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IDEA BOOK
ISSUE
H I GH - STYL E FURN I TURE , D É CO R, TRE N D S SPACE S WE L O V E , PL ACE S TO V I SI T + V AN CO UV E R’S D E SI GN SCE N E
THE SHELTER ISSU
Architect: Chadbourne + Doss Builder: Dovetail Photo: Kevin Scott
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THE SHELTER ISSUE
12 . M A S T H E A D 14 . V I T A L S
INTEL
DESIGN DNA
26. F I R S T L O O K
36. T R E N D S
The winter-inspired release from Heath Ceramics, an exhibition dedicated to the life and work of Swedish architect Sigurd Lewerentz, a book on avant-garde architecture, and more.
22. D E S I G N D I S P A T C H
Vancouver’s tight-knit design scene.
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The design industry is booming. Here are three trends to help guide your next project.
40. I N S P I R A T I O N
Three room designs we love.
44. O B J E C T S O F D E S I R E
The great room revival: a roomby-room collection of stylish furniture, lighting, kitchen appliances, and homewares.
ON THE COVER
The latest residential project from Milan-based Dimorestudio, and the apartment of the design firm’s cofounder Emiliano Salci. By Rachel Gallaher See page 40
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FEATURES 67 . D E S I G N D I S C O V E R Y
The renovation of a historic Boston brownstone weaves together different eras of design history.
76 . E M B R A C I N G THE CURVES
Tasked with turning a straightfrom-the-developer apartment into a warm and welcoming home, designer Greg Natale used a muted palette and curved silhouettes to soften to the space.
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L AST CALL 82. C O N C I E R G E
Exceptional places to dine, sip, and stay, from a rooftop bar in New York City to a Venetiancicchetti-inspired eatery in Vancouver to a high-end resort in Montana.
96 . A G E N D A
Top picks for happenings on the international design scene.
9 4. T R A N S P O R T
A newly installed timber-andsteel bridge demonstrates the benefits of plug-and-play urbanism.
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MASTHEAD
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Publisher Shawn Williams EDITORIAL
Deputy Editor Rachel Gallaher rachel@graymag.com Copy Editor Christine DeOrio
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Account Executive, International Meredith Barberich meredith@graymag.com New Business Development John Spear Coffeehouse Media seafll@mac.com
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INQUIRIES
info@graymag.com editors@graymag.com advertising@graymag.com events@graymag.com subscriptions@graymag.com distribution@graymag.com accounting@graymag.com No. 60. Copyright ©2021. Published bimonthly (FEB, APR, JUNE, AUG, OCT, DEC) by GRAY Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. While every attempt has been made, GRAY cannot guarantee the legality, completeness, or accuracy of the information presented and accepts no warranty or responsibility for such.
ALYN GRIFFITHS (“Top-Shelf Trends” page 36, “The Great Room Revival” page 44) writes about architecture, design, and culture for some of the world’s leading architecture, design, and lifestyle publications, including Dezeen, Wallpaper*, and CNN Style. He is the author of the Future City (Lannoo Publishers, 2021) and 21st Century Lighting Design (Bloomsbury 2014), and the former design editor of Port magazine.
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ALISON SINKEWICZ (“Design Dispatch: Vancouver” page 30) is a Vancouver-based art and design writer. Her work has appeared in Disegno, Wallpaper*, Dwell, Canadian Art, Azure, the Editorial Magazine, and NUVO, among other publications.
Additional Contributors Andrea Ferrai Haris Kenjar Michael Stavardis
Landscape Design and Installation Architectural Planters for Commercial and Residential Applications 517 E Pike Street Seattle WA 98122 206.329.4737 www.ragenassociates.com
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DESIGN EXPLORERS
VITALS
Designers Lindsey Adelman and Yves Béhar have each had a series of light-bulb moments throughout their careers. For the New York–based Adelman, who started designing one-of-a-kind lighting in 2006, most of those moments have been literal. Known for her use of organic shapes and hand-wrought materials such as blown glass, she has created iconic pieces including the Branching Bubble chandeliers and the linear Agnes collection. Béhar, who founded his industrial design and brand-development firm, Fuseproject, in 1999, is known for his inventiveness and creativity in problem-solving. From wearable technology to the world’s first smart bassinet, his creations constantly push the limits of design, combining a keen sense of humor with the desire to help change the world.
Yves Béhar
Lindsey Adelman
INDUSTRY Product design, built environment Lighting design DESIGN STYLE Integrated, holistic, rooted in optimism Intuitive DESIGNS WHAT “Firsts” Lighting
SWAG SCONCE, PARADISE COLLECTION
STUDIO LOCATION San Francisco New York City and Los Angeles FIRST PRODUCT Space Scent perfume bottles Lunette, a clip-on lamp shade PRODUCT MOST KNOWN FOR Sayl chair for Herman Miller Branching Bubble chandelier DREAM COLLABORATION Working with scientists and visionaries to change the worlds A NYC subway car takeover of healthcare, transportation, sustainability, and social good
WISH LIST An updated and electrified 1970 Honda Vamos, A Rick Owens seasonal subscription a portable, James Turrell–designed Skyspace, and a Bazaar sofa by Superstudio Group
SNOO ROBOTIC BASSINET
BEST ADVICE RECEIVED Pain is temporary, suck is forever. Leave a party while you’re having a good time. FUTURE OF DESIGN A balance of technical breakthroughs In one word: with the preservation of human values, e.g., dematerialization helpful robots and compassionate AI
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JUSTIN BUELL, COURTESY FUSEPROJECTS; COURTESY LINDSEY ADELMAN STUDIO; NIGEL COX; LAUREN COLEMAN
BIGGEST INSPIRATION The idiosyncrasies of modern life Mother Nature
Modern homecoming
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DOWBUILT ARCHITECTURE / mwworks PHOTOGRAPHY / Kevin Scott
ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
The following design firms are among the best in the world, and are included here on an invite-only basis. We are proud to call them our partners. Consider them first for your next project. To learn more about each firm, visit graymag.com
BjarkoSerra Architects bjarkoserra.com
Designs Northwest Architects designsnw.com
First Lamp firstlamp.net
GATH Interior Design gathinteriordesign.com
Atelier Drome atelierdrome.com
babienko ARCHITECTS pllc babienkoarchitects.com
Baylis Architects baylisarchitects.com
BC&J Architecture bcandj.com
Eggleston | Farkas Architects eggfarkarch.com
Evoke International Design evoke.ca
Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio guggenheimstudio.com
H2D Architects h2darchitects.com
Hoedemaker Pfeiffer hoedemakerpfeiffer.com
Hoshide Wanzer Architects hw-architects.com
Minarik Architecture minarikarch.com
Mutuus Studio mutuus-studio.com
skylab skylabarchitecture.com
Steelhead Architecture steelheadarchitecture.com
Tyler Engle Architects tylerengle.com
Uptic Studios upticstudios.com
Hyde Evans Design hydeevansdesign.com
Janof Architecture janofarchitecture.com
SCOTT | EDWARDS ARCHITECTURE LLP seallp.com
SHKS Architects shksarchitects.com
Stephenson Design Collective stephensoncollective.com
Studio AM Architecture | Interiors studioamarchitects.com
Works Progress Architecture worksarchitecture.net
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New and noteworthy in global design, inspiring interior spaces, and room-by-room furniture and décor.
The latest additions to Tom Dixon’s Melt family of lighting products include statement chandeliers comprising multiple glowing orbs. The irregularly shaped shades are half metallized to enhance the dynamic optical effect, tomdixon.net. —Alyn Griffiths
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FO R T H E GR AV E , AND B EYON D The enigmatic Sigurd Lewerentz (1885– 1975) rarely spoke publicly and even less frequently published his thoughts on design, and yet he is one of the most influential modernist architects to come out of Sweden. On October 1, ArkDes (Sweden’s national center for architecture and design in Stockholm) opened Sigurd Lewerentz: Architect of Death and Life, the first major exhibition of the work of Lewerentz since the 1980s. Initially trained as a mechanical engineer and architect, Lewerentz set up an independent practice in Stockholm in 1911, and four years later he won the competition to design a new cemetery in Stockholm. His proposal, submitted with Gunnar Asplund, would yield one of Lewerentz’s most famous projects: the Woodland Cemetery, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Throughout his career, Lewerentz would continue to design cemeteries, as well as churches, office buildings, products, and more. The exhibition will include photographs, drawings, sketches, and models. 26
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Axonometric view
of an office building in Stockholm designed by Sigurd Lewerentz for Philips; Furniture for the department store NK, Stockholm Exhibition 1930; The crematorium at Eastern Cemetary in Malmö.
It’s not common to visit an art museum and think about the parts of a collection that aren’t on display, but when it came to Rotterdam’s Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen art-storage facility, the idea of full accessibility was central to the design. Opening in early November 2021, the MVRDV-designed building, located next to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, will allow visitors to see the institution’s full collection of 151,000 artifacts. A building that opens 99 percent of its square footage to the public is rare in the art world—its in-the-round shape and crisscrossing staircases will lead visitors to exhibition rooms and curators’ studios, breaking down traditional front- and back-of-house demarcations. Artifacts will stand wrapped, hang from racks, be displayed in cabinets, or be exhibited in one of 13 gigantic glass cases suspended in the atrium. Prints, drawings, and photographs will be stored in enclosed spaces, but visitors can submit requests to view these works. The building’s striking façade comprises 71,139 square feet of glass subdivided into 1,664 mirrored panels that reflect the surrounding Museum park designed by landscape architect Yves Brunier with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture. »
ARKDES COLLECTIONS; JOHAN DEHLIN; ËOSSIP VAN DUIVENBODE
FIRST LOOK
ALL-ACCESS ARCHITECTURE
Searching for the perfect color? You don’t have to look far. Find your favorite color at one of these independently owned Benjamin Moore retailers.
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TOMMY’S PAINT POT tommyspaintpot.com
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©2021 Benjamin Moore & Co. Benjamin Moore and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co. All other marks are the property of their respective owner. 8/21
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Launched October 1, the Heath Ceramics winter release takes inspiration from the darkest night of the year. Featuring four new glazes, the Solstice collection pairs the deep purples and rich cranberry reds of a vibrant sunset with the dusk-and-dawn tones of pale blue and light lavender. Driven by glaze exploration, and covering items ranging from mugs and vases to bowls, candles, and serving dishes, the seasonal palette highlights a special glaze-application technique developed by Mel Danico with an assist from Winnie Crittenden, Heath’s most experienced glazer and the niece of the brand’s founder, Edith Heath.
D E S I G N ON T H E WILD SIDE Some architects thrive when given a tight set of design constraints, while others crave uninhibited freedom to design the seemingly impossible. Architecture Unbound (out November 23 through Rizzoli), looks at the latter, celebrating some of the most avantgarde buildings of the past 100 years, many of which have become icons of modern architecture. Written by noted author and architecture critic Joseph Giovannini, the book examines the rise of social, cultural, and political 28
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movements in the decades after World War I and their impacts on the field of architecture, as well as the discipline’s evolution into digital form-making in the 21st century. Giovannini profiles influential practitioners and their most notable projects, including Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao Museum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Opera House, Daniel Libeskind’s Jewish Museum Berlin, Rem Koolhaas’ CCTV headquarters, and more. —Rachel Gallaher h
The Main Museum of Los Angeles Art, (2014-2017), designed by Tom Wiscombe Architecture. JEFFERY CROSS; © TOM WISCOMBE ARCHITECTURE
FIRST LOOK
G L A Z I NG S UC C E SS
sculpted objects, functional pieces, and design environments brentcomber.com
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ANC O UVE
INTEL
DESIGN DISPATCH
KNOWN AS THE CITY OF GL ASS, BRITISH COLUMBIA’S ICONIC METROPOLIS HAS A TIGHT-KNIT DESIGN SCENE WITH DEEP ROOTS IN THE REGION’S PAST. By Alison Sinkewicz Tucked into an inlet on the southwestern coast of Canada, Vancouver has come into its own in relative isolation. Removed from the influence of other urban centers and surrounded by nature, the city has fostered a thriving, if insular, creative community rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and artistic self-sufficiency. Minimalism is at home here, and the city’s relationship with the style is constant but evolving. Midcentury design was defined by West Coast Modernism, a style that emerged in the 1930s and ’40s and featured natural materials and low-profile builds that complement, rather than compete with, their surroundings. One of the most prominent architects to come out of Vancouver during this time was Arthur Erickson, whose work can still be seen at the city’s Robson Square and at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. A real-estate boom in the 1980s jolted the urban skyline upward with dozens of minimal, glass-walled skyscrapers, many of which still stand. The rapid development led local writer and multidisciplinary artist Douglas Coupland to dub Vancouver the City of Glass. Over the years, as travel, technology, and globalism have connected the world, Vancouver’s isolation has diminished. The city’s colonial legacy is being challenged, and its increasingly diverse population, including a large Asian community, is finding overdue recognition in the design scene. Refined minimalism—paired with an outdoorsy utility and emphasis on progressive ideology and sustainability— remains an integral part of the city’s contemporary design ethos. In a precarious post-pandemic world, Vancouver feels suited to a creative process that is more intentional and reflective, and architects, makers, and designers are continuing to produce work that stands out on the global design stage. Read on to discover a guide to designers, and must-visit places, that embody Vancouver’s ethos. »
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AILEEN LEE
The work of Vancouver fashion designer Aileen Lee, who founded her inclusive clothing line Vestige in 2015, presents minimal and well-tailored looks.
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EAT
Opened in 2020, ShuckShuck presents a unique take on oysters and their typical accoutrements. Emphasizing sustainability and offering variety in an inspired array of toppings ranging from a simple Champagne mignonette jelly to more complex banh mi–inspired flavors, Shuck-Shuck’s menu offers a combination for every palate. This
pared-back yet playful approach is echoed in the restaurant’s unique design, executed by Toronto’s Batay-Csorba Architects. A 56-foot-long, serpentine concrete bar meanders through the space, its curves creating moments of intimacy and connection within the standing-room-only restaurant. »
STAY
THE DOUGLAS
Part of downtown’s Parq Vancouver—a casino and resort complex in the city center—the Douglas, Autograph Collection Hotel works hard to defy expectations of the typical casino-adjacent 32
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hotel. And it succeeds. Conceived by New York City’s Celano Design Studio, the 188-room hotel takes cues from the design philosophy of the late Vancouver-based architect Arthur Erikson,
who once proclaimed that concrete is “the marble of our time.” The Douglas juxtaposes such modernist impulses with nods to nature—guest rooms feature rich wood paneling contrasted with exposed
concrete ceilings, contemporary art, and views of Vancouver’s glassy downtown. The property is currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions but anticipates reopening in early 2022.
SILENTSAMA ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY; JEREMY SEGAL
DESIGN DISPATCH
SHUCKSHUCK
BUY
CALEN KNAUF
The soft mesh of the Plane bowl gently cradles fruits to prevent bruising. The Sponge table made of what seems to be foam surprises users with its heft. The handheld Roli mirror is easily portable and ideal for moving around the house in search of the best light. Knauf’s alluring, laissez-faire approach makes him an ideal
partner for Stüssy—he has collaborated with the streetwear brand since 2007, when he was invited to design T-shirt graphics; the partnership has since yielded retail interiors, accessories, and branding. Recently, Knauf’s eponymous line and the Stüssy collaboration were picked up by Canadian online retailer SSENSE. h
CONRAD BROWN
Sport and utility define Calen Knauf’s eponymous line of stylish homewares that beg to be put to work. Using a range of inventive materials (carbonated aluminum panels, bamboo, blended paper pulp), Knauf brings a much-needed touch of playfulness to the world of design. Singular hand-welded aluminum vases await their flowers.
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DESIGN DISPATCH
INTEL
WEAR
VISIT
BARTER
Founded in 2014, Barter offers naturalistic and minimal homewares and furniture: candlesticks inspired by alder trees, hand-turned maple rolling pins, pristine solid-brass bowls. The brand’s founder, Kenneth Torrance, brought his streamlined designs from his base on British Columbia’s scenic Sunshine Coast to the city earlier this year with the opening of a flagship store in Vancouver’s Eastside. In addition to the brand’s wares, the shop also offers a selection of work from local designers, including handcrafted glassware from Goodbeast and blankets by MacGee Cloth Company.
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Vancouver-based slow-fashion studio Vestige is interested in the narratives we weave with the clothes we wear. Founder Aileen Lee lends an interdisciplinary perspective to her poetic, purposeful designs made with artistic, environmental, and social integrity. Since founding the line in 2015, she has paired a minimalist sensibility with immaculate tailoring to create womenswear meant to last—with sizes that are inclusive. From linen-blend separates to classic loungewear, all new styles come in 3XL, and pre-orders are available in 4XL. In the spring of 2021, Lee launched Vestige Study, an exploratory studio focused on observing and collecting stories (from clients, as well as from locals in the arts, food, and design communities) about creative practices and sharing them on her website as a source of inspiration, a means of connecting the community, and a platform for voices aside from her own.
COURTESY BARTER; AILEEN LEE
VESTIGE
SEE
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like today. The firm’s work encompasses residential (new construction, renovations, interiors, landscape), commercial, and hospitality design. After honing their skills at local studios Scott Posno Design
and Ste. Marie Art + Design, respectively, Hanna and Sims have developed an astute understanding of modernist typologies, coupled with an appreciation of place. The architects’ refined
perspective is best articulated in their single-family dwellings, which highlight a proclivity for natural materials and a sensitivity to site that seamlessly places their work in the local design vernacular. »
DOUBLESPACE PHOTO
Founded by University of British Columbia classmates Darcy Hanna and Emma Sims in 2017, &daughters is a young architecture firm that is redefining what West Coast Modernism looks
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DESIGN DNA
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TOP-SHELF TRENDS TRENDS
The design industry is back in business and recent trade events around the world have provided plenty of new product launches to get excited about. We’ve picked out three trends to help guide your next project. By Alyn Griffiths
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LOUNGING AROUND
PHILIPPE FRAGNIÈRE; MOONSETTER LAMP: COURTESY LOUIS POULSEN
Who says you have to sacrifice style to create a cozy space? These picks prove that with the right shapes and textures, it’s easy to achieve laid-back comfort with a luxurious twist. 1. New from Bohinc Studio’s Afternoon Tea collection, the Kissing sofa has room for two. The piece’s sensuous curves are covered in textured upholstery, accentuating the open-mouthed shape for which the sofa is named, bohincstudio.com. 2. Enhance the atmosphere of any room with the Moonsetter floor lamp, a collaboration between Louis Poulsen and Danish architect Anne Boysen. Available in Denmark this fall, and to the rest of the world in 2022, the sculptural piece is made from solid chrome-plated, mirror-polished aluminum and has a rotating disc that allows the user to customize the reflection of the light emitted by an LED source, louispoulsen.com. 3. One of the most unique-looking pieces to come out of Design Week Milan, Horm’s Mass Pressure armchair by Dror Benshetrit is formed by compressing a cubic meter of foam rubber into the components for a functional piece of furniture, horm.it. 4. The rounded, foam-filled Boa pouf is designer Sabine Marcelis’ first foray into soft-form furniture. Its wool upholstery is applied using an innovative shape-knitting technique that eliminates all visible seams for exceptionally comfortable lounging, hem.com. 5. Designed by Sebastian Herkner for Ligne Roset, the shape of the Lewa occasional table takes inspiration from the geological phenomenon of basalt columns, which are formed by the solidification and thermal contraction of magma flows and, when grouped together, can have irregularly shaped depressions on the top layer, ligne-roset.com. »
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DESIGN DNA
TRENDS
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BRILLIANT + BOLD
This year’s collections from leading design brands are flooded with colorful prints and bold patterns—a trend we plan to fully embrace. Vibrant accessories are a quick way to liven up a space, and choosing colors that complement your décor will ensure the effect isn’t overwhelming. Try using characterful furniture and accessories to create a maximalist scheme that will be the star of every Zoom meeting you attend.
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1. French artist and designer Nathalie Du Pasquier is known for creating vibrant, colorful patterns—and for her work as a founding member of the Memphis Group. Her Mattonelle Margherita tile collection for Italian firm Mutina includes 41 different options, patterned and plain, that can be combined to create all sorts of playful effects, mutina.it. 2. Jonathan Adler has never been afraid to use bold colors and patterns in his eclectic homeware designs. The two-toned Ripple Boxes are no exception, and feature a wavy pattern and glossy lacquered finish that adds a bright pop of color to your décor. Available in three sizes perfect for mixing, matching, and stacking, jonathanadler.com.
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3. Bina Baitel’s Doric cocktail tables for Roche Bobois are inspired by the romanticism of ruined Greek temples. The enameled ceramic pieces recall fluted columns that have shattered and been reassembled. They can be styled individually or in groups and are available in four colors— we love this punchy mustard-yellow option, roche-bobois.com. 4. Graffiti art inspired the Venus Power rug collection designed by Patricia Urquiola for CC-Tapis. The irregularly shaped rugs feature black lines that enclose a swirling pattern intended to evoke the intriguing atmosphere of Venus. Available in blue, pink, or green versions, cc-tapis.com.
NATURAL + NEUTRAL
A muted color palette and natural materials can help make a space feel more calming and familiar—just the thing for unwinding at the end of the day. For a cozy and zen-like feel in your space, combine wood, stone, and natural fibers into your décor. Throw in a couple of scented candles and a snuggly throw and you’re ready to really relax.
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1. Part of the Afternoon Tea collection, released at the 2021 London Design Festival, Bohinc Studio’s Profiterole occasional table celebrates geometric form and material simplicity. Crafted from white-stained wood, the table has a smooth finish that, at first glance, appears to be marble, bohincstudio.com. 2. In anticipation of its 35th anniversary, rug brand Nanimarquina has launched a new contract division with its first commercial-focused collection, Formula Contract. Designed with sustainability in mind for both indoor and outdoor projects, the rugs are available in various size, shape, color, and weave options, such as this hand-tufted round version that’s perfect for layering, nanimarquina.com.
3. The Parker lamp, part of a new collaboration from Crate & Barrel and Detroit-based watch company Shinola, benefits from the attention to materiality—a solid white-oak base and woven leather shade—that both American companies are known for, crateandbarrel.com. 4. Vincent Sheppard is a market leader in Lloyd Loom–style furniture, in which kraft paper is twisted around a metal wire to create woven surfaces. Designed for outdoor use, the Frida lounge chair pairs acrylic rope with a natural teak frame that will turn a silvery gray color over time, vincentsheppard.com h
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DESIGN DNA
INSPIRATION
MOODY HUES
Tapping into a palette that features dark wood and deep jewel tones—balanced with just the right amount of lighter-hued elements, from finishes to furniture—these designers demonstrate that embracing the dark side can work in any room. By Rachel Gallaher
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LI VI NGROOM I NSPI RATI ON Designer: Dimorestudio
ANDREA FERRAI
Casa Serafino is the latest residential project from Milan-based Dimorestudio, and the apartment of the design firm’s cofounder Emiliano Salci. The intense, floor-to-ceiling brown paint was a potentially risky move, but the careful balance of the décor—including a vintage Fiandra sofa by Vico Magistretti and two Ignazio Gardella sconces—and the lighter-toned herringbone flooring make the space feel spacious and luxurious. »
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K IT CH EN I NS PI R AT I O N Designer: Brio Interior Design Contractor: Ty McNeill
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Layered dark tones create a sophisticated area for cooking and gathering at the heart of this home. The natural walnut upper cabinets and flooring bring warmth, while the lower cabinets, painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Peppercorn (a dark slate-gray color) anchor the room. Navy-blue backsplash tiles and plum-colored chair upholstery add chic touches, and a large steel beam (added so that the designer could remove a wall and open the kitchen to the adjacent living room) brings symmetry to the space. »
HARIS KENJAR
INSPIRATION
DESIGN DNA
JORDYN PRUITT
BAT H RO OM I NS PI R AT I ON Designer: Lisa Staton Interior Design
During the renovation of this home’s two bathrooms, this powder room was taken down to the studs, but two original elements—white hexagonal floor tiles and radiator—were saved. New oak paneling with Tudor-style arch detailing continues the classic aesthetic, and a custom-designed Arabesco marble trough sink adds a modern centerpiece to the room. In the water closet, hand-painted silk de Gournay wallpaper is the ultimate touch of luxury, completing the classic-meets-contemporary design. h
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OBJECTS OF DESIRE
DESIGN DNA
THE GREAT ROOM REVIVAL After spending more time than ever at home over the past couple of years, we could all use an interior refresh to lead us into brighter times ahead. Whether you’re keen to adapt your interior to a new way of living or are simply looking to shake up your décor, the products presented across the following pages aim to offer some fresh ideas and inspiration. From stylish furniture, lighting, and homewares that will look great on Zoom as well as in real life, to kitchen appliances that will help you get back into the swing of entertaining again, there are plenty of ways to ensure your home is looking its best for 2022 and beyond. By Alyn Griffiths
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THE IDEAL LIVING ROOM FURNISHINGS PRIORITIZE COMFORT, ENSURING RELAXATION AND EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING. AN INVITING SOFA IS A MUST-HAVE FOR FAMILY DOWNTIME OR HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS, WHILE A FEW STATEMENT PIECES, LIKE A SCULPTURAL ARMCHAIR, LAMP, OR ARTWORK, CAN LIVEN UP THE ROOM.
Maurizio Manzoni has worked in many design disciplines, from architecture to graphic and industrial design. His Intermede sofa, designed for Roche Bobois with a shape sure to steal the spotlight in any room, draws from his decades of multidisciplinary training, roche-bobois.com.
Modular sofas offer versatility and the ability to create a lounging landscape tailored to a specific space. This elegantly geometric design by Anderssen & Voll features a deep, low seat that invites you to lie back and relax, muuto.com.
For its first designer collection, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams tapped Los Angeles– based interior designer Brigette Romanek. The LA sofa, with its low profile and compact curves, is the epitome of a laidback West Coast aesthetic: a mix of style and sophistication, mgbwhome.com.
The updated version of Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda sofa retains the original design’s iconic 1970s styling and proportions. The seat modules, backrests, and armrests function like giant pixels that can be configured in endless variations, bebitalia.com.
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Italian lighting company Lodes presents its first floor lamp, the Croma, designed by Luca Nichetto. Taking its name from the Italian word for a “quaver” or “eighth,” the lamp has a slender silhouette inspired by a musical note. Available in four unique finishes, including two metallic ombré effects, Croma has a ring positioned halfway up its body that allows the user to easily switch the lamp on and off and control its dimming function, lodes.com.
Designed by Faye Toogood for Hem, the Puffy lounge chair is everything weekend dreams are made of. With a tubular steel frame and detachable upholstery, this chair begs, well, to be lounged in, us.hem.com.
British designer Lee Broom’s new Penthouse Collection comprises architectural and sculptural pieces such as the Tribeca tables, which combine marble and travertine elements to create a playful cantilevered effect, leebroom.com.
The distinctive silhouette of Bensen’s Circa lounge chair brings a midcentury look, while the piece’s contemporary craftsmanship— a webbed seat is concealed within the formed foam to cradle the user—ergonomically supports the body, bensen.com.
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2 1. David Weeks set out to create a sense of asymmetry when designing the Echo lighting collection for British brand Tala. The lamps pair intersecting steel cylinders with Tala’s Sphere IV LED bulbs to create seemingly awkward yet balanced sculptural compositions, tala.co.uk. 2. The two mouth-blown glass shades of the Clam light, by Danish design duo Ahm & Lund, can open and close to hide the inner light. The lamp’s brass hardware includes a small knob, inspired by those of antique gas lamps, that is used to adjust the shades’ positions, fritzhansen.com. 3. Two years in the making, the T-Bone armchair, designed by Jaime Hayon for Italian furniture brand Ceccotti Collezioni, is a sculptural masterpiece destined to become a modern classic, ceccotticollezioni.it. 4. In 2019, designer Jean-Philippe Nuel transformed the Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon (the site of a former hospital)
into the Hotel Intercontinental Lyon-Dieu. For the project, he created plush lounge chairs for a common area; these pieces would be adapted to become Ligne Roset’s Soufflot chair, named after 18th-century architect Jean-Germain Soufflot, who designed the building the hotel occupies, ligne-roset.com. 5. The Soda tables by Greek designer Yiannis Ghikas look as light as air but are in fact made from a single piece of robust glass, which is blown and shaped by master glassmakers to create the round top and base with three intersecting petals, miniforms.com.
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DINING AREAS NEED TO COMBINE EVERYDAY COMFORT AND PRACTICALITY WITH THE CAPABILITY TO HOST INTIMATE GATHERINGS OR LIVELY DINNER PARTIES. A SOLID TABLE AND SET OF STYLISH CHAIRS THAT MATCH YOUR DINING ROOM’S DÉCOR ARE THE BEST PLACE TO START. IF YOU ENJOY ENTERTAINING, WHY NOT INTRODUCE SOME BOLD COLOR OR A STATEMENT LAMP TO LIGHT UP YOUR EPIC SPREAD?
The Allure O’ table and Flair O’ chair combine straight lines and sinuous curves in a reference to Jackie Onassis’ iconic sunglasses. Both pieces feature a pyramidal base that provides structural and visual stability, bebitalia.com.
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Moooi introduces the Gravity chandelier, designed by Paul Cocksedge. The light’s flexible arms let you define its diameter and choose where the light travels, while the suspended elements create natural curves shaped by gravity, moooi.com.
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LEFT TO RIGHT: The Bohemia pendant designed by Joan Gaspar makes a bold statement with its organic, translucent polycarbonate profile and white inner surface that projects an even light onto the surface below, marset.com. Vancouver-based design brand Bocci uses experimental processes to create striking sculptural lighting products. The new 100 pendant light comprises handmade glass bubbles that are sliced and joined together to form unique interlocking shapes. Available in two colors and various configurations, bocci.com. New York City–based lighting brand Trueing has launched a collection of adaptable chandeliers and pendants that take their cues from fine jewelry. The chain-link design can be customized in length and the fixtures are available in five metal finishes, trueing.co.
Philippe Nigro’s Beaulieu chair is a fun interpretation of the classic bentwood furniture Gebrüder Thonet Vienna has been producing for almost 150 years. The chair is inspired by the laidback sophistication of the Beaulieu resort on the Côte d’Azur and is available in a range of intense colors, gebruederthonetvienna.com.
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The soft and enveloping form of Patricia Urquiola’s Dudet chair references 1970s designs and looks great alongside the monumental Sengu table, which playfully combines solid wood, marble, and ceramic in a configuration inspired by Japanese shrines, cassina.com.
The Port dining chair from Minneapolis-based design brand Blu Dot celebrates the natural beauty of wood. The bentwood seat and backrest are attached to angled rear legs, creating a pure form that complements a wide range of interior styles, bludot.com.
Philippe Starck’s first collaboration with furniture brand Andreu World has resulted in a chair that is made entirely from responsibly sourced wood and that can be disassembled for recycling. Adela Rex is available with or without armrests and can be upholstered in a range of fabrics or leather, andreuworld.com.
The curved, tubular legs of Dainelli Studio’s Paipu table reference the exposed ducts and structural elements of 1970s high-tech architecture. Its large marble top is available in round or oval versions, frag.it.
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MANY OF US HAVE SPENT MORE TIME THAN EVER COOKING AND EATING AT HOME RECENTLY, WHICH HAS HELPED REINFORCE THE VALUE OF A WELLDESIGNED KITCHEN. THESE SPACES NEED TO BE FUNCTIONAL YET STYLISH, HELPING TO MAKE MEALTIMES EFFICIENT WHEN REQUIRED, BUT ALSO ENABLING US TO ENTERTAIN WHEN GUESTS COME CALLING.
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Uniting Italian style and Swedish craftsmanship, this bold kitchen design is a nod to the maximalists. An exclusive collaboration between Very Simple Kitchen and Swedish interior designer Tekla Evelina Severin, the model is available in two colorways, bringing together a striking combination of white Carrara and black Marquina marble, arranged vertically to create a striped pattern that references Romanesque and Gothic architecture, verysimplekitchen.com.
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Pritzker Prize–winning French architect Jean Nouvel is known for his artistic, playful design language, so it’s no surprise that he brought a similar approach to the table when collaborating with kitchen retailer Reform. The resulting new steel system, Reflect, is available in several combinations of finishes and materials, including black or metal cabinet fronts with a high-gloss reflective surface and countertops that come in stainless steel or laminate in black or gray, reformcph.com.
Henrybuilt creates bespoke kitchens with a simple elegance that will never go out of style. The use of premium materials and quality craftsmanship ensures the cabinets and surfaces are robust enough to withstand daily use, henrybuilt.com.
The Broad kitchen island from Edward Collinson is a testament to utility that doesn’t sacrifice contemporary design. Use as a freestanding component placed against a wall—its versatility allows for integration into most kitchens. The black-oak edition (shown here) comes with sink, tap, and induction cooktop, edwardcollinson.co.uk.
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Last year, Italian kitchen appliance manufacturer Bertazzoni launched more than 100 new and redesigned products, including its first-ever builtin refrigerator, freezer, and wine cabinet columns. An oenophile’s dream, the wine column features separate temperature controls for red and white wines and storage for bigger bottles on every shelf, us.bertazzoni.com.
Much like your phone and computer, your fridge is about to start noting your habits and preferences. This new refrigerator/freezer system, featuring Fisher & Paykel’s ActiveSmart technology, monitors how you use your fridge (how long doors are open, when food is accessed) and adjusts the interior environment to optimize temperature, airflow, and humidity levels for meat, poultry, veggies, and more, fisherpaykel.com.
Easily incorporated into most kitchen spaces, the sleek, 36-inch Wolf transitional induction range offers an integrated touch panel for precise control and almost instantaneous temperature adjustment, subzero-wolf.com.
If you’re cooking at home more and eating out less, the new Signature Kitchen Suite 36-inch professional range provides everything you need to fry, bake, and heat your meals to perfection. The system’s built-in sous vide, induction, and gas burners offer powerful performance in a no-fuss, stainless-steel design, signaturekitchensuite.com.
An industrial workhorse for the kitchen, Fulgor’s Sofia professional, dual-fuel, six-burner range includes heavy-duty castiron grates that form a continuous surface for easy movement of pots and pans. A bonus for the chef of the house: You can create a personalized nameplate for the oven door, fulgor-milano.com.
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YOUR BATHROOM SHOULD BE A SANCTUARY FOR RELAXATION, WHICH YOU CAN ACHIEVE BY OPTING FOR AN ALL-WHITE OR NEUTRAL MATERIALS PALETTE TO CREATE A SERENE, SPA-LIKE SPACE. IF YOU PREFER A BATHROOM WITH A LESS CLINICAL LOOK, THEN SOFT COLORS, DARKER TONES, AND SCULPTURAL FORMS CAN HELP TO INJECT PERSONALITY AND MAKE THE ROOM FEEL MORE FUN.
The Borghi freestanding bathtub by Gumdesign is made from translucent resin, which is available in bold colors and features a narrow base that creates a floating effect, antoniolupi.it.
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LEFT TO RIGHT: The Limón faucet, designed by Patricia Urquiola for Agape, combines a simple, cylindrical body with a circular handle for a fixture
that is also a work of sculpture, agapedesign.it. The Helm faucet by Lopez Quincoces is both classical and distinctly modern in its design, which deconstructs the familiar faucet and reconfigures it as a series of cylindrical elements, zucchettikos.it. Piero Lissoni’s Lost Stones texture for Salvatori uses gold-colored resin to bind broken pieces of stone in a process inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, salvatoriofficial.com.
The monolithic marble Lusso bathtub from Waterworks instantly introduces a sense of refined, spa-like luxury to any contemporary bathroom, waterworks.com.
The gentle, elliptical shape of the BetteEve bathtub references natural forms, and its narrow ends provide comfortable backrests for two bathers, if you’re happy to share, my-bette.com.
The Belshire bathroom collection from DXV is inspired by the glamour of the Art Deco style. Its elegant forms and materials reference the iconic architecture of the 1920s, including New York City’s Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, dxv.com.
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KEVIN SCOTT
The Ann Sacks Idris by Aït Manos tiles, seen here in powder pink in the washrooms at Seattle’s Willmott’s Ghost restaurant, are made using the Moroccan zellige technique, in which each tile is shaped, chiseled, and glazed by hand, annsacks.com.
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BEDROOMS HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, OFTEN DOUBLING AS HOME OFFICES OR ESCAPES FROM THE STRESSES OF DAILY LIFE. NATURAL TONES AND TEXTURES CAN HELP ENHANCE THE RELAXING VIBES, AND MARIE KONDO–STYLE DECLUTTERING WILL CREATE A CALMER ENVIRONMENT. A STATEMENT BED OR HEADBOARD AND ACCESSORIES SUCH AS MIRRORS, CURTAINS, OR ARTWORKS PROVIDE THE FINAL DECORATIVE TOUCHES TO PERSONALIZE THE ROOM.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Danish design company Vipp is best known for stylish trash cans, but has also created a textile collection featuring pillows, rugs, and throws. The ultra-soft and decorative textile accessories retain the brand’s pared-back aesthetic and would look great in any Scandi-style space, vipp.com. The Heather bed with storage is part of Canadian brand Montauk Sofa’s Dream collection. It features a distinctive padded headboard for laid-back lounging and a handy storage compartment concealed in the base, montauksofa.com. The calming, curved form of the new Silence lamp, by Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc for Sé, unites an elemental base with a sophisticated gold shade, se-collections.com.
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The streamlined Friday Night bed, designed by Formstelle for Zeitraum, brings the relaxed look of upholstered furniture into the bedroom. The backrest swings in a gentle arc from the headboard down to the ground in an updated twist on midcentury lines, zeitraum-moebel.de.
Part of German interior designer Felix Schwake’s award-winning Forest Walk collection, this pedestal table is simple in form, but the natural variegation of Arabescato marble adds a nuanced luxury, felixschwake.com.
The simple, L-shaped Frame mirror is one outcome of the first collaboration between furniture brand Stellar Works and Japanese design firm Nendo. The playful piece combines a mirror with a metal frame that can be used for hanging clothes or other items, stellarworks.com.
A design by brothers Oscar and Gabriele Buratti for Lema, the Ortis table can be used as a nightstand or a coffee table in the bedroom. Its unique form layers an interesting shape into any mix of décor, and a drawer allows for the tucking away of books, eyeglasses, or other necessities, lemamobili.com.
Piero Lissoni’s Byron bed for Italian brand Porro combines an upholstered frame and soft headboard with a wraparound screen that envelops the sleeper. The bed’s gentle form contrasts with the geometric shape of the screen, which features panels made from woven straw, porro.com.
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1. The Storet cabinet brings a playful touch to utilitarian chores such as folding (and putting away) laundry. Designed by Nanda Vigo, this chest of drawers, available in nine colors, has a hint of the Memphis aesthetic, with an updated contemporary feel, acerbisdesign.com. 2. The
Dubois bed system designed by Luca Nichetto makes a bold statement in the bedroom. It features a solid hardwood frame and a wraparound upholstered headboard that provides a sense of privacy while you sleep. The headboard is available in low or tall versions and you can also
choose to add integrated bedside tables, delaespada.com. 3. The versatile Altura step stool, designed by Patricia Perez for British design brand Case, can be used as a stylish bedside table or stool and is also great for helping you reach those awkward top shelves, casefurniture.com. 4. Broberg
& Ridderstråle’s design for this mouth-blown carafe and glass set is inspired by the shapes of glassware seen in modernist stilllife paintings. Create your own artistic arrangement on a bedside table or dresser, muuto.com. h
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TH E A RTS
PROMOTION
A CURATED EXHIBITION OF ARTISTS, GALLERIES, AND MUSEUMS OF NOTE
Exhibition: Packaged Black: Derrick Adams and Barbara Earl Thomas. Dates: Oct 2, 2021–May 1, 2022 Thurs. 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday through Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | henryart.org | @henryartgallery
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Sculptor David Robinson explores resonant themes through figurative imagery. Complex dynamics between figure and context reveal the conceptual underpinnings of his work. Shown: Mantle, 2021, Polymer-Gypsum, 13.5” x 10” x 12”, edition of 50.
ROBINSONSTUDIO.COM
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The historic Boston home’s formal living room layers pattern and texture in a neutral color palette that makes the space feel sophisticated yet approachable. The wallpaper is de Gournay’s L’Eden pattern, the tiger-head lamp is vintage from the 1960s, and the Moon Light hanging above the fireplace is by Ben & Aja Blanc through the Future Perfect. A custom fireplace fender enhances the room’s period feel.
The renovation of a historic Boston brownstone weaves together different eras of design history for refreshing and refined interiors that aren’t afraid to have fun. By Rachel Gallaher Photographed by Michael Stavaridis
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fter a four-year, Goldilocks-style search for their “forever home”—weekend tours of high-rise units, industrial lofts, classic brownstones, and suburban standalones— a young, lively Boston couple finally landed on just the right one. Located in the city’s noted Back Bay neighborhood, the six-story townhouse, which dates to 1869, had it all: a location just blocks from restaurants, bars, and galleries; historic charm and heritage details; and a neutral interior that would allow the new owners to easily incorporate their fun, irreverent style. “We fell in love with the brownstone as a distinctly Boston way of living,” the duo say. “We went looking for the right blank canvas on which to build, and we had several key requirements: It had to be authentic and traditional; we wanted a home that was due some love and investment; and we wanted it to be within a fairly small geographic radius [of a specific area]. This was the first home we saw that had it all: It was beautiful, authentic, had heritage potential, was in a great location, retained its original detailing, and there were no recent major renovations or improvements. It was love at first sight. After seeing more than 60 homes, we left our first showing and immediately said, ‘This is the one.’” With plans to renovate the brownstone’s interiors, the couple hired local interdisciplinary architecture and design firm Hacin + Associates to help them realize their vision. Collaboration was imperative from the start: The 68
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homeowners have a strong point of view and aren’t the types to hand over the keys and say, “Go.” They wanted to be involved in every step in the design process. “We are truly eclectic and appreciate good design and good taste,” the couple say. “The three words we shared with Hacin + Associates that framed our inspiration for the project were ‘modern’ (clean, minimal, tasteful living), ‘midcentury modern’ (one of our favorite periods of design and style), and ‘Edwardian’ (a nod to the house, its history, time, and place, and also to a beautiful time in design).” Armed with these starting points, Hacin + Associates mapped out an innovative design concept for the interiors in which the décor on each ascending floor becomes more modern, with the top level being the most contemporary space in the house. “There is more original detail and character on the lower levels,” explains David Hacin, president of Hacin + Associates. “As you travel up and start to enter an area that, in houses like this, was often used as the servants’ quarters, that detail starts to fall away. It was important to the clients to honor that history, so as far as the interiors, the house moves from more traditional with contemporary accents to more contemporary with traditional accents.” “It’s a subtle conversation between old and new, between formal and fun, between practical and aspirational,” the clients note. “The net result is a home that’s deeply and truly us—a reflection of our tastes and personalities— while simultaneously being universal and timeless.” »
THIS PAGE: A marble Felix bench from
KGBL brings a hint of contemporary style to the period entryway. Interdisciplinary architecture and design firm Hacin + Associates used a design scheme in which the décor on the lower levels of the six-story house most strongly reflects the building’s history, with furniture and accessories becoming more contemporary as one ascends. OPPOSITE: The receiving room off the entry vestibule is a cozy nook with a custom McLaughlin sofa and antiques including a 19th-century marble-topped table and a skeleton mantel clock.
Taking a cue from 19th-century conservatories, the design team installed a grouping of greenery in the formal dining room’s bay window. A Meridiani table with a Calacatta marble top and base (sourced through Casa Plinto) anchors the space; the whimsical Crystal Galaxy LED chandelier from DDC brings delicate drama. The Rudamask-patterned fabric wall panels are Rubelli.
THIS PAGE: A powder room painted
peacock blue nods to director Wes Anderson’s use of color blocking, which served as décor inspiration in various parts of the home. OPPOSITE: Books and music are the heart of the library, where there’s inviting seating (a B&B Italia leather lounge chair, a pair of armchairs from Baxter, and two George Smith Soho Baby Buttoned Drums to match the tufted coffee table) for every mood.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ingo Maurer’s candle-shaped LED Flying Flames pendants bring surprise and delight to a powder room; a taxidermy fox, seen here in the formal living room, often makes his way around the house (with a little help from the playful homeowners); a hunt-themed guest bedroom uses a Lewis & Wood print for both the wallpaper and Roman shades; the residence’s personalized symbol is seen here in a mosaic tile floor.
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The residence’s upper floors, where the homeowners spend most of their time, are designed in a more contemporary style than the rest of the house.
Prior to the renovation, the townhouse was compartmentalized into a series of small rooms throughout six floors. To better accommodate the clients’ lifestyle (they love to host friends and family for intimate dinners and cocktails, but are also known to throw fundraisers for more than 100 attendees), Hacin + Associates architect Eduardo Serrate reconfigured the floorplans on each level to create common spaces that flow from one to another. On the second floor, a butler’s pantry was reworked, providing long views and natural light at both ends of the townhouse. On the upper floors, an owners’ suite, custom tap room, media lounge, and rooftop garden support the couple’s day-to-day life. “Six floors for two people can result in a lot of up and down,” Serrate says, “so it was important to concentrate their main living space in one area of the house and leave the formality in the parts where they planned to do the most entertaining.” The décor is an eclectic mix of antiques, original midcentury furniture, unique art, and, most importantly, fun, thoughtful details. “One of our early inspirations was [director] Wes Anderson,” says Hacin + Associates associate Matthew Woodward, who worked with senior associate and studio lead Jennifer Clapp on the interiors. “We thought a lot about his films, and the intense symmetry and color-blocking in many of his images. We used these elements to enhance both the formality and the playfulness of key entertainment spaces such as the dining room (using blue) and living room (using green).
These colors occur selectively in other spaces such as the upholstered ottomans in the library. In this way, color is a consistent thread that runs through the project.” From a vintage taxidermy fox that playfully pops up in different spaces around the house (moved by the homeowners to greet guests) and wallpaper featuring a nude woman (who only becomes apparent when you get close), to a vintage, candy-red telephone booth that was freighted over from the United Kingdom and craned in through a window, delightful details abound in each room, and guests are encouraged to hunt for design surprises (a grouping of Ingo Maurer’s LED Flying Flames candleshaped pendants hang just outside a powder room, creating a whimsical Harry Potter vibe) at every turn. The clients were interested in creating an identifying symbol for the residence, in the Victorian tradition. Drawing inspiration from the era’s typography, the wrought-iron fencing found throughout the Back Bay, and a design detail on an original fireplace mantel, the design team created a custom personalized mark that was inlaid in custom floor mosaics, carved into millwork, and embroidered on custom linens. A mark of tradition crossed with the spirited energy of a young generation, it emulates the spirit of the house, which balances eras, aesthetics, and personalities and presents a new journey of discovery for each person who steps through its doors. h
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EMBRACING THE CURVES Tasked with turning a straight-from-the-developer apartment into a warm and welcoming home, interior designer Greg Natale used a muted palette and curved silhouettes to soften—and add sophistication to—the space. By Rachel Gallaher Photographed by Anson Smart
The penthouse’s interiors, created by interior designer Greg Natale, have the refined feel of an upscale hotel lobby. Soft curves and colors come together to create a space meant for relaxation.
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pon first visiting the two-story, three-bedroom apartment he had been hired to decorate, interior designer Greg Natale, of Greg Natale Design, felt underwhelmed. Positioned to overlook Sydney, Australia’s Walsh Bay, the penthouse unit had striking views, but lacked character and style. “It was a typical white-box, developer-style apartment that featured a pokey kitchen and a dog-leg stairway,” Natale says. “Overall, it had a cold feeling.” The clients—a family of three—asked Natale to bring some softness to the space and presented him with three specific requests: that he incorporate “plenty of curves,” use modern European furniture, and employ a subtle color palette. “The palette merges soft pink and yellow with elegant white and gray,” Natale says. “I specified natural-oak timber floors laid in a herringbone pattern, which was used throughout the space, and we chose Carrara marble for the kitchen and bathrooms—the combination of these materials resulted in a clean, contemporary, Europeanfeeling residence.” The apartment’s original staircase was removed and a new one—with a sweeping form—was placed in the living room, capitalizing on the doubleheight space while creating an interesting focal point. In this room, curves are the dominating motif, from the stairway to the built-in fireplace to the furniture. Two crescent-shaped sofas, upholstered in a dove-gray fabric, rest atop a »
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FROM TOP: Interior designer Greg Natale. In the entryway,
a Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Mos bench with an oak frame provides seating and a place to deposit backpacks and bags. Gold design objects sit atop the curved fireplace ledge, adding a touch of glam.
Dining chairs and counter-height stools have rounded backs that continue the curve motif used throughout the house. The brass lighting fixture above the dining table adds angles to the mix.
THIS PAGE: The primary bedroom’s ensuite bath
is delineated by Carrara marble, but its openness keeps it connected with the rest of the room. OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: A pink Gubi sofa and two lounge chairs upholstered in white Mongolian sheepskin create a comfortable sitting area in the primary bedroom. Ligne Roset’s quilted Ruché ottomans cozy up to the foot of the bed.
multicolored circular rug, creating a cozy sitting area that’s perfect for gathering. An asymmetrical light fixture and two pieces of framed art are the few angular elements in the room. Several brass accent pieces, including the chandelier, add depth to the composition. Adjacent to the living room, a dining area and kitchen continue the curved-décor theme with an ovaloid table and a set of Gubi Beetle dining chairs, with backs and seats shaped in clamshellesque bends. A hand-carved Carrara marble island, with a monolithic columnar base on each end, is the sculptural heart of the kitchen. Four counter-height brass stools, upholstered in mustard yellow, tuck under the center section of the island, bringing a bright pop of color to the otherwise neutral space. For the primary bedroom suite, the clients requested the ambience of a hotel. “With its organic lines and sumptuous furnishings, this area continues the apartment’s blend of luxury and comfort, in which curves and colors combine
to create a sophisticated, serene space,” Natale says. Utilizing an open floor plan, this part of the residence includes the primary bedroom, a walkin closet, a small lounge area, and a bathroom, which is “subtly demarcated by the organic lines of a curved ceiling above and marble floor below,” Natale explains. “The marble’s gentle contours, nestled within the bedroom’s solid oak floors, create an oasis of tranquil white and gray tones, offset by brass accents and complemented by the surrounding hues of pink, gray, and yellow that echo the apartment’s palette.” A guest room and the clients’ teenage son’s room are each done up in neutral tones, with color coming from bed linens, pillows, and artworks in shades of green, white, and beige. A terrace, located off the main living area, holds several clusters of outdoor furniture and groupings of large, circular planters, which offer intimate places to gather. Each seating area faces expansive views of Walsh Bay, with the glorious, arced Sydney Harbour Bridge visible from every angle—an experience that only adds to the home’s curve appeal. h
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Exceptional spaces to eat, play, work, and stay.
CONCIERGE
By Rachel Gallaher
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PANORAMA ROOM
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STEVE FREIHON
ew Yorkers have opinions about everything, from where to find the best pizza and tastiest bagels to the quickest route downtown on a Friday night. But after the summer opening of the Panorama Room—the rooftop bar at the new Graduate Hotel Roosevelt Island—there’s sure to be consensus on one point: that some of the most unique views of the city can now be had from off the usual tourist-trodden paths. The narrow, 2-mile-long isle in the East River isn’t the first place most people head for a glitzy night out. So for Danu Kennedy, design director at Parts and Labor Design, the key to making Panorama Room a must-visit bar was creating knockout interiors that worked with the views without overpowering them. “We embraced that view and created a jewel-box interior that communicated a strong point of view,” he says. “The design language is rooted in futurism (Italian, Afro, and beyond), which was something Marc Rose and Med Abrous [of hospitality group Call Mom] had envisioned from day one. Our approach was to sculpt the space into a transformative, surreal experience with the panoramic view at the heart of it.” »
Custom velvet seating gets a sophisticated edge from tones of dove gray and raspberry pink. An in-your-face lighting installation over the bar keeps the interiors from skewing too precious.
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ABOVE: The deck
offers patrons unique views of Manhattan and Brooklyn from its location on the 2-mile-long Roosevelt Island, which is situated in the East River. LEFT: Custom lighting installations throughout the space bring an edge to the design.
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Aside from the views, the main attraction is the bar—topped with Orobico Red marble and illuminated by large, geometric lighting installations hanging from the ceiling—which provides guests with a spirited backdrop for enjoying a Friday-night cocktail. The rest of Panorama Room is decked out in a spectrum of rich, pink and raspberry hues, with custom-designed seating (from a tall, winding banquette to smaller round stools) upholstered in velvet. Glass tables, chrome details, and monolithic black-tile-clad columns add to the ’70s-glam vibe, while a dove-gray poured-concrete floor keeps things modern. “There’s a bougie, sexy feel to the space,” Kennedy says. “A lot of reflectivity and texture. We wanted people to feel good in the room. You might walk in feeling one way, but you’re definitely going to walk out feeling better.” h
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STEVE FREIHON
The design for the Panorama Room—the rooftop bar at the new Graduate Hotel Roosevelt Island—combines a futurist aesthetic with ’70s glam.
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The interiors of Giovane Bacaro, the new restaurant in the lobby level of Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, are the work of Ste. Marie Art + Design. Dark walnut wood casework anchors the space.
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GIOVAN E BACARO
DEMURE CREATIVE HOUSE
Vancouver’s restaurant-design guru hits again with an eatery that takes cues from classic Venetian cicchetti bars.
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Inspired by Italian designer Enzo Mari’s use of primary colors, Craig Stanghetta, founder and principal of Ste. Marie Art + Design, incorporated brightly colored Spaghetti chairs (introduced in the 1970s by Alias Design) into the décor.
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DEMURE CREATIVE HOUSE
Given the ubiquity of open floorplans and high ceilings in the international hospitality scene, it was a calculated risk for the designers behind Giovane Bacaro, the new restaurant in the lobby level of Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel, to willingly separate its various sections. Under the guidance of Craig Stanghetta, founder and principal of Ste. Marie Art + Design, a firm known for its creative, highend hospitality projects, the risk paid off. With help from dark wood finishes and bespoke details, the layout creates the feeling of a classic neighborhood Italian joint. “We were working with a preexisting space that had low ceilings, and right away we said, ‘Let’s
embrace them and make them a feature,’” Stanghetta says. “I like spots that have that old-school feeling where everything isn’t just one open space, so we leaned into that idea.” Taking a cue from the popular cicchetti bars of Venice (crowded, boisterous spaces that traditionally serve wine and small plates) and the Italian modernist artist and furniture designer Enzo Mari, who illustrated several children’s books with vibrant primary colors, Stanghetta chose bright yellow and red hues for details including table legs, hand railings, seating, and light fixtures. Rich walnut wood paneling, casework, and tabletops bring warmth and depth to the space, and
contemporary and modernist Italian furniture, including bright-red Spaghetti stools by Alias Design, keep things classic and streamlined. Divided into three sections (a coffee bar, a cicchetti counter, and a bottle shop), the space accommodates groups, solo dining, and communal meals. In the retail area, Stanghetta repurposed a glass meat locker into a room divider, bringing in just a hint of gritty industrialism. “We really looked to Enzo Mari’s design approach as we worked,” he says, “asking [ourselves], how do you make something rudimentary but use a beautiful design language?” h
A meat locker is repurposed as a room divider.
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T H E G R EEN O CONCIERGE
The Social Haus—a hub at the center of a secluded, high-end resort in Montana—references the surrounding forest in nuanced design details.
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NOTION WORKSHOP
Seattle-based design and architecture firm Mutuus Studio’s vision for Social Haus, the central dining area at the Green O resort in Montana, was a communal gathering space that takes aesthetic cues from the natural world.
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The same wood paneling—charred using the Japanese shou sugi ban technique—used on the building’s exterior covers the walls in the Social Haus entry vestibule.
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Social Haus’ large bifold doors connect the interior dining space with the surrounding forest.
Nestled in the mountains of the Blackfoot River Valley of western Montana, the Green O—an adultsonly luxury resort at the southern edge of Paws Up Ranch—takes glamping to the next level. The Resort at Paws Up was one of the first places in North America to introduce the “glamorous camping” trend, and with this latest iteration (12 accommodations with sunken living rooms, glassed-in spiral staircases, and terraces in the trees), it throws high design into the mix. The small, standalone “hauses,” as the resort calls them, are positioned around the Social Haus, a community gathering space, bar, and restaurant. The members of Seattle-based Mutuus Studio served as the interior architects for the Social Haus (the building’s shell was already underway when the firm was brought on), infusing their
poetic design sensibilities into the materials and details. “The initial sketch by [studio cofounder] Jim Friesz of the large circular banquette around the central fire reinforces the metaphor of the ‘Green O,’” says Mutuus cofounder and architect Kristen Becker. “The green leather is a playful reference to the play on words inherent in the resort’s name [in the early 1900s, local farmer Paul Greenough ‘branded’ his sheep with a painted green ‘O’]. But going from there, we started using this idea of connecting everything to fire. The building is in the woods, there’s a large bifold door that opens to connect the space with the landscape, and the exterior of the building is done in shou sugi ban, a Japanese charred-wood finish.” Two firepits (one used for culinary purposes and one for atmosphere) serve as focal points inside the Social
Haus, and a semicircular bar gives guests a peek at food being prepared. The fireplace hoods have a custom patina by Mutuus’ Saul Becker that evokes a copper pan that has aged over time. Kiln-fired clay tiles, a soapstone countertop (the material is heat-resistant and was chosen so that a pan straight from the fire can sit directly on the surface), and a custom, metal-and-canvas-sling firewood holder that stands 10 feet high continue the fire-and-heat motif. Guests will find that every seating option has its advantages, Becker says, from the social-driven bar to two-tops tucked away in private corners. “We wanted every table to be a star,” she says, “and for everyone to feel like they have the best seat in the house.” h
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BRIDGING THE GAP By Rachel Gallaher
Earlier this summer, two popular community parks in the South Hills neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas, became one. The green spaces were separated by a man-made creek, and residents had long wished for a way to easily connect across the 80-footwide divide. The solution, commissioned by the City of Fort Worth’s Public Art Program and created by Portland-based designer Volkan Alkanoglu (his design was selected from more than 100 entries), is Drift, a bridge that marries public art, civic design, architecture, and infrastructure. An example of plugand-play urbanism—an emerging sustainable and affordable design strategy that proposes building infrastructural elements off site 94
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and dropping them into place—the structure was built in a warehouse in Indianapolis, trucked in, and installed. “Bridges are usually built using scaffolding on the sides,” Alkanoglu says. “Then you build the bridge and remove the scaffolding. It’s a wasteful process, so we were trying to figure out how best to reduce both the waste and the cost.” The sleek timber-and-steel bridge, which is 62 feet from end to end, resembles a meticulously carved canoe or the hull of a ship. Its form comprises a pathway lined with built-in benches and railings. Spanish cedar hardwood was chosen
for its sustainability and the way it patinas with age. “We focused on merging performance with aesthetics,” Alkanoglu says. “A bridge needs to get you from point A to point B, but I wanted to do a little bit more. By introducing benches, it encourages people to sit down and interact, making this more like a destination than just a simple bridge.” h
PETER MOLICK
TRANSPORT
A newly installed timber-and-steel bridge demonstrates the benefits of plug-and-play urbanism.
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GRAY’s top picks for events, fairs, and happenings on the international design scene.
DUTCH DESIGN WEEK
SAL ON ART + DESIGN
INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE FAIR
INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW OFFSITE EVENT S
ENDHOVEN OCT 16–24
NEW YORK NOVEMBER 11-15
NEW YORK NOVEMBER 14-15
VANCOUVER OCTOBER 1-30
Marking its 20th anniversary, Dutch Design Week is back with nearly 300 events, exhibitions, and installations. From product releases to lectures about the intersection of nature and design, the nine-day program will focus on innovation, technology, and the future of design and architecture in an ever-changing, ever-uncertain world. ddw.nl
Salon Art + Design show, taking place at the Park Avenue Armory, brings together a mix of contemporary and vintage art, furniture, and objets from around the world. Featuring more than 50 international galleries—offerings range from ancient Greek sculptures to the imaginative work of Faye Toogood—the event will offer the latest trends in interior décor. thesalonny.com
ICFF is back at the Javits Center for a shorter, scaled-back version of its usual presentation. For two days only, the furniture fair—which, for the first time, will share space with the WantedDesign Manhattan design fair—will present 300 established and emerging design brands from more than 25 countries. icff.com
IDS returns with its monthlong Offsite Events program. Meant to engage and energize the design community, these free events—from showroom get-togethers to talks, installations, pop-ups, and more—will take place in and around Vancouver (with additional events happening in Calgary and Toronto). vancouver. interiordesignshow.com
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AGENDA
A ceramic sculpture by artist Toni Losey, whose work will be at this year’s Salon Art + Design show in New York.
SEATTLE | DECEMBER 10, 2021 TICKETS ON SALE OCT. 10 grayawards.com
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