Nine creatives designing dreamy renderings

Christian Dior founded his fashion house in 1946 and sought a distinct seating option for his atelier, ultimately choosing a design that became known as The Medallion Chair. This chair, a refined interpretation of a classic Louis XVI dining chair featuring an oval back and seat, embodied a somber, simple, classic, and Parisian aesthetic. Over time, The Medallion Chair evolved beyond its functional role, becoming an iconic design motif that appeared in Dior boutiques, on perfume bottles, and as a fixture within the atelier. Its enduring presence cemented its status as a symbol of Dior's design philosophy. For a special exhibition at Milan's Salone del Mobile, the house of Dior commissioned 17 international artists, architects, and designers to reimagine this iconic Medallion Chair. Each participant was given artistic freedom to interpret the chair's classic form. Among the interpretations, architect India Mahdavi presented five versions, each upholstered with vibrant, plush embroidery, which she described as a "cohesive tribe despite their individuality." Milan-based design firm Dimore Studio adopted an art historical approach, deconstructing an antique chair and then meticulously reassembling it, incorporating bronze grafts to restore missing elements. Ma Yansong, founder of MAD Architects, created a glossy, futurism-inspired seat that conveyed the illusion of melting in a strong wind, demonstrating a contemporary and dynamic take on the classic design. The exhibition itself featured these diverse chairs displayed on elevated, rounded platforms within a dimly lit space. This presentation evoked the atmosphere of a recent gathering, reminiscent of Mr. Dior’s early fashion shows, with the guests seemingly having just departed, leaving behind visions of haute couture. The curated display offered attendees a unique opportunity to witness the intersection of fashion, art, and design through the lens of Dior's enduring legacy and the creative visions of contemporary artists. #DiorMedallionChair #SaloneDelMobile #MilanDesignWeek #ChairDesign #FashionAndDesign #ArtisticInterpretation #ChristianDior #FurnitureArt

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation

Fashion designers, whose professional lives revolve around clothing, possess a unique expertise in maintaining organized closets. Their approach emphasizes proper storage solutions rather than elaborate custom installations. Six notable designers—Clare Vivier, Nina Sarin Arias, Laura Cramer, Nathalie Saphier, Joyce Lee, and Oleema Miller—offer insights into their methods for keeping wardrobes neat and functional. For everyday items like T-shirts and gym wear, Laura Cramer, cofounder of Apiece Apart, recommends using baskets to prevent clutter and store folded clothes, particularly those that don't wrinkle easily. These woven plastic and reed baskets are practical for maximizing dresser space. When it comes to hangable garments, Clare Vivier, a Los Angeles designer, prefers acrylic skinny hangers, which allow for a greater number of clothes to be stored on racks compared to bulkier alternatives like wood or velvet hangers. Nathalie Saphier, founder of Replica of Los Angeles, utilizes stacked mesh drawer units to organize smaller items such as swimsuits, socks, hosiery, underwear, and tote bags. The mesh design allows for easy visibility and retrieval. For belts, Joyce Lee, head designer at Madewell, repurposes S-hooks, a method she observed her visuals team using. These hooks efficiently hang belts, and can also be used for caps, clutches, and scarves, saving significant space. For cold-weather accessories and travel essentials like eye masks, headphones, and cashmere wraps, Clare Vivier uses small baskets to prevent them from being left in disarray. Nina Sarin Arias, founder and creative director of ARIAS, opts for handmade, character-rich baskets, like those crafted from cotton rope, for these types of items. Saphier also champions a 42-pair shoe organizer featuring gray plastic hooks and telescopic tension poles, providing a vertical storage solution for an extensive shoe collection. Laura Cramer advises using the top of dressers or open shelves to display dainty accessories and collectibles, such as jewelry, buttons, and personal mementos, recommending shallow bowls and trays by ceramist Colleen Hennessey for this purpose. Oleema Miller, cofounder of MIKOH, stores bulkier statement jewelry in stackable acrylic drawers, which keep items separated, safe, and visibly displayed. For underwear drawers, Joyce Lee suggests fabric divided compartments to keep undergarments and socks tidy, ensuring they remain folded and organized. Seasonal items and spare linens, which are not part of daily wardrobes, are best stored separately. Lee recommends water-hyacinth bins placed under the bed for sheets, towels, and winter coats. Finally, for those with walk-in closets, Nina Sarin Arias highlights the utility of an ottoman or bench. This piece of furniture can serve as a space to lay out outfits, aid in packing, or function as a folding station on laundry day, enhancing the overall functionality and tidiness of the closet space. #ClosetOrganization #FashionDesignerTips #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #ClutterFree #SpaceSaving #WardrobeManagement #Decluttering

The "Meeting of minds" article highlights a growing trend where artists, textile specialists, and interior designers are collaborating to create distinctive and innovative design solutions for homes. This collaborative approach fosters a synergy that leads to unique aesthetic outcomes, moving beyond conventional design practices. Traditionally, the fields of art, textiles, and interior design have often operated in separate silos. However, this article indicates a shift towards interdisciplinary cooperation, where the strengths of each discipline are combined to produce a more holistic and personalized living space. Artists contribute their creative vision and mastery of form and color, often translating their fine art skills into functional design elements. This could involve bespoke murals, custom sculptures, or curated art pieces that serve as focal points within an interior. Textile specialists play a crucial role by bringing their expertise in materials, textures, patterns, and weaving techniques. Their contributions extend beyond merely selecting fabrics; they are actively involved in designing custom textiles that complement the artistic vision and overall interior scheme. This might include developing unique weaves, dyeing techniques, or digital printing methods to create textiles that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, adding depth and warmth to a room. Interior designers act as the orchestrators of these collaborations, integrating artistic elements and specialized textiles into a cohesive and livable environment. They are responsible for understanding the client's needs and translating the collective creative input into a functional and beautiful space. Their role involves balancing aesthetics with practicality, ensuring that the artistic and textile contributions enhance the home's overall design while meeting ergonomic and spatial requirements. This trend signifies a move away from mass-produced, generic interior elements towards a more bespoke and artisanal approach to home design. Clients are increasingly seeking spaces that reflect their individuality and tell a story, and these collaborations enable the creation of highly customized interiors. The article suggests that this interdisciplinary approach results in richer, more layered, and personally resonant environments that transcend typical design trends. Furthermore, such collaborations often involve a deep understanding of historical and cultural contexts, allowing for the incorporation of diverse influences into contemporary designs. This fusion can lead to innovative reinterpretations of classic styles or the creation of entirely new aesthetic languages. The article implies that the collective intelligence and varied skill sets of these professionals lead to designs that are not only visually striking but also imbued with a deeper sense of artistry and craftsmanship. This evolution in design practice underscores the value of cross-disciplinary engagement in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in home aesthetics and functionality. #InteriorDesign #TextileDesign #ArtisticCollaboration #HomeDecor #CustomInteriors #CreativeDesign #Craftsmanship #DesignInnovation