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Tour a Baroque Building in Milan That Feels Like a Magical Quarrywww.architecturaldigest.comIn an urban quarry atmosphere, AD100 talent Vincenzo De Cotiis has created a jewel set within a centuries-old structure. From the outside, the three-story building has an elegant and austere facade, with eight openings on each floor and a low arched entry supported by granite abutments. Its history starts way back in the days when Milan was ruled by Spain and its economy was flourishing. The Baroque building was constructed over the 16th and 17th centuries by the Mazenta family. When that noble family died out in the late 18th century, the property passed to the Prinetti family of Bergamo.In the principal bedroom, a custom designed bed in velvet and silk. Paysage fluvial is by Wouter Knijff and the stone stool is by De Cotiis.In the first half of the 19th century, the building was sold to the Sisters of St. Marcellina, who resided there for over a hundred years. Over time, it was expanded and modified, and eventually it became a hotel and restaurant. When we found the apartment, it was no longer in its original condition. We chose to completely renovate the interior, while maintaining a focus on the atmosphere and character that evoke a certain moment in history through its materials, architect and designer De Cotiis says of this jewel set within ancient walls, an enchanting setting like a sort of urban quarry where time seems to stand still.The living room has travertine and antique metal walls, as well as travertine columns. The brass chair is by De Cotiis and the sofa is custom made.In the living room, custom-made mohair velvet sofas and, on the coffee table, the sculpture Mouvement de danse A by Rodin and a 1950s vase. Abstract painting by Andr Marfaing (1974). The brass chair, white bronze and marble coffee table, and, on the travertine staircase, the sculpture Untitled 13 (2024) are all by De Cotiis.Art: Andr Marfaing 2025 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, ParisThe homes owners are a couple with two young adult children: This is a close family. Although the children have their own private spaces within the same building, they spend a lot of time together in the living area, which becomes the lively heart of the house, De Cotiis continues. He has designed an elegant envelope, where surfaces soft and hard, rough and glossy, shiny and matte, and elements that evoke the past and look towards the future create a scene of muted beauty. Every project begins with an emotional connection: conversations with clients to understand their dreams, the creation of evocative moodboards, spontaneous sketches, and in-depth research about materials that becomes the heart of the creative process. It is a journey that weaves together practices and poetry, says the designer.The travertine and oak patterned kitchen with chairs by De Cotiis.A sinuous custom staircase connects the apartments different levels. All the design and structural elements are the work of Vincenzo De Cotiis Architects and were executed by skilled Italian artisans, with a keen attention to detail. Each element was chosen not to follow the trends of the moment but instead be timeless.The studio has a hand-painted brass and fiberglass desk, leather and bronzed brass stool, and a brass and Murano art glass sculpture, all by De Cotiis.A sinuous staircase connects the three floors of the building.De Cotiiss design inspirations were always there. A sense of place and an engagement with light influence all of my projects. Milan, with its rich architectural tradition and contemporary energy, inspired the use of recycled materials and details that engage in a dialogue with the city, creating a balance between urbanity and intimacy. The walls and columns in travertine alternate with others in metal with a patina of age. Custom and collectible design pieces by De Cotiis were created from bronze and brass castings and are paired with other items made of hand-painted recycled fiberglass, silk, velvet, and suede that provide a genteel touch.The custom bed is made of velvet and silk. The painting, Untitled 32, and the brass sculpture are by De Cotiis.We perfected the use of already well-known materials, exploring their potential through novel combinations and precise craftsmanship. The travertine that covers most of the surfaces has a unique color palette: hues ranging from beige to gray to shades of a washed-out ocean blue. These colors are echoed in the bathrooms labradorite, bedding, black velvets, and metal accents. The contrast between the opacity of stones and fabrics and the brilliance of antiqued metals and brass adds depth and dynamism to the interiors. These quietly confident spaces exude a contemporary yet timeless minimalism, De Cotiis concludes.In the en suite bathroom, the shower is made of in Lemurian labradorite and travertine.Finally, a curated selection of works of art act as accents in all the right places. Sculptures by De Cotiis are mixed with pieces already in the owners' private collection to emphasize the apartments different volumes and atmospheres.The entrance to the Baroque palace, which was built over the 16th and 17th centuries by the Mazenta family and then expanded and modified over time.Asked to choose his favorite room, De Cotiis answers, The main living room, a large open space that combines fine materials and collectible design pieces. Its characterized by beams of light that have been directed to enhance different perspectives and to highlight surfaces, creating an atmosphere that combines architectural and design elements. Its a balancing act that only a true expert and design visionary like De Cotiis could pull off.This heritage home was originally published by AD Italy. Styling by Francesca Santambrogio.Vincenzo De Cotiis in the apartments entrance; he designed both the chair and wall lamp in cast brass.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·52 Views
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A 300-Square-Foot Apartment Is Made Over on a Student Budgetwww.architecturaldigest.comFor her first real estate purchase, the young owner of this compact, 300-square-foot apartment wanted all the amenities of a true home. This isnt a basic flat for a student, explains Alinor Loudin, the architect hired for this project in Pariss Pigalle neighborhood. My client entertains and hosts dinners. She needed a true adult apartment. The first issue was the size. The second challenge was a two-foot-thick load-bearing wall that was impossible to knock down. Finally, the budget was especially tight. These constraints didnt faze Alinor Loudin, founding architect of Inaugure Studio, who took this small space housed in a 19th-century building and transformed it into a charming and functional interior.The 172-square-foot lounge-bedroom area is a little alcove designed for sleeping.Before the renovation, the apartment was divided into two square rooms, with a large kitchen with a central island. With so little room to work with, we couldnt afford to waste so much space, Loudin says. On the other side of the central load-bearing wall, there was a bedroom with a bathroom. She describes it as a sort of square within a rectangle. Each room felt like it was squeezed into a corner. To optimize space, Loudin opted to put the lounge-bedroom area into the larger of the two spaces (measuring 172 square feet) and the kitchen and bathroom in the smaller one (129 square feet).The dining-kitchen area is on the opposite side of the load-bearing wall.A load-bearing wall divides the apartment while still leaving a small passageway between the two rooms.The kitchen is located in the smaller of the apartments two spaces.To get around the limitations created by the load-bearing wall, Loudin decided to turn it into a feature of the design. I articulated the entire project around this wall and unfolded it like fabric, starting with the small shelves in the kitchen and then wrapping around the wall to reach the lounge-bedroom, using a series of panels. It has a sort of pleated effect that softens the imposing feel of the wall. Similarly, Loudin drew inspiration from the bathrooms half-arch, reproducing it over and over again and creating niches based on the same shape. I repeated this shape because I needed to soften the angles of the apartment, which was compartmentalized and obtuse. It also made the passage through the thick wall more fluid.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·77 Views
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The Late Amy Laus Enduring Design Legacy Is Summed Up in One Highly Personal Projectwww.architecturaldigest.comAmy Lau passed away in January 2025 at the age of 56. The designers Manhattan apartment, completed just months before her woefully premature death, perfectly captures her incisive eye and her steadfast belief in the ennobling power of great design. It is the final grace note to a singular life spent in the pursuit of beauty and joy.Surveying Amy Laus stellar home in New Yorks historic Alwyn Court, one cant help but lament the loss of one of the design worlds most original voices. Amy was a font of optimism and wonder, a champion of art and design placed in the service of a life well-lived. Her apartment brilliantly synthesizes the many threads of her storied career: her virtuosity in marshaling ideal scale, proportion, and shape; her fearless embrace of color as a mode of emotional expression; her refusal to draw artificial distinctions between fine art and fine design; and her drive to conjure interior worlds redolent of curiosity, connoisseurship, and pure delight.Amy told AD that living in Alwyn Court had been a long-standing dream. This building holds a special place in my heart. Ive passed the landmark countless times over the course of my years in New York City, and I was always captivated by the intricate beauty of its ornate faade, she said. Built between 1907 to 1909, the 12-story tower by architecture firm Harde and Short is easily recognizable for its elaborate terracotta decoration, which includes a crush of cherubs, crests, salamanders, scrolls, and vines. A block from Central Park, the Plaza Hotel, and 5th Avenues luxury shops, Alwyn Court quickly became one of the citys most expensive addresses after it opened to its first residents. But to Amy, it represented far more than a reputation or a swanky address: It was an opportunity to create a personal environment that tells my own story within an icon of New Yorks design history, she said.By the time Amy acquired her roughly 950-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment, its original interior detailing had long been stripped away. But, characteristically, where others saw only mute, blank space, Amy saw potential. She soon engaged Michael Schmitt Architect and set out on a gut renovation inspired by the glories of the past and the promise of a bright new future.Massachusetts-based sculptor Michael Coffey originally created the living rooms Mozambique wood fireplace surround for Amys Salon Art + Design booth in 2017. An ottoman by Joseph Walsh for Philippe Hetier stands in front of the fireplace by Hearth Cabinet.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·70 Views
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This Sarasota Property Used to Belong to a Rockstar, an Office-to-Residential Reboot in New York, and More Newswww.architecturaldigest.comThe race to convert empty office space into much needed residential units is on, and the countrys largest completed conversion has officially launched leasing. Named SoMA, the building is located one block east of Battery Park at 25 Water Street. Led by development firms GFP Real Estate and Metro Loft, the architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy reimagined the building once home to JPMorgan Chase, the National Enquirer, and the Daily News.Now outfitted with 1,320 apartment units, potential tenants have options ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, many of which have home office spaces. Theres also approximately 100,000 square feet of amenity space, including a bowling alley, arcade, sports simulators, karaoke room, and coworking area.As architects who have planned and designed residential conversions across New York City for nearly four decades, its no exaggeration to say that SoMa is a unique and completely unprecedented project in both scale and vision, said John Cetra, FAIA, Founding Principal of CetraRuddy. Were thrilled to be a part of the team responsible for this buildings transformation.Model apartments have been staged by Ash. Compass Development Marketing Group is the propertys exclusive leasing and marketing partner.NewsRFR Holding has officially been evicted from the Chrysler BuildingSix years ago, the Chrysler Buildings leasehold was purchased by two real estate companies, RFR Holdings and Signa. Though the latter dropped out in 2023 following the orders of an Austrian judge, RFR was just evicted from the building. During RFRs tenure, it has grown increasingly haggard, as one developer source described it to Curbed. The land that the building stands on has belonged to Cooper Union since 1902, so now that RFR and Signa are no longer attached, the building is officially under Cooper Unions leadership. Cooper Union took over operations in November, but the new judge ruling makes RFRs lease termination official.RFR could never overcome the basic fact that they were in arrears to the tune of $21 million and had not paid rent in months. Despite their desperate attempts to shift the focus, the problem has always been their continued failure to meet their obligations,the vice president of finance and administration at Cooper Union, John Ruth, said in a statement shared by Commercial Observer.On Wednesday, January 28, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Jennifer Schecter ruled that RFR must vacate and surrender the property, marking the official beginning of a new chapter for the Chrysler building. We appreciate the court validating our position, and we look forward to working with Cushman & Wakefield, Savills and our team to assume full management of the property so we can implement a long-term plan to improve the tenant experience and maximize the buildings value, Ruth continued.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·61 Views
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What We Lost: A Portrait of LA in 77 Memorieswww.architecturaldigest.comToday marks one month since the outbreak of the worst wildfires in Los Angeles history. While the embers have finally died down, the devastation left in their wake continues to haunt anyone who has ever called the city home. As the mourning of what we lost begins, we reached for a felicitous way to honor the places that make the city what it is. Through the voices of 77 Angelenos, this story pays tribute to a selection of the thousands of structures that were lost or damaged in the blazes. Those we spoke to talked about their homesthe sites of their childrens formative memoriesbut also pharmacies, hardware stores, frozen yogurt shops, diners, and schools. The places where they would bump into neighbors, shop for essentials, go to get inspired, and celebrate lifes milestones. The architecturally significant, the ordinary, the personal, and the communalits here, crystalized in a moment of time, each recollection just as meaningful as the next.And while January 2025 will be remembered for when parts of LAs history tragically burned, we can all help the City of Angels recover, and in the process, course a new path. Please consider supporting these and other organizations in need: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity: ReBuild LA, Pasadena Humane, LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fun.Toppings YogurtSamantha HahnTyra BanksSupermodel and entrepreneur, Westside LAThe Palisades Village wasnt just a placeit was a feeling. Never just a townit was a true village, in every sense of the word. It was a place where life slowed down just enough to feel connected, cozy, and personal. It was the kind of sweet, walkable dream where you could ditch your car and simply exist, step by step, on foot: groceries in one hand, a bag of toy gifts for a birthday party in the other, balanced with freshly manicured hands at one of the local favorite spots, while hugging a buddy you hadnt seen in a while that you encountered in front of Caf Vida.At the heart of it all for our family was Toppings, the sweet and edgy yogurt shop with a cool personality. Black walls framed the space like a chic gallery, but the real art was the row of toppings that stretched farther than your imagination dared. A hundred options? I think so. And the joy came from standing there, wide-eyed, as if youd stumbled into a treasure chest of marshmallow sauce, sprinkles, mochi, roasted almonds, and more. I loved that they had a whipped cream canister behind the counter, and Id always ask for a generous squirt.My son treated Toppings like his personal playground. No matter how hard I tried to guide him with a gentle, Maybe not to the brim this time, hed gleefully ignore me. But the laughter that followed? Worth every ounce of spilled chocolate sauce and gummy worms teetering on the cup. We have years of photosmy little boy in the same chair by the window, starting as a two-year-old with tiny hands barely reaching the table, and growing taller with each visit, yet somehow never outgrowing the magic of that place. Support ToppingsPalisades Village StarbucksGoogle Street View; Courtesy of Alison PalevskyMichael J. MasucciMedia producer, artist, and writer, Hollywood HillsThere are a dozen or so species of feral parrots in Los Angeles. Theyre not native to the area, but decades ago they either escaped or were let loose by owners, and now theyve become free, wild parrots. I remember one day I was sitting outside the Palisades Starbucks in the patio area, and this flock of squawking, screaming parrots flew overhead. They were so loud, and it was as if they were all giving us the finger and vocalizing hey, we're free.Thats the kind of thing that happened in a banal, regular place. A place you go and buy a latte. There would be young people at their laptopsmaybe aspiring screenwritersfamilies on their way to the beach, or high schoolers on cheap dates. It was just this place where life was happening. Not in a big way either. It wasnt big, it was just Starbucks.Ernest Marquez Collection / Huntington LibraryAlison PalevskyInterior Designer, Pacific PalisadesThere was an iconic building on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Swarthmore built in 1924. I felt the structure was timeless and grand. It most recently housed Starbucks, and I do not think that anyone living in the 90272 hasnt, at some point, stepped foot inside of, or admired it from afar. I have so many memories of getting coffee there, inevitably bumping into friends, taking my children to shop for clothes next door or just using this particular corner as a meeting point to gather with friends and walk together. It was the heartbeat of the Village.Pacific Coast HighwayRobert Gauthier / Getty ImagesClive WilkinsonArchitect, West Los AngelesIf you think about it, this historic stretch goes all the way up the West Coastbut in this one little sliver of it, for nearly a century, a series of smaller homes have been built along the shoreline, acting as a small wall separating the road from the ocean. Every so often, as youre driving along the road, theres a dramatic break where a home couldnt be built for topological reasons, and suddenly the ocean opens up and you see how close you are to it, until it quickly closes again as the little homes continue. That feeling of compression and expansion will always stay with me.Jonathan GrahmChocolatier, Benedict CanyonWhen I would have people visiting from out of town, one of the places Id take them to is that stretch of PCH. Wed just drive up and down it because its so symbolic of Los Angeles. I really loved that each house was individual and they all had their own characteristics, charm, patinas, and lighting. But they all still felt very cohesive.One of the first apartments I was looking at was in that area of Malibu right by Moonshadows. I didnt end up moving there. But I stood on the balcony and I watched humpback whales from the unit. Its so emblematic of the lifestyle here.VW Pics; Robert Gauthier / Getty ImagesTiffany HowellInterior designer, Silver LakeI [used to live] on PCH right by Moonshadows. Driving down PCH with the sea salt and the freedom and the idea of this beautiful beach community it was like this sanctuary in paradise.Living there was like a Pablo Neruda poem. Truly, that is how I felt. I would get up, take walks, and sometimes even the neighbors would come and get my dog without me and walk her down the strip. It was romantic watching the sunsets and feeling so far away but still so wildly Los Angeles at the same time.Samantha KleinContent creator, North Los AngelesThere have been really dark times in my life where Ive gone to Malibu by myself. Its a place to go for escapism, to not really think about the stresses of the world. Getting to put your feet in the sand, looking out at the ocean, and feeling like everythings okay here.[Malibu] isnt super close to me, and I feel like that distance is actually what makes me appreciate it more. Two years ago on my birthday, [my husband] Aaron rented a pink convertible and drove me to get a lobster roll in Malibu. He just was like, Wouldnt it be fun to drive down PCH, go have lunch, and come back? That was perfect.Reel InnSamantha HahnDavid Pierre PappalardoHairstylist, Beverly HillsIm from Marseille in the South of France, and I used to live in New York City. But then I met this Japanese guy who was so into surfing. We would book trips to California to surf. We would rent a VW van in Orange County and drive up and down the coast based on where the waves were good. And on that first trip, we ended up going to Reel Inn.We just pulled over in our little VW van; it just seemed like a great place. Good waves in front and then perfect fish right up the street. Each time wed do another surfing trip, wed make a point to go to Reel Inn.Courtesy of Paul Ben-VictorPaul Ben-VictorActor, Pacific Palisades HighlandsI first stumbled upon it in the mid-80s when I made the leap from New York City to Los Angeles. Back then, it felt like a hidden gema slice of Malibu history that was as much a part of the local fabric as the ocean breeze. It was an experience: fresh seafood, surfboards lining the walls, a fish tank, and, of course, the best sauted salmon with capers Ive ever had. It was a dish that felt like it could only exist in this corner of the world.In recent years, it became a regular stop for family date nights, and with our three-year-old Arabella it became a home away from home. Sitting by the window, watching the ocean, listening to the waves, and soaking in the unmistakable Malibu air, it was more than a meal. It was a ritual, a place where our family grew closer, where we felt a sense of belonging. We couldn't imagine Malibu without it.Noora Raj BrownLuxury brand consultant and writer, Pacific PalisadesThe Reel Inn had a neon sign that seemed to be on stilts, and it looked as if someone had hand drawn a few fish and the restaurant name, set it in neon, and never bothered to look at it again. No matter what your final destination on PCH waswhether it was a business lunch at Nobu or ice cream on the pieryou saw that sign.Saturday lunch at the Reel Inn was always a treat. We didn't go that often, but when we did, we felt lucky it existed. My husband grew up surfing in Malibu, so he'd take our daughter down to the beach and then we'd go to Reel Inn for fresh oysters and because she loved to watch the fish in their aquarium. We loved sitting out on the patio in the summer with friends, the kids up to their antics, and the rest of us drinking wine and sharing platters of calamari. Life felt simple there, in the best way.Cholada ThaiSylvain Grandadam / Getty ImagesBrooklyn Peltz BeckhamEntrepreneur, Los AngelesCholada was a favorite date spot for my wife and me. We loved the food and laid-back vibe of the place, but most of all we loved the people. Weve brought our friends there as well, and my dad too. For us, it was an establishment that provided comfort, good memories, and great food.Bonita KyeFashion designer, Santa MonicaI went to Pepperdine for undergrad, so a bunch of our friends would go weekly to Cholada. It was the best Thai food around. It was just somewhere that felt like home cooking for being far away from home. It was a blue shack and it was very unassuming on the side of PCH. Even after college, living in Santa Monica, my husband and I, whenever we went to Malibu, we would always drive by and it was like a landmark where when we saw itwe knew we were close to home. Support CholadaMoonshadowsSamantha HahnAlessandro AntoniazziGeneral manager, Woodland HillsThe place has been there since the 50s with different names. It became Moonshadows around 72 or 73, I think after the famous Cat Stevens song. It was not a high-end place, though a lot of people went there for their anniversary, their wedding, their first date. It was a casual but upscale place where people felt comfortable to walk in and enjoy their meal. Our view of the Pacific was stunning. Around this time of the year, November through January, we had a spectacular sunset between five and seven, and we were always busy with people taking pictures.I have been working at Moonshadows since 2005 and its a part of my family, not only because my uncle is one of the owners of the restaurant, but because of the people I worked with. When you have 67 employees, all of them with different personalities, different energy, going to work, there was always a new thing, some new excitement. It was a second home. Support Moonshadows employeesCourtesy of MoonshadowsHanane El MoutiiPublicist, Hollywood HillsIf youve heard about the celebrities that go there and its your first visit, you would probably be shocked to see it from the outside. Its a bit rundown, a very casual wooden restaurant. But really, it was the view that was the most impressive.It was a place I was able to let loose in an organic, natural way, to really be one with the ocean. It wasnt about who you were or what you represented to society, it was just everybody celebrating the essence of life. Thats what Moonshadows was to me.Side PieSamantha HahnMimi ZeigerArchitecture critic and curator, PasadenaThere was a little pizza place in Altadena I used to visit with some regularity called Side Pie. The owner got his start by making pizzas in the side of his yard during the pandemic, hence the name. He later opened a storefront, and they opened the back parking lot for patrons to sit and enjoy their food while seated on colorful picnic tables and umbrellas. It was all very casual, but because of this casualness, and the incredible pizza, it had a community feel. Everyone felt welcome. It was a special establishment that went a long way in creating the fabric of Altadena. Support Side PieRancho BarBen WillettDesigner, AltadenaThe Rancho was iconic. It had been a local hang for Altadena residents since 1953, and the moment you stepped inside it, you felt its history. Wall-to-wall wood paneling, plaid carpeting, low ceilings, warm lighting, a jukebox, and a pool table that was always busy.My wife, Molly [Baz] and I started to frequent the Rancho right around the time we purchased our home in 2020. We would belly up to the wooden bar, and order Bloody Marys from our blue-haired bartender. They made the best bloody in town and were fiercely proud of that. We'd take our drinks out to the patio, and sit underneath the mountains dreaming up our new life in Altadena. Support the RanchoGeorge Wolfberg Park at Potrero CanyonCourtesy of George Wolfberg ParkJuan Santiago Rodriguez and Mariana CarvajalSpirits entrepreneurs, Bel AirMariana: When we first moved to California, we stayed with a dear friend for a few months while we looked for our own place. Wed walk to Wolfberg Park, which was a beautiful, wild canyon. I dont think it was very well known outside of the Palisades, but it was like a little haven you could escape to. Thats the magic of LA that we discovered. Youre in the middle of the city, but in a few minutes you can be immersed in the wilderness.Every year on the anniversary of my fathers death, I write a letter to him. The last time we did this, I did it there. And there were four deer that were there in the park with us.Juan: Walking the trail was something wed do sporadically when we were staying in the Palisades. After we moved, we would still go back from time to time to the Recreational Center and take walks in the canyon.Antioch StreetMelissa RiversTV host, producer, and author, Pacific PalisadesOn Sundays, wed head to Caf Vida, but it wasnt just about the restaurant. Antioch Street was closed for the farmers market, buzzing with familiar faces popping into shops like my friend Jaimie Gellers jewelry store and Marc Michel Eyewear Studiothe only place Ive bought glasses in the past 25 years. Then, there was the iconic Elysewalker; Ive known Elyse since her store was just one room. At Caf Vida, I found comfort in my usual order: the brown rice pancakes. Every Sunday, I'd have brunch with Steve, my fianc, and we'd often go for errands, appointments, or to visit friends businesses throughout the week. It was a constant in my life.I also cherish the moments when my mother would take my son Cooper to the corner Starbucks for his favorite treat: the lemon loaf cake. Those small, heartfelt experiences made Antioch Street truly special.Enchanted WayCourtesy of JJ MartinJ.J. MartinCreative director, Milan, ItalyEnchanted Way, in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, is the street where I grew up. There were so many families on that street, and a band of kids that all played together: War in the canyon, flag football on the pavementobviously, I was the only girl in the group.I have been living out of America for 22 years now, but Enchanted Way was always such a beautiful anchor point, a point of reference for myself. The street itself looked not so remarkable, but as soon as you went into everyones backyards, you were stepping off into this Eden overlooking the valley and the ocean. In my home, we had a huge pine tree in the backyard and a beautiful garden with flower beds. The trees in our backyard all carried so much memory, so much wisdom, so much grace. Thats really what well miss.Tuna Canyon ParkCourtesy of Evelynn EscobarEvelynn EscobarNonprofit founder and activist, Mid-CityGoing out on those Tuna Canyon Park trails provides a level of serenity that people dont necessarily think about when they think Los Angeles. These places that we go to seek solace, rest, recharge, and take some time for introspection are now undergoing their own healing phase. The land will always rebound, it knows what to do, its deeply intuitive, and its going to heal itself.[Tuna Canyon Park] is such a beautiful place. You get to see the magic of the ocean and the beautiful views of the lush brush of the mountains and the Palisades. You can go and have this moving meditation. My connection to Los Angeles is the outdoor spaces, that is what drew me to live here in the first place. Even now, most of the time on the weekends, I spend my time outside. I ride my bike by the ocean, Ill go on a hike.Piedra Morada DriveCourtesy of Renee MillerRenee MillerCreative director, Pacific PalisadesDuring Covid, Piedra Morada was the place Id go to escape. Getting to the street was a steep incline from my house, so I used it almost like a challenge to see how far I could walk without taking a break. At the end of the block, there was a small public park and a little tennis club, and you could catch glimpses of the ocean as you walked toward it.It was one of those neighborhoods where people just seemed to get along. There was one house where a kid would always be playing drums in the garage; every time we were thereusually late afternoon or early eveningthe kid was always playing drums.Pasadena Waldorf SchoolSamantha HahnEliana Gil RodriguezClothing designer, Eastside LAWe have really close friends whose kids go there and would go to the Elves Fair every year. We always thought, Oh, maybe our son will go there one day. [The Marchris Mariposa Campus] was like Hogwarts or something, it was completely out of a storybook. It had these beautiful circular buildings and all of these different structures. It was all wood and felt like hobbits lived there. It was so close to nature and felt like exactly the kind of place you would want to go to school if you were a small child.Courtesy of Melora HardinMelora HardinActor, Los AngelesOur two daughters were lifers at the Pasadena Waldorf School from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade, and Scripps Hall was the centerpiece of the lower school. It sat in the middle of the Paquita Lick Machris campus and was the first thing my husband and I fell in love with when we came to look at PWS for our daughter Rory, who was four at the time. Scripps Hall was an American Craftsman House built in 1904 surrounded by beautiful mature trees. After visiting other schools that looked like cement jungles, we were drawn into this beautiful campus that felt like it would be a magical learning environment for our children.Scripps Hall was a large, stately home where the kids would go to see Ms. Pam if they skinned their knee. The steps were used as risers for the chorus and the house was the meeting place for tours as well as the background of so many class photos and countless school festivals.We dropped off and picked up our girls right in front of Scripps Hall five days a week, twice a day, nine months of the year, for a combination of 13 years, and even when they moved on to the PWS High School, which is on a different campus a few blocks away, many of the high school festivals still happened on the lower campus because it was so beautiful.Frances AndertonArchitecture journalist, Ocean ParkI recall going to a graduation for a friends child at the Pasadena Waldorf School and immediately thinking, this is one of those quintessential Southern California experiences from another century. It was a school that harped on the act of making things, and I remember at the graduation a boy who talked about how, at a time when all his friends from other schools were obsessed with their iPhones, he was so pleased the Waldorf school had allowed him to become a good knitter. I was struck by how glorious a place this would be to go to school. Support Pasadena Waldorf SchoolPalisades Charter High SchoolGoogle Street ViewDan UlinYouth educator, HollywoodI guess the best way to describe it is an all-American high school. Did it look like California? No. It could have been dropped down anywhere, but it just had this classic feel to it. A really great, positive vibe.I originally came to Hollywood 30 years ago to get into the screenwriting business, and Pali High is an iconic place because so many movies were filmed there. And as somebody who now works in education, the school has a special place and its loss really hit me. Support Palisades Charter High SchoolEliot Arts Magnet SchoolCourtesy of Stefan BishopStefan BishopArtist, AltadenaMy son, True, was attending Eliot Arts Magnet school on Lake Avenue in Altadena. It was a beautiful, century-old building that had so much character. And the school created such a great environment for the kids to express themselves that my son started playing the drums and started dancing. I am an artist, and my wife, Abby [Brammell], is a performing artist, so we were so excited. To see him blossom in these two areas that were completely new to him we were so proud.Village PlaygardenPaula James-MartinezWriter and filmmaker, Sierra MadreI'm British, and when I imagined this dream of California, it was hippies climbing up into the mountains and eating vegetable soup and singing Kumbaya. Village Playgarden, where my seven-year-old daughter previously attended school, embodied that. The youngest kids at the school would stay in the playgarden, which had goats and chickens, and they would paint and make kites together and sing songs. As they got to four or five years old, the children would hike every morning with tiny little backpacks on, just on the edge of Eaton Canyon. They would learn from the trees and pick olives from the gardens and build their own things through nature. It was like this very surreal dream of what it would be to be a kid.My daughter would come home every day so dirty, the bath would turn brown. She came home with so many bruises, and with lizards in her pockets, and to me it was the place that formed her. Support Village PlaygardenSaint Marks SchoolCourtesy of Cienna BennCienna BennArchival practitioner, AltadenaBetween my older sister, myself, and my younger sibling, we represent over 20 years of learning at Saint Marks. Our grandmother taught at the preschool there for 17 years. We continued to visit as alumnus as often as we could over the yearsfor my grandmothers retirement, harvest festivals, and graduations.Our school was such a beautifully green and open space for us to play and learn inside and outside the classrooms. Everyone I went to school with lived locally and have been a part of my Altadena community ever since. My best and oldest friends I have today I met at Saint Marks. Support Saint MarksThe Woodbury BuildingCourtesy of Cody WellemaCody WellemaHatmaker, AltadenaThis building was not some architectural wonder, it was just an old brick building, but this was the cornerstone of the community since it was built in the 1920s. It housed the local hardware store for many, many years. It also housed a lot of commercial businesses, and some restaurants, and barbershops. In the midst of chaos that is Los Angeles, this little building in Altadena was this little slice of small town America. It was something I always wanted as a business owner. What I did, making hats, it was a very old craft, a trade that's dying in America. And I'm very nostalgic in that way, sometimes a little too romantic about things like that. I didn't want to be on La Brea or Melrose. I wanted to be a part of a community, and that's what this building was.Altadena HardwareGoogle Street ViewMara VeitchMagazine editor, Echo ParkThe store was the anchor of a cluster of shops that I often wandered into with my mom any time I dropped by to see her at our family home in Altadena. With our coffees from Caf de Leche, we would round the corner and drop in on the florist, stick our noses into the thrift shop, then eye the ever-impressive line at Amara Kitchen. Wed always end up at the hardware store. Even if we didnt need anything, wed go in. The shoplocated in a high ceilinged yellow brick buildingwas a holdout among the newer independent businesses on the block. Inside it had that pristine, classic smellpolish, sawdust, rubber. It was full of hyper specific things to fix hyper specific problems. Everyone who worked there was either nice or handsome.My mom was in it for the cleaning supplies, and I was into the seeds sold in little painted packets by the till. In an old store on a small street tucked high up under a giant mountain, the idea of planting things seemed natural. During the pandemic, I spent a few months back home and managed to grow a stand of coxcombs from one of those packets in the backyard. Those are still there.Kelsey SundbergInterior designer, AltadenaMy husband and I lost the house we had just moved into in Altadena. We had spent the previous few months fixing it up ourselves, learning how to do the things that I usually do for my clients. We probably stopped into our local independent hardware store multiple times a day for two months. The owners and staff got to know usit was always a chatty, friendly, lovely experience. We're hoping there's a way Altadena can remain a place that small businesses like this one can return to and stand a chance against big development. Support Altadena HardwareThe Little Red Hen Coffee ShopDarin BresnitzProducer, West AltadenaIt had everything that you want out of a diner. It had the old glass and stainless steel coffee pot. It had the griddle. It had red and white checkered wax paper for the sandwiches. It had this patina. I think the sad thing is that you don't get that back. All the nicks and scratches and dentsin the best way possibleall the things that show how much it was loved and lived in, are gone. Support The Little Red HenThe Knolls PharmacySamantha HahnDon HaselkornFormer pharmacy owner, Sherman OaksI had the Knolls Pharmacy for many years. It was a staple in that community.There was an elementary school up the street. Many kids used to come in after school and buy candy and come say hello to doctor Don, that was me. I used to bring my guitar to work and play folk music when the kids got out of school. Id play childrens songs.I hired many kids from the [local] high school. I was their first job. Id try to teach them something about sales technique and how to treat a customer. A kid that I originally hired, who's about 70 years old now, still communicates with me. A lot of the young women and boys from the high school I still see. Some of them still call me boss.Courtesy of Francine Haselkorn LisFrancine Haselkorn LisNonprofit development professional, EncinoI moved to the Palisades when I was two and a half, in 1964. My dad owned the pharmacy. I had my first job when I was five years oldmy job was to dust. I was particularly drawn to the candy, so I made 25 cents an hour dusting the candy.When I was 16, I was a delivery girl. I newly had my license, and I would deliver prescriptions for people. A lot of teenagers learned about the ethics of having a job [there]. In the late 1980s, my dad sold the business. Its now owned by Gordon and Shirley Wong. The next generation, they all know Gordon. Its a neighborhood pharmacy, and its always been a part of my life. Support the Knolls PharmacyMinik MarketCourtesy of Carmela Maria BeyerCarmela Maria BeyerRetail worker, AltadenaMinik Market was my job for the last half of the year. It was a fairly new store, a rarity in Altadena, that was embraced so warmly by our community. This place was my job, but it was something I genuinely looked forward to during my week and had a real connection with our regulars. I could be having a terrible day and a good conversation or hug from a regular could cheer me up instantly. I miss it everyday.Since my bosses [Jon and Gamze] took over the space the place was filled to the top with fresh produce, local teas, and treats, making our 700 square feet feel like a grocery basket in itself. It was a very new and very small business, so our team worked seven days a week to get produce and bread to our customers. Because it was a little less than a mile from my home, I would usually end up stopping by even on my days off, if only to say hi to my boss or coworkers. Support Minik Market708 HouseCourtesy of Eric Owen Moss ArchitectsDax MillerArchitectural designer and community brigade logistics chief, MalibuGrowing up in the 80s, I lived a block away from the 708 House on El Medio Avenue. It was in your face architecture right in the middle of this quiet little historical neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. To me, it was a tangible embodiment of the 1980s. Id skate by it with the crazy retro flying buttress in front and the oversized 7 - 0 - 8 painted on the upper level and immediately Id hear the MTV guitar riff in my head. It had a New WavePunk Rock vibe to it, and I really liked that. 708s dramatic transformation left a lasting imprint on my early architectural mind.Robert Bridges HouseDavid HertzArchitect and community fire brigade captain, MalibuThe architect and owner, Robert Bridges, was an early mentor, friend, and employer. Bridges inspired me to become an architect. [The house] made a statement as to the bold vision of an architect and his determination to build his family home on what was considered an unbuildable steep site. I watched him singlehandedly build this home and raise his family in it for over 40 years. I loved the way the house exhibited a confidence of structure, a grace of form, and a beautiful and honest expression of craft and materiality.Keeler HouseSam LubellJulie D. TaylorPublicist, Pico-RoberstonIt was designed by Ray Kappe. I was good friends with Ray and his wife, Shelly, and in 2020, Anne Keeler, who owned the home, invited me over for a birthday dinner for Shelly. I was extremely honored to be included in this very small group.Rays work just knocks me out. In the Keeler residence, there were great stairs and a lot of glass and wood. Also, a lot of levels; you really had to pay attention. I was there again recently, and Anne took me through every inch of the home. She told stories and talked about her friendship with the Kappes and how so much of the house was designed specifically for her needs. It was a delightful morning. When I left, I thought, Im going to remember this for a long time.Maury PhillipsSusan Von SeggernPublicist, San Fernando ValleyI was at the house in 2022 for a fundraising event with an organization called Presenting AfroClassical Composers. Anne was so nice to host us, and she had this beautiful piano that had just been tuned; it sounded amazing.I went to meet Anne and the executive director of [the nonprofit] at the house a few weeks before the event, and we ended up making crepes. We were in this insane midcentury modern kitchen, and I'm just making crepes. I remember the home made me feel very cozy. Sometimes modernism can be a bit cold and austere, but this wasnt like that. It was open and warm. You could really feel the love that went into it.Audrey GrayJournalist, Santa MonicaWhen you think of a modern California house, you think of post and beamall those long, full windows, seeing right through the house. And Kappe was doing that, but with a 70s vibehe put shag carpet in them and made it look classy, you know? The Keeler House was one of Ray Kappes late masterpieces. Teak, fir, concrete, and glass, everythings really straightforward and simple, but oh my God, what he does with it... its incredible. It was like you experienced the elements of nature in an amplified way when you were in there. Light poured through the center of the house like a fountain. My personal dream had always been to spend 24 hours alone in a Kappe house to just follow the sun going through it.Sam LubellSam LubellJournalist, Santa MonicaI had just visited a month ago. I'd never been there before, but was fortunate to have Anne [Keeler] provide a tour. And like most every home, its the people that inhabited them that leave behind their memories. And as she spoke, you could really feel that in this space. But of course, what I will always remember of the home is the architecture. It was just stunning, how it had the ability to somehow lift you up, lift you out, so you're almost floating over the surrounding homes, and in the distance, the ocean. But somehow, in a delicate balance, everything was tethered to the ground by huge concrete slabs and amazing redwood beams.Octavia Butlers houseMalcolm Ali / Getty ImagesMichael MaltzanArchitect, PasadenaI always loved Octavia Butler's home in Altadena. Ive been drawn to her writing for as long as I can remember. I used to cycle by the house all the time, not because it was any different to the other bungalow-style homes in the neighborhood, but because it spoke to somebody who had a particular depth of thinking and foresight and intellect who was living in a very modest house. To me, this really speaks to the quality of the community in a place like Altadena.Park Planned HomesJulius Schulman J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los AngelesSean YasharCreative consultant, Hollywood HillsI lived in Altadenas Park Planned community for a short time in my early 20s, and that experience solidified my enthusiasm for design. Designed by Gregory Ain in 1948, it was an idealistic development, almost like a utopia. What I remember most was how it felt like I had stepped back in time to an era when it wasnt about just living in one houseit was about living within a community. You could really sense what Ain was trying to envision with 28 homes he built around each other.Holmes HouseCourtesy of Greg GoldinGreg GoldinArchitecture critic, Miracle MileArchitect Whitney Smith built the Holmes house in 1941, and it showed that he was a pioneer in upending the idea of a conventional home. You couldnt see the home from the street, only the low pitched roof frame. And when you entered the house, you quickly saw how it reversed the order of a [typical] home. There was a little hallway that led to various rooms, and culminated in the living room, which was framed by these enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the wooded backyard in a way that you never really felt you were indoors. This was Smith telling us that the interior is simply shelter, and not any more important than the outside world.Will Rogerss RanchAl Seib / Getty ImagesLuis Ortega GovelaArchitect, Mount WashingtonI used to go there a lot; you could just sit there. There was always someone playing polo or offering tours, so each visit, Id learn something new about the home. To me, its an emblem of how good LA is to its residents. After Will Rogers died, he donated the estate to the city and it was turned into a public park.The first time I ever took the tour, I learned that Will Rogers salvaged broken pieces of a sidewalk that had been discarded from a construction site. He used it to clad the retaining wall, and it became this beautiful art piece. Its weird, if you look at the burn photo, one of the only things remaining is that sidewalk on the retaining wall.John LesakArchitect, South PasadenaIt had this great living room with a big stone fireplace and exposed wood, and then it was covered in artwork collected over the course of his life. To be able to go in there, it really transported you back in time. It evoked an age of romanticismmaybe I saw it as more romantic than it wasbut it was a place to stop, tune out, and connect with nature. My firm worked on preserving the barn and stables years ago, and it left an impression. Support Will Rogers State Historic Park workersAl Seib, Nextrecord Archives / Getty ImagesMichael Ashley SchulmanFinancial executive, Newport BeachAs a child, I spent a lot of time in Europe surrounded by buildings that were hundreds of years old. I used to live in Boston, and my first place there was older than the state of California. Here, if something is 40 years old, it feels old. Every time Id hike in Will Rogers State Park, Id see that ranch house and think thats historic. Its from the 20s and 30s and nobody is going to tear it down. It just felt like history.The whole grounds were impressive. The house itself was commanding even though there were only two stories and it was built in a nondescript, sort of Craftsman style. But the horse stables, in some way, were maybe even more impressive. They were cream colored with green trim, and it was so wide with this enormous wingspan and a rotunda in the middle. It was like the Spruce Goose.Benedict and Nancy Freedman HouseJulius Schulman J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)Dr. Raymond Richard NeutraNonprofit president, MontereyOne characteristic of my father [Richard Neutra] and his practice was that he was very interested in his clients occupations and how they socialized. In 1949, when he designed the Benedict and Nancy Freedman House, it was for two very talented screenwriters with a young son who later went on to win the Fields Medal in mathematics. Transparency, being able to move through the home while watching over a growing child, was vital in the design. The layout also leaned on my fathers belief that homes should be of both indoors and outdoors.Julius Schulman J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10)Mary TaDesign executive, Bel AirEvery new employee that comes to work for me, I would say, they have to go to certain museums, they have to see certain houses, look at Julius Shulman's photography, etcetera. Seeing the Freedman House was like seeing the Hollywood Sign. Its a point of reference. And so if you don't have that anymore, it's like this huge missing gap in your education.Camp Josepho Malibu LodgeCourtesy of Scouting AmericaLee HarrisonScout executive, Westside TerraceThe building itself tells a large story about all of the people who have come through. There were all of these rectangular blocks of wood where the scouts would put their names. You could look up on the wall and see the names of the scouts throughout historythere were even some famous names up there. I always loved spending time when the camp was quiet and the lodge was empty. I would put my sleeping bag next to the fireplace and it would warm up the whole room.Theatre PalisadesSamantha HahnLily Blaisdell HamiltonTheater company owner, London, UKMy theater company did our first actual show therethe Taming of the Shrew. I was 17. I couldnt believe that somebody had agreed to let us put this on. They taught me so many things about how to put on a productionhow to dress a stage, simple stuff. But of course, I didn't know, because I was a teenager. They just were like, we'll teach you. And they basically taught me how to produce a play.We had no microphones. I think that was normal there, because the acoustics were really cool. You didnt even really have to project [your voice]. But what stood out to me were the people who worked there. I model [my work] off of what they did for me.Palisades Branch LibrarySteve GuttenbergActor, Pacific PalisadesI was there with my dad on the librarys opening day; it mustve been about 20 years ago. When they opened those doors, they opened the doors to adventure, imagination, and knowledge to people of every age in the Palisades. It wasn't just a building with books in it. It was a meeting place, a venue for all kinds of events, where authors would come and speak, or people from the town were invited to come and talk about their lives. There were spaces for children to not only learn but to play. I spent a lot of time sitting there reading, learning my lines, and writing letters or emails. It was a building that was alive and friendly. Support Palisades Branch LibraryMalibu Feed BinSamantha HahnRachel GrangerPublicist, BrentwoodEveryone knows the Feed Bin. It was next to all of these really upscale places and then theres a feed bin on PCH in a bright red barn. If you said the feed bin, everyone knew where you were talking about. I always saw it as an entrance and welcome to Malibu, like once you saw it, you knew you were almost there.Ive driven past it for years, but I recently got to start shopping there when I became a horse owner a few months ago. The first time I walked in, I was like, I cant believe Im shopping here, and Id just grab stuff on the way to or from the stables. It was really special for me to get to experience it in my own way and become a part of this iconic place.Wildwood ParkJerrye & Roy Klotz, M.D.Bryan MeadAntiques shop owner, PasadenaThere was one specific area called Wildwood Park, near the ravine below Rubio Canyon, with a group of cabin cottages built forby Walter Valentine in 1912. In 1922, he hired Henry Greene of the Greene and Greene Brothers to build one more cabin and update the other three in the Arts and Crafts rustic style. The area felt almost like a fairyland. They were privately owned homes, but they would do an event called Art on Palm, where the homes would be open for a showcase of modern craftspeople. It was really stepping back in time, to see the craftsmen working in the tradition of really what Altadena was built on.Jennifer TrotouxArchitectural historian, South PasadenaArchitect Henry Greene was so tied to Altadena. He had a real feeling for the landscape. When you walked through the site at Wildwood, you'd see these enormous oak trees and the way that the materials of the homes there responded to the surroundingsthese piled stone chimneys and the board and batten siding. He knew how to build for that kind of rustic environment. It enhanced your sense of place in Altadena to see buildings like that.Daily DrillsMary Ralph Bradley and Kennedy CrichlowFashion entrepreneurs, Pacific PalisadesFour years ago, we started our clothing brand [Daily Drills] as best friends and business partners. As people that never wanted to go into an office, opening a headquarters two years ago changed our minds. With sweeping views of palm trees and the Pacific Palisades, the space was filled with great energy and natural lightdevoid of cubicles, it was a place where our employees could enjoy going to work every day. We remember it as decidedly un-sterile and the manifestation of our brands peak, with a production room and a sunny, yellow-and-white striped couch. It held memories both physical and experiential: the first-ever check we invested in the business and fabric patches from our third birthday were proudly framed on our gallery wall.ElysewalkerCourtesy of Elyse WalkerElyse WalkerRetailer and designer, Napa ValleyI opened Elysewalker Pacific Palisades in 1999. It started off a little more shabby chic and French country, and over the years the look became more modern. We began with 800 square feet. At the end, we were over 6,000 square feet. It was located in the Palisades Village, which had that real neighborhood feel. I opened one block from my kids school, the Village School, because I wanted to be room mom. I picked them up every day, and then when they got a little older, they would walk to my store every day. I could run over to the school for a project or a play, or I could bake cupcakes for Thursday Cupcake Day.And that was the whole point of it. I became a hub where moms would pick up their kids and say, Lets go to Elysewalker! We kept toys under the couch for them. Ive changed diapers on that floor in the middle of the store. To this day, there are little packets of gummy bears behind the counter in every single store I have; that was my little way to get the kids to all want to come visit me after school.I made my best friends there. We used to sit on the floor in the dressing room and giggle. Sometimes wed cry. I have dressed people for weddings. I have dressed people who are getting divorced and theyre like, I havent been out on the town in 35 years. What the heck do I wear? I have dressed moms for funerals. I have dressed mothers, daughters, and granddaughters all together, who loved to come to Elysewalker Pacific Palisades because they knew they were going to be welcome.Molly SimsActor, podcast host, and entrepreneurIve got such vivid memories of passing Elysewalker when I was a young model, pointing it out to my friends and saying, This new store has just the best pieces. I barely went in there at the time, but now fast forward 20-plus years, and it became my go-to spot for everythingfrom a quick grab to wardrobe staples to special occasion outfits. It was more than a store to me; it felt nostalgic being there.The building had this inviting, stylish, warm feel to it. It wasnt too over-the-top but just the right balance of chic and homey. I loved the way the clothes were always presentedeffortless but with an elevated, curated touch. Every time I walked in, it felt like a small escape.Shoppe Amber InteriorsJess IsaacAmber LewisInterior designer, CalabasasWhen I was starting to look for locations for my stores, I knew it would be amazing to be in the Palisades. But it was expensive and hard to find a spot. I was in the area for a meeting with Elyse Walker, who I was working for, and when I got back to my car I noticed a little thrift storeit looked like a charming little housewith a for lease sign in the window. It was just a magical place right on the street with a huge window and a park bench right out front. We were in a lease within a couple days. The owner was one of the kindest men on the face of the earth. He was so excited for us, he said, You're going to breathe new life into it! And thats how we started. It meant a lot more than I can even describe.Corpus Christi ChurchSamantha HahnMarie CarsonInterior designer, Pacific PalisadesI never wanted to live, or raise my family, in any place other than the Palisades. It really was a slice of heaven. And within that slice was Corpus Christi Church. It was the center of the Village. Most parishioners would walk there. My children were baptized there. This past year, 18 people from my family joined me there on Christmas Eve. After the fires, all that was spared was the stained glass windows and, miraculously, the tabernacle. Support Corpus Christi Churchand many personal tributes to homesParis HiltonEntrepreneur, philanthropist, and musician, Los AngelesThis home was where my husband Carter and I truly deepened our relationship during COVIDjust the two of us, completely present, dreaming about the future we wanted to build. Later, it became the place where we brought our babies home, where they heard the sound of the waves before they even understood what they were, where they took their first steps with the sun on their little faces. It was love, safety, and magic all in one place.Malibu has always been our escape, our place to slow down and reconnect. I spent as much time there as possible, and it was always where I felt the most at peace. Losing this home has been heartbreaking, but I know Im not aloneso many people have lost homes, businesses, and landmarks that meant everything to them. More than anything, I want to help our community rebuild so that we can all have our beautiful haven back.Courtesy of Zooey DeschanelZooey DeschanelActor, BrentwoodMy parents home [in Pacific Palisades] had 14-foot ceilings in the living room, exposed wood beams, stunning Gothic arch details, original mission tiles, and handmade stained glass windows everywhere. It had three round rooms with acoustics so unique you could hear someone whispering across the room as if they were whispering right in your ear. Growing up there, I knew there were bigger houses but I never saw a more beautiful one.This was where we spent so many of our lives greatest moments, from my preschool graduation to my sisters wedding to my baby shower. Every Christmas, Easter, and birthday celebration. It was filled with the spirit of my parents' incredibly unique style, artifacts, and treasures collected over a lifetime of travel and a love of art and photography. Several times a week I would visit my parents. Their house is where I felt most safe in the world.Samantha HahnAmir NikravanArtist, AltadenaMy parents home, which they lived in for 32 years, was a hub for so many people in the community. Birthday parties with 70 people, cooking fried chicken for everyone, family dinners every Sunday evening in the backyard. These werent just get-togethers, they were events. The home included a fireplace that my father built by hand with brick and river rocks that he found after the Northridge earthquake in 1994. When we finally went to see the damage, the home was gone, but there, in the middle of all the ash, there was this monumental rock sculpture. My father's fireplace remained.Samantha HahnThomas RenaudCeramicist, AltadenaThe house was turning 100 this year and we had this huge plan to do its centennial birthday. We usually throw a pool party every year for friends and family, so this year we had big plans of doing this 1920s-themed pool party. The house meant a lot to us. We moved in together in that house and that was my partner's first big purchase, having worked in TV and film as a writer for a really long time. It was something hed saved up for pretty much all of his working life.Our neighbors were from all different groups of peoplea lot of public0 Comments ·0 Shares ·63 Views
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Hugo Toro Designs a Restaurant for Prince Albert II, Nordic Knots Unveils a New Collection, and More Newswww.architecturaldigest.comMeals are often communal and celebratory and are thus decidedly personal. Table Manners, now showing at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (through July 25), examines these rituals through tableware creations by talents like Virgil Abloh, Joe Colombo, and Zaha Hadid from the institutions permanent collection. Dining as an expression of culture is amplified in pieces like Robert Lugos Lil Wayne and James Baldwin teapot, and local studio Soft Geometrys Mirrors for Aliens, which is founders Utharaa Zacharias and Palaash Chaudharys personal meditation on identity. A recent acquisition and the largest work in the show, it transforms the stainless-steel thali, a traditional Indian dinner plate, into a gleaming, hand-polished mirror that encourages museumgoers to reflect.AD PRO HearsThrough April 13, Salon Art + Design is taking over Bergdorf Goodmans iconic seventh floor with an exhibition presented in hopes of making collectible design more accessible to a wider audience. It features picks from galleries participating in their annual art fair, like Onishi Gallery, Verso, and Room 57 Gallery. Pembroke Lodge, one of the oldest estates on Illinoiss famed Green Bay Road, will host 2025s Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. From April 26 through May 25, see the dwellings interiors and landscape reimagined by 38 designers, including Directory members Amy Kartheiser, Randy Heller, Emily Sturgess, Rebel House, Robbins Architecture, and Studio W.ProjectIn Monaco, Hugo Toro designs a British-inspired royal restaurantVisitors to Mareterra, Monacos recently unveiled luxury eco-district, can now dine on lobster rolls and beef Wellington for two at Marlow. Inaugurated last month by Prince Albert II, the dreamy British restaurant is part of the Monte-Carlo Socit des Bains de Mer portfolio. Its also the handiwork of Paris-based AD100 architect and designer Hugo Toro, who melded expanses of lustrous wood with pink and green marble, Murano glass, and fluted columns to evoke an elevated 19th-century air. Feasts, unfurled in curving banquettes heightened by decorative panels and bespoke chandeliers, are followed by nightcaps at the cast-iron-accented bar.AD PRO HearsDanish furniture brand BoConcept has announced its very first global artistic director. Who better to usher in their new creative era than style icon, artist, model, and fellow Dane Helena Christensen?Debuting at Paris Design Week, Japanese ceramicist Yuki Nara collaborated with Poltrona Frau to display a series of vases on leather-and-wood pedestals. The vessels look like flowers in bloom in this perfect pairing of Japanese and Italian craftsmanship.This weekend, AD contributors Rachel Davies and Samantha Klein kicked off NYtoLA, a Brooklyn-based fundraiser fair and online silent auction raising direct aid for those impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles County. Dont worry, youve still got till February 12 to bid online for goods from Den, Starface, Catbird NYC, and more.ProductAlluring simplicity defines Nordic Knots Modernist CollectionThe Modern rug in Milano Green. Launched on January 21, prices for rugs in the Modernist Collection range from $1,195to $2,295.Courtesy of Nordic KnotsThe pared-back Swedish Functionalism movement, colloquially dubbed as funkis, took root in the 1930s. As an homage to this 20-year period of elegant minimalism, Nordic Knots has launched The Modernist Collection, featuring five rug styles that emphasize crisp architectural lines in neutral and vivid hues alike. The Andreas Martin-Lfdesigned AML 01 features a graphic pattern that references Stockholm boulevards motley faadesthey first appeared in the architects Norr Mlarstrand collection for the company. Also in the collection: the asymmetric Grid; the industrial-inspired Modern; and the textured Lux-2, which is distinguished by subtle pile height variations. The Pavilion rug takes cues from earthy Japanese tatami mats.AD PRO HearsKitchenAid unveils its 2025 Color of the Year and affirms our trendspotting predictions: Butter, a soft, energizing yellow, invokes every bakers favorite ingredient.Dedar is getting outdoorsy. The textile giant has successfully acquired Filippo Uecher Srl, the company behind the acclaimed performance fabric brand, Mariaflora.Finnish textile darling Marimekko has expanded its ongoing partnership with Scalamandr. The luxury interiors resource now offers Marimekkos bubbly, buoyant printed fabrics as well as wall coverings both in stores and online.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·63 Views
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Bathhouses, Saunas, and the New Culture of Bathingwww.architecturaldigest.comDuring the Roman Empire, bathhouses were more than a clean place to rinse off the grime from the grind; they were central to daily life. Bathhouses featured a sequence of rooms ranging from cold to warm to intensely hot, designed not just for bathing but for conversation, connection, and even the exchange of gossip and the gospel.Nowadays, bathing is often seen as a daunting task that doubles as a mini spa moment. For many of us, its just another necessary part of our daily routine, the last step in the process of winding down for the evening. But in the past, bathing was rarely solitaryit was a sacred, communal ritual that fostered connection and ceremony. Considering how bathhouses are spaces of indulgence, where entertainment met excess, and decadence and debauchery coexisted with God-divined cleanliness, it begs the question: How could we have fallen so far from grace into the lone bathtub?The check-in desk at Aman New Yorks spa.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkMeet me at the bathhouseThe art of intentional sweating dates back thousands of years. Ritualized bathing, sweating, and bathing again is a tradition that predates even the resurrection of Christ, and was practiced in ancient civilizations from Greece and Rome to the Indus Valleys Mohenjo-Daro. Over the past decade, the rise of personal saunas, cold plunges, and other buzzy wellness trends like cryotherapy and hot yoga have made their mark all over metropolitan cities like New York City, offering an after-work sweat. These stepping stones have revived ancient rituals, bringing back the timeless practices of sweating and bathing in hammams, banyas, hot springs, and bathhouses.Depending on how well the algorithm has curated your For You Page (FYP) its almost impossible to not scroll past one of those dazed-and-confused post-bathhouse testimonial videos. In metropolitan cities, a trip to the hammam has become a quiet status symbol, often slipping into conversation with a hint of bragging. Bathhouse in Brooklyn has even become a first-date destination, where many of my friends settle for steam to set the tone for a new kind of intimacy. It seemed like these sweat circles were one big members-only club that everyone was invited to, but I wasnt specifically keen on paying a subscription for.The steam room inside the Banya Spa House at Aman New York.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkA prime example of this growing cultural phenomenon is the Russian and Turkish Baths, a century-old East Village staple that has long been a favorite for locals but has recently gone viral, drawing tourists from all over. The 133-year-old institution is a testament to timeless wellness, with its Russian Rooma humbly engineered gas-heated chamber with ten tons of rocksradiating intense, all-day warmth, complemented by a bracing 39-degree cold plunge. Russian and Turkish Bath is definitely a function-forward space instead of one that implements design, lighting, and decoration as a part of its experience. This bathhouse is definitely a clean and orderly space, so much so that they ask that customers shower prior to certain experiences, but its design isnt as updated: It features brick walls, wood paneling, open showers, wet rooms that lead into the hallway, and do-it-yourself Banya massage table.Dmitry Shapiro, general manager of Russian and Turkish Baths (and son of one of the owners), insists that while social media has increased more awareness to the public, its not the reason were popular. But one thing he cant deny is how the clientele has changed. Its gotten younger and more diverse, he explains. I think people have learned about the health benefits of bathhouses and have chosen it as a gathering place over a bar. Shapiro was pleased to hear that people liked their TikTok content while attending a conference hosted by Culture of Bathing last month. This is definitely an international movement, he adds.During the conference, High Line cofounder Robert Hammond emphasized the physical, mental, and social benefits of the bathhouse in the post-pandemic era. People thought COVID would wipe it out, but it actually strengthened the appeal, he argues. People realized these spaces were safer, and the desire for real-life connection grew.Hammond preaches this testament of how being around other warm bodies is probably the best medicine one could receive, You dont even have to meet people [at the bathhouse]; just being around others, sweating together, creates a sense of community, he continues. Youre sharing an experience, and thats what society is missing. Hammon describes this bond formed through shared bathing as a spiritual euphoria. He adds, You get a real-life high from it.The Hammam Spa House is a moody marble sanctuary.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkBreaking down the bathEuphoria may be a strong word, but its easy to see why stepping out of a sweat-filled haze could inspire someone to make bathhouses a ritual. In these intimate settings, safety is largely a givenin order to truly feel relaxed and safe, true comfort comes from shedding social norms. At the bathhouse, nobody cares about your follower count. Theres no hierarchy based on where you sit in the sauna, or a job title to uphold. Stripped of these personal markers, all that remains is the simple, primal pleasure of sweating. In a society driven by social media and status, its no wonder that more and more people are seeking refuge in a space where roles cease to exist.Even in a status-conscious city like Miami, the luxury Turkish hammam Hrrem offers an escape from Miamis informed social roles, welcoming those already accustomed to heat and humidity. Designed with historical accuracy and Turkish craftsmanship in mind, the 20,000-square-foot space evokes the grandeur of Topkapi Palace and the intricacy of extravagant Istanbul hammams. With intricate tilework, mosaic chandeliers, and sweeping open-air architecture, Hurrem has 15 different features ranging from marble-clad scrub rooms, a restaurant, a salt room lined with hand-selected rose-hued salt bricks sourced from the pristine Himalayan mountains, and a bath space touched with marble finishing.The Grand Hammam is a marble and mosaic tiled haven.Photo courtesy of Hrrem Hammam Wellness & SpaWhile Miami is typically known for its Latin and Caribbean culture, Hrrem fuses Turkish and Caribbean wellness traditions. In Latin American and Caribbean traditions, heat, water, and collective relaxation rituals play a significant role, explains Pnar etiner, senior interior architect at Juno Design & Manufacture. Herbal saunas, steam baths, and heat-based practices have been used for centuries for purification, relaxation, and healing, she explains in an email. This is where I believe Turkish hammam culture aligns perfectly with these practices in Miami.etiner notes that hammams have historically served as centers for health, social connection, and cultural events for centuries. According to Medical News Today, sweating helps flush toxins, promotes relaxation, boosts circulation, and eases muscle tension. Regular sauna, hammam, and steam room use can even strengthen the immune system. But for many, the appeal goes beyond just physical benefits.People find they can practice mindfulness and meditation more effectively in these environments, adds etiner. With the rise in health awareness after the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in these practices has surged. As a result, more people are turning to heat-based rituals to support both physical and mental well-being, manage stress, and detoxify naturally.Visitors are always welcome to take a dip in the pool.Photo courtesy of Aman New YorkLet the isolation sink inWhile business is booming for bathhouses, some people are worried about the sacredness of Turkish bathing practices being lostreduced to a commercialized wellness trend destined for the next Goop newsletter. Paris-based Turkish artist Deniz Bedir has qualms with the modern Turkish Hammam, claiming it has lost its cultural significance and become more for tourists. For him, the most authentic experience occurred in 2018 while visiting his familial hammam for the first time in Kzlcahamam, Turkey. I recall my mom telling me she went with my late grandmother and the other elder women would take care of each other, he says. It wasnt like a spait was a communal space.This sense of community and ritual is echoed by Los Angelesbased artist Gabi Abrao, who captured the allure of the bathhouse in a single tweet: In the bathhouse, you are timeless and eternal. You cant bring your phone. Your makeup will melt off your face if you wear it. If you faint, we will catch you. If the bathhouse is truly a sanctuary of ritual, release, and reverencethen why have I spent so long depriving myself of the simple pleasure of sweating among strangers?Despite the promises of community connection and the reassurance that someone would catch me if I fainted, I opted to dip my toes in with a private hammam experience at Aman New York. Unlike traditional hammams, this luxury hotel leans more toward the spa experience (translation: polished and private). Visitors enter a marble-clad room, its centerpiece a heated stone slab radiating intense warmth. After a practitioner scrubs off layers of grime, a bucket of ice is poured followed by your choice of a cold plunge or a warm soak (I did both). This version suited my preference for a quieter experience that left me feeling comfortably nourished.Still, I couldnt shake the guilt of feeling like I had broken an unspoken rule by opting for solitude; and that if I had surrendered to tradition, someone would have been there to catch me if I fainted.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·71 Views
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How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink: 3 Methods for Quick and Easy Resultswww.architecturaldigest.comFor all the glowing up that happens in front of your bathroom mirror, figuring out how to unclog a bathroom sink can get ugly quick. Your sink catches loose hair and soap scum so you can face the day looking prim and proper, but it cant always handle the debris. With the average American household using 20% of their water via faucets, its a big deal when your bathroom sink drains slowly and, eventually, not at all.Unclogging a bathroom sink sounds like an easy DIY taskand it isbut some touted methods can lead you astray. We spoke to professional plumbers to find out what works and what doesnt. The following guide from AD provides instructions on how to resolve your clogged bathroom sink and when to call for help if things arent going your way.Gather supplies: What do I need to unclog my bathroom sink drain?Unclogging a slow drain is a job you can usually do yourself with a few common household items. Dont bother raiding the pantry though. Vinegar and baking sodaId save that for your salad and other things. It doesnt do much of anything other than make a foamy mess, said Nate Schlueter, owner of Schlueter Plumbing in Cincinnati.Heres what you need to get started:Drain plungerPlastic waste bagRubber glovesWet rag or towelZip strips/ties (1824 long)How to unclog a bathroom sinkSchlueter estimates the following two methods can eliminate a bathroom sink clog 70 percent of the time without calling a plumber.Method 1: Use a bathroom plungerA plunger is a simple and inexpensive way to unclog a bathroom sink.Photo: Dmitrii Bykanov/Getty ImagesTo properly plunge your bathroom sink, its best to have a drain plungerthese are usually the ones with red cups and wood handles. You can also buy a hand plunger for sinks for around $5. Then, follow these steps:Step 1: Clear any loose debrisIf your work area is not clean, waterborne waste can affect the seal you get with the plunger or get pushed into the pipe, worsening the clog.Step 2: Remove the drain coverYou must remove the drain stopper for clear access to the pipe.Step 3: Fill the sinkFill your sink with a few inches of water if it doesnt have standing water already. You want enough to make a firm seal without splashing water everywhere. Seal the overflow hole with your wet rag.Step 4: Form a tight sealPlace the plunger directly over the drain. Cover it completely to create a tight seal.Step 5: Plunge the drainUsing force and both hands, push and pull the plunger handle straight up and down for about 20 to 30 seconds.Supply Guru Heavy Duty PlungerMini Plunger, Multipurpose Nonslip HandleStep 6: Check and flush the drainCheck whether the clogged drain has cleared and flush the sink with hot water for several minutes. If it was a success, youre done!Step 7: Repeat (if necessary)If the drain clog remains, repeat steps four through six.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·66 Views
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The Best Affordable Mattresses of 2025: Editor-Tested Bedswww.architecturaldigest.comThere are many reasons you might be looking for the best affordable mattress: Maybe youre on a tight budget but you still want a good nights sleep. Maybe youre looking to furnish a guest room, an Airbnb, or even to trick out a camper van. No matter the reason, theres no need to compromise on comfort, as most top-rated mattress brands offer high-quality memory foam and hybrid mattresses at lower prices than their top of the line models. They might have fewer frillsyou might not find a temperature-regulating layer or multizonal supportbut theyre all made with quality materials and have features like multiple layers of memory foam, gel-infused cooling layers, and motion transfer control.Below, youll find the best affordable mattresses grouped into three price points (based on a standard queen size): Under $500 for the most budget-conscious, under $800 for those looking for some premium features, and under $1,000 for those looking for entry-level upgrades from D2C favorites like Casper and Tuft & Needle. Many of these high-quality mattresses include sleep trials, 10-year warranties, and free shipping, but be sure to check the fine print before hitting that checkout button.Our Top Picks for the Best Affordable Mattresses:Best Overall Affordable Mattress: The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress, $649Best Affordable Mattress for Side Sleepers: The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress, $665Best Affordable Hybrid Mattress: The Allswell Supreme Hybrid Mattress, $487Best Affordable for Back Sleepers: Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, $399Best Affordable Mattress for Pressure Relief: Nolah Original Mattress, $942Browse by Category:Best Mattresses Under $500The Allswell Supreme Hybrid MattressAllswell Supreme MattressUpsidesGreat for hot sleepers, supportive, cozy feelDownsidesIt has a firm feel upon unboxingSpecsFirmness: HybridThickness: 14"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 90 daysFive-star reviews: 700+Hot sleepers, this ones for you: Our social media manager Rebecca Grambone has this mattress in her space and cant stop raving about its cooling technology. She notes that it actively draws and releases excess heat away from your body through the cooling top cover and copper foam. Aside from its breathability, she also points to its comfortable feel. While she said it took some time for it to feel more comfortable, she says it now offers a supportive and cozy feel to catch some Zs. Grambones verdict: I would say that this mattress is a middle ground mattress. Its not too plush but not too hardits just right!Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam MattressZinus Green Tea Memory Foam MattressUpsidesGreen tea-infused for freshness, several body-cradling layersDownsidesContains fiberglassSpecsFirmness: Medium-firmThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 1,200+Zinuss popular memory foam mattress has green tea extract infused into its top layer to maintain freshness. Two additional layersa high-density foam base foundation and a plush middle layercombine to create a supportive mattress that cradles your body and offers head-to-toe pressure relief. The mattress is available in varying levels of thickness (6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch), with the increasing thicknesses distributed across each layer. (And if youre looking for a bed frame for your new mattress, look no further than the Zinus Linda Wood Platform, one of the best sleep products we tested in 2022.)[Editors note: You may have read recently that Zinus mattresses contain fiberglass, a common fire retardant that may irritate the skin or cause respiratory issues. Zinus notes that the mattress cover should never be removed and the Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that fiberglass exposure shouldnt be an issue to users if the cover is left on, but well keep you updated if any further news develops.]Serta EZ Tote MattressSerta Mattress-in-a-BoxUpsidesCooling gel memory foam, strong edge supportDownsidesMight be too firm for side sleepersSpecsFirmness: Plush to firmeight options to choose fromThickness: 14.5"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 120 daysFive-star reviews: 500+Sertas Arctic mattress is one of our favorite models for hot sleepers (read our full review here), but at over $3,000 for a queen, its not exactly cheap. If youre looking for a more affordable mattress from the trusted brand, consider the EZ Tote, where the same size costs $649. It features Sertas cooling gel memory foam that promotes airflow and a foam core that offers edge-to-edge support, as well as a transitional foam layer for added comfort. Reviewers describe it as having a medium firmness level and enough motion support that you wont feel your partner move around or get up. And in terms of ease of delivery, its packaged in Sertas smallest box ever, so you dont have to plan your day around a mattress delivery.The Best Mattresses Under $800The Nectar Memory Foam MattressThe Nectar Memory Foam MattressUpsidesIdeal for side sleepers, pressure-relieving gel foamDownsidesMight be too soft for stomach sleepersSpecsFirmness: FirmThickness: 12"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 1 yearFive-star reviews: 42,600+The Nectar mattress is one of our top picks for side sleepers, as tested and reviewed by senior features editor Nick Mafi. It felt like my body weight sunk into the mattress at just the right level of comfort, he wrote. Its also a great mattress for hot sleepers, featuring a two-inch layer of pressure-relieving gel foam that runs cooler than traditional memory foam, as well as a breathable top cooling layer that prevents overheating. Mafi found the medium-firm mattress to be comfortable and supportive not only for sleeping, but when sitting near the head of the bed to read as well.Cocoon by Sealy Chill MattressCocoon ChillUpsidesGreat motion isolation, breathable stretch-knit coverDownsidesFirmer than expected for our testerSpecsFirmness: Medium-firmThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 6,600+Another great option for hot sleepers, the Cocoon Chill memory foam mattress features a stretch-knit cover designed to absorb and dissipate heat. Contributor Cade Hiser found the memory foam to be firmer than expected based on what the site said when he reviewed it. He quickly got used to (and loved) it, finding that the layers adjusted to his sleeping position. (Read his review here.) The all-foam mattress has a 10-inch profile and ensures motion protection, so you wont feel your partner or your dogs move around at night.Leesa Studio MattressStudio MattressUpsidesSeveral layers of body-hugging foam, pressure-relievingDownsidesMight feel too soft for stomach sleepersSpecsFirmness: Medium-softThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 45While Leesa mattresses tend to get priced a little higher, their softer mattress, the Studio, stands out as a budget-friendly option for anyone looking for an affordable foam modelthough commerce editor Audrey Lee reported you wouldnt know that because of how high quality it is. The mattress has three layers of foam that hug your body in a way thats ultra-supportive while providing excellent pressure relief to boot, she says. I tend to move around in my sleep, ultimately landing on my side, so in addition to solid motion isolation, the Studios all-foam construction supplies a nice amount of give without being too soft for my taste.DreamCloud Hybrid MattressThe DreamCloud Hybrid MattressUpsidesContouring support, great edge supportDownsidesLess ideal for side sleepersSpecsFirmness: Medium-softThickness: 12"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 1 yearFive-star reviews: 8,700+The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress is a great mattress-in-a-box, and another great affordable mattress option for side sleepers. Its made of seven layers, including five types of memory foam that provide pressure-relieving, contouring support. It offers the reduced motion transfer and improved airflow of a hybrid mattress thanks to eight and a half inches of innerspring steel coils, as well as edge support from thicker coils. Our tester, market director Madeline OMalley found its feel to be a great middle ground between firm and soft, noting that though its bouncy, she didnt sink in too much while sleeping. If youre looking for a mattress that feels more luxurious than its price tag suggests, this is a great buy. Nicely, it also comes with a lifetime warranty.The Best Mattresses Under $1,000Burrow Lyric Hybrid MattressLyric Hybrid MattressUpsidesTargeted support, ideal for stomach sleepersDownsidesDoesnt offer a plush feelSpecsFirmness: HybridThickness: 11.5"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 30 daysFive-star reviews: 50+For those who like a firm mattress, dont overlook the Burrows hybrid bed. Contributor Rachel Davies mentions that its pretty firm, but it is designed with pocketed coils, several foam layers, and targeted support zones to help cater to any sleep position. If the mattress feels a little stiff at first, Davies recommends giving it some time. This mattress has gotten more comfortable as Ive slept on it, but even at peak stiffness it was never really uncomfortable and I could always fall asleep (I think it took about a week or two to fully adjust), they say.Brooklyn Bedding Ecosleep MattressBrooklyn Bedding Ecosleep MattressUpsidesTwo mattress firmness options on either side of the bed, motion isolationDownsidesLess ideal for side sleepersSpecsFirmness: Supportive foamThickness: N/ASizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 120 daysFive-star reviews: 190+Described as a mattress that excels in terms of movement isolation by visuals editor Lizzie Soufleris, this affordable bed is a great pick for couples with different sleep patterns. While it might not come with features like a cooling cover, the mattress itself is flippable to offer a medium-firm to firm feel on either side. I tend to stay away from squishier mattresses, so I opted for the firm side, Soufleris says. It provided plenty of support, while still feeling plush, thanks to a layer of latex over the coils. She notes that it might not be ideal for sleepers who like lying on ultra-firm mattresses, but she thinks the range it offers is still a unique offering to consider.Tuft & Needle Original MattressTuft & Needle Original MattressUpsidesSupportive core, springy feelDownsidesNearly $1,000SpecsFirmness: Medium-firmThickness: 9.5"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 25,000+The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress is another foam mattress that feels more high-end than its price tag suggests (though a queen size is hovering just under $1,000). It has a firm, supportive core and a softer memory foam layer that contours to your body. Reviewer Elise Portale has had it for over four years and still finds it to be as springy and supportive as it was the first night. And if youre looking for a cooling mattress, the T&N Original has a graphite and cooling gel-infused layers to ensure even air flow.More AD-Approved Affordable MattressesThe Allswell Hybrid MattressThe Allswell Hybrid MattressUpsidesCooling top layer, supportive baseDownsidesDoesnt have strong motion isolationSpecsFirmness: Medium-softThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 90 daysFive-star reviews: 2,800+This Allswell mattress has three key features: a cooling memory foam top layer with graphite and copper gel that absorbs your bodys heat, an extra-supportive base layer with pocketed coils, and a quilted top panel. This is a quality mattress for anyone who wants the durability of a traditional coiled mattress with the cushiness of memory foam. Its noticeably less expensive than similar foam and hybrid models from Casper and Tuft & Needle, but reviewers say that the high-quality and price combination cant be beat.Wayfair Sleep 12" Plush Hybrid MattressWayfair Sleep 12" Plush Hybrid MattressUpsidesAffordable price, cushioned top layersDownsidesLess ideal for stomach sleepersSpecsFirmness: SoftThickness: 12"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 8,500+Wayfairs hybrid mattress from its bed-in-a-box line has all of the essentials: a gel memory foam top layer and two firm poly foam layers on top of a coil base, all resting on a high-density base foam. The top foam layers have a cushioned but supportive feel, while the innerspring layer ensures low motion transfer and durability. At less than $450 for a queen, its one of the best cheap mattresses you can buy.Signature Design by Ashley Chime 12" Medium Firm Memory Foam MattressSignature Design by Ashley Chime 12" Medium Firm Memory Foam MattressUpsidesSeveral thickness options, nice option for back sleepersDownsidesCoils might feel uncomfortable for side sleepersSpecsFirmness: Medium-firmThickness: 8", 10", or 12"Sizes available: Twin, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star ratings: 37,500+This medium-firm bed from Ashley Home marries the softness of a memory foam bed with the support of an innerspring mattress. It has 680 individually wrapped coils to make sure you feel cradled from head to toe (great for back sleepers), plus a plush memory foam top layer that feels soft enough for stomach sleepers.Tuft & Needle Nod Hybrid MattressTuft & Needle Nod Hybrid MattressUpsidesPressure-relieving, ideal for those with back painDownsidesDoesnt note if it has strong edge supportSpecsFirmness: Medium-softThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 100 daysFive-star reviews: 3,700+Here's a nice, more luxe hybrid option from Tuft & Needle. It's a stellar option for anyone dwelling in a cooler climate or those among us who love to feel warm and swaddled night after night. It features a layer of pressure-relieving memory foam, plus a layer of six-inch coils to support anyone with muscle soreness, back pain, or other everyday aches and pains. The Nod Hybrid has a medium-soft feel and is constructed with special high-density foam to reduce motion transfer.Nolah Original MattressNolah Original Mattress 10UpsidesCrisp cover, shoulder and hip supportDownsidesMight not feel ideal for back sleepersSpecsFirmness: Medium-firmThickness: 10"Sizes available: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California kingReturn policy: 120 daysFive-star reviews: 300+The Nolah 10-inch mattress has a four-layer construction consisting of a soft and crisp Tencel cover and three foam layers. The top foam layer is made of the brands proprietary AirFoam material, which is designed to offer better pressure point relief than standard memory foam. The mattress falls in the middle of the firmness scale; reviewers find it to be plush but firm enough to offer substantial shoulder and hip support for side sleepers.How We Test the Best Affordable MattressesFrom our favorite mattresses-in-a-box to beds for side sleepers, AD editors thoroughly test items across the sleep category on a rolling basis. For our affordable mattress reviews, our testers gave each new mattress a trial run of at least a couple weeks of consistent sleep to assess their qualities.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·75 Views
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The Latest SSENSE Sale Has Too Many Great Deals to Countwww.architecturaldigest.comDespite our best intentions to budget better in 2025, its hard to resist the SSENSE sale going on right now. If youre recovering retail-therapy apologists like us, the urge to splurge is strong when youre being offered a sweet home deal in returnespecially when those savings are up to 75% off, shifting something completely out of budget into more of a sweet spot for your wallet.The Canadian retailer is notorious for hosting epic sales, but also for the sheer number of picks shoppers have to sift through in SSENSE's vast catalogue of clothes and decor. Beyond designer labels and extremely indie upstarts in the clothing realm, everything from Nordic Knots rugs to squiggly vases and Smeg appliances are up for grabs in the sites well-stocked Everything Else section.The Best Deals at the SSENSE Winter Sale:Best Beauty and Bath Deal: Prada Olfactories Pink Flamingos Eau de Parfum, $430 $241Best Home Decor Deal: Audo Copenhagen Black & Gold Small chasse Bowl, $150 $101Best Kitchen and Tabletop Deal: Sophie Lou Jacobsen Teal Wave Pitcher, $225 $153Best Rug Deal: Nordic Knots Off-White Simple Object 18 Rug, $1,295 $751Best Furniture Deal: Muuto White Small Around Coffee Table, $550 $347Best Loungewear Deal: Sleeper Black Party Pyjama Set, $430 $172Best Candle Deal: Clment Boutillon Candle & Candle Holder Set, $140 $42Just in time for Presidents Day, SSENSE just dropped another bombshell of a sale: up to 75% off a large selection of its home goods and recent winter styles. Below, we did the browsing for you to tally up some of the most worthy deals to secure before someone else does this week, including must-haves for the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond. Theres no promo code necessary, just a healthy appetite for tasty savings (and maybe some storage space for all the goods youll be stockpiling). Just keep in mind that many of the most highly sought-after items will move quickly, so theres no time to delay with SSENSEs Presidents Day deals.If youre on the lookout for something specific, shop by category:Bath and Beauty DealsHurry! A few rarely discounted bath and beauty items are currently in our SSENSE carts. Were talking luxury perfumes from big brand names like Prada, Tom Ford, and Creed, plus skincare sets from Dr. Barbara Sturm. Some of these are discovery kits, which come with samples to find your holy grail products before you commit to the full-size, full-price items.Prada Olfactories Pink Flamingos Eau de ParfumTom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum SetCreed Limited Edition Women's 5-Piece Discovery SetDr. Barbara Sturm Discovery KitHome Accent DealsSSENSEs sale section features notable discounts of decor must-haves like minimalist hand-blown glass bowls, funky vases, and sculptural planters from top home decor brands like Audo and Forma Rosa Studio. At discounts as steep as 75%, its easier to rationalize adding even the splurgiest items to your cart.Audo Copenhagen Black & Gold Small chasse BowlForma Rosa Studio Green Botryoidal PlanterMENU Orange Large chasse BowlForma Rosa Studio Wave Form VaseKitchen and Tabletop DealsThe tabletop is where SSENSEs Everything Else section really shines. The retailer offers classic (and very giftable) kitchen gadgets and appliances from brands like Smeg, and Alessi, but also more experimental hand-crafted ceramics, flatware, and fine Italian glassware.SMEG Black Retro-Style 4 Slice ToasterAlessi Silver Port BasketSophie Lou Jacobsen Teal Wave PitcherNatalia Criado Gold Stone Cutlery SetAarke Copper Carbonator 3Furniture DealsCovetable clothes and smaller decor pieces make up the bulk of SSENSE's stock, but the site also sells a few larger furniture pieces from innovative brands like Muuto and Curves by Sean Brown, alongside classics like Herman Miller and Vitra. Not too many of these items are marked down right now, but SSENSE is consistently adding more styles to the sale section.Muuto White Small Around Coffee TableCurves by Sean Brown White Archway ChairAccessories and Loungewear DealsPunxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so gear up for six more weeks of pulling from your winter wardrobe. Add to your collection with comfy and luxe loungewear and accessories, including Sporty & Rich sweatpants or a Marni wool and mohair scarf (one of our editors top recos for friends and family).Sporty & Rich French Lounge PantsTekla Poplin Long-Sleeved Pyjama ShirtAcne Studios Crewneck SweatshirtMarni Blue Wool & Mohair ScarfSleeper Black Party Pyjama SetSKIMS Blue Cotton Fleece Classic HoodieCarhartt Work In Progress Black OG Active Sweat HoodieCandle DealsThe candle sales at SSENSE are pages and pages worth of scrolling fodder, and theyre a tried-and-true holiday gift idea to boot. The retailer offers a number of scented candles from favorite brands like DS & Durga, Diptyque, and Troye Sivan's Tsu Lang Yor. At the moment, there are big deals on products from smaller and up-and-coming brands, plus we even spotted a few markdowns on conversation-starting candles from Versace.Soft-Geometry Tall Gola CandleClment Boutillon Candle & Candle Holder SetVersace White Rosenthal 'I Heart Baroque' Scented CandleSoft Good DealsWhether youre looking to refresh your bedding, stock up on new bath towels, or find a new throw blanket for the couch, there are a wide range of soft and cozy options to wrap yourself in this winter and into the spring season. Plus, we spotted a few discounted tablecloths from Off-White and Tekla to level up your tablescape game.Magniberg Yellow Bold BlanketTekla SSENSE Exclusive Navy Towel Set0 Comments ·0 Shares ·68 Views
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11 Best Bedside Lamps & Table Lamps of 2025www.architecturaldigest.comBefore you spin into a redecorating frenzy (step away from the chandeliers), consider the transformative power of the table lamp. The best bedside lamps provide a bold and bright impact to any room, from home offices to dining roomsand not just because of the light they shine. You can add them to a shelf on a bookcase, place them on a bedside table, show them off in an entryway, and get highly creative with their style. High-design lamps can also make a statement wherever you place them. While lamps with chrome or brass finishes serve as radiant and eye-catching accents, those made with marble, terra-cotta, or travertine can add texture to a sleek space.Accent lighting has always been a thing, but lately, with the rise of antiBig Light content on TikTok and Reels, the demand for cute, trendy ambient lighting options is going way up. And we get itrelying on built-in overhead light fixtures feels cold and corporate, while smaller lamps create a warmer ambiance. Thats why we had the bright idea to test a curated selection of top picks from some of our favorite brands (in addition to other great options that score high design marks in our books). In each of our reviewers youll find an AD editors testimony as to what makes each light stand out, how they use it in their space, and whats something buyers should keep in mind. The hardest part now will be deciding on just one or two.(Lamps pictured with a 2.4-ounce candle for size comparison)Our Top PicksBest Mid-Century Table Lamp: Article Moon Gold Table Lamp, $149 from ArticleBest Statement Lamp: Urban Outfitters Strawberry Table Lamp, $64 from Urban OutfittersBest Coastal Chic Lamp: Serena & Lily Como Petite Table Lamp, $298 from Serena & LilyBest Glass Lamp: West Elm Ribbed Glass Table Lamp, $99 from West ElmBest Portable Lamp: Flowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table Lamp, $315 from AnthropologieBest Small Lamp: Pottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table Lamp, $249 Pottery BarnBest Rechargeable Lamp: Flos Bellhop Rechargeable Table Lamp, $319 from DWRBest Cottagecore Lamp: Lulu & Georgia Jordan Table Lamp, $198 from Lulu & GeorgiaBest Shape: McGee & Co. Vedruna Table Lamp, $349 from McGee & Co.Best Fabric Lamp: Scrunch Black and White Table Lamp by Kara Mann, $179 from CB2Best Task Lamp: Analog Task Lamp, $248 from GantriBest Mid-Century Table Lamp: Article Moon Gold Table LampArticleLizzie SouflerisArticle Moon Gold Table LampThis pick boasts the brightness of a larger lamp but in a small package.Despite its oversized bulb, this lamp has a small footprintperfect for a nightstand that could use some elegance. The base is made of a brushed metal and it has a fabric-wrapped cord, providing the perfect anchor for the frosted glass shade. Contributor Andrea Lewis particularly loved the seamless assembly process as well as the simple, petite, and versatile midcentury-modern design. The Moon Gold table lamp from Article has become a staple in my bedroomits misted glass shade casts a prominent warm light thats perfect for reading, she says. Whether you place it on a study desk, beside your bed, or in your living room, this small but powerful lamp radiates generously.SpecsDimensions: 11" Height x 6" DiameterMaterials: Steel, glass, plastic, textile cordColors: GoldPower source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 4W LED, accommodates 25W max recommendedLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindAny dust build up will be slightly more noticeable with this design, so you may have to be diligent in keeping the glass surface wiped clean.Best Statement Lamp:Urban Outfitters Orange Table Lamp(Editor's Note: While the orange lamp Lizzie tested is no longer available, we recommend the equally charming strawberry version as a close substitute).Urban OutfittersLizzie SouflerisUrban OutfittersUrban Outfitters Orange Table LampThe switch for this fruity lamp is found on the cord.This juicy lamp reminds us of the brightly colored hard candy you might find at the bottom of your grandmas purse. With a playful produce-inspired design that can be set on a base or hung from the ceiling, this charming piece is sure to draw oohs and ahhs from anyone who loves decor you can sink your teeth into.SpecsDimensions: 8.7" Height x 8.7" DiaemeterMaterials: Glass, polyresin, fabric cord, ironColors: OrangePower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E12 Standard Base 7W Bulb recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindAccording to Urban Outfitters, this lamp can be used in two ways: perched on its ring-shaped base (as pictured) or hung as a pendant. While the latter is doable on a functional level, it looks pretty bizarre when suspended from the ceiling, as the faux leaves point straight down.Best Coastal Chic Lamp: Serena & Lily Como Petite Table LampSerena & LilyLizzie SouflerisSerena & Lily Como Petite Table LampA built-in dimmer switch allows you to customize the glow.Looking for some living room table lighting with a touch of coastal grandma style? Look no further than this rattan lamp from Serena and Lily. With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them. What immediately caught my eye was how the unique, trendy raffia shade complements the sleek ceramic base beautifully, associate visuals editor Shani Kravetz told us. The lamp is the perfect size for a desk or kitchen counter, adding a warm, ambient glow and delightful pop of style.SpecsDimensions: 13.25" Height x 8.25" DiameterMaterials: Ceramic base, hand-glazed with brass hardware; shades in raffia or linenColors: Base: white, coastal blue, sage, dark honey; Shade: white or raffia (in plain taper, fringe, or scalloped finishes)Power source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 Type A15 medium base bulb (60W max) recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindThe switch requires a substantial turn to activate and may not be the best choice for illuminating a full workspace. If the Raffia Wave shade isnt your style, theres three other shade options available, along with a range of colored bases.Best Glass Lamp: West Elm Ribbed Glass Table LampWest ElmLizzie SouflerisWest Elm Ribbed Glass Table LampThis lamp comes in three different sizes. We tested the 9" version.This design-forward white table lamp (which is inspired by a Japanese lantern) has us doing a double take thanks to its silhouette and subtle texture. According to commerce editor Audrey Lee, Theres something about this little lamp thats incredibly soothing. With a glass shape that doesnt scream light fixture, its the perfect way to add pizzazz to any nightstand or dimly lit corner, especially if you prefer contemporary or postmodern design aesthetics. This West Elm light emits a subtle glow in such a beautiful way, and I love that the ribbed design doesnt disappear when its turned on, says Audrey. I like to have just this on if Im about to turn in for the night but want to watch a show or two to help lull me to sleepits just perfect.SpecsDimensions: 9" Height x 7.75" Diameter; 13.4" Height x 10" Diameter; 18" Height x 13.5" DiameterMaterials: Glass, PVC cordColors: Champagne, amberPower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 60W incandescent bulb or LED equivalent recommended, 9" size has E12 bulb socket; 13" and 18" sizes have E26 bulb socket.Light bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindWhile its definitely not dim, this lamp might be best served as a mood lighting moment rather than a solid light source youd want for reading or working.Best Portable Lamp: &Tradition Flowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table LampAnthropologieLizzie SouflerisFlowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table LampChoose your brightness with this lamp's three touch-activated levels.Not only is the Flowerpot Lamp, designed by Verner Panton, a modern design stapleits also a portable lamp with endless versatility. Need a little more light during transitional hours? How about an extra glow for your outdoor dining table? Commerce director Rachel Fletcher called the petite light source By far one of the cutest things I own. Great for emitting a soft, romantic light, Rachel loves that it can easily live at her desk or tag along to a backyard hang thanks to the portable design. I have the bright forest green, which gives me frog on a lily pad vibes every time I look at it, and it comes in lots of other shades including more subdued earth tones and metallics. And if you love the look but want something more substantial, it is also available in a pendant style as well as a larger, plugged in version (seen here in podcaster Karen Kilgariff's LA office).SpecsDimensions: 11.5" Height x 9" DiameterMaterials: Polycarbonate, steelColors: Swim blue, cobalt blue, stone blue, tangy pink, vermillion red, dark plum, mustard, signal green, matte black, matte white, matte light grey, grey beige, brass-plated, chrome-platedPower source: Rechargeable battery, micro USB charging cableLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 3W LED built-in bulbLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindThis lamp, compared to the portable Bellhop, doesn't have a very long charge (the Flowerpot is said to last 10 hours while the Bellhop estimates 24). It also requires its own charging cord (included) that has to be angled just so, as it's hidden under the base of the lamp, which seems like a slightly annoying design feature.Best Small Lamp: Pottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table LampPottery BarnLizzie SouflerisPottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table LampThis lamp is one of the tallest we tested, but still has a fairly small footprint.The rustic iron base and clean white shade makes this Pottery Barn lamp perfect for anyone looking to build a modern space thats classic, simple, and vintage-inspired. Its slim enough that it wont overwhelm wherever youll put it, notes Audrey. You kind of get the best of both worlds with this little lamp: The textured base gives the piece an unfinished look, but the crisp, linen shade makes it feel pristine and less harsh. Easy to style in your office, bedroom, living room, or kitchen, we think this is an especially versatile option if youre looking to buy the same lamp to have in multiple areas of your home.SpecsDimensions: 22" Height x 8" Diameter; 31.5" Height x 10" DiameterMaterials: Forged rustic iron and aluminum, linen shadeColors: BronzePower source: Plug-in, on socket on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 75W type A standard bulb or LED equivalent recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindAssembly is minimal but dont be afraid to put in some muscle when youre trying to lock the shade holder onto the lamp base. Youll also want to avoid any super abrasive cleaning products to protect the metal finish.Best Rechargeable Lamp: Flos Bellhop Rechargeable LED Table LampLizzie SouflerisFlos Bellhop Rechargeable LED Table LampA button controls this lamp's four-step dimmer.If you have an outdoor space, you know the importance of having a cordless lamp you can tote on the short journey inside to grab more drinks or snacks once the sun has gone down. Or maybe you want to guide guests to the backyard for a little midnight gossip session around the fire pit. Whatever it is, this rechargeable lamp is easy to grab and is available in a plethora of colors. With a vaguely mushroomy look according to Rachel, its small stature and four dimmable light levels makes it endlessly versatile. I've seen them featured in Hypebeast homes, minimalist Barcelona bedrooms, tiny Sydney apartments, and grand Austin estates, so chances are it'll work for whatever design scheme resonates with you, says Rachel. The last note I'd make is that the price point is quite steep at over $300 for such a tiny piece. While there are lots of dupes on the market, I'd definitely stick with the original as it's been through the ringer with me for the last two years.SpecsDimensions: 8.375" Height x 5" DiameterMaterials: PolycarbonateColors: Burnt orange, dark brown, grey, grey blue, white, yellow, matte blackPower source: Rechargeable battery, USB charging cableLight bulb requirementsBulb type: Rechargeable LED bulbLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindIf you're looking for a super bright desk or task lamp, this is not it! I'd also opt for a non matte option in the future because the black shows all the imperfections which, because I tote it around a lot, there are many bumps and bruises.Best Cottagecore Lamp: Lulu & Georgia Jordan Table Lamp(Editor's Note: The petite version of this lamp is currently being restocked with a preorder option. We recommend the Jordan Floor Lamp from the same collection as a substitute.)Lulu & GeorgiaLizzie SouflerisLulu & Georgia Jordan Table LampThe pleated shade on this lamp feels both vintage and modern.This updated take on a vintage silhouette from Lulu & Georgia is sure to steal the show. The Jordan is the Goldilocks of table lampsnot too dim, not too brightjust right, says AD Pro associate director Lila Allen. Describing it as a wee bit on the smaller side, Lila found a perfect place for the piece on her nightstand. Its ruffled, patterned fabric and wavy shade mean it fits well into a cottagecore scheme, if thats your thing, but its metallic sheen on the base gives it a little edge and allows it to blend into more eclectic interiors too. With a corded toggle switch that makes it easy to switch on and off theres no need to crank your arm into the interior of the shade.SpecsDimensions: 13.75" Height x 13.1" DiameterMaterials: Steel, linen shadeColors: Antique brassPower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E12 40W bulb recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindBuyers should be aware that this lamp requires an E12-base bulb (I couldnt find one at my local hardware store, but Amazon had plenty). Cleaning is a mixed bag: The base can be wiped with a cloth, but the fabric shade might take a bit more care. If your home tends to collect dust, a lint roller should do the job.Best Shape: McGee & Co. Vedruna Table LampMcGee & Co.Lizzie SouflerisMcGee & Co. Vedruna Table LampIf the orange lamp wasn't your style, this ode to an avocado is sure to delight.Interiors guru Shea McGee brings her signature touch to this quirky table lamp. Multiple friends and passersby have noted how much the base looks like a design-forward avocado, Audrey remarks. I think this lamp could really work in pretty much any space, from more reserved interiors to design schemes that lean more eclectic. The sculptural base of this decorative light is topped with a neutral white linen shade for a striking contrast that keeps things feeling coastal chic in a contemporary way. For this lamp, youll want to keep it looking pristine with a dry cloth to wipe away dust and smudges, avoiding harsh cleaners that might damage the finish.SpecsDimensions: 13" Height x 9" DiameterMaterials: Ceramic earthenware, metal, fabric shadeColors: BrownPower source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 type A 90 / 9 LED bulb recommendedLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindThe base of the lamp is a bit on the heavy side so you may want to take the necessary precautions to ensure it doesnt tip over.Best Fabric Lamp: Scrunch Table Lamp by Kara MannCB2Lizzie Soufleris0 Comments ·0 Shares ·66 Views
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Spring-Cleaning Checklist: Our Complete Guide to a Total Home Refreshwww.architecturaldigest.comWith all the pasta sauce splatters and greasy grime, the microwave is yet another overlooked appliance you should put on your spring-cleaning checklist. Dulude suggests loosening up the food particles on the microwave walls by placing a bowl of water and using a high setting to boil the water. Let it all steam up and keep the door closed for a few minutes. Then open it up and you should be able to gently scrub off the food scraps, she says.You can also try the Angry Mama, which works by steaming the microwave with water and white vinegar.4. Deal with kitchen cabinet topsAccording to Dulude, the tops of kitchen cabinets is another often neglected area. Its important to clean those once or twice a year before your kitchen starts smelling funky and you wont know whats causing it, she says. Soapy water is her go-to for scrubbing away greasy gunk. After everythings clean and dry, she recommends laying down paper towels so that all you need to do is replace them next time you are sprucing up.Spring-cleaning tips for your bedroom5. Sprinkle baking soda on linensDepending on the type of bedding you own, Anna Harasim, owner of New Yorkbased company Annas Cleaning Service, suggests refreshing comforters, pillowcases, and sheets with baking soda, white vinegar, and laundry detergent by running the washing machine on the hot max setting or the delicate setting. For mattresses and pillows, she recommends sprinkling baking soda on top, leaving for a couple hours, then vacuuming all the baking soda off. This helps absorb lingering smells.6. Deep clean the mattress with steamIf you steam clean your mattress, be sure to let it air dry fully before putting your bedding back on.Photo: Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty ImagesFor deeply embedded stains and smells, call in reinforcements. Dulude notes that if you own a steam cleaner, its always a good idea to use one on a mattress, or to spray it with white vinegar if you dont. For both cases, be sure to let it dry out completely before making the bed, she advises.Spring-cleaning tips for bathrooms7. Dont just dustwash your vent coversIf its been a while since youve cleaned your bathroom vents, and a simple dust cloth isnt going to cut it, Duludes tip is to remove the vent cover with a screw driver and actually wash it in the sink with soap and warm water before drying and screwing it back on. Then get into the habit of quickly dry-dusting it every time youre cleaning the bathroom, she adds.8. Make a DIY drain cleanerDrain clogs can be tackled with cleaning products you have on hand. Both of our experts recommend making a DIY cleaning solution with common household items by pouring baking soda down the drain for traction, followed by white vinegar (about a cup) to keep the drains clean and odor-free. If the baking soda and vinegar doesnt do the trick, Dulude recommends removing the drain stopper, if possible, and scouring for gunk with a wire hanger.For a serious clog, especially one in the shower, consider investing in a drain auger.9. Beat mold and mildew with bleachGenerally bleach is a solid choice when dealing with mold and mildew on bathroom tiles, and both experts recommend using a toothbrush with a bleach-based product to loosen up spots between tiles. Try a small area first, Dulude says. Scrub the product into the affected area and let it sit until the paste dries, then wash off. If intense spring-cleaning fails to remove the black mold from grout, you may want to consider regrouting. Be sure to seal it, if you do. To keep mold and soap scum from getting out of hand, Dulude adds that you should get into the habit of scrubbing the tiles and grout on a weekly basis.10. Prevent hard-water buildupUsing a squeegee on your steamed-up shower doors should work fine to prevent streaks, but for a deep spring-cleaning, consider a stain removing product like Soft Scrub to combat any hard water buildup.Photo: ANGHI/Getty Images0 Comments ·0 Shares ·64 Views
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This Influencer Spent $2,697 to Make Her Guest Room Look Like a Boutique Hotel Restaurantwww.architecturaldigest.comWhat was your inspiration for this room specifically?I wanted this to be a place where youre peeling off the layers of the day. When we get home from work or come back from a hard day, we leave everything outside, come in here, close the door, put a record on, and were able to be our full selves. Ive got these little matchboxes that say The Last Layer with Shrek on the back. Ive also got coasters and menus in here, when people come in we get to have a restaurant experience. All the layers of yourself really get to be celebrated in this room.What was your approach to furnishing the room?[The banquette] was the first piece of furniture I builtI dont know if Id recommend doing that again, but it did work. This room is so multifunctional; its our office, a guest room, and a dining space. The banquette took us about two or three weeks to build. The chairs I already had and then I built the bar after I did [the banquette]. Our approach to furniture was, What do I already have on hand and how can I zhuzh that up?This room was a completely empty white box when we moved in. I got this paneling and molding on top at Home Depot. Granted everything is renter friendlysaying renter friendly for me is, if theres a couple holes, I know how to fill them and get the security deposit back. We made sure to put minimal holes on this. Sometimes people use command strips or things like that, but we are going to be here for a while. It was so inexpensive.It helped transform the room from not being an entry level Amazon purchase to a well-thought-out and well-designed Amazon purchase, Obiwuru says about these picture lights she ordered from the online retailer. I feel like the plastic picture light was for my twenties and now in my thirties its like, Lets add $50 and get the metal one.Photo: Paige NewtonWhat was your biggest splurge?Overall, the biggest splurge was this banquette. Its also fully removable so I can take this out and put it in the kitchen if I want. I wanted banquette seating and online they cost $4,000 or $5,000, which wasnt something I could do. Taking out the cost of buying the tools, it was $700, which is unheard of for a nine-by-four-foot bench. That was definitely the biggest splurge, but I knew it was going to set the whole vibe of the room, especially when I wanted to go in with brown walls. I knew having a red velvet against brown was not common, but its comforting enough to the eyes that it wouldnt be off-putting.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·67 Views
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This Playful Brooklyn Apartment Was Destined to House a Curious Toddlerwww.architecturaldigest.comThe special textile is paired with a midcentury wooden dining set, a 1960s Vetri Murano egg lamp atop a neon green plexiglass pedestal, and a Mostafa El Hadar painting from the couples trip to Morocco. Two ceramic Shabbat candlestick holders that Miller crafted in the shape of scantily clad ladies stand on the table. One of them is a self-portrait of me lactating, she shares. The other one is a thick, pregnant woman with mom tattooed on her butt.On the opposite end of the open room, the kitchen is equipped with four Memphis-style counter stools from Facebook Marketplace, a red floating shelf thrifted in Brattleboro, Vermont, and a chicken alarm clock from Millers childhood. Her mother painted the etrog and garlic still lifes, while her friend Carson Whittaker created the shimmery resin Negroni piece. She paints on wood, then carves it down, then does a glitter layer and a resin pour, Miller says of the process.The couples bedroom combines a semicircular cane headboard, a yellow-and-white wavy striped Dusen Dusen duvet, and a painting of a woman drinking a coconut by Millers brothers ex-girlfriends aunt. Her grandparents green, cabriole-legged nightstands, which look like they were plucked out of a fairytale, sit on either side of the bed. I was obsessed with them as a little kid, Miller admits.A big built-in bookshelf overflows with wandering vines, tchotchkes, and beloved artwork, including an original David Shrigley Venn Diagram and a framed Evening Gatha prayer from Kronbergs father. All the ceramics are things that I made and there are a lot of costume items scattered throughout, says Miller. I have all my jewelry and knickknacks and lots of plants.Our son actually came really early, Miller reveals. I was 33 weeks pregnant. We were going to do a big mural, but we didnt get up to it. All we had done was paint the walls and put in a Murphy bed system. Its not really in operation. His crib takes up the space that you would need, but it does pull down into a queen bed.The nursery is outfitted with periwinkle walls, a wooden crib, a polka-dotted floor matand a healthy dose of yellow, of course. A corn-colored patchwork curtain glows with natural light during the day and a lemonade microsuede configurable kids couch offers endless opportunities for both lounging and playing. Its the perfect space for a youngster, just like the rest of the home.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·64 Views
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27 Black Women Changing the Architecture and Design Spacewww.architecturaldigest.comAccording to a 2020 report in Archinect, only 0.4 percent of licensed architects in the United States are Black women. Despite the global industry market value reaching $59 billion in 2024, a recent survey from Zippia revealed that only 1.5 percent of interior designers in the U.S. identify as Black or African-American. While the number of Black-led design firms and minority-owned studios gradually increases as more resources become available, its clear the design and architecture industry still has so much room for improvement when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the long run.In order to assess the state of the field today, we spoke with 27 designers and architects who are currently breaking barriers in the field. Not only have these women infiltrated a world that has historically excluded them, they are taking up space and sharing it for future generations to follow like the trailblazers that shifted the culture before them.Beauty Is Abundant founder Leah Alexander in the bedroom of one of her latest residential projects.MARC MAULDIN PHOTOGRAPHY INCLeah AlexanderWhen Leah Alexander started navigating her path in design, she wasnt intimidated by the exclusiveness or pretentiousness that deters so many others from entering the industry. Perhaps it was her being so green to the profession, but Alexander was profoundly moved by the level of intimacy woven through the relationships between designers, clients, and vendors. There was a different cadence of communication than the snooze-fest corporate per my last email vibe, she explains. I found myself in incredible homes, standing in clients bathrooms and closets, witnessing their vulnerability and the incredible power the industry possessed to make a significant differencean impactin impactful peoples lives.In 2018 Alexander founded the Atlanta-based interior design firm Beauty Is Abundant. (Since then, the firm has opened a second office in LA.) Even though she has earned a wide range of accolades over the years, those wins havent come without challenges. Running a business in its infancy during the pandemic was the wildest ride, emotionally, Alexander says. Knowing that Beauty Is Abundant was destined for success at its inception while managing the shock and uncertainty at the time was such an effortful dance.The AD PRO Directory designer is currently finishing the last room in her own home and working on another project that features the most gorgeous stained glass windows. Its my first time working with this stunning material; I cant wait to see the windows come to life!Architectural Digest: From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Leah Alexander: The future of interior design looks and feels like Pharrell Williams becoming the mens creative director of Louis Vuitton. Stunning, brilliant deviations from what has beenrisky, edgy fresh perspectives being celebrated in big, official ways in perpetuitynot just for a spell here and there. Paradigms shifting, with the same necessary high level of discernment and requirements of excellence, but with relentless diversity and inclusion. Being a Black woman, with a unique, fresh design perspective and an increasingly edited, restrained yet expressive, colorful aesthetic that profoundly celebrates other Black artists, artisans, and vendors is my way of taking steps in the direction of what the future of design should look like.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC that are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?I have two important pieces of advice I live by every day. Start before youre ready. If you feel deeply inspired to pursue something, take action now. Scrolling, thinking, planning are fine, but the magic is in the doing. Send that email. Submit the application. Sign up for the masterclass. Go to that panel discussion (and ask a really good question during the Q&A).The other important design-specific thing is: Understand the players who make the industry. Designers, vendors, tradespeople, editorial friends, showrooms, builders, contractors, real estate agents, etc. Become obsessed with identifying where within those categories you might be happiest and obsessively and meaningfully nurture relationships with the people who can help make your dreams come true.The future of design is about embracing unique perspectives and experiences, and approaching design from that standpoint, says Danielle Colding. Your story is your strength. We need your unique vision and experience in this industry so that we can reach more people authentically.Photo: Brittany AmbridgeDanielle ColdingWhen Danielle Colding reflects on her career path, she realizes that her eye for design was more of a family inheritance. I spent my youth designingthink heavy DIY vibesmy childhood home with my mother, she explains. She had an eye for design, which she inherited from her own father who collected antiques, some of which I now have in my own home. She always asked my opinion and took my perspective seriously, which I now realize aided in building my confidence and honed my creative voice.Following careers as a dancer and teacher, Colding found herself circling back to design. The combination of creativity, problem solving, and shopping (with other peoples money!) had me hooked, she adds. After graduating from design school at FIDM in Los Angeles, Colding returned to New York City and did what any professional would do: apply for internships. I picked up the latest issue of AD, which profiled the top 100 design firms in the world, and contacted the New York practices starting with the letter A, she recalls. Once I made it to I, I was offered an internship at Irvine & Fleming on the Upper East Side. That opportunity morphed into my first official design job as a junior designer at the firm for the next four years.Colding has been running her own full-service interior design firm since 2006. At the moment, her biggest project is moving her family from NYC to the South of France, a change that she hopes will expand her global perspective as a designer. I am thrilled to change my current US-based lens for a global perspective and excited to see what opportunities will arise as a result, she says.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Danielle Colding: One of the main issues I have faced is in fact an economic one, exacerbated by issues around race. This industry is filled with people who are deeply connected to the communities and clients they work for which can create an insular environment centered on exclusivity and extensive, generational wealth. As a Black designer from a working-class background, I was not exposed to people with a history of working with designers. As a result, I often struggle to find clients who have the necessary means and/or understanding of what the business does and the costs associated.Wealthy people tend to hire wealthy designers in their own networks. Without such a network, it can be a real challenge to break in and get projects that allow us to show all that we are capable of. The systematic stripping of wealth from Black communities has had long term effects that impact those of us working in high-end industries.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?The future will need to center on new and flexible ways of working with clients. Not all jobs can be high end projects with seemingly limitless budgets as much as we may so desire. We need to find a way to have our services and expertise valued and paid for while being able to take on jobs that benefit communities beyond the 1%. The future relies on us democratizing design without sacrificing ourselves as designers. Beauty is central to the quality of our lives, and we are in deep need of inspiring, healing environments that the community at large can enjoy. We need to find a way to make that accessible while still honoring the craft and valuing the work that designers do.The design industry has changed so much since I started, says Anne Dereaux of Dereaux Studio. My team and I are constantly learningnew tools, new processes, often picking up a new program every year. The beauty of this shift is that theres now a wealth of knowledge available online, making it easier than ever to dive in and start building your skills.Photo: Alex HarperAnne DereauxAt the age of 15, Anne Dereaux was sure of her purpose: to be a builder of worlds through the practice of architecture. In 2001, she was accepted into the masters of architecture program at Tulane University in New Orleans. During her last year in the program, a life-changing event happened: Hurricane Katrina. The years that followed were spent with Kronberg U+A, an Atlanta-based firm, helping to rebuild New Orleans, Dereaux recalls. We worked on historically preserving and reconstructing over 70 structures across scattered sites, and that experience remains some of the most rewarding work of my career.Her first architecture internship at CallisonRTKL taught her that she was more interested in the intimacy of creating what Dereaux refers to as jewel boxes, residential and hospitality spaces at a smaller scale. My formative experiences ended up being with boutique design firms between Chicago, Atlanta, but mostly LA, that were no bigger than about 12 employees, she explains. Everyone had to master the design and building process from concept to development to completion, engineering coordination, interiors, and client management. The dirty all-hands-on-deck approach is my safe space, and it really taught me to carry projects from start to finish efficiently.Now based in LA, Dereaux intends to focus on the task of rebuilding the city with care and integrity following the devastating wildfires that have left thousands of people displaced. She views this as a continuation of a purpose-driven design journey that has guided her career. I never imagined Id be present for a city-leveling event twice in my lifetime, let alone have the opportunity to play a role in rebuilding communities that mean so much to me, Dereaux says. [Los Angeles] has given me so much, and now its my turn to give back by creating spaces that not only rebuild homes but also restore the spirit of this community.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Anne Dereaux: I was very specific about the firms and jobs I pursued. I was fortunate to work with and learn from some of the best in LA. But navigating those spaces often meant I was an outlier and sometimes misunderstood and overlooked. I had to become my own biggest advocate, whether it was for my salary, for opportunities to take on the types of projects I knew I needed, or simply to make my voice heard. It wasnt easy, but those challenges became fuel to prove that people like me not only belong in this industry but can thrive at the highest level.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Access to great design needs to change, both for practitioners and for the end user. Im encouraged to see the industry starting to recognize the value of diverse perspectives and how they can elevate the quality of our built environments; and exposure to great design has the potential to amplify everyones creativity and growth. There are so many brilliant design minds coming from less traditional backgrounds, and social media is finally giving that talent a spotlight. For my part, Ive been fortunate to design homes and spaces with limitless budgets, and while that work is rewarding, theres a different kind of fulfillment when design becomes accessible to more people. This year, Im focused on making our furniture scalablea piece of great design that can sit in anyones home. Its one small way I can help bridge the gap and bring thoughtful design to more people.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC that are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?One thing Id recommend is taking time to explore the many paths within design; interiors, product design, architecture, lighting design, academia, interior architecture, etc. Each of these has different barriers to entry, and some can be just as lucrative and fulfilling as others while being easier to access. Also, dont be afraid to put yourself out there. Invite someone whose work you admire to lunch, have those conversations, and immerse yourself in the industry. And when you do step into this world, I cant stress enough how important it is to learn from experts before venturing out on your own. Homes are often the largest investments people make in their lives, and as designers, its our job to approach them with the utmost care and professionalism.Laura Hodges poses for a portrait.Photo: Michael P. H. CliffordLaura HodgesLike so many women that came before her, Laura Hodgess foundation for architecture and design was built on a childhood dollhouse handmade by her grandfather with curtains sewn by her grandmother. I always loved shopping for the tiny furniture and redesigning the rooms, she recalls. Growing up, she looked forward to returning to her familys hometown every summer and touring historic castles and churches throughout the English and French countryside.Although our family traveled a fair amount when I was young, I never really experienced interior design as a career path and thats why it took me a little while to find my way initially, Hodges explains. I wouldnt call it an obstacle so much as a learning curve. It wasnt until I looked into schools and degrees that I quickly realized just how incredibly layered and nuanced this industry can be.After earning a business degree from Five Towns College in 2000, Hodges decided to enroll at the New York School of Interior Design. During that period, she had the opportunity to intern for AD100 designer Jamie Drake, a fabulous experience that fundamentally shaped her education. In 2016, Hodges launched her own interior design firm based between Maryland and Washington, DC.Hodges is currently in the process of completing the redesign of some public spaces at the Government House of Maryland for Governor Wes Moore and his family, a unique opportunity that inspired her to create a modern take on the interiors while honoring its storied past. As the designer further elaborates, Each room tells the story of Marylands history both through the preserved and elevated architectural details and the refreshed interior furnishings and decor that reflect the diversity of the local community. Shes also excited about building a new design studio that will feature a caf, which she described as a wonderful example of not only the spaces we create but also the welcoming hospitality of our team.Architectural Digest: From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Laura Hodges: I would love to see interior design start to feel more personalized and accessible for a wider range of style and taste. We still mostly see a curated vision of design that reflects a very Western taste. Admittedly, that is my point of view as well, but when I have the opportunity to expand that view and have clients with ideas or style that pushes those boundaries, that can be very inspiring. I think the changes would start from more visibility of other cultures and design styles, not just represented as decor within a Western home but truly celebrated within their own context.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC that are interested in design but don't know how or where to start?I would suggest diving into design in all realms, from visiting the historical rooms in art museums and architecturally important buildings, to seeking mentorships or internships with local architecture and design studios and traveling abroad whenever possible. A design degree is hugely important, but if thats not possible, internships to learn the trade are the best place to start.NeKeia McSwain is the definition of living in style.Photo: Rayon RichardsNeKeia McSwainDesign has played a significant role in NeKeia Keia McSwains life since she was a child. I fondly remember watching my mother create a welcoming home, changing out drapes with the seasons and updating my bedroom with fresh wallpaper, she recalls. This journey hasnt been so much about reinventing myself through design; rather, it being about finding renewal and inspiration within it.Mentorship was the key that ultimately opened the door for McSwain in the design world after pivoting from teaching kindergarteners to working in the kitchen and bath industry. When I met my former mentor [Kimberly Ward], there was a mutual understanding regarding just how little this industry reflected young black women, she explains. I was eager to show how committed I was to learning and growing. McSwain was determined to become an exceptional interior and product designerher dream to make this passion a full-time profession would not be deferred.In addition to running her own luxury interior design firm between Louisiana and Colorado, McSwain is the president of Black Interior Designers, Inc, which has partnered with AD on Iconic Home virtual showhouse. In 2023, BID Inc. also published the book Iconic Home: Interiors, Advice, and Stories from 50 Amazing Black Designers. Going into 2025, McSwain is most adamant about pursuing creative projects with no boundaries. My main priority is focusing my energy on clients who feel they cant accomplish their desired outcome without my expertise, she says.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?NeKeia McSwain: The greatest obstacle Ive faced over the years has been trusting myself and the desire to attain perfection. Ultimately, no one can hold you back but you. In this industry, nothing is guaranteed, there will always be the need to pivot, and the best approach any designer can take is to let your work speak for itself.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?The future of design would appear to be moving toward greater inclusivity. Less elitism and more embracing a wider range of talent is what my point of view looks like. I pray to see more designers focus on their innate creativity, and less comparison to others, while exploring ideas beyond the constraints of current trends.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC that are interested in design but don't know how or where to start?Id advise anyone who loves this industry as much as I do to approach it with an open mind and unwavering passion. Remember, the goal of winning should always take a backseat to the goal of growth and learning.I have worked extremely hard, says AD100 designer Joy Moyler. Many may disagree, but regarding your career, I am a strong believer in Nothing you truly have your heart in should be easy. If it is, you arent working hard enough.Joy MoylerBefore settling on design and architecture, Joy Moyler considered many other career fields like forensics, entertainment law, and journalism. Its my constant questioning nature to unravel, explore and solve problems, she says. As a born and bred New Yorker, the city has been more like a lifelong university with architectural landmarks like The Museum of Metropolitan Art serving as her design North Star.After decades of grinding at firms like Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Kohn Pederson Fox, Moyler established an award-winning design firm of her own in 2011. Nearly a decade later, she was named as an AD100 designer. In addition to giving residential properties for A-listers her signature classic and crisp touch of modernity, Moyer has spearheaded interior projects for global fashion houses like Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani.Lately, Moyler has been carving out more time for writing projects (she has a Homes & Gardens column and is also a contributing editor for Veranda Magazine), philanthropic work for Housing Works and Kips Bay, and other lifestyle concierge services. I am always keeping my eyes and ears peeled for new opportunities as I am constantly curious about design and letting it all just flow, she adds. I still want to do everything!Architectural Digest: How and when did you get your foot in the door?Joy Moyler: I walked my whole body through the door! Prepared to give it my all. My first job during college was working at The New York Times, in their in-house interior design department. I also organized the library of fashion and reference books for Carrie Donovan, the fashion icon and style editor, and Paul Goldberger, the architecture critic. That was the start of combining fashion and architecture in my career, knowing they could coexist, as I couldnt separate one from the other.What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Since the George Floyd murder, there has been wider access, visibility and opportunities for BIPOC designers. Many who would never before have been seen. For years I have long mentored designers of color and am thrilled to see the development of their careers. The torch has been passed. They just have to keep on running with it and pass it on. We have to constantly create environments rich in diversity, shared experiences, and perspectives which enrich all of us collectively.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC that are interested in design but don't know how or where to start?I get thrown when new designers of the last 15 years say I didnt see anyone in the industry who looked like me. That tells me you werent really looking. When my career started over 35 years ago, I sought African American architects and designers and found themand I am famous for encouraging young designers to study their craft. Clients are expecting you to know your craft and are paying for that. Take classeseverything cannot be learned on site. Clients know when you are BSing.My style and my designs have been called too niche and not mainstream time and time again, says Justina Blakeney. I overcame that by building my own community, so that I could prove to clients and partners that there is a market for my design style and sensibility.Photo: Jenna PeffleyJustina BlakeneyLike most creative breeds, Justina Blakeney developed an interest in design early in life. The multihyphenate recalls having a passion for arts and crafts, shopping at flea markets, and redecorating her childhood bedroom. This curiosity about the cultural and anthropological aspects of design only deepened while Blakeney was studying at UCLA. After graduating in 2001, she moved to Italy to pursue a career in fashion design, followed by opening a boutique with her older sister, Faith. Once she returned to her native California, Blakeney started a design blog that has since evolved into a design brand known as Jungalow.For the most part, Ive always built my own doors to step through, she explains. Ive always had an entrepreneurial spirit. And, while there were a lot of people who supported me and believed in me along the way, there was no clear single moment that I would identify as the moment that I got my foot in the door. It was a way more gradual process, with my fair share of setbacks and failures and trial and error to finally gain some traction in the design world.In addition to providing hundreds of thousands of people with products to enrich their home life, Blakeney has published a series of best-selling books, The New Bohemians: Cool and Collected Homes and The New Bohemians: Come Home to Good Vibes. In 2023, she made her official debut on the AD100 list. For Blakeney, design continues to serve as a vehicle to imbue the world with more beauty and compassion. Stay tuned for new products from the Opalhouse designed with Jungalow collaboration for Target, along with some exciting artistic collaborations with iconic brands and cultural institutions.Architectural Digest: From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Justina Blakeney: The future of design holds so much potential for positive transformation that is not only beautiful but also sustainable, diverse, thoughtful, and heart-led. I would like to see prioritization of eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient practices, and a commitment to minimizing environmental impact but also innovation of ways to work with Mother Nature, instead of against her.I would like to see thoughtful design with conscious consideration of the social, ethical, and emotional implications of projects. I would like to see more diversity and more representation. I also believe in giving back through mentorship and through sharing my experiences and learnings with people openly to hopefully help them avoid some of the pitfalls I ran into and to help folks move with confidence into and through the design world.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?I would suggest blocking off a couple of hours every single day to practice your art and share it with (at least) one person. Thats what I call planting seeds, and that could mean so many different thingsmaybe youre styling a corner in your own home, taking some photos and sharing it with your family or your coworkers. Maybe youre designing a room inspired by your favorite interior designer and sharing it with them via Instagram. Maybe you are helping your best friend pick out wallpaper for her home and then asking her if you could help her style and shoot it once it gets installed.Pushing yourself to get out of your head and just create and share, in my experience, is how you grow. Through practices like these you find your voice and you build connections with people who may be future clients/partners/employers or even employees! Then you continue to nourish the seeds, and soon they sprout and, eventually, blossom.Never doubt yourself, says AIA president Kimberly Dowdell. Know that you have an important perspective to bring to your work. Determine what you want to accomplish as a professional and relentlessly pursue your mission. Find a mentor and dont be afraid to ask any questions that you have.Kimberly DowdellFrom a young age, the academic Kimberly Dowdell recognized the power of design. In fact, it was an art class in middle school that completely shifted her world view on the field of architecture. Our teacher tasked us with creating a mini apartment model within a shoebox, she recalls. The process of making design choices to drive how the mini residents would navigate that small space unlocked a new understanding of how architecture could facilitate larger changes.Growing up in Detroit during the early 90s, Dowdell was constantly exposed to the citys abandoned and neglected buildings which inspired her to pursue a career path in architecture in order to drive positive change. I initially aspired to become a doctor, but shifted to becoming an architect in an effort to help heal my community through enhancing the built environment, she says. After attending Cranbrook Kingswood to foster her aspirations, Dowdell pursued a degree at Cornell Universitys College of Architecture, Art, and Planning.Dowdell currently serves as the national president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As the first Black woman to hold this position, shes excited to have the opportunity to hold space for conversations around what architects can do to improve society. Shes also driven by a duty to improve health outcomes and health equity, and wants to empower architects to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public amidst other pressing issues. She credits much of her success to the support of her academic community, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and AIA.Architectural Digest: From your point of view, what should the future of design look like?Kimberly Dowdell: The future of architectural design will reflect the talent that is attracted and retained in the profession of architecture. This is why I believe that it is very important to cultivate a diverse pool of talent that represents the brightest and best creative intellectuals available. One of the reasons why I am very focused on improving the economic outlook for architects is because we need strong talent from all walks of life, not just those who are from backgrounds of financial privilege that can afford to pursue architecture.The next generation of architects, coupled with yet to be seen technological advances, will drive what we see in the built environment. In an ideal future scenario, the diversity of architects will reflect the communities that are being served (namely all communities), and the future of design will be dynamic, flexible, regenerative, sustainable, equitable and artful. At its best, architecture elevates the human experience. My hope is that the future of design does just that.What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?It has been disappointing to see the disparities that exist in the profession of architecture relative to diverse representation. This is part of the reason why I decided to run for AIA President in 2022. AIA was founded in 1857 and had never had a Black woman serve as president. I felt that it was time for that particular milestone to be met, and I hope that other meaningful milestones are met and surpassed as a result. It is more challenging to recruit and retain diverse talent in our field when leaders from diverse backgrounds are not present. Thus, an obstacle that exists to this day is diversifying the profession of architecture, including at the leadership levels, which contributes to some of the challenges that we see not only in our field, but also in the built environment.What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?A significant change I would like to see is the elevation of the value of architecture. Specifically, I want the compensation of architects to increase in recognition of the importance of quality design solutions for the benefit of our collective built environment. On average, an architects compensation is lower than commonly assumed, especially considering the extensive time and expense required for education and licensure, currently averaging more than 13 years to become an architect.In contrast, professionals like physicians and lawyers, with similarly demanding pathways, often start with considerably higher salaries. For those from under-resourced backgrounds, this financial barrier can be a major deterrent to pursuing architecture as a profession. I believe that it is vital to the future of the architectural profession and the built environment that architects are compensated fairly for the expertise that we offer and the value that we create for our communities.Learn the vocabulary, do your research, and learn the art of design, says Monet Masters. Most importantly, put in the work.Photo: Forbes MastersTavia Forbes & Monet MastersDespite being the daughter of a furniture maker turned cabinet designer, Tavia Forbes wasnt fully sold on committing to a career in design until she started watching Vern Yip on TLCs Trading Spaces. As for Monet Masters, her innate nature to walk into a space and immediately take notice of its story through details like interior architecture to the choice of pillows is proof that she was destined to be a designer. As fate would have it, their paths would eventually cross on a client project. After enough professional overlap, Forbes and Masters decided to get into business together and thats how their luxury interior design studio was born.Specializing in conceptualizing and planning spaces, managing projects, and sourcing and staging custom furnishings, Forbes Masters has all the bases covered for homeowners and property managers alike. In 2023, they collaborated on a special collection with Ruggable and AD. With another CB2 Black in Design collection on the horizon, this is looking like an even more abundant year for the dynamic design duo. In 2024 we are looking forward to more collaborations to showcase our unique design point of view, they share.Architectural Digest: How and when did you get your foot in the door?Monet Masters: I was committed to being successful in the industry. I became relentless and while establishing my business and brand I advertised my technical skills like renderings and digital moodboards on social media. I was making passive income creating renderings and digital mood boards for seasoned designers. One day, Ebony magazine invited me to feature a curated look for an article titled Spring Revival and in April/May of 2016 Mikel Welch and I were the two designers selected to share our design direction on how to refresh your home.Tavia Forbes: I had just given two weeks notice and was helping with wedding event design and a book launch event, and thats where I met my mentor, Myleik Teele. She encouraged me and validated my talent for design and then she hired me to design her townhouse. My business grew from personal referrals from designing her home.What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?MM: Partnership and working together was the very first obstacle, but the biggest obstacle is similar to Black women in all industries getting paid your worth. Putting more effort in proving my worth as a Black woman designer. We both have stories of being undervalued and most of our clients have not worked with a designer in the past so we are educating clients on the process, and our journey is not as similar to other designers. As an entrepreneur with a creative mind, handling all aspects of a business is difficult and especially the financial, legal, and contractual aspects.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?TF: Some of the changes are already happening. Clients are embracing more of their personal style. Styles are more global and inspired by art. There has been a shift from the design in the early 2000s of long standing standardized beige spaces. The future of design should be more diverse in who has access to design as well as who provides design services. Cultural diversity was seen in the past as aspects or props of other designs with no connection.MM: The future should provide intentional, sustainable, and higher quality products that have a story of where they came from and the artisans who created them. Our vision is that the future of design will have a long lasting inheritable quality. Done with McMansions, done with beige. The future of design incorporates old items, antiques, mixing them with new pieces and expanding palettes. We have so much access to information we can look backwards in history and are exposed to the history of design which translates to sophisticated mixing of eras.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?TF: We have so many technologies available to assist in interior design. You should just start showing your talent by designing rooms, having them digitally rendered, having something to visually show your aesthetic. Dive into the process of design. Gain experience. Learn technical skills about construction or how things are made, or if you want to be an entrepreneur minor in business. Get your feet wet.Design transcends artistic expression, says Sandra Githinji. It is a vocation, fundamentally centered on people. It operates as a unique spatial language, fostering a symbiotic relationship between individuals and their environment. It is this profound interdependence between people and space that has ignited my passion for design.Photo: Michaela BarcaSandra GithinjiBy the age of 10, Sandra Githinji was certain that she would pursue a creative career in art, design, or architecture. My interest is driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully, rectify existing shortcomings, and amplify diverse modes of the embodied experience, she explains. This recognition of design as a dynamic force for enhancing the human lived experience has been the initial spark that continues to fuel my enthusiasm for this creative discipline. After graduating from RMIT University in 2016, Githinjis career as an interior designer began when she was hired to work at notable architecture firms across Asia Pacific.It was only in recent years that her perspective on design evolved as she started to differentiate design practice from an artistic pursuit and activated a full-on transformation. After suffering from a bad case of burnout, Githinji decided to resign and establish her own design practice. This particular career move marked a defining moment, a true arrival in my role as an interdisciplinary designer, she says. Beyond the challenges, it presented an invaluable opportunity for me to redefine the essence of a design practice. In the aftermath of resigning, I found the freedom to reimagine what design meant to me personally. It became more than just a professional career and became an avenue for me to explore the intersections of cultural histories, pedagogy, activism, and the built form.Last year, Githinji collaborated on a collection with the Black in Design Collective for CB2. Shes looking forward to engaging in more collaborations in community. Githinji is currently embarking on a PhD through RMIT University and seeking opportunities that align with her academic pursuits. As far as craft is concerned, Githinji will continue to direct all of her efforts toward Africa. I am keen on forging potential partnerships with cultural organizations, artisans, and story-tellers to enhance the work and also create accessibility for these pieces within sub-Saharan Africa, she adds. Githinji also hopes to secure a hotel project so she can combine her expertise in interior design with a focus on furniture, lighting, and object design.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Sandra Githinji: In navigating my career path, Ive encountered several external obstacles, however a significant challenge has been letting go of the need for self-explanation. I now prioritize connecting with those who resonate with my perspective, recognizing that translation risks losing essential elements in the process.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?The future of design should embody a contextual approach, where creativity is intertwined with the specific needs, values, and cultural nuances of the audience or community it serves. Contextual design recognizes the importance of understanding the unique environment in which a product or solution will exist, ensuring that it not only meets functional requirements but also resonates with the people its designed for. This shift towards broadening design perspectives fosters innovation and ensures that designs are relevant and accessible to a diverse global audience.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but don't know how or where to start?My foremost advice would be to embark on a journey of self-initiated learning. Your unique lived experiences and cultural context are invaluable assets that can serve as a powerful starting point and unfortunately will not always be present in the current western canon of education. This self-awareness is your superpower in the design world, setting you apart and providing a foundation for creating designs that resonate authentically. Consider it a form of design rooted in personal narrative, a narrative that is inherently compelling and distinctive.Bringing your full self to the work is something I learned from Nana Biamah-Ofosu. Embrace and celebrate your identity, as it is a dynamic force that can shape innovative, culturally resonant designs. Avoid the pressure to conform to pre-existing design norms; instead, use your perspective to question paradigms and challenge assumptions. I would also advise them to seek out mentors and role models who share similar backgrounds. Connecting with individuals who have navigated similar paths can provide valuable guidance, insights, and a sense of community.Lastly, to remember that their journey as a BIPOC designer is unique, and its okay to carve out your own path. Embrace the challenges and leverage your culture, heritage, stories and lived experience as a source of strength and creativity. By doing so, you not only enrich the field of design with diverse perspectives but also pave the way for future generations of BIPOC designers to thrive.I try not to look too far ahead, says Delia Kenza. I am learning to take things day by day, to appreciate the little moments more.Photo: Nick GliminekisDelia KenzaWhen Delia Kenza reflects on where the seed of interest in design was planted, she points to her grandmother. Her home was beautifully designed and I loved the details, from the orange shag rug stair runner to the kelly green silk sofa, Kenza recalls. I wanted to live like her. Once she eventually had a homeand familyof her own, Kenza did just that. Little did she know that renovating her Brooklyn townhouse into a contemporary masterpiece would steer her away from a law career once friends (and neighbors) quickly took notice of her raw talent for design.My dear friend, Maxine, loved the first home I designed for my family. Whenever she visited, she would say, When I buy another place, I will need you to design it, Kenza shares. True to her word, she purchased another home and gave me a credit card. No budget was formally discussed, but I had an idea because we were close friends. She went away for a few months, came back, and loved the space. She continues to be one of my biggest supporters. The New York designer continues to relish in creating more beautiful spaces that reflect each clients creative taste along with designing custom bespoke pieces further down the pipeline.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Delia Kenza: There have been plenty, and I embrace them. It is part of the course. However, my biggest obstacle has been billing and how to price a project. I was so happy people paid me to do what I loved; and sometimes its easy to forget that its a business.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?I would like design to be less judgy and more authentic. We all live differently, have different styles, and different budgets. A beautiful home is one well-lived and can take several forms. Also, Im not too fond of trends; design is like art to me. They say you should buy the art you love, and that is the same in design: Buy what you love. There can often be too much of the same.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?I always say start. That may annoy some people. They may get the impression I am gatekeeping some essential information. But I am not. Im serious when I say start. Again, it goes to my point of not feeling judged. Start where you are, be willing to make mistakes, and keep it original. The world needs more authenticity.Little Wing Lee poses for a portrait at Black Folks in Designs Spotlight II exhibition at VERSO in New York City.Photo: Kelly MarshallLittle Wing LeeAs the daughter of a modern dancer, considering how space should feel was ingrained in Little Wing Lee. Naturally, this instilled her with a strong appreciation for how the combination of spaces, objects, and nature could create a beautiful environmentand a love for texture, color, and pattern. Lees professional career in design formally began while she was in grad school at Pratt. Eric Daniels brought me into his architecture practice upon graduation to work as an interior designer, she says. And the late Hazel Seigel connected me to Architex, for whom I was able to design a textile, and subsequently made the introduction to me at SOM, where I went on to work.After leading the design team at Atelier Ace, she founded her own design firm, Studio & Projects. In 2017, Lee established Black Folks in Design as a professional network to connect Black designers across disciplines and provide more portfolio-building opportunities. (Expect more activations in 2024, including an exhibition abroad.) The newly inducted AD100 designer has an ongoing partnership with Odabashian and debuted a lighting collection with RBW last year. In terms of projects, shes busy with new residential opportunities, an almost completed restaurant, a new hotel in an amazing historic building, and the opening of Ray Harlem and National Black Theatre.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Little Wing Lee: Of course, as with all people, there are the usual obstacles to overcome as you forge your path to build a career in design. As a Black woman, there is the additional wondering about what assumptions some people are making about a person like me. I do sometimes find myself questioning what opportunities and access I am missing out on, or what barriers and obstacles I am facing that I may not even be aware of. Like any designer I simply want equity in terms of the options, choices, and freedom to design spaces and objects without limitations or preconceptions.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?First and foremost, I would like to see an expansion of the design canon. I am beginning to believe that we may be seeing the envelope opening. There is evidence that voices of women, Black folks, and other people of color are being recognized and included in conversations across design disciplines. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done around this, but I do find reason for hope. Black designers are here and have been working. The talent is there and has always been there. But theres been a kind of negligence in regards to learning about, highlighting, and hiring those designers. Celebrating and elevating Black design talent is the reason I founded Black Folks in Design.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?In most respects, I would give them the same advice Id give to anyone. See as much as you can. Read books, visit museums, take a walk on the beach, look through your grandmothers collection of photographs, watch films, look at the phases of the moonsimply be present in the world as much as you are able. Curiosity can truly be the greatest inspiration for you and your designs. Trust your intuition and instincts. And finally, find your community. You need to have a group of people on your board of directors to give you insights, advice, and share knowledge along the path of your career.Gaining others confidence as a designer and not letting their doubt overcome me was tough, says Jade McNeil. But at every obstacle, I pushed through others preconceived notions of me to create the amazing designs that I knew I could, leaving everyone nothing but happy.Photo: Nick GlimenakisJade McNeilWhen Jade McNeil reflects on some of her earliest design memories, all roads lead back to the bathroom. As a kid, I would beg my mom to take me to the bathroom at a restaurant so I could see how it was designed, she explains. I would spend more time setting up my dolls houses than actually playing with them; and driving around new neighborhoods, I was always so curious about what different houses looked like on the insideall the signs were there! But despite the curiosity, McNeil wouldnt entertain the idea of becoming an interior designer for another decade.Growing up, I didnt know any interior designers, didnt see any that looked like me, and didnt know that that was an option for a career path, she says. While studying undergrad at UCLA, McNeil found herself completely absorbed in the process of decorating her dorms and apartments. I found myself constantly reading all of the major design magazines and watching home renovation shows, she continues. I realized I loved interior design enough to make it my career. After I received my first degree, I wanted to switch gears and explore interior design as a passion and career path. Since then, McNeil has spent the past decade working on residential and commercial projects in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, D.C., Connecticut, and New Jersey.After going from working at a start-up firm in Los Angeles to a large residential design firm in New York City, she decided to establish her own namesake luxury interior design firm in 2020. While the transition came with its challenges, McNeil had years of experience along with a Rolodex of industry connections and clients who were eager to work with her. By utilizing a design approach that incorporates societal and cultural themes, McNeils projects are a beautiful medley of soulful modern interiors. This year, the interior designer is most excited to dive deeper into the territory of home gut renovations.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Jade McNeil: There are obstacles every day, thats part of being a designer. We are constantly problem-solving and putting out the fires. The biggest obstacle for me was, in the beginning of my career, I really felt like I had to go the extra mile to earn peoples respect as a Black woman entering the world of interior design. There was a constant need to prove myself as an interior designer and convince clients and tradespeople to take me seriously.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?I want the future of design to show a unique perspective, inclusive design experience, and for each space and project to look uniquely different from the next. As a society, we are heavily focused on whats currently trending and, as a result, a lot of projects start to look alike. Then the uniqueness of each space and of those who will be using it tends to get lostbe it the same materials, furnishings, artwork, and so on. Id like to see design become more personal and accessible for everyone.Interior design is important, as our environments and surroundings affect our daily lives, our moods, and our habits. A well-designed home is something everyone deserves and should have access to. Im a firm believer that our homes should work for our lifestyles and reflect our individuality. When our homes bridge the gap of gorgeous materials and maximum functionality, we get to live a life of beautiful ease. Who doesnt want that?What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?Honestly, just start. Take some classes, get an internship, practice designing for yourself and your friends, and take lots of photos before/during/after to post online. With interior design, its not all you see from the outside. It takes work. So my advice to anyone interested in interior design would be to get your feet wet and see if its really for you.If you have a passion, a point of view, and something to say in design, dont let anyone stop you, Brigette Romanek says.Photo: Michael CliffordBrigette RomanekContrary to what you might have believed, Brigette Romanek didnt plan to become the design worlds next big star. Her interest in the medium formed organically out of a need to feel safe in her own environment and wanting others to feel the same. Living in Hollywood, the door practically opened itself, and the opportunities were endless: I had an event at my house; people came, and then someone asked me for help because they liked what I had done!Since then, shes stacked up quite the Rolodex of A-list clients, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonc. Romanek has also elevated a number of commercial and retail spaces from Beverly Hills to New York City. In 2023, the AD100 designer published her debut book, Livable Luxe, which is a must-have for every coffee table. Romanek Design Studio is currently working on a boutique hotel in Los Angeles, a ground-up residential condo building in New York, and special collections for Loloi and Crate & Barrel, and Our Place.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Brigette Romanek: I was told to my face that, even though they liked my work, I didnt get the job because of the color of my skin. Believe it or not, that really happened! Where it could have made me feel defeated and made me think, Why should I even try? it pushed me. It pushed me to work harder and not give up. I wasnt going to be defined by someone who didnt give me a chance strictly based on nothing more than the color of my skin.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?That the future of design would look as rich and diverse as the world we live in. That the biggest obstacle the designer faces is if their clients will like the furniture choices.Focus on the business before the design, Muse Noire Interiors founder Ashley Ross says. Your design aesthetic and the scale and polish of projects will all evolve over time, but a strong understanding of the business will carry you further, faster, and longer.Photo: Camille HughesAshley RossMost first-generation homeowners would be overwhelmed by the process, but when Ashley Ross was going through this experience with her now husband, it ignited something inside of her. Following the birth of their daughter in 2018, Ross felt inspired to take a leap of faith and leave behind her executive director role at a national nonprofit. I refer to Naomi as the real muse because her existence is what gave me the courage to pursue interior design with full force, she says. Her nursery was the first space in our home that was finished and designed with intention. From there, I worked on other spaces in our home and quickly realized that there was a heavily understated wellness component to interior design, and I wanted to explore it.In 2019, Ross founded Muse Noire Interiors in Charlotte, North Carolina. The interior designer believes that style is ever evolving, and follows an approach that leans into a design aesthetic of shared experiences. At the moment, Ross is wrapping up a handful of home projects along with a historic preservation project to restore an old segregated school that will be turned into a museum for the community.Architectural Digest: What obstacles have you overcome while navigating your career path in this field?Ashley Ross: Ive struggled a bit with capital before taking the leap to self-finance when it was time to scale the business. But like most Black-owned businesses, the biggest challenge came from within. I struggled with juggling all that I do (wife, mom, business owner) right as I retired from corporate America. I thought I was ready to take on Muse Noire full-time and I was! In all the ways that my business coach and I had discussed, but a month into full-time entrepreneurship, I knew I needed to add a therapist to the roster of coaches. I felt this debilitating wave of doubt and grief for the life I knew.Up until that point, I had walked a very traditional line: undergrad, graduate school, launched a career in the field I actually went to school for. I didnt want to let myself down and, as for my incredibly supportive private-wealth-advising husband, I knew the numbers had to continue making sense. Business was not slow at the time, so the panic was man-made, but I am grateful that it pushed me to professional help. I am not sure how anyone owns a business without some form of therapeutic consultation. I communicate with clients better because of my therapist, I can override my risk-averse settings because of her, alongside several other things we were able to unpack. Lets just say Muse Noire would have closed in 2021 had it not been for therapy.From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Wow! What a question. I have to default to our vision statement, which reads: Founded in the idea of interior wellness, our pursuit is to redefine home for generations to come. By unveiling the interconnectedness between interior design and our well-being, Muse Noire aims to place a revolutionary emphasis on ensuring people of color feel safe and seen in our homes. I mean this from the bottom of my heart.The future of design must explore BIPOC designers and their perspectives beyond those whose design aesthetic speaks to the traditional European nods of the industry. It often feels like, if you assimilate, if you water down your authentic experience and how that translates into your work, well acknowledge you. When to see someone creatively, I mean really see them, is to get about the business of enlightenment. Get to know the stories and acknowledge them at face value in an equitable way.Naturally, Black people are tastemakers. I dont believe theres a trend or aesthetic that we dont have our hand in the creation of, but its not always packaged and sold that way. So to not be seen or heard in a way that equates to great success for the design industryit often feels like revisionist history. Through my work with High Point Market Authority as a founding member of their Diversity Advocacy Alliance, weve chipped away at this through education and recognition initiatives.Running a business isnt for the faintheartedits extremely hard and time-consuming and, most of all, you make mistakes, Duett Interiors founder Tiffany Thompson says. Im lucky I was able to work for a corporation for 10 years to make mistakes behind the scenes, but when you are running your own business, every mistake falls on you. Having to change my mindset from being a designer that had a business to being a business owner that was in the design industry. Its a major difference in your mindset and how you look at success.Photo: James BesterTiffany ThompsonFor Tiffany Thompson, design is all about crafting spaces that evoke the right emotion and aesthetic. From her childhood home in Queens, New York, to her dorm room at Barry University in Miami, and now her home in Portland, Oregon, the designer always demonstrated the ability to curate a space that feels like an escape from the outside world. During her tenure at Nike Inc. while working on product design, Thompson couldnt help but notice the lack of creative inspiration within the corporate space.I pitched a makeover proposal that I would redesign the space over the course of some months on the weekends when I wasnt working, she recalls. I didnt ask for compensation. I just wanted to bring our design team together. No one had a gathering space that felt comfortable that ideas could flow in and would represent us as a team. I pitched it, my manager approved, and thats how it all started.Since debuting as Duett Interiors in 2019, Thompson has worked with a number of clients on residential properties. In addition to renovating her own midcentury-modern house, Thompson is currently designing Cure Nail House, a Black-owned luxury nail salon in Detroit. We are really flipping the head on what a salon can look and feel like and how we can dive into our creative voices, she adds.Architectural Digest: From your point of view, what should the future of design look like? What changes do you want to see, and what steps have you taken to build out this vision?Tiffany Thompson: The future of design should give the customer better options. I think a lot of bad design is actually a lack of choice. The industry and the buyers are placing bad design in the stores and the average consumer; thats all that is at their fingertips, and so they are forced to buy something from a mediocre assortment. A lot of the comments I get from people are, Where is that form? What is that called? I blame TV for a lot of it, but I think we need to reeducate people on what great design is and how they can make it their own.What piece of advice would you give to BIPOC who are interested in design but dont know how or where to start?Find your voice. Try to find it early on. Dont worry about there not being a lot of us in this industry, but instead, try to figure out how you can help with that narrative and also how you can do your part. Sometimes its hard to feel like you can be successful in an industry that lacks representation, but you have to do your part and, ultimately, you have to make some design some really cool s***. Let the work speak for itself and success will find you, whatever that may look like for every individual.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·62 Views
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Farrow & Ball Just Dropped Its New (and Returning!) Colors for 2025www.architecturaldigest.comPaint can often have a reputation for serving as a bold, unapologetic vehicle for self-expression, but with its 2025 Colours collection Farrow & Ball argues that you dont need to pick something loud or shocking to fit who you are or where youre at. This grouping of new (and returning!) colors isn't about casting a net of new and next, but rather doubling-down on the tried-and-true.[Theyre] about finding joy in things which are really familiar, Joa Studholme, the storied brands color curator, tells AD PRO of the nine new and three archival colors that make up the latest collection, which will be available to purchase beginning February 27. I like to think of them as ordinary treasures. Theyre things that are right under our noses. Lets indulge in them.Though Studholme and Farrow & Ball never set out to intentionally create well-ordered collections, she nonetheless admits that the nine colors debuting in 2025 just feel so coherent together, because they manage to be quite expressive without being shouty. However subconsciously they might have emerged, these new colors are united in their power to invoke a sense of nostalgia, whether they harken back to the warmth of a hearth, the possibilities of a spring garden, or even familiar sensations of taste or touch.Duster (No. 319)Naperon (No. 315)Marmelo (No. 316)Douter (No. 318)Scallop (No. 311)Kakelugn (No. 317)That celebration of the ordinary is articulated with Duster, an aged, golden-mustardy yellow that, to Studholme, evokes childhood memories of the utilitarian cleaning cloth, whose humble work allows the rest of the home to shine and sparkle. Along similar lines, Naperon is a comfortingly familiar take on clay terracotta that one might find on a kitchen apron. As its name suggests, Marmelo is a warm and comforting brown that takes its name from quince jam, conjuring images of spreading marmalade on toast around a lively breakfast table.Douter is a consciously-crafted mix of Green Smoke and Inchara Blue envisioned by Studholme to fill a gap in Farrow & Balls collection. Nonetheless, it draws inspiration from the mixture of soot and tarnished brass one sees on a well-loved and oft-used candle snuffer, tying the pigment to the feeling of satisfaction at the end of a night at home spent relaxing or entertaining guests. A dinner party is exactly where one might encounter Scallops namesake, a pigment whose soft, neutral hue presents a lighter take on Farrow & Balls Dead Salmon, capturing this indulgent seafood just at the moment it starts to sear in a sizzling pan.Dibber (No. 312)Reduced Green (No. 313)Sizing (No. 314)This years new crop of greens suggests humble, almost pre-floral connections to the earth. Dibber, a slightly muddied green, takes its name from the gardening implement used to dig holes in the earth from which seeds grow and bulbs sprout. Blurring the line between soil and grass, Reduced Green is a dark, super chic neutral whose muted pigmentation, which Studholme says some see as far more brown than green, lives up to its billing.Though most of todays trending blues feel tethered to sea or sky, Farrow & Balls 2025 selections harken back to homebound rituals. Inspired by its namesake starch, Sizings crisp, cool blue undertones make for a neutral that Studholme says one can practically smell, citing in particular its fitness for laundry rooms. While its name scans as warm and cozy to those familiar with the aesthetics of Scandinavian hearths, Kakelugn is a cleaner, cooler version of Farrow & Balls Light Blue, suggesting that this elevation of homey, everyday colors is still compatible with a playful subversion of expectations.Broccoli Brown (No. 198)Etruscan Red (No. 56)Sap Green (No. 199)In a first for Farrow & Ball, three archival colors have made it into the mix for 2025: the quietly natural Broccoli Brown, the on-trend terracotta richness of Etruscan Red, and the springtime verdance of Sap Green. To Studholme, these excerpts shouldn't be viewed as restored relics meant to exude vintage vibes. Instead, theyre a reminder that as trends come and go, sometimes theres simply no need to fix what isnt broken.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·68 Views
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25 Washington, DC, Interior Designers, Architects, and Landscape Designers You Need to Knowwww.architecturaldigest.comThe Washington, DC, area interior designers, landscape pros, and architects on the AD PRO Directory are clearly making the nations capital a more stylish place. Indoors, these firms bring bold color palettes, masterful mixes of vintage and modern pieces, and one-of-a-kind custom furnishings to homes inside the Beltway and beyond. Outdoors, theyre creating landscapes that will thrive for years to come, and coexist in harmony with the areas natural surroundings.With Neoclassical government buildings, modernist cultural institutions, and Gothic Revival cathedrals, the capital city is filled with beautiful designand these talents are adding to the citys sophisticated reputation with their creative residences. Whether youre renovating a home in Bethesda or decorating a town house in Georgetown, these 25 AD-approved Washington, DC, area interior designers, landscape specialists, and architects are sure to fit the bill.Interior DesignersStorie CollectiveFunctional and elegant, this spacious family kitchen by Storie Collective features a large island and gorgeous stone aplenty. The studio tapped fellow AD PRO Directory member Unique Kitchens and Baths for the bespoke cabinetry.Stacy Zarin GoldbergIf a timeless look is what youre after, Storie Collectivethe Georgetown-based studio led by Sara Swabbmight just be a fit. With an approach that balances new and custom pieces with family heirlooms, Storie Collectives interiors are informed, layered, and personal, with a charming mix of textures and natural materials to boot. Some of their recent projects include a Dutch Colonial in Chevy Chase and a 1936 Colonial Revival in Bethesda. Its clear to see why those clients went with Swabb: Though her choices respect the integrity of the original home, theyre also fresh and appealing for the way we live now.Sanabria and CoThe bedroom nook in this Logan Circle town house designed by Sanabria and Co is a master class in coziness, with a supple boucl bed and an enveloping, botanical wall covering.Angela Newton Roy PhotographyCoastal grandma meets Swedish professor? Dutch library meets English kitchen? Unexpected pairings like these somehow totally work in the very compelling portfolio of Sanabria and Co. The firm, led by Melissa Sanabria, embraces diverse inspirations, bringing out their best and brightest details for a look thats fresh. Their strength is in turnkey historic home renovations and whole-home furnishing projects, and, in each, they infuse a distinct and personal sense of luxury. With projects ranging from Federal-style row houses to midcentury-infused Catskills cabins, this Capitol Hill studio is one not to miss.Ann Gottlieb DesignAnn Gottlieb Design outfitted the primary bathroom of a home in Great Falls, Virginia, with an oversized shower, a custom white oak vanity with a counter surface continuing into the shower, and deep blue zellige tiles on all walls and ceiling.Photo by Angela Newton Roy Photography. Styling by Kristi Hunter.In 2020, designer Ann Gottlieb brought her years of experience working for top firms such as Gensler to her own eponymous studio based in Fairfax, Virginia. Gottlliebs background in high-end hospitality allows the designer and her team to work fast and smart to create comfortable and luxurious residential interiors that often incorporate unique spaces, such as spas or even a champagne-tasting room. The firms style leans modern and eclectic and draws on global inspiration, but each project is always driven by the clients personal taste and the home itself. Ann Gottlieb Design works on whole-home renovations and decorating projects in the DC area and beyond.Interiors by DesignThis two-story great room in a Brookville, Maryland, home by Interiors by Design radiates opulence, showcasing custom niches adorned with an array of accessories that beautifully highlight the soaring fireplace wall.Kate WichlinskiSilver Spring, Marylandbased Interiors by Design doesnt shy away from luxurious details in its spaces, from striking ceiling treatments to jewel-toned accents. Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas leads a small but mighty team of five at the boutique design firm, which works on residential, commercial, and multifamily development projects globally. Interiors by Design layers elements that speak to the clients lifestyle and aesthetic with an eye-catching mix of textures and finishes, resulting in spaces that feel polished yet personal. The team works closely with each client to uncover their vision for their home and bring it to life, managing each aspect of the project along the way.Bungalow 10 InteriorsFor a new construction home in Arlington, Virginia, Bungalow 10 Interiors fulfilled their client's brief by mixing modern and traditional elements and keeping the space clean and open.Angela Newton Roy Photography Styling: Kristi HunterLed by designer Kristin Harrison, Bungalow 10 Interiors crafts beautiful homes that are meant to be lived in and enjoyed. The Great Falls, Virginiabased firm specializes in full-home renovations and new builds, bringing a cohesive sense of style to a clients entire home. Harrison and her team put an emphasis on sustainability and functionality, blending new and vintage pieces to create spaces that feel curated and imbued with a sense of history and character. Bungalow 10 Interiors works with clients across the country and offers virtual design services for clients with smaller projects or tight timelines.DuVl DesignDuVl Design mixed dark academia and grand millennial styles in a bedroom in an Atlanta home, covering the walls in a moody Moooi wallcovering by Arte.Rustic White PhotographyFairfax, Virginiabased DuVl Design puts as much thought into its design process as it does into its elegant interiors. The firms three-phase, seven-step process provides clarity and transparency to even the most complex projects. DuVl and his team work in an array of styles, collaborating with clients to devise spaces that showcase their unique aesthetics, from a sophisticated Alexandria home mixing traditional and modern to a lively and eclectic Alice in Wonderlandinspired Virginia sunroom. The firm works on projects across the East Coast, including Washington, DC, New York, Atlanta, and Palm Beach.Sroka Design Inc.Drawing inspiration from the Saarinen House at Cranbrook, Sroka Design Inc. gut-renovated this apartment in a historic building in the Kalorama neighborhood. A collected, cool atmosphere welcomes visitors into the room, which functions for the couple as well as large cocktail parties.Erik KvalsvikWhen Washingtons elite need their homes refreshed or reinvented, they turn to designer Skip Sroka. For over 35 years, Sroka Design Inc. has brought its well-trained eye to residential interiors across the East Coast. Srokas designs draw from his deep knowledge of design, art, and history, blending traditional and modern styles into classic yet creative spaces enhanced with custom furnishings and architectural details. From country retreats to waterfront town houses, the firm crafts gracious homes that are made for comfortable living and elegant entertaining.Bonnie Ammon InteriorsThis apricot-hued dining room by Bonnie Amon Interiors combines old treasuressuch as the table, which is a family heirloom, and a vintage chandelierwith new ones. The space features a custom rug by Stark, wallpaper by Mary McDonald for Schumacher, and Woodbridge Furniture chairs.Geoffrey HodgdonBonnie Ammon entered the interior design profession after a cool 15 years in the financial sectora background that helps contextualize her value-driven approach. Spending a decade at interior design firms before founding her own, Ammon has the experience to deliver results that her luxury clients love. She also respects collaboration, putting a high value on listening and prioritizing homeowners unique needs throughout an engagement. Shes not afraid to embrace diverse styles, either, with industrial-inspired, traditional, and French country interiors all in her portfolio.Unique Kitchens and BathsA striking marble backsplash and hood take center stage in a Clarksville, Maryland, kitchen designed by Unique Kitchens and Baths and outfitted with French gray cabinetry and walnut drawer fronts.Stacy Zarin GoldbergFounder Tanya Smith-Shiflett and her team at Unique Kitchens and Baths focus on a homes most functional spaces. The Halethorpe, Marylandbased firm fashions bespoke kitchens and bathrooms using luxurious materials and custom cabinetry crafted in the United States. With a portfolio boasting everything from industrial to farmhouse-style kitchens, Unique Kitchens and Baths can translate any aesthetic into a workhorse space that will become the heart of the home. The firm has three showrooms in the DC area and will be opening branches in New York and Nashville. The team also collaborates with top talents on custom cabinetry lines.Regan Billingsley InteriorsRegan Billingsley Interiors transformed a traditional formal living room into a fashionable space for the homeowner to relax, recharge, and entertain girlfriends, accenting the space with fashion-forward fabrics and a Jenna Krypell wall sculpture.Photography by Annie Schlechter. Styling by Limonata CreativeDesigner Regan Billingsley crafts residences for every stage of life, from homes for growing families to retirement retreats. Billingsley founded her eponymous residential and commercial design firm in 2013, and since then, it has grown to encompass offices in Washington, DC, and Naples, Florida, offering a full menu of services from concept design to art consultation. The firm is known for setting a timeless foundation, then layering in color, pattern, worldly accents, and energetic art. Billingsley takes an individualized approach to each project, creating experiential and evocative rooms.Byron RisdonFor Byron Risdons own home in the Brookland neighborhood, the designer put his personal aesthetic on display, incorporating vintage furniture and modern art. My goal was to create a comfortable, tailored space that is both striking and inviting, says Risdon. Its a mix of new and vintage items I have acquired over the years from auction hunting, sourcing for projects, and traveling.After years of working as a designer in New York, Byron Risdon founded his eponymous firm in Washington, DC, in 2016. Risdons spaces feel expertly curated and feature a timeless yet functional mix of pieces from a variety of periods layered with statement art and plenty of personal touches. The designer takes a collaborative and individual approach with clients and focuses on creating spaces that evoke a feeling as soon as you step inside. The firm offers a full range of services for residential and commercial clients, from furniture and fixture selections for new builds and renovations to interior architecture and design consulting.Darlene MolnarIn the dining room of this historic Capitol Hill residence, designer Darlene Molnar paired hammered-iron Louis XVstyle dining chairs with a walnut table and distressed area rug. A brass-clad bar cabinet brings a quirky yet sophisticated sculptural element to the room, and the marble fireplace, ornate crown moldings, and pine floors are among the preserved details in the 1890 town house.Styling bt Limonata Creative & Photo by Stacy Zarin GoldbergRather than infuse her own style on a project, designer Darlene Molnar helps bring out and translate each clients signature style into highly personal interiors that beautifully blend a mix of influences. The designer cut her teeth at a top architectural firm in Washington, DC, before launching her own eponymous firm in 2010. Molnar and her team take on a select number of projects at a time, allowing the designer to give her clients individualized attention and lead them through the process from beginning to end. The firm works with clients in the DC area and nationwide and offers services ranging from project management to custom furniture design.Zoe Feldman DesignZoe Feldman created a bold, nature-inspired space to elevate a DC condo. The purple hues accentuate the rooms Beaux Arts architecture, pairing seamlessly with the pink House of Hackney wallpaper. The moody dining room contrasts the light, neutral kitchen, adding further dimension to the space.Its hard not to smile when entering a room designed by Zoe Feldman. The designer, who studied at the Parsons School of Design and trained under Alexa Hampton, is known for her creative mix of classic and modern style accented with bits of playfulness. The firm, which was founded in 2004, finds inspiration in art, film, architecture, and fashion and blends these influences together to create its signature brand of modernized classicism. Zoe Feldman Design also keeps the environment top of mind and is committed to making their projectsand companygreener by incorporating vintage pieces whenever possible, repurposing or reimagining existing elements, and supporting charities and reforestation efforts.Lorna Gross Interior DesignDesigner Lorna Gross drew inspiration from the bespoke train cars of the Orient Express for the interiors of an 1870 row house in Georgetown. In the parlor, Gross added touches of glamor, including metallic wallpaper, Art Decoinspired furnishings, and a pair of dazzling chandeliers.Based in North Bethesda, Maryland, designer Lorna Gross boasts a roster of repeat residential and commercial clients throughout North America and Great Britain, thanks to her attention to detail and customized approach to each interior. The designer and her team at Lorna Gross Interior Design specialize in finding the perfect statement pieces and one-of-a-kind accents to make her clients homes truly unique. The firm offers concierge-like service and can handle all the detailsfrom space planning to selecting beddinggiving their busy clients peace of mind and stylish, turn-key homes.APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrowSolis Betancourt & SherrillSolis Betancourt & Sherrill accented the dining room of a Telluride, Colorado, home with a sculptural artist-made bronze table and slumped glass chandelier.Marcos GalvanySolis Betancourt & Sherrill has been delighting clients with their understated, elegant interiors for over 33 years. Lead by principals Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, the firm is known for its ability to bring a comfortable and tranquil feel to projects in a variety of styles, such as a Provence-inspired retreat in Watermill, an art-filled home in El Paso, and a glamorous residence on Embassy Row. Solis Betancourt & Sherrill works on residential projects across the country and internationally, and the firms timeless work has been celebrated in the monograph Essential Elegance.Paul Corrie InteriorsIn the kitchen of a Bethesda home, designer Paul Corrie selected a soft beige palette, including Farrow & Balls Drop Cloth, which coats the custom Cabriole Studio Cabinetry. An Urban Electric pendant light hangs above the island and the Thomas Hayes Studio stools.Designer Paul Corrie takes inspiration for his interiors from DCs classic homes, adding his own modern twist to create spaces that feel fresh yet familiar. Antiques and vintage pieces mingle with bold art, contemporary accents, and rich color palettes in the boutique design firms livable and sophisticated interiors, which have earned it multi-repeat clients. Paul Corrie Interiors works with residential and commercial clients and tackles projects throughout the United States and abroad.Lisa & LeroyFor a condo in Capitol Hill, Lisa & Leroy found inspiration in the hues of vintage glass. The team decked out the living room in captivating jewel tones and installed built-ins to make the most of the small space.Stacy Zarin GoldbergLed by owner and creative director Lisa Shaffer, Lisa & Leroys interiors are a feast for the eyes. The bold and imaginative spaces are filled with unexpected color palettes, whimsical patterns, and rich textures. The full-service studio prides itself on its detail-oriented approach and ability to execute design and construction projects thanks to its team of designers, construction experts, and carpenters. Lisa & Leroy brings its spirited style to projects in the DC area and around the world.Drysdale Design AssociatesIn a bedroom of a Bethesda penthouse, Drysdale Design Associates added a grid of maple millwork to bring warmth and a luxe feel to the small space.Boasting 35 years of experience, Drysdale Design Associates specializes in renovations and projects involving architectural detail. Led by founder Mary Douglas Drysdale, the firms projects have a timeless quality and feature beautifully curated art collections, elegant color palettes, and bespoke furnishings. Drysdale is skilled at interior planning, and shes able to bring out the best in every space, whether by installing millwork to transform a petite bedroom or adding a black door to bring contrast to a modern apartment.ArchitectsNicholas Potts StudioIn this 1920 row house, Nicholas Potts relocated the kitchen to a former sunporch, transforming the main floor with clear sight lines, ample natural light, and space for todays lifestyles. The finishes in the kitchen, including custom near-black cabinets and a soft monochromatic palette, create a crisp reinterpretation of the houses existing architecture.Jennifer HughesAfter earning his stripes at top firms such as SHoP Architects and Bjarke Ingels Group, Nicholas G Potts brought his extensive design knowledge to his own DC firm. Pottss command of design and architectural history is evident in his residential designs, which feel inventive and exciting yet also appropriate to the period of the home. From a modern pied--terre in the famed Watergate Complex to a 1920s row house brought back to its previous glory, the firm has worked with homes of many different eras, adding exquisite materials and details that nod to the residences original character.Purple Cherry ArchitectsDurston SaylorArchitect Cathy Purple Cherry brings over 30 years of experience to the homes she takes on for clientsand it shows. Her practice, which operates out of Annapolis, Middleburg, Charlottesville, and New York, is comfortable working across a wide range of scales and styles. And busy homeowners will be relieved to know that her office can be a one-stop-shop, too, as it offers both architectural and interior design services. Across all of their projects is a sensitivity to the emotional connection clients have with their spaces and an utmost respect for form.Third Street ArchitectureThe row house home of Third Street Architectures founder Sarah Stouffer is an exemplar of her firms studied approach to historic renovation. Quiet, elevated, and full of character, the space is formulated for a modern resident while retaining the structures original charm.Christy KosnicThe DC- and Minneapolis-based firm Third Street Architecture is well-versed in updating historic homes for contemporary livingincluding local row houses, which make up a sizable chunk of the offices portfolio. Founder and principal Sarah Snouffers background in design-build offers Third Street an edge when it comes to construction, both for project oversight and a structures finer details. Through their client-centered approach, they devise spaces that are highly livable with period touches.Landis Architects | BuildersDuring the complete renovation of a Chevy Chase, Maryland, Rambler-style home, Landis Architects | Builders designed and built a completely new house, leaving only a few foundation walls standing. The modern kitchens cabinets, made by Henrybuilt, are crafted with immaculate care and precision, and the fluted paneling on the kitchen island brings timeless sophistication to the space.Matt Dandy, Matthew Dandy PhotographyLandis Architects | Builders is a one-stop for renovations, historic home restorations, and new builds in the DC area. Founded over 34 years ago, the design-build firm boasts a multidisciplinary team of architects, designers, and builders and offers a comprehensive suite of services that includes everything from consulting to construction. From stately penthouses to cozy family homes, Landis Architects | Builders brings its expertise to a wide range of project types and sizes, including whole-home and single-room renovations and new additions. The firms commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail shows in its diverse residential portfolio.AV Architects + BuildersFor a new custom home in Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders devised a plan consisting of four different pavilions surrounding outdoor living spaces and a pool. Maxwell MacKenzieGreat Falls, Virginiabased AV Architects + Builders specializes in custom and semi-custom homes and renovations in Northern Virginia and Maryland. The firm, which is led by husband-and-wife team Francisca and Antonio Alonso, designs with its philosophy of Vacation Style Living in mind, devising Mediterranean-inspired everyday retreats that allow for indoor-outdoor living and promote a sense of well-being. AV Architects + Builders adapts its signature Mid-Atlantic Modern style to each project site, making sure the home feels connected to its natural surroundings.Bohl ArchitectsBohl Architects fashioned a modern home with a cantilevered glass room along the water in Annapolis, Maryland.David BurroughsWith nearly 50 years of experience and a portfolio that boasts homes from Maryland to La La Land, Bohl Architects has proven time and again that it can do it all. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, the firm is driven by the principles of sustainability, historic preservation, and biophilic designallowing its projects to enhance the lives of its occupants, the community, and the earth. While the firm appreciates and protects the past, it also looks to the future, experimenting with the latest technologies, such as virtual reality.Outdoor DesignOehme, van Sweden Landscape ArchitectureFor this landscape, Oehme, van Sweden submerged portions of the pools Roxbury granite coping to help give it more of a pond-like feela look thats also supported by placing vegetation up against the waters edge. Architect John B. Murray designed the pool house.Durston Saylor / Architect: John B. MurrayI like it wild. So said Wolfgang Oehme, the late cofounder of the long-beloved landscape firm Oehme, van Sweden. The studio, which has been in operation for over 40 years, made its name in free-form, year-round gardens filled with rich, textural plantings and, often, water features. Having designed for landmarks including the Federal Reserve Building, Hudson River Park, and even celebrities private homesOprah is a clientOehme, van Sweden is legendary for a reason.Are you looking for an interior decorator or designer to hire for your next project? Wherever you are in the US, visit the AD PRO Directory to browse our list of AD-approved designers and find your match for a design consultation0 Comments ·0 Shares ·70 Views
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ADs Acclaimed Guest Editors Reflect on the Intersection of Home and Black Culturewww.architecturaldigest.comFrom world-class designers and architects to entrepreneurs, the impact of Black creatives within the wide world of interiors cannot be overstated. They take inspiration from unique cultural identities and lived experiences, and the breadth of their perspectives breathes life into the spaces we call home. Everything from Aurora Jamess line of African artisanproduced home accessories to AD100 designer Leyden Lewiss Caribbean-influenced design practice propel the design world forward in new and exciting ways.Here, AD tapped seven Black creatives and business owners we admire to learn more about how they approach their lifes workand how their own histories and heritages inform them. Along with sharing treasures and home decor that reflect the beauty of their personal spaces, our guest editors spotlight other Black designers theyre following and continue to shop from.Shop by guest editor:Justina BlakeneyAD100 designer and entrepreneur Justina Blakeney is known for curating spaces that exude warmth and comfort. Her own home reflects her heritage and passions, from handmade art and textiles to the plants that bring life into every corner. Blakeneys lifestyle brand and creative studio Jungalow and product lines on Ruggable, Bloomingdales, and elsewhere feature bold patterns and colors on home essentials like area rugs and shower curtains.Photo: Frank Francis, Styling: Danielle ArmstrongMy rootsfrom being a California native to my African American heritage and Eastern European Jewish heritageall deeply influence my design approach and personal style, Blakeney says. My travels, especially to Morocco, Mexico, and the seven years I spent living in Italy, also influence my work.I believe in storytelling through art and design, using spaces to preserve, share, and shape new cultural traditions and create homes filled with warmth, beauty, and meaning.Jungalow Hypnotic House CoatBrass Moroccan MirrorsAlban Bar StoolIm currently following Carmen Nash of Loft and Thought. Her work is incredibly sculptural and organic, and Im constantly inspired by her impeccable taste and eye for design. She has a unique ability to create and curate pieces that are interesting, inspiring, and surprising. Carmens approach is refreshing and manages to feel simultaneously vintage and future facingI love seeing how she brings her artistic vision to life.Loft and Thought Palma LampLoft and Thought Soloma LampLoft and Thought Nette LampDesign is a powerful tool for shaping culture and telling stories, with a unique ability to elevate and honor the richness of cultural heritage. To foster a more inclusive and representative narrative, its essential to ensure that Black voices, traditions, innovations, and perspectives are not just seen but truly celebrated in the design world. This means creating opportunities for Black designers, artists, and makers to flourish, amplifying our stories through intentional design, and embracing the full spectrum of our cultural expressionsfrom traditional craftsmanship to modern innovation.Ruggable Justina Blakeney Eartha Terracotta Tufted RugLolly Lolly Ceramics Cascading Serving BowlThe Warley Fall Watering Can by HawsByron and Dexter PeartGoodee cofounders and twin brothers Byron and Dexter Pearts journey to creating their ethical, sustainable home goods brand started in their upbringing. The duo channel elements from their childhood home in their brand today, from the scent of carved wood drawers that embodied their parents homeland to the jazz and reggae music their father played that opened them up to the world.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·73 Views
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Billionaire Jennifer Pritzker Donates Frank Lloyd Wright Home to a Worthy Causewww.architecturaldigest.comFrank Lloyd Wrights Emil Bach House, a 2,950-square-foot Prairie-style residence in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, is changing hands. Its former owner, Jennifer Pritzker, through her company, TAWANI Enterprises, just donated the historic property to Loyola University.This donation is intended to further Loyola Universitys mission, enhance its campus infrastructure, and underscore TAWANIs enduring commitment to supporting the community and fostering educational growth, Pritzker said in a statement. In addition to the Wright home, TAWANI also donated a neighboring historic residence known as the Lang House to the university. The school also received $1 million to support both properties upkeep and operations.The home is designed as a cubic mass with a slab roof and is the only Wright residence with this motif left in Chicago.Photo: Eric Allix Rogers/Frank Lloyd Wright Building ConservancyThe Bach House was completed in 1915 and is named after its first owner and patron, Emil Bach, who co-owned the Bach Brick Company. The residence is an example of Wrights late Prairie style, designed after he returned from Europe following a personal scandal and shortly before he moved on to Usonian homes. According to the Chicago Architecture Center, Bach admired Wrights work after his brother, Otto, purchased the architects Oscar Steffens House in 1912.Though Wright is known for his low-slung, horizontal residences, the Bach House is two stories, showcasing his innovation when designing for a small city lot. Despite its vertical presence, it retains notable Prairie-style elements, such as a cross-axial plan, overhanding eaves, and geometric wood trim. Its a variation of the architects Fireproof House for $5000, which was a house plan and article published by Wright in Ladies Home Journal in 1907.Prtizker, a Loyola alumn, investor, philanthropist, and member of the storied family for which the Pritzker Prize is named, purchased the home for $1.7 million in 2010, according to the Real Deal. TAWANI operated both the Bach House and the Lang House and rented them out to guests for events.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·41 Views
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Amazon Presidents Day Sale: 28 Deals on Everything You Need for a 2025 Refreshwww.architecturaldigest.comAfter spending the first few weeks of 2025 sheltering indoors from the cold, youve probably noticed your space is in need of a design facelift. The Amazon Presidents Day sale is here to save you over the holiday weekend (and might even help you find a last-minute Valentines Day gift). From where we sit, some retail therapy is the right way to take on the winter doldrums. So join us in ignoring Punxatawney Phils curmudgeonly prediction of six more weeks of winter and get the spring cleaning wheels turning right now.The retailer is offering up some top-tier savings on everything youll need at home in 2025, from fan-favorite carpet cleaners and robot vacuums to smart TVs and kitchen appliances. The best Presidents Day deals are widespread, covering every category you would ever need. However, in true Amazon fashion, the prices and availability change on a whimsometimes in a matter of minutesso if you see something you like on sale, its a good idea to hit the checkout button immediately.Top Amazon Presidents Day Deals:Best Vacuum Deal: Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum, $750 $650Best Home Office Deal: Flexispot Adjustable Standing Desk, $200 $160Best Kitchen Appliance Deal: GE Profile Smart Grind & Brew Coffee Maker, $379 $299Best Outdoor Furniture Deal: Serwall Folding Adirondack Chair, $150 $104Best Home Entertainment Deal: Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-Series, $450 $300Scroll on to find all of our favorite deals at Amazon now through Presidents Day weekend. Whether youre looking to improve your outdoor setup for spring and summer hosting, want to get your laundry room spick and span before mud season, or want to outfit your kitchen with a new espresso machine, now is the time to buy. Check out our favorites, or jump to your preferred section with the links below.Shop deals by category:Home DealsBissell Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet and Upholstery Deep CleanerBissells Little Green line of carpet and upholstery cleaners is well-loved by Amazon shoppers, with over 70% of reviews giving it five star-ratings. With deep-cleaning capabilities geared towards carpet and upholstery, its ideal for households with pets. The extended hose adds a touch of convenience and the included tough stain tool is great for the worst messes.Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless VacuumIt wouldnt be a proper Amazon sale without a deal on a Dyson cordless vacuum. The V15 is one of the brands most powerful machines, offering up an impressive 60 minutes of run time and efficient suction that adapts to the surface youre cleaning. One of our favorite features is the LCD screen, which shows how many particles youve picked upjust dont be shocked when it reaches 1 billion.Roborock Q5 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and MopIf youre a hands-free type of person, a robot vacuum might be more your speed. Comparable to the popular iRobot Roomba, the Roborock Q5 is a powerful self-emptying vacuum that is a great addition to your smart home setup. It uses LiDAR navigation to map your home, providing the vacuum with an internal compass for efficient cleaning. Thanks to its clever tech and self-cleaning dock, the machine can run for seven weeks without human intervention.DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver KitSpring is an excellent time to get some work done around the house, so picking up a high-quality drill/driver set like this one will ensure youll have no problem tackling the projects youve been meaning to start this winter. An overall rating of 4.8 stars and over 48,000 reviews dont liethis things pretty incredible.Antok Full Length Freestanding MirrorFinding a full-length mirror on a budget isnt always the easiest task, but this one is marked way down (if you include the clippable coupon). The oversized 71 height and 28 width is ideal for people of any height, and the mirror can stand on its own or be hung from the wall.Furniture DealsTempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Mattress TopperIf youre looking for an upgrade to your mattress but arent ready to save up a fortune to buy a new one, this Tempur-Pedic mattress topper is an excellent alternative. Three inches of memory foam give even the most uncomfortable beds a new lease on life, buying you time to pick out a new mattress to buy.FlexiSpot EN1 Electric Standing DeskFlexispot is one of the most well-loved brands in the office worldits standing desks are a staple in downtown skyscrapers and home offices, alike. This one features an electric motor to move the desk up and down, and comes in over ten colorways that will match any design.Tuft & Needle Original Hybrid Medium MattressTuft & Needle is one of the original mattress in a box companies, making mattresses that are great for all types of sleepers. The brands Adaptive Foam is a breathable, open-cell foam infused with cooling gel that keeps the body from overheating. Combined with foam-encased coils, this makes for an exceptionally comfortable mattress at a great price.Fultyle Mid Century Modern NightstandIf youre anything like us, youve been putting off buying that new nightstand for way too long. This one easily fits in a shoestring budget and boasts some great mid-century looks, a nice combination for outfitting your home without breaking the bank. Dont forget to clip the coupon for an extra 5% off.Allewie Lift Up Storage Bed with Wingback HeadboardA new bed frame isnt always a budget-friendly option, but this one is an excellent deal. The hydraulic support lets you take advantage of the storage space underneath the mattress, and the various colorways allow you to match the frame to your current bedroom design or start something new.Kitchen DealsNinja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop OvenAn air fryer is good, but an 8-in-1 kitchen oven is even better. Dont worry, this isnt like your boyfriends 3-in-1 body wash/shampoo/conditionerthe oven actually really works in eight different ways, each of which will come in handy while youre whipping up a new recipe or reheating last nights pizza.Ninja BN301 Nutri-Blender Plus Compact Personal BlenderAnother sweet deal from Ninja, this blender is the perfect size for making smoothies and shakes to take on the go. It can handle ice cubes and whole pieces of fruit with ease, and the machine comes with a book of recipes to make getting started even more straightforward. If youre just getting into smoothies, this is a great option.Chefman Mini Air FryerIf a simple, straightforward air fryer is what youre after, this one is a great choice. The basket is the perfect size for single or double portions and when youre done, you can just throw the basket in the dishwasher for easy cleanup. If youve never air fried before, this is a nice introduction to see if it becomes part of your cooking rotation.ThermoPro TP03H Digital Instant Read Meat ThermometerFriends dont let friends undercook (or overcook) their meats. A meat thermometer is a must-have for any home chef, whether youre cooking an eight-hour roast or grilling some chicken breasts for meal prep. This thermometer reads temperatures in three-to-four seconds and is completely waterproof.Ultrean Digital Kitchen ScaleAnother must-have for the aspiring home chef is a kitchen scale. Perfect for splitting sourdough starter, measuring coffee beans for a pour-over, or keeping track of macros, a kitchen scale will find its way into your hands each and every day.GE Profile Smart Grind & Brew Coffee MakerIf youre a die-hard drip coffee enthusiast ready to give up on your Keurig, GEs Profile Smart Grind & Brew Coffee Maker is an ideal choice. It has an integrated grinder with six settings and brew volume, temperature control, bloom time, and customizable brew strengths that range from light to extra bold. It also has integrated Wi-Fi that lets you control the brew from your phone.Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino MachineConversely, if youre ready to give at-home espresso a shot, this is a great introduction to brewing espresso shots from your countertop. The affordable machine is a semi-automatic espresso, cappuccino, and latte maker, doing the hard work for you while you get ready for your day. It also has an automatic milk frother for barista-quality lattes.Outdoor DealsBrightever LED Outdoor String LightsWhether youre hosting a Super Bowl party, prepping for your cookbook club, or just trying to light up a dark pathway in your yard, a set of outdoor string lights can make all the difference. $30 is a crazy deal for 100 ft of lights, plus this setup has 52 individual shatterproof Edison bulbs that immediately elevate any outdoor space.Serwall Foldable Adirondack ChairTheres perhaps no better outdoor chair than the Adirondack chairthe iconic design looks at home on any patio. These are made from weather-resistant plastic, which youll be thankful for when you forget to stow them away before a big storm. They have a cup holder,a phone holder, and can be folded up for easy storage.Z Grills ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill & SmokerAs the winter weather starts to wane and spring arrives, grilling is back on the menu. The Z Grills pellet grill is a smart addition to your outdoor cooking setup, boasting 450 sq. in. of cook space and advanced tech that lets you keep temperatures right where you want them.Smug Propane Outdoor Patio HeaterFor hosting or hanging out solo, a patio heater will make spending time outdoors immeasurably more pleasant. This one blasts a whopping 48,000 BTUs of propane-fueled heat to keep you warm and cozy in your outdoor space. We especially love its tabletop design that provides a space for keeping drinks and small dishes close by.Homgava Heavy Duty Collapsible WagonThis aint your grandmas garden wagon. Ideal for hitting the farmers market, shopping the garden section at Home Depot, or lugging groceries home from Trader Joes, there are endless uses for this collapsible cart.Tech DealsAnker Solix C1000 Portable Power StationTech gadgets are Amazons bread and butter, so its no surprise we had to include a few here. The Anker portable generator is not only great for camping, outdoor movie nights, and backyard parties, but its a must-have for emergency situations when you lose power.Levoit Large Room Air PurifierAnother piece of tech that you should have in your home no matter what, an air purifier keeps the air you breathe clean and free of particles that can have an adverse effect on your health. This purifier from Levoitone of our favorite brandshas a 4.7 star rating with over 7,000 reviews.Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-SeriesThe Amazon Fire TV is a great way to upgrade your at-home entertainment setup instantlythese things seriously punch above their weight. The 50 size is not too big and not too small, and the 4K UHD screen makes everything from Bourdain reruns to new episodes of Severance look beautiful.Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 Air Purifier0 Comments ·0 Shares ·39 Views
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Palm Springs Modernism Week 2025: AD PROs Essential Guide to the Midcentury Festivalwww.architecturaldigest.comJoining the flock of midcentury fans in Palm Springs for Modernism Week? Here are the architectural tours, lectures, and other attractions to know0 Comments ·0 Shares ·50 Views
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30Black-Owned Stores for Home Decor You Should Knowwww.architecturaldigest.comFor many of us, online shopping is the automatic option. While we wont deny being guilty of TikTok persuasion and endless retail therapy, we also know that theres nothing like that rush of excitement in anticipation of walking into a store to physically browse and experience that next great find. While there are an abundance of stores to choose from, Black-owned businesses prove time and time again to reinvent the interior landscape.Many of the industrys Black-operated shops are underrated, but they could hold the key to upgrading your sanctuary, and they span from coast to coast. You can use your spending power to fuel todays small, local vintage dealers and up-and-coming designers across all aestheticsfrom pottery to statement couches and so much more. Perhaps theres even a store not too far from your door that awaits you.Ahead, allow us to reintroduce these 30 Black-owned stores spanning the home decor and interior design landscape that you should be supporting all year round. So the next time you plan a trip, be sure to add these spots to your list of places to gowe guarantee you wont leave empty-handed. But just in case you wont be leaving the comfort of your home anytime soon, we also threw in a bunch of online boutiques that will not only scratch your instant gratification shopping itch, but will transform your home into the ultimate design haven.Yowie is located at 226 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.YowieLocated right on South Fourth Street, Yowie has become the prime design destination for individuals in Philly with eclectic taste. Established in 2016 by Shannon Maldonado, the brick-and-mortar store is the ultimate gateway to cluttercore central. Customers can expect to find a whimsical curation of kitschy ribbed ceramics, wavy rugs, and vibrant apparel from independent designers across diverse backgrounds. You can now escape the chaos and into Yowies kitschy world by visiting its newly opened hotel in Queen Village, which doubles as a showroom and a relaxing stay.Yowie x Dog Pasta PlateYowie x Gantri Tiny Table LightEstelle Colored GlassStephanie Summerson Hall is determined to serve more joy throughout your wine and dining experience with her glassware brand Estelle Colored Glass. The entrepreneur was inspired by her grandmothers love for antiques and decorating her table with colorful glasses during Sunday dinners. With the help of glassware artisans from Poland, the South Carolinabased brand is now the ultimate resort for rainbow stemware, glossy cake stands, and vibrant decanters that youll not only want to add to your tablescape, but gift to everyone around you too. You can shop directly from the site or at retailers including Anthropologie, West Elm, and Food52. Estelle Colored Glass is also slated to open a brick-and-mortar store at The Charleston Place this month.Estelle Colored Glasses Wine Stemware Mixed SetEstelle Colored Glasses Martini Glass (Set of 2)Bol Road TextilesNew Yorkbased interior designer Hana Getachew started Bol Road Textiles to weave her heritage into her career. Inspired by an Ethiopian shopping district of the same name, the brand has since evolved into a colorful home decor destination. Getachews childhood memories of colorful fabrics and sartorial cues are personified through bath mats, tablecloths, curtains, and more. Plus, all of her pieces are handwoven and support local artisans in Ethiopia. Check out the brands online storefront or visit its new brick-and-mortar in Bed-Stuy via appointment.Bol Road Textiles Zanzibar PillowBol Road Textiles Omo Shower CurtainThe Modern RepublicKenya Abdul-Hadi and Steven Brown are the brains behind The Modern Republic, a lifestyle store specializing in midcentury-modern furniture in Philadelphia. The design duo is often spotted while sourcing estate sales, flea markets, auctions, and the homes of friends and neighbors to stock their online shop with rare paintings, furniture, and tchotchkes galore. Nearly all of the sites vintage selection are pieces from the middle of the [20th] century.Vintage Seashell Shaped Table Lamp (Set of 2)Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Rocking HorseDomain by Laura Hodges StudioLaura Hodges is here to service all of your design needs. The interior designers store, Domain, offers a curated collection of vintage and modern decor and gifts. Not only can you pop by the Catonsville, Maryland. boutique to shop in person, but fans can also purchase a variety of home goods online. While there, youll find everything you could possibly need to spruce up your space, from vintage dinnerware to throw pillows and so much more. And if youre in need of some guidance, Hodges design studio offers consultations to help bring your vision to life.Domain by Laura Hodges Studio Vintage Farmers Market BasketDomain by Laura Hodges Studio Vintage Bronze Ceramic PotHarlem Candle CompanyHarlem Candle Company is a luxury fragrance destination started by Teri Johnson in 2022. The brand offers one of a kind scents inspired by legendary creatives from the Harlem Renaissance. Both online and in retailers including Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, you can expect to find long-lasting candles made of soy vegetable wax blend, elegant fragrances, and even stationery goods to bring life, and the essence of Harlem, into your home.Harlem Candle Company Speakeasy Luxury CandleHarlem Candle Company Josephine Eau de PerfumSampleHausSustainability is at the core of Los Angelesbased pottery brand SampleHaus. Founded by Diana Adams in 2019, the artist crafts her eclectic inventory of home accessories from upcycled design waste. Every piecefrom mugs and planters to pet bowlsenlists bold and vibrant African-inspired patterns. Though available primarily online, SampleHaus partnered with West Elm on a special collection, so you might be able to find some pieces at a store near you.SampleHAUS Onyx Zulu Bowl 2SampleHAUS Hanging Terra Cotta PlanterDeep BlackYou can never have enough plates and pottery to liven up your space. Deep Black is an online storefront founded by Sherrd Faulks in Portsmouth, Virginia. Since 2020, Deep Black keeps a regular rotation of handmade clay pieces in stockthink modern yet minimal (and very bright) kitchenware sets, planters, and pottery thats sure to generate feelings of joy, connection, and love.Deep Black Caterpillar VaseDeep Black Cappuccino MugDressing Rooms InteriorsShopping for vintage and rare antiques is a full-time job in itself, but Dressing Rooms Interiors makes the job so much easier. Established by Ariene Bethea, the store is stocked with a curated selection of Betheas one of a kind finds that are too good not to cop at first glance. Given that this is an online-only operation, youll want to decide (and shop) quickly as every SKU is limited in inventory.Vintage Yves Klein Blue Pottery Lamp (Set of 2)Dressing Rooms Interiors Ruset Le Tibetan En Solo PillowsExpedition SubsaharaSenegalese American creative director Sofi Seck founded Expedition Subsahara with a goal to bring colorful African decor to the American market and provide an income and education for African women. Shopping the brands assortment of handcrafted home decor fully supports this missionmulticolored baskets, coasters, placemats, and vases of all sizes are crafted using a coil-style weaving technique with locally harvested elephant grass and recycled plastic. Even better, everything is made by local Senegalese artisans.Expedition Subsahara Mamina Woven PlacematsExpedition Subsahara Xalissa Lidded BasketSaint HeronSolange is no stranger to the home space. In 2023, the singer and multidisciplinary artist launched Saint Heron, an assortment of timeless glassware pieces that marries chic sculptural nods with functionality, as explored in signature works made by the brands design studio and gallery, Small Matter. While Saint Heron offers limited drops and collaborations (for now) that are spontaneous and prone to selling out (check local boutiques for inventory like Beverlys in NYC), the multimedia artist Solange is always one to surprise when least expected.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·48 Views
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Tour a Chelsea Apartment With a Primary Color Palette and Stunning Viewswww.architecturaldigest.comSpeaking of sculpture, theres an important collection of works in the apartment, starting with the foyer, where a Dustin Yellin glass monolith depicting a human form sits across from an abstract hanging chair by Rogan Gregory that looks as if its made of melted black wax. Just ahead, in the hallway, is an edgy lighting installation by Brecht Wright Gander. Art is such an important part of what we do, to make the projects more successful and more beautiful, says Schuster.The renovated kitchen is the only space in the home with softer beige hues. A quartzite called Taj Mahal (from New York Stone) was used to cover the countertops, backsplash, and island.A dining nook in the kitchen has a lacquered curvy table from Love House, placed below a Jean Prouv swing-arm sconce. Its one of my favorite rooms, says Schuster. I could sit there all day and look out at the Hudson.The homes media room has a wall covered in gray leather tiles from Alphenberg. Behind the custom velvet sectional, on the built-in bookshelves, in an electric-blue ceramic by Finnish artist Kristina Riska.In her quest to turn her client into an art lover, she took him to meet Brooklyn-based artist Robert Longo white he was making a charcoal work that now hangs in the homes sprawling living room. We went to his studio, and he was drawing a forest that he remembers visiting, says Schuster. It had this amazing texture.Since then, she adds, her client has become quite the collector. In fact, hes been buying new pieces for a property in South Florida, which Schuster is in the process of redesigning. On to new challenges, and the ensuing rewards.A black leather chair by midcentury Brazilian designer Ricardo Fasanello sets a masculine tone in the primary bedroom. The artwork above the bed is by Fernanda Fragateiro, who often used mass-produced objects such as books to make her sculptures.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·66 Views
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JoJo Siwas LA Mansion Sells for $4.1 Millionwww.architecturaldigest.comJoJo Siwa has offloaded her suburban Los Angeles mansion, with an assist from Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause that brought in $110,000 over the asking price. Siwa, known for her once-eccentric YouTube presence and starring on Lifetimes hit reality show Dance Moms, has officially sold her spot in Tarzana, California, for $4.1 million, per TMZ.The singer and dancer listed the property, which is located about 45 minutes away from Los Angeles and was unaffected by the citys wildfires, in December 2024 for $3.99 million. The buyer of the home has not yet been revealed. The listing was spearheaded by Selling Sunsets Stause and the Oppenheim Groups Omar Abaza. TMZ reports that the home is slated to appear in season nine of Selling Sunset, which will air later this year.A living area in the home.Photo: The Oppenheim Group / William MyersThe Karma singer bought the Mediterraneanstyle dwelling in December 2019 for $3.43 million. Siwa, then 16, shared a tour on YouTube of the sprawling 6,462-square-foot pad several days after moving in.The six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home comes decked out with a slew of luxury amenities, including an outdoor pool, at-home gym, spa, entertainment room, and sports court. Beyond the foyer is a freshly-renovated kitchen with top-tier appliances and a living room complete with a modern fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that opens directly onto the loggia.Join NowBecome an AD PRO member for only $25 $20 per month + receive an exclusive toteArrowA pool and bar area in the home.Photo: The Oppenheim Group / William Myers0 Comments ·0 Shares ·89 Views
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7 Best Presidents Day Furniture Sales for Redecorating in the New Yearwww.architecturaldigest.comWhile it may seem like Black Friday was just here, its already time for the next big sales event. Weve been watching closely as Presidents Day furniture sales pop up ahead of the holiday and weve found some particularly interesting deals on couches, dressers, dining tables, coffee tablesyou name it. And because the discounts dont stop at furniture, we slipped in a few mattresses, sheet sets, and some home decor too.Top Presidents Day Furniture Sales Picks:Buffy: 30% off bedding bundles and sheet setsWayfair: Up to 50% off living room saleNectar: Up to 50% off mattressesFloyd: 30% off living room furnitureDesign Within Reach: 20% off living room itemsCastlery: up to $450 off room sets and sleeper sofasBuffyBuffys currently offering 30% off bedding bundles and sheet sets, so if youre looking for a bedroom refresh, look no further. Make sure to snag the original Cloud Comforter, which is beloved by our digital editor Sydney Gore, or its lighter-weight little sibling, the Breeze, (also an editor fave) during this sale. If youre a hot sleeper, we also highly recommend the Cooling Set, which is currently marked down from $538 to $379.Buffy Cloud ComforterBuffy The Cooling SetWayfairTried and true Wayfair is hosting a Living Room sale with 50% off select items and living room essentials as we speak. That means sofas and sectionals, accent chairs, coffee tables and recliners have all been deeply discounted. Let us save you the 45-page scroll through furniture deals and point out our two favoritesa pair of swivel accent chairs that punch far above their price point, and this pine console table that brings an instant classiness to your foyer.Wade Logan Hendina Armchair (Set of 2)Millwood Pines Brittanni 63 Console TableNectarWere so obsessed with the under-$1,000 Nectar memory foam mattress that we crowned it one of the best mattress-in-a-box options out there. Now you can score this dreamy mattressalong with a handful of other Nectar products (think sheet sets and bed frames)for up to 50% and rest easy knowing you got it for a killer deal. (On the hunt for other mattress deals? Make sure to check out our Presidents Day mattress sales roundup as well, where you can find deals on other brands like Casper, Saatva, and more.)Nectar Memory Foam MattressNectar Adjustable BaseDesign Within ReachDesign Within Reach is also hosting a Living Room sale event this week, with an additional 20% off already existing markdowns at the furniture powerhouse. Were looking particularly closely at all things midcentury-modern and Scandi on sale, like the Edel dining table and a set of Moller Model 78 dining chairs that would make an excellent pairing. Also catching our eye: Bauhaus lamps for a home office refresh, bohemian-inspired credenzas, and sofas that feel slightly less splurgy after the price cut.Design Within Reach Edel TableDumais Made Funnel Table LampCastleryOne of our favorite suppliers of midcentury-inspired pieces, Castlery stocks just about anything youd need for your housemodular couches, table sets, chic bar stools, as well as full room sets, so you can decorate without using too much brain power. The sites currently offering a promo up to $450 off indoor and outdoor furniture, while stock lasts, depending on how much you spend, so youll certainly want to take advantage of the markdowns on this high-quality selection.Castlery Harper TV StandCastlery Adams LoveseatFloydWhile were still watching to see if official Presidents Day deals drop at Floyds, were loving that their Living Room sale is offering up sectional sofas at 30% off, along with shelving systems, cabinets, and percale sheet sets discounted as well. It also offers a great opportunity to get the Floyd bed frame, a high-quality piece of bedroom furniture that digital design editor Zo Sessums calls an ideal bed frame. The accompanying underbed storage and headboard are also 20% off.The Bed Frame by FloydFloyd Sink Down SectionalPottery BarnPottery Barn is having a season sale up to 60% off including a long list of their bestsellers. Some examples below: a beautifully handwoven jute area rug with subtle detail and a classic platform bed made from mango wood. Also in the line-up: a robust collection of soft goods, including robes of every texture, duvet covers, sheet sets, and Turkish cotton towels.Pottery Barn Nayomi Handloomed Jute RugPottery Barn Reed Platform Bed0 Comments ·0 Shares ·89 Views
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45 Black-Owned Businesses to Know in Design and Beyond in 2025www.architecturaldigest.comJared Blake and Ed Be of Lichen.Photo: Deirdre LewisLichenLichen Bamboo Room Divider in HoneyLM Stool by Nifemi-Marcus BelloI first visitedLichenin 2020 when I was reporting astory about intrepid New York City shopkeepers. Ive been obsessed ever since. The inventory is always changing, but step inside, grab a coffee, and look around. Youre sure to discover something incredible from the past or present. Maybe its a super rare1980s Robert Venturi Chippendale chair. Or the work of an experimental young designer likeNifemi-Marcus Bello, based in Lagos, whose work I have been following since I first saw it at Lichen. Im saving up for his Selah floor lamp, made with sheet metal typically used for electrical power generators. It feels a bit like a contemporary take on the classic Castiglioni Toio lamp. Hannah Martin, senior design editorHome Decorlan Byrd x Lulu and GeorgiaElan Byrd Terrene Table LampIm a big fan of designer lan Byrd, so when I got the alert about her collection for Lulu and Georgia it seemed like a good excuse to indulge in some retail therapy. Lighting is the last thing that I need to be concerned about right now, but I couldnt resist the cuteness of this rattan table lampare you kidding me?! 10 out of 10, no notes! Sydney Gore, senior digital design editorIfstheticIfsthetic Anyan Candle HolderFrom hand-carved candle holders to throw pillows designed with bold colors and textures, Ifsthetic is the embodiment of luxury home decor. Founder and creative director Brittney Ifemembi takes inspiration from her Nigerian American roots to amplify her culture through her home goods line. The chic Pkk slippers and sultry H candle are two decor standouts in my space, but I look forward to adding to my collection with every Ifsthetic drop. Nashia Baker, senior commerce editorLa Reunion StudioLa Runion Studio Medallion MatLa Runion Studio was started by Nigerian-American designer Sarah Nsikak as an homage to African culture (the name nods to the island of the same name off Madagascar). Using deadstock fabric from fashion friends and textiles acquired at antique markets/auctions, she weaves them into colorful quilted designs that recall the work of the Gees Bend community. Departing from her signature patchwork dresses, Nsikak has since migrated into the home dcor lane, with a new small run of goods that includes this posh, Marie Antoinette-esque floor mat. Lori Keong, associate commerce directorBadlands VintageVintage Easy Chair by Studio KIm always watching Badlands Vintage for their next dropthe store is ingeniously curated and filled with unique, vintage pieces, from mid-century modern to Bauhaus to artisanal ceramics. I learn more about design from a 30-minute scroll on their website than I do scrolling interiors on Instagram for two hours. Julia Harrison, commerce writer54kiboHoola Beaded Pendant Light ChandelierNana Quagraines decor platform 54kibo stocks everything from luxury dishware to textiles to baby gifts and high-end furniture. The common thread that ties all of these products together? Nanas dedication to sourcing the best in contemporary African design. Most recently, I was delighted to see the work of South African lighting design studio Mash.T, whose work is woven and beaded by hand. Rachel Fletcher, commerce directorAlysia MazzellaAlysia Mazzella Mirth PillarTheres nothing like the smell of burning beeswax to make a room feel homey. Im an Earth sign, so I thrive when Im groundedsetting good vibes inyourdomestic environment through scent is crucial to unlocking this level of inner peace. I became familiar with Alysia Mazzella and her beeswax practice during the pandemic and have never looked at candles in the same way since. I get so much use out of these packs of tea lights that she sells. At this point, I should be on the subscription planso I never experience running out again! Sydney Gore, senior digital design editorCurvesCurves by Sean Brown Iconic Chairs Woven ThrowCurves by Sean Brown Shower CurtainOffering charming furnishings, everyday objects, and homeware, Curves is tastefully in pursuit of adding individuality to ones personal space by bringing together vibrant and colorful home decor made by a selection of artists. Andrea Lewis, assistant to the global editorial directorChances are youve seen one of Sean Browns custom CD rugs on AD, your IG feed, or in many stylish celebrity homes, but the Toronto-based designer keeps a full selection of creative decor and design objects stocked in the Curves shop. Ive been eyeing this incredible shower curtain covered with designs of iconic chairs (because yes, I too love chairs on everything), and I think 2025 is the year I need to bring it home once and for all. Rachel Fletcher, commerce directorClaude HomeOrphee Liqueur Glass by Justine Menard (Set of 2)Claude Home hooked me first with its catalog of Justine Menard ceramics, namely these liqueur glasses and these petits vases, which then opened the door to the amazing curation of Claude Homes founder, Maggie Holladay. From one-of-a-kind sculpture to design-forward furniture Claude Home considers every detaildown to the smoked glass sconces. Julia Harrison, commerce writerBon FemmesCocoshalom Fancy Pants Art PrintBon Femmes is a Chicago-based business that offers a delightful spread of home items that you wont find anywhere else. From unique candles to anthropomorphic ceramics, you can easily spend hours scrolling through the charming wares. My favorite items have to be the selection of printslike this artwork done on recycled paper. Audrey Lee, commerce editorTaaru MajeureTaaru Rose BasketUpon entrance to Taaru Majeure in Larchmont, New York, shoppers are immediately greeted by store owner Mama Faye and will find themselves immersed in a vibrant world full of wanderlust. The refined pan-African design bazaar showcases beautiful items, from woven baskets to nubby mudcloth pillows, but my favorite are the handcrafted bed throws from Casamance, Senegal. The small shop is a quick ride from New York City, but many of the handcrafted items are also available on the shop website. Michael Shome, global visuals director0 Comments ·0 Shares ·67 Views
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Oil Tycoon Bill Koch Lists Aspen Log Cabin Compound for $125 Millionwww.architecturaldigest.comYoull have to boast a particularly robust bank account to nab billionaire Bill Kochs newly listed wintry Colorado retreat. The oil heirs 52-acre estate, dubbed Elk Mountain Lodge, has hit the market for $125 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. Tucked away in a valley at the foot of the Elk Mountains about 10 miles outside of Aspen, the estate consists of a 16,600-square-foot main home and seven guest cabins. In total, were talking 14 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms spread across about 25,300 square feet. You wont find an opportunity to build this scale of square footage again in Aspen, listing agent Steven Shane of Compass told Robb Report. This is the ultimate multi-generational family legacy property.Koch has maintained the home since 2007, when he threw down $26.5 million for what was then an event venue on the site of a former dude ranch. He added on another 31 acres before listing the whole estate in 2015 for $100 million, though he was then only able to sell the 31-acre parcel, which went for $14.5 million in 2020. Since that time, the remaining property has been on and off the rental market, asking a whopping $35,000 per night.The home is situated in a valley among the Elk Mountains.Photo: Shawn OConnorJoin NowBecome an AD PRO member for only $25 $20 per month + receive an exclusive toteArrowA living area on the compound.Photo: Shawn OConnor0 Comments ·0 Shares ·44 Views
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The 19 Most Beautiful Churches Around the Worldwww.architecturaldigest.comThe most beautiful churches are those that both capture the eye and make the viewer feel something. The act of constructing sacred sites has been a defining characteristic of human culture since the beginning of history. Architects seek to meld the spiritual and the practical in places of worship, which have been marvels for thousands of yearsworks of art in a range of style, from Gothic to midcentury to contemporary.Here, AD journeys around the world to bring you a collection of the most beautiful churches. Think spires reaching into the heavens, light-drenched spaces, and tributes to traditional craftsmanship. Theres something unique to admire in each of these 19 sites.Thorncrown Chapel (United States)Photo: Thomas S England/Getty ImagesNestled in the woodland of the Ozark hills in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Thorncrown Chapel is a stunning prairie-style masterpiece designed by E. Fay Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wrights influence is evident in the seamless integration of native materials with the natural surroundings. Towering wooden beams evoke tree branches stretching skyward, while a ridged skylight crowns the structure, bathing the interior in natural light from all angles. Crafted entirely from organic materials, the chapel features over 6,000 square feet of glass and a floor made from locally sourced stone. Thorncrown Chapel stands as a breathtaking testament to the harmony between architecture and nature.Austin (United States)Photo: dlewis33/Getty ImagesEllsworth Kellys Austin carries forward the artists tradition of naming his works after the places they inhabit. As a renowned sculptor, printmaker, and painter, Kelly only ever designed one building, Austin, which marked the pinnacle of his career. This chapel, located at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, combines bold colors with minimalist shapes and lines to create a transformative space. Playing with light, color, and geometric form, the experience within Austin evolves subtly throughout the day as sunlight shifts, casting shadows across the space.Massachusetts Institute of Technology Chapel (United States)Photo: gnagel/Getty ImagesThis midcentury-modern design by Eero Saarinen brings minimalisms beauty to life. Located on MITs campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the nondenominational chapel was completed in 1955. The simple cylindrical exterior hides the stunning interplay of light inside on the arched walls. Suspended from a lone skylight, a cascading metal screen by artist Harry Bertoia shimmers down to the altar, creating a serene focal point for the dark interior of the chapel.Notre Dame Cathedral (France)Photo: lhan Eroglu/Getty ImagesAfter a devastating accidental fire in 2019, this famous 850-year-old cathedral has been painstakingly restored, with craftsmen using tools and traditional methods of woodworking and stonecutting. Even the famous bells were pulled up into the belfry with ropes just as they would have been in the Middle Ages and tolled for the first time in five years in late 2024. Now, a replica of the iconic 315-foot gothic spire designed by Eugne Viollet-le-Duc in the late 19th century rises over Paris again, a tribute to the value of traditional craftsmanship in the modern age.Community Church Knarvik (Norway)Photo: Melissa Hegge. Courtesy of Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter.Drawing inspiration from Norways traditional stave churches, architect Reiulf Ramstad reimagined the style as a modern, simplistic geometric structure. Located in Knarvik, Norway, a striking triangular spire crafted from vertical planks rises above the pre-weathered pine exterior, which creates a timeless impression. Inside, the church flows seamlessly, with different spaces within that are defined by the arches of the ceiling. A circular stained glass window with a crucifix in the center provides a focal point for the altar.Cathedral of Maringa (Brazil)Photo: Laeti.com.br/Getty ImagesCompleted in 1972 by architect Jos Augusto Bellucci in Maring, Brazil, this tribute to the Soviet Sputnik satellites blends modern marvels with time-honored tradition. The tapered spire dominates the skyline, visible from any point in the city, while a marble foundation stone from St. Peters Basilica in Rome ties the cathedral back to its Catholic roots. A circular water mirror surrounding the structure reflects the spire and nearby buildings.Reading Between the Lines (Belgium)Photo: Filip DujardinIn 2011, the design firm Gijs Van Vaerenbergh unveiled a 10-meter-high steel optical illusion that doubles as a church in Borgloon, Belgium. They drew inspiration from the shape of a nearby church but stripped it to its bare essentials. The resulting structure appears transparent from most angles, blending seamlessly into the surrounding farmland. Part sculpture and part contemplative space, this church blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor, challenging traditional notions of architecture and environment.The Oratory of St. Xavier (Thailand)Photo: Jom SermphasitIn a remote corner of Thailand, near the edge of a conflict zone, a newly built Catholic church offers hope and sanctuary to refugees in nearby camps. Designed by Spanish architect Paco Garca Moro, the church features a striking latticework exterior crafted from reclaimed wood salvaged from local homes marked for demolition. A simple cross rises above the structure, embodying resilience and faith. The design draws inspiration from a miracle of St. Francis, in which a crab returned his lost crucifix, saving him from drowning. Inside, curved walls and floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the wooden benches in soft, natural light, creating a serene space.Annie Pfeiffer Chapel (United States)Photo: Timothy Rosenberg/Getty ImagesOne of only two chapels designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel was completed in 1941 as part of Wrights ambitious master plan for Florida Southern College. Rejecting traditional European-inspired campus architecture, Wright sought to create something uniquely Americanwhat he called Usonian. The chapels bold design embodies this vision with its soaring vertical lines, geometric forms, and a striking tower that dominates the structure. Signature design elements, such as a repeating triangular motif, a cantilevered roof, and a red concrete floor, mark the building as a Wright masterpiece.Shrine of Our Lady of Las Lajas (Colombia)Photo: rchphoto/Getty ImagesLocated in Colombia, Shrine of Our Lady of Las Lajas has become a must-see in South America both for pilgrims and everyday tourists. Its history as a pilgrimage site predates the current churchin 1754, the Virgin Mary purportedly appeared to two indigenous women seeking shelter during a storm. Over the years, a number of shrines were erected to commemorate the event. Located in the canyon formed by the Guitara River along the Ecuadorian border, construction of the neo-Gothic church by Colombian architect Lucindo Espinosa and Ecuadorian engineer J. Gualberto Prez began in 1916. The church was finally completed in 1949, and its cliff-side venue more than 300 feet above the river below is decidedly cinematic.Panaga Paraportian Church (Greece)Photo: zwawol/Getty ImagesOverlooking the Aegean Sea, this church is one of the oldest of the more than 400 churches on the Greek island of Mykonos. Dating back to 1425, the Byzantine-Cycladic building is in the historic district of the town of Chora. Its most unique feature is that its actually five different churches built over the centuries and eventually joined together into the current structure. The church, or churches, was built inside an ancient city gatePanaga Paraportian means Our Lady of the Side Gate. With its unadorned, whitewashed exterior, it is an impressive example of Cycladic architecture.Greme Churches (Turkey)Photo: byakkaya/Getty ImagesA highlight of Turkeys Cappadocia region are its many monastic structures carved into volcanic peaks, creating a wonderful open-air museum. The churches in the Greme Valley are some of the best known. The cave structures were created by monks beginning in the fourth century, and many have stunning frescoes painted on the interior walls. While the caves originally served as monasteries, over the centuries various chapels, refectories, and even houses were also carved into the rocks. The Greme churches were added to UNESCOs list of World Heritage sites in 1985.Church of St. George (Ethiopia)Photo: Wil Punt/Getty ImagesDating from the late 12th to early 13th centuries, the Church of St. George is one of eleven monolithic churches carved into the volcanic tuff at Lalibela, in Ethiopias Amhara region. Built during the reign of King Gebre Mesqel Lalibela, the Ethiopian Orthodox church has been described as the eighth wonder of the world. It is surrounded by a very narrow man-made canyon while inside frescoes portray the life of St. George, a Roman soldier who refused to renounce his Christian faith. The churches at Lalibela are divided into two groups, separated by an 80-by-80-foot trench, which represents the River Jordan.Chapel of Saint-Michel dAiguilhe (France)Photo: Michel Gounot/Godong/Getty ImagesLocated in the hills of the commune of Aiguilhe, less than two hours by car from Lyon, the chapel of Saint-Michel sits atop a 279-foot-tall volcanic peak. Built in 969, the Romanesque church is dedicated to Saint Michael, the patron saint of mountaintops. Accessible via a staircase with 268 steps, this stone structure was called a jewel of Romanesque architecture by the French Romantic writer Prosper Mrime and offers a panoramic view of the town below. In 1247, the bell tower was struck by lightning, though it was later rebuilt in the 19th century. The chapels frescoes were also restored during that period by the French painter Anatole Dauvergne.Chapel of the Holy Cross (United States)Photo: Holger Leue/Getty ImagesCommissioned and designed in part by philanthropist Marguerite Brunswig Staude, the formal designs for the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, Arizona, were drawn up by architects August K. Strotz and Richard Hein of Anshen & Allen. After the Catholic chapel opened in 1957, it quickly became one of Arizonas top tourist attractions. Staude's original design was inspired by American skyscrapersspecifically the Empire State Buildingwhile sculptor Keith Monroes 90-foot iron cross is a highlight of the building. The church is a unique scenic monument in the rugged and picturesque desert landscape with its concrete walls creating a vivid contrast with the surrounding red rocks.Stykkishlmskirkja Church (Iceland)Photo: Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesThis futuristic Lutheran church on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula was designed by architect Jn Haraldsson. Opened in 1990, the concrete church and its bell tower resembling the vertebrae of a whale are found in picturesque Stykkishlmsbr, a small fishing village with a population of just over 1,000 in western Iceland. Visible from afar, the churchs sleek lines piercing the sky are an extraordinary sight.Borgund Stave Church (Norway)Photo: Morten Falch Sortland/Getty Images.Located in the village of Borgund, roughly three hours by car from Bergen, the construction of this medieval wooden church began in the late 12th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the church in Norway is considered one of the best-preserved stave churches in the country. (The name comes from the staves, or vertical wooden boards, used to form its walls.) During the 19th century, many historic wooden churches were neglected and others were intentionally demolished to make way for newer buildings. The great Romantic landscape painter Johan Christian Clausen Dahl is credited with highlighting these churches beauty and historic significance, assuring that many survived to this day.Cadet Chapel, United States Air Force Academy (United States)Photo: John Elk III/Getty ImagesOpened in 1962, the United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel is 150 feet tall and is one of the United States most noteworthy modernist religious buildings. Designed by architect Walter Netsch, the chapel is crowned with 17 glass spires and aluminum panels. With its steel structure and stained-glass windows, the modern chapel has been compared to a spaceship or the wing of an airplane. The ecumenical chapel provides a place of meditation where Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish cadets can worship.Temppeliaukio Church (Finland)Photo: Lingxiao Xie / Getty ImagesThis modernist monolithic church was designed by the Finnish brothers and architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and completed in 1969. The church was carved directly into granite rocks, with walls ranging from 16 to 26 feet in height. At the top of the church, a 79-foot copper dome sits atop concrete beams and 180 glass panels that fill the space with light. The church is also famous for its excellent acoustics, credited to its rough stone walls, and is frequently used for concerts.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·44 Views
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Justin Timberlakes Houses Through the Years, From Manhattan to Rural Montanawww.architecturaldigest.comHes lived his life in the public eye since his teen years. It isnt surprising, then, that Justin Timberlakes houses have all had one thing in commona sense of privacy. After getting his start on the Mickey Mouse Club, the *NSYNC frontman became a household name in the 1990s and went on to have a successful solo career. The 10-time Grammy Awardwinning singer is currently on the road again for the Forget Tomorrow World Tour, but when hes not on stage, the actor is lying low at home with his wife Jessica Biel, and their two sons. In 2024, Biel opened up about the couples decision to step away from the spotlight and make their secluded Montana abode their primary residence.From penthouses in New York City to property in the rolling hills in Tennessee, heres a glimpse at the places the SexyBack singer called home before settling on Big Sky, Montana.Hollywood Hills mansionThe year 2002 was a significant one for Timberlake. On top of *NSYNC splitting after seven years, Timberlake debuted his first solo studio album, Justified, and purchased his first home in Los Angeles. The Like I Love You singer bought a 13,000-square-foot dwelling in the Hollywood Hills. The Spanish villa was built in 2000 by Helen Hunt but dates back to the 1930s, when Errol Flynn, an actor who captivated audiences in the 1930s during the Golden Age of Hollywood, had a compound on the same land.The 10-acre property, located right off Mulholland Drive, offers sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley and has everything a young musician might need: 7 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a screening room, a tennis court, vegetable gardens, and an 85-foot-long infinity pool. Timberlake married Biel in 2012, and the couple completely remodeled the villa with the help of Estee Stanleyan interior designer favored among many celebrities. The couple and the designer agreed upon a blend of rustic and modern styles, giving the Spanish Villa a fresh, yet welcoming feel. After 20 years of ownership, the Mirrors singer listed the estate for $35 million. The listing was taken down in 2022, so it is unclear whether or not the couple still owns the property.The SoHo starter homeIn 2010, Timberlake purchased a spacious penthouse apartment in New York City for $6.57 million. The three-bedroom property was located on the top floor of SoHo Mews, a luxury condominium in one of Manhattans most sought-after neighborhoods. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an 853-square-foot wraparound terrace, the light-filled space offered unmatched views of both the uptown and the downtown Manhattan skylines. The property offered safety and security with a concierge, a parking garage with private entrance, and a fitness center.The interiors of the SoHo penthouse were sleek and modern, making it the ideal retreat away from Hollywood. The airy space featured 10-foot ceilings, custom wood paneling, a professional grade kitchen, and a bathroom complete with a Kaldewei VAIO DUO oval freestanding tub. After Timberlake and Biel welcomed their first son, Silas, in 2015, they seemingly outgrew the apartment. They listed the 2,598-square-foot property in 2018 for just under $8 million and then proceeded to drop the price four times over seven months. They took a loss after the unit finally sold for $6.35 million.Bucolic acreage in TennesseeTimberlake purchased a sprawling 127-acre property in Lepiers Fork, Tennessee, a small village about 22 miles south of Nashville, in 2015. Among the grounds were rolling pastures, three different ridges overlooking the surrounding valley, horse riding trails, a fishing pond, and a babbling creek complete with a covered bridge. To say the property was picturesque would be an understatement.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·64 Views
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Wayfair Presidents Day Sale 2025: Heres What Were Scooping Up Early, From Furniture to Applianceswww.architecturaldigest.comTheres not much to love about February as a concept (sorry, Valentines Day). But the stellar sale events, like the Wayfair Presidents Day sale, are a nice way to kill some time when its blustery, damp, and cloudy for 28 days straight. Because really, what feels better than indulging in some shopping once in a while? Well wait.After all, theres probably a corner of your homeor maybe the whole thingyouve been dying to upgrade, restyle, or totally transform with the right piece of furniture or decor. So even though the holiday is still a little ways away, we implore you to browse the best early Presidents Day deals from the retail giant, because honestly theyre enticing enough to scoop up right now.It wouldnt be a Wayfair sale without early deals, and were already seeing discounts on items like iconic countertop kitchen appliances, sleek storage solutions, and mattresses ahead of the holiday weekend. But, as weve learned, these low prices last for a limited time (and often the hottest items sell out), so once you see something you like, dont delay.Top Wayfair Presidents Day Deals:Keep scrolling to find all the best Wayfair Presidents Day deals were adding to our carts before the big weekend. Whether youre looking to upgrade your patio before the temps heat back up, replace your unsupportive mattress, or finally turn your bedroom into a midcentury oasis, weve got you covered. Keep checking this page as the deals continuewell be refreshing this story with items like dining sets, living room furniture, and more. Peruse all of our selections or, if you already know generally what youre looking for, click the corresponding category below.Furniture DealsWade Logan Novak Mid-Century Modern ArmchairThis comfy armchair looks far more expensive than it is even without additional markdowns. Sure, itll add extra seating to your living room or home office, but itll also instantly warm it up thanks to the rubberwood frame and soft fabric.Brayden Studio Allrich Cloud Coffee TableFor an unexpected update to your living room, this cloud-shaped coffee table is an instant conversation-starter. Choose between beige or black to match the mood of your space.Joss & Main Amala Upholstered SofaCoffee tables arent the only unique items on the, er, table. This boucl couchavailable in white or blackbrings a textural, grounding element to a contemporary-leaning living room.Birch Lane Alastair Bar StoolCalling all self-described coastal grandmothers! These woven backless seats with rattan frames are easy and breezy. Plus, they come in a whopping 29 color combos and two different heights for your bar or countertop.Arliz 7-Piece Reversible Modular Corner Sectional with OttomanThe 70s revival of the corduroy couch (a trend we very much cosign) is a groovy and cozy addition to the living room, and this sectional welcomes up to seven people. As a bonus, its modular design and ottoman make it easy to fit into your space.Sand & Stable Hertford Linen Accent ChairIt rarely hurts to have more seating in your home, and at up to 65% off, this accent chair gives you one more reason to take the plunge. Psstthe pillow pictured is also included with your purchase. All colors are discounted, but the gray linen colorway will give you the most bang for your buck.Mattress and Bed Frame DealsWayfair Sleep 9" Medium Hybrid MattressIf youre in the process of furnishing a guest bedroom, Wayfairs Presidents Day mattress sales are exactly the thing you need. This budget-friendly mattress is unfussy, supportive, low-profile, and very highly reviewed.Sealy Cool 12" Medium Hybrid MattressYou might be looking for a new mattress, in which case well point you to this one from Sealy. Its topped with a thick layer of cooling copper-infused gel to support hot sleepers and anyone with aching muscles.Mercury Row Bowdoin Upholstered Wingback Platform BedThis dramatic bed frame is an easy way to add personality to your bedroom without overfilling it with decor.SealyCool 10" Medium Memory Foam MattressAnother mattress pick from Sealy, this one amps up the cooling factor to make sure you dont wake up with the night sweats. And at more than 50% off its one of the best deals weve seen so far.Latitude Run Verdugo Hydraulic Lift Up Storage Upholstered Platform BedShort on square footage? This upholstered storage bed frame uses a hydraulic lift system to reveal plenty of space for extra bedding, clothes, and more. The tufted headboard will support you while you read in bed, and the slatted base means theres no need for a box spring.Home Decor DealsLangley Street Lurdes Geometric Area RugSure, the Wayfair furniture sales are excellent, but some of the deals on home decor pieces like this neutral rug are really the shining stars of the sales event. This plush, high-pile area rug has a soft underfoot and an eye-catching geometric design.Latitude Run Shatterproof Metal Full Length MirrorTrust us, you dont need to break the bank on a full-length accent mirror. This one can be mounted on the wall or propped on the floor, and its big enough for a full-fit Instagram mirror pic.Mercury Row Scriven 5-Piece Accent ShelfAnyone living in a small space, rejoice! This wall-mounted shelving system, aside from having a fun modular design, also has room for tons of stuff, and is currently 34% off.Rajani Home Analee Appliqued Throw PillowHow many accent pillows is too many? Were the wrong people to ask. Because how could you resist this one? It combines textures and patterns, and its just as pretty as it is snuggleable.Appliances and Cookware DealsGotham Steel 10-Piece Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware SetIf youre looking for a housewarming gift, offering up a full cookware set is enough to make new homeowners tear up. This one, in addition to being wallet-friendly, includes everything from skillets to stock pots to saucepans, and the ceramic copper finish will last for years to come.Cuisinart Chef's Classic 17-Piece Non-Stick Cookware SetTheres no shortage of deals on nonstick cookware at Wayfair, and this 17-piece set from Cuisinart is known for its durability, thanks to the hard-anodized aluminum.Ninja Professional 1000 BlenderPure, pulverize, and chop your way to sweet smoothies, chunky salsas, and smooth soups with this top-rated blender from Ninja which is a nice 20% off right now.SMEG 50's Retro Style Aesthetic 2-Slice ToasterIts hard to resist a nostalgic find like Smegs cream-colored toaster. Sure, its pretty, but its also a reliable kitchen appliance too.Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee MakerFor those who prioritize convenience and efficiency, the Keurig really is unmatched. This slim, single-serve coffee maker will deliver your steaming cup of joe in a minute flat.Nespresso Vertuo NEXT Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi with Aeroccino Milk FrotherOr for those who crave a morning shot of espresso, cappuccino, or latte, the Nespresso Vertuo can do it all. The machine whips up your coffee or espresso, and the milk frother allows you to become your own at-home barista.Outdoor Furniture DealsSand & Stable Nevaeh 2-Person Outdoor Seating Group with CushionsMake your outdoor space a little cozier with this pair of loungers, complete with thick cushions and detachable ottomans and a little side table. The cushion covers are easy to remove and pop in the washer if they get grimy.Ebern Design Pamalee 4-Piece Rattan Sofa Seating Group with CushionsFor even more outdoor seating space, this budget-friendly set seats four and includes a love seat and two armchairs for nights around the firepit and al fresco happy hours.Polywood Modern Adirondack ChairThe classic Adirondack chair gets a contemporary refresh with this sleek design. Dont let its modern looks fool you, though. Its also built to endure virtually any climate, since its made with genuine Polywood lumber.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·61 Views
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