatile enough for contemporary, transitional, eclectic, and traditional design styles. Artists like Wilson can masterfully mimic natural materials such as marble, granite, wood grains, leather, concrete, and various metals including galvanized steel, aged copper, pewter, and gold leaf, often requiring physical interaction to discern their authenticity. Wilson recalls a significant early mistake from nearly two decades ago when attempting to marbleize columns, resulting in an unintended barber pole effect due to incorrect veining angles. She advises homeowners against attempting complex finishes as a simple DIY project after a brief demonstration, emphasizing the expertise required. Another common homeowner error is selecting a finish as the initial design element; instead, it should be the last, chosen to complement existing features like rugs, flooring, and window treatments. Among her most challenging projects was applying a stone-like finish to an elevator shaft with a glass cab, incorporating carved sayings at each stop. Her design pet peeve involves fixing poorly executed cabinet finishes by others. Currently, Wilson is engrossed in integrating patterns and designs in unconventional ways to harmonize with a space's architecture. She appreciates the resurgence of patterns and reflective products in design, while being glad to see the decline of heavy, Old World Tuscan styles with yellow tones and thick textures, as well as perfectly straight wall stripes. One of her most unusual requests involved creating a floor illusion of concrete breaking away to reveal a fiery abyss. Recent projects include transforming walls in a downtown Atlanta high-rise to resemble concrete, slate, or large metal sheets, and crafting a stunning reception area wall for a law office that reinforced its brand message. Looking ahead, Wilson plans to focus on cabinet refinishing using a sprayed catalyzed lacquered finish, aiming for a factory-quality result. WallsTreat Studio can be found at www.kasswilson.com and on Facebook. #KassWilson #WallsTreatStudio #FauxArtistry #DecorativeFinishes #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalFinishes #HomeDecor #AtlantaDesigners #CreativeFinishes