For a designer obsessed with detail, it’s a fantasy to find a friend, much less a client, with the enthusiasm and stamina to sustain an 80-email thread about one fabric trim. But this was the level of unrushed, joyful consideration that ELLE Decor A-List designer Nicholas Obeid shared with homeowner Deirdre Brodie while working on her historic townhouse in Albany, New York. After completing a gut renovation on the 1875 home, which abuts the city’s 90-acre Washington Park, Brodie and her husband Dan Odabashian tapped Obeid to create some enchanting cohesion among the home’s three floors, and to delight in the details—and emails—alongside her.William Jess LairdSage-green walls create a relaxed mood in the dining room, where a vintage burlwood table is surrounded by French Art Deco chairs with upholstery in Zak + Fox fabrics. Antique rug from Upstate Rug Supply.It was important to Brodie, an Albany native who has lived within the same square mile for two decades, to establish a forever home for her and her husband that was at once welcoming and exciting and that turned the spotlight on local artisanship. Together, designer and client saw the home’s three 19-foot-wide stories as the chapters of a book: a vibrant first floor for hosting and community; a serene second floor for the primary suite, outfitted in soothing brown tones; and a top floor with two guest rooms to suit different design moods.The stairwell, with original steps dating back to the late 19th century, serves as the book’s binding. A mural composed of large-scale Greek keys, applied by hand using custom-engineered rollers by local artist Nina Stanley, ties the landings together. “It’s a representation of how we wanted the floors to communicate to each other,” says Obeid, who pulled from classical elements in the architecture to create a unifying iconography that draws on Greek and Egyptian motifs, as well as motifs by the Art Deco rug designer Ivan da Silva Bruhns. “The pattern is very classic, but seen in a fresh way,” he says.William Jess LairdIn the stair hall the custom mural features classical motifs and was hand-painted by Nina Stanley.Obeid drew on the strict yet expressive forms of his own furniture line to inform the artful geometries that repeat throughout the interior. “At two feet or 20 feet, every view is totally interesting,” Brodie says. Prized rugs, artworks, and two antique Fortuny chandeliers served as creative fodder for Obeid, who prioritized working with pieces purchased by Brodie’s mother at estate sales and on Facebook Marketplace, transforming them into new family heirlooms. “He was so generous in honoring that,” Brodie says. “My mother’s sense of how beautiful hospitality could be is what made me excited to have the opportunity to do this house.”Other bits of sentimental flotsam and jetsam were taken in decorative stride, like a box of vintage orange Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper that Brodie rescued from an architectural parts warehouse. When she brought the dusty box of “crazy orange”wallpaper to Obeid, she recalls him saying, “This is not exactly my comfort zone, but that’s why I want to do it.” The saturated hue appears in a guest room, tempered with tasseled green curtains in a custom Rule of Three hand-marbled -malachite-like silk.Obeid anchored the space with a chaise longue covered in a striped velvet by Misia, rescued and revived from a cat-ravaged past in storage. But the focal point of the room is a set of seven bespoke decorative plates by the artist Shane Gabier, designed to echo the wallpaper in tones of olive green, butter yellow, and an ultra-classic Parisian blue checkerboard. It’s just one more detail in which to delight in a home punctuated by craft, care, and a commitment to circling back. ◾This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBE #how #ambitious #correspondence #begot #forever

When I lived in Florida, I had a neighbor named Ms. Carmen. She was in her late 70s, fiercely independent, and lived alone with her two dogs and one cat, which were her closest companions. Each hurricane season, she would anxiously ask if I would check on her when the winds began to pick up. She once told me: “I’m more afraid of being forgotten than of the storm itself.” Her fear wasn’t just about the weather; it was about facing it alone. When hurricanes hit, we often measure the damage in downed power lines, flooded roads, and wind-torn homes. But some of the most serious consequences are harder to see, especially for older adults who may struggle with mobility, chronic health problems, and cognitive decline. Emergency preparedness plans too often overlook the specific needs of elders in America’s aging population, many of whom live alone. For people like Ms. Carmen, resilience needs to start long before the storm. The number of older adults in the U.S. and the percentage of the population age 65 and older have been rising.I study disaster preparations and response. To prepare for hurricane season, and any other disaster, I encourage families to work with their older adults now to create an emergency plan. Preparing can help ensure that older adults will be safe and able to contact relatives or others for help, and will have the medications, documents and supplies they need, as well as the peace of mind of knowing what steps to take. Recent hurricanes show the gaps In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton put a spotlight on the risks to older adults. The storms forced thousands of people to evacuate, often to shelters with little more than food supplies and mattresses on the floor, and ill-equipped for medical needs. Flooding isolated many rural homes, stranding older adults. Power was out for weeks in some areas. Emergency systems were overwhelmed. A tornado tore into a senior community in Port St. Lucie, Florida, during Milton, killing six people. Some long-term care facilities lost power and water during Helene. At the same time, some older adults chose to stay in homes in harm’s way for fear that they would be separated from their pets or that their homes would be vandalized. These events are not just tragic; they are predictable. Many older adults cannot evacuate without assistance, and many evacuation centers aren’t prepared to handle their needs. How to prepare: 5 key steps Helping older adults prepare for emergencies should involve the entire family so everyone knows what to expect. The best plans are personal, practical, and proactive, but they will contain some common elements. Here are five important steps: 1. Prepare an emergency folder with important documents. Disasters can leave older adults without essential information and supplies that they need, such as prescription lists, financial records, medical devices and—importantly—contact information to reach family, friends, and neighbors who could help them. Many older adults rely on preprogrammed phone numbers. If their phone is lost or the battery dies, they may not know how to reach friends or loved ones, so it’s useful to have a hard copy of phone numbers. Consider encouraging the use of medical ID bracelets or cards for those with memory loss. Hurricane season begins June 1. Don’t wait until it’s too late.To prepare ahead you can develop an evacuation plan, assemble a disaster supply kit, create a communications plan and more.For more hurricane preparedness tips, visit: pic.twitter.com/Wukb1C1CUt— Polk Emergency MgmtMay 6, 2025 Critical documents like wills, home deeds, powers of attorney, and insurance records are frequently kept in physical form and may be forgotten or lost in a sudden evacuation. Use waterproof storage that’s easy to carry, and share copies with trusted caregivers and family members in case those documents are lost. 2. Have backup medications and equipment. Think about that person’s assistive devices and health needs. Having extra batteries on hand is important, as is remembering to bring chargers and personal mobility aids, such as walkers, canes, mobility scooters, or wheelchairs. Do not forget that service animals support mobility, so having supplies of their food will be important during a hurricane or evacuation. Ask doctors to provide an emergency set of medications in case supplies run low in a disaster. If the person is staying in their home, prepare for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency in case the power goes out. That means having enough bottled water, extra pet food, and human food that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking. 3. Map evacuation routes and shelter options. Identify nearby shelters that will likely be able to support older adults’ mobility and cognitive challenges. If the person has pets, make a plan for them, too—many areas will have at least one pet-friendly shelter, but not all shelters will take pets. Figure out how the person will get to a shelter, and have a backup plan in case their usual transportation isn’t an option. And decide where they will go and how they will get there if they can’t return home after a storm. If your loved one lives in a care facility, ask to see that facility’s hurricane plan. 4. Create a multiperson check-in system. Don’t rely on just one caregiver or family member to check on older adults. Involve neighbors, faith communities, or local services such as home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, support groups, and senior centers. Redundancy is crucial when systems break down. 5. Practice the plan. Go through evacuation steps in advance so everyone knows what to do. Executing the plan should be second nature, not a scramble during a disaster or crisis. Planning with, not just for, older adults Emergency planning isn’t something done for older adults—it’s something done with them. Elders bring not only vulnerability but also wisdom. Their preferences and autonomy will have to guide decisions for the plan to be successful in a crisis. That means listening to their needs, honoring their independence, and making sure caregivers have realistic plans in place. It’s an important shift from just reacting to a storm to preparing with purpose. Lee Ann Rawlins Williams is a clinical assistant professor of education, health and behavior studies at the University of North Dakota. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. #ways #help #your #elderly #parents

Scent is one of the most powerful ways to immortalize a moment in time, many thanks to the olfactory system’s direct line to the amygdala and hippocampus. It’s why a whiff of a familiar fragrance note can trigger déjà vu or nostalgia for something or somewhere long gone. And while perfumers often look to far-flung destinations for fragrance inspiration, some of the most compelling scents take cues from the spaces we frequent, like the interiors of a home or a hotel room.When perfumer Jérôme Epinette, the nose behind all of Byredo’s iconic scents, was drumming up inspiration for the brand’s iconic library-inspired Bibliothèque scent, he began with a leather couch, which he associates with sitting down to relax with a book. “That’s how I came up with the biotech, which have a little bit of violet, suede, leather, and wood of course,” he explains. Elsewhere, hints of patchouli are meant to evoke a Mad Men–era image of someone lighting up a cigar among the shelves, he says, “even though we don’t smoke in the library anymore.”Similarly, Abel’s master perfumer Isaac Sinclair had a clear idea of setting when he was creating The Apartment, an interpretation of a Hausmannian Parisian flat overlooking the Arc de Triomphe. Rather than pencil in the framework of a home note for note, The Apartment instead evokes sex appeal and sophistication through gourmand notes of cherry and rum that suggest the after-hours revelry that happens between those very walls. Sinclair says that, unlike other perfumes that revolve around one or two core notes, this fragrance captures a vibe and a sexy atmosphere.He compares the process of constructing a perfume to architecture itself. “Usually you start with a foundation and then you start building on top of that,” he says, rather than going roof-first. Sticking to the storyline is also important for the cohesiveness of a scent, he explains, drawing out the design metaphor. “Sometimes you can add something to a fragrance and it smells amazing, but you’ve actually lost the story.”Danish designer Oliver Gustav, whose studio in Copenhagen features a beautifully curated assortment of furniture and decor from all over the world, also has his own line of scents colored by his love for design and interiors. “I wanted something to bring me back to certain special places and times—sometimes a place with present-day significance, anda place almost ancient but with dreamy and inspirational significance to my work and life as a designer and collector,” he explains of his fragrances.Here a closer look at some of these intriguing scents out there inspired by interiors, along with the stories behind their makeup.Abel Apartment Eau de ParfumTo bottle up the sexy, cosmopolitan allure of Paris, The Apartment needed to match the same energy. Sinclair says the rum note in it came about after plenty of experimentation—and alludes to the debauchery of a long night after-hours—while the cherry that forms the heart of the perfumeis another gourmand note with sultry connotations.Byredo Bibliothèque CandleBibliothèque is one of our favorite candles to recommend as gifts for bookworms and beyond. It plays with contrast through plum and peach notes that Epinette says lend a creaminess to the leather and patchouli at its heart for a well-balanced rendering of a place filled with cushy seating and bound books.Comme des Garcons Odeur 71 Eau de ToiletteComme des Garçon’s oddball Odeur 71 is a slice-of-life perfume inspired by everyday smells you might encounter in an office setting, like the dust on a lightbulb or pencil shavings. It was name-dropped by one of the guest editors for AD’s first Scent Week, DS & Durga cofounder Kavi Moltz, who describes it as an unorthodox perfume that showed her how far you could push the boundaries of fragrance. “It’s the scent I wore before we started DS & Durga—it’s meant to smell like copy machine toner and hot lightbulbs,” Moltz shares."MMXXI" Potpourri on Iron StandAs a designer and collector, Gustav had a special room in mind when creating the scent MMXXI. “It is my own calming living room in a crooked 1638 house where I can withdraw from the bustling world to one of soothing gray tones, beautiful books, deep comfortable chairs, and a crackling fireplace,” he says. He set the scene with notes of worn leather and tabacco, softened by violet to evoke the calm of the space.Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service Eau de ParfumVilhelm Parfumerie’s Room Service was inspired by Old Hollywood glamour, with actress Greta Garbo as its ultimate muse. The scent places her in New York City’s Carlyle Hotel, draped in satin and drawing a bath topped with flower petals. Notes of musk and sandalwood nod to the sensuality of the scene that’s playing out, while the florals and citrus can be interpreted as a literal spin on the creature comforts of a well-stocked hotel room.Byredo Tree House CandleTree House is another architectural take on a tiny home. Notes of wood and hay bolster this cedar-and-bamboo-heavy fragrance, while earthy notes of myrrh and sandalwood elevate this youthful structure into a sacred place.Maison d'Etto Durban Jane Eau de ParfumMaison D’Etto’s woodsy Durban Jane is less a depiction of a specific house and more of an abstract expression of belonging and comfort. Perfumer Celine Barel captures the “cocoon-like feeling of home” through cedar and sandalwood notes that nod to the bones of a house, plus earthy notes like orris and labdanumthat heighten the cozy factor of this scent. #how #perfumers #evoke #interiors #their

Posting images of fabric swatches and interiors you admire can not only act as a virtual mood board for you, but it will also give potential clients a deeper understanding of your design eye.Dare to try a…dating app?Dating apps like Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder might have revolutionized the modern-day meet-cute, but for designer Kelly Martin those platforms helped her break into bolder projects and a new demographic. “A male friend of mine was talking about how ‘dudes’ apartments’ aren’t usually acceptable for bringing dates home,” she explains. “And that men would probably appreciate a designer’s eye to make them appear to have more taste and sophistication.”So, with the help of her friend, Martin created a profile to attract new clients. To keep her presence strictly professional, she filled her profile with marketing materials. Though Martin admits many of her suitors were more focused on dating than design, she said the tactic did draw in some prospective clients. “It was worth the ridiculousness for that,” she says.Conjure a Craigslist listingNowadays, Craigslist is a great destination for secondhand furniture and the occasional apartment listing. But over 15 years ago, it was how Dan Mazzarini forayed into residential design. “I was talking to a friend that I was helping with an apartment, and I think he said he had looked and posted for designers on Craigslist,” says the principal and creative director of AD PRO Directory studio BHDM. “When I got home I took a look, and there were all these posts for people looking for weekend warrior kinds of designers. So I tried a few!”Mazzarini would respond to ads looking for short-term projects—he says Trading Spaces influenced people’s desire for “quick fixes,” but the lack of modern technology made it trickier to DIY—and racked up some clients along the way. “I did help these roommates who lived in Harlem reupholster chairs,” he recalls. “They were in awe of how making the right decisions, andof elbow grease totally changed their space. It was fun to work with them, and their gratitude was sincere.”In addition to getting some clients, these smaller jobs taught Mazzarini important lessons like navigating a tight budget or timeline and communicating with vendors.“My business has grown and evolved, but I still think there is no better reward than a happy residential client,” he says.Revive rejected clientsA client who might have initially passed on your proposal doesn’t mean it’s a “no” forever—just ask Noelle Harvey of Sunday House Interior Design in Portland, Oregon. Harvey’s AD PRO Directory firm presented a project scheme to a potential customer, who ultimately declined working together. Months later, a member of the design team went to a dental office for a teeth cleaning; the dentist turned out to be that could-have-been client. After chatting for a bit, the employee learned the client was unhappy with the work that had been done by another designer and hired Sunday House to make some updates for her.“Always remember that anyone could become a client,” Harvey advises. “The client got really comfortable with us and we became more than just a website and an email; it’s important to remember that everyone is human.”That said, Harvey admits there’s a fine line between persistent and pushy, so tread lightly. She says: “My team member went in with the mindset of not bringing it up if it didn’t come up, but if it did, letting it play out.”APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrow #clever #ways #designers #scored #clients

Anyone who's ever decorated a home—whether a studio apartment that barely spans 500 square feet or a multi-bedroom, single-family house—knows that good furniture doesn't come cheap. We use the term "good" loosely because, well, what does that even mean? In this case, it refers to the quality of construction, which, more often than not, informs longevity. Though there are exceptions, the general rule of thumb is as follows: The better the materials and manufacturing processes are, the longer the furniture in question will last. You may also be trying to determine how best to spend your decorating budget in accordance with your household's priorities—does it make more sense to splurge on a well-built sofa that's going to get a lot of daily use or a solid wood cabinet for a guest bedroom that could last generations? Luckily, we have a great starting point for you.We asked Dan Campbell, president of BenchMade Modern, for his expertise on the subject. His paramount piece of advice for anyone willing to spend a pretty penny on luxury furniture is this: "Look for furniture that's handcrafted in the United States, as this ensures high-quality materials as well as craftsmanship," he says. "When something is custom-made or made-to-order, this creates the best option as the piece is crafted based on the features the end user really needs."Ahead, he shares what furniture pieces tend to last longer and what's worth the investment. We'd also like to preface that all of our life expectancy timelines are generalizations and presume that these are investment-worthy pieces that are carefully maintained and cared for—all the more reason to buy the best quality you can!Related StoriesSofasDesign: Sarah Vaile Design, Photo: Lesley UnruhSofas are tricky because there are a lot of elements that go into their creation, namely the frame, cushions, and upholstery. Even if they're made of the best-quality materials, longevity is not a guarantee. Campbell asks, "Who is using it, and where does it live? Are there kids and pets? Is it in a high-traffic area like a media room or more of a display piece in a formal living room?" Once you have that key information, you can choose the right piece for your specific space that, Campbell says, will last for many, many years. The part of most sofas that'll usually start deteriorating first is the cushioning. With this in mind, you can shop for models that prioritize durability. "A combination of foam and fiber will have the most resiliency, and that 'tailored'look for the longest period," he says. "But many people have comfort as their primary goal over longevity. A very dense foam will hold up the longest, but the denser the foam is, the less comfortable the sofa can be. It is also an aesthetic question, as a down or down alternative fill is going to give you a more casual look that will require some fluffing to maintain its look, but is still super durable." The best way to maintain the health of your cushions is to flip and fluff them every few months. "Rotate them like you would your car tires. This will give all of the cushions more equal wear over time, so the sofa looks great throughout the years," Campbell advises.Life expectancy of a sofa: 10 yearsRelated StoryBed FramesDesign: Sarah Richardson Design and Murakami Design, Photo: Valerie WilcoxWhen buying a bed frame, you basically have two options: wood or upholstered. You really can't go wrong with either, so invest in the one you prefer in terms of comfort and aesthetics. That said, wood will last a long timewithout you having to put too much effort into maintaining it. If you are dead-set on an upholstered bed frame, just make sure to choose your fabric wisely. "If you select a white linen headboard, it's not going to look great in the years to come," Campbell explains. "Instead, consider a white linen-like performance fabric that you can easily clean." Life expectancy of a wooden bed frame: ImmortalUpholstered bed frame: 20-30 yearsRelated StoryDining ChairsDesign: The Galeana Group, Photo: Matthew NiemannSimilar to dressers, high-quality dining chairs are more about construction than material because, well, they get a lot of action. "Regardless of the type of chair you get, these pieces take the most abuse, as they're constantly being pulled in and out, leaned against, sliding…the legs need to be able to handle the stress," Campbell admits. "You will see the failure of dining chairs from a low-end manufacturer very quickly." If you can only splurge on one piece of furniture, let it be your dining chairs. The easiest to care for is an all-wood option, but if you want an upholstered set, make sure it's performance-grade fabric.Life expectancy of all-wood dining chairs: ImmortalDining chairs with upholstered seats: 10-20 yearsAll-upholstered dining chairs: 10-15 yearsRelated StoryDining TablesDesign: Liz Caan & Co., Photo: Eric RothWhat most often causes a dining table to deteriorate over time is its lack of stability, which, of course, goes back to what Campbell has been saying this whole time: It's all about the materials used and craftsmanship. Those two elements will make for a stable and durable table that will last pretty much forever if they're properly cared for. When do you know if it's time to put some TLC into your dining table? "Make sure there aren't any loose components," Campbell says. "The table's legs shouldn't wobble if weight is placed on any side. The base of the table or the legs should have a secure fit to the tabletop."You may be thinking a glass-top dining table is probably inferiorto solid wood options, but Campbell argues that if a dining table boasts a glass top, it's designed to be used and loved. "They're very easy to clean and also durable," he notes. "If your dining table has a glass top, it's typically made to withstand regular usage. Should disaster strike, there are options to replace it if the original breaks." If you don't feel like dealing with that possibility, go with wood. However, wood is not indestructible either. "Solid wood ages really well, but it can crack and splinter over time. So, if you're OK with the live-edge or more rustic look, solid wood is a fantastic option," Campbell explains. "Veneering on medium-density fiberboard is a stable, long-term option, too. Both can be refinished: Solid wood can be refinished many times and veneered less often, depending on the thickness of the veneer."Life expectancy of a glass-top dining table: VariableSolid wood dining table: ImmortalRelated StoryDressersDesign: Gleason & Gleason, Photo: David TsayAs you may have guessed, the dressers that tend to last the longest are made of solid wood. "High-end dressers that withstand the test of time are typically crafted from solid wood— more specifically, stronger woods that wear well, such as cherry, oak, and maple," Campbell says. "However, because solid wood can crack, splinter, swell, or shrink over time, a veneer can create a long-lasting piece." Life expectancy of a solid wood dresser: ImmortalFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok. #yes #your #furniture #has #quotlife

Just in time to make the most of the warmer weather, REI is slashing prices on a bunch of our favorite outdoor gadgets and goods as a part of its annual anniversary sale. Now through May 26th, the outdoor retailer is taking up to 30 percent off a large number of items, from Garmin watches and water filters to stoves, satellite communicators, and one of the best camping / backpacking chairs around.RelatedBelow, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals to help you gear up for your summer adventures. In some instances, other retailers like Amazon are matching REI’s pricing, giving you additional ways to save. Also, keep in mind that REI members can save an additional 20 percent on one REI Outlet item or get 20 percent off on one qualifying full-price item when they use coupon ANNIV2025 at checkout.Garmin Forerunner 265% offGarmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds a new OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.Many of our favorite Garmin smartwatches are also on sale right now, including the Garmin Forerunner 265, which is our top pick for runners. Normally you can buy the smartwatch in either its 42mm or 46mm sizing at REI and Amazon for, which matches its best price to date. The 265 features a vibrant OLED display, up to 15 days of battery life, and multi-band GPS for more accurate tracking. It also provides insight into a number of running metrics, including stride length and cadence, while supporting Garmin’s PacePro, Training Readiness, and Race Predictor features.Garmin’s Fenix 8, our top pick for endurance athletes, is available in its 43mm configuration from REI, Amazon, and Garmin starting at. The platform-agnostic Fenix 8 is an excellent training watch with exceptional battery life that easily surpasses rivals like the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Garmin’s rugged, top-of-the-line wearable also includes a sharp OLED display and a built-in speaker / mic, so you can make calls or carry out voice commands using the onboard voice assistant. That being said, the Fenix 8 doesn’t offer built-in LTE, so your phone will need to stay within Bluetooth range for those features to work. Read our review.Garmin Fenix 8% offThe Garmin Fenix 8 adds smart features like the ability to take calls on the wrist, and an on-board voice assistant.Garmin’s 41mm Venu 3 is currently available for an all-time low of down from its regular price of and REI. The Venu 3 is our favorite Garmin smartwatch, one that offers a mix of smart features and advanced health tracking at an affordable price. You can make and receive calls when paired with your phone, use your phone’s voice assistant via Bluetooth, and pay with contactless payments. It also includes a broad range of health features, including heart rate monitoring, period tracking, abnormal heart rate alerts, fall detection, and more. Just note: there’s no cellular connectivity, so you’ll need your phone nearby for full functionality. Read our review.Garmin inReach Mini 2% offGarmin’s palm-size inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator provides off-the-grid contact with subscription plans starting at a month.If your summer plans involve hiking or backpacking, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 can provide some peace of mind. And right now, it’s available from REI, Amazon, and Garmin for, which is just shy of its all-time low. The rugged, palm-sized satellite communicator — which requires a monthly subscription — allows you to send texts, share your location, check the weather, and even trigger SOS alerts. It can easily outlast your average smartphone with satellite connectivity, too, so you’re free to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about running out of power.The Helinox Chair Zero — a personal favorite of several Verge staffers — is on sale at REI and Amazon for, which is its best price to date. Weighing just a pound, the collapsible backpacking chair is exceptionally lightweight and easy to pack. It’s also built to support up to 265 pounds and is both comfortable and stable, despite its portable design.LifeStraw Peak Series Straw% offLifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.LifeStraw’s portable water filters make for helpful travel companions, regardless of whether you’re heading into the backcountry or touring cities with questionable tap water. Thankfully, Verge favorites like the LifeStraw Peak Series Straw are on sale and REI starting at down from The standalone straw is perfect for filtering out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from streams and rivers. The Peak Series model features an improved flow rate and a more durable design than earlier models as well, and thanks to its versatile build, you can drink directly from a water source, attach it to a water bottle, or connect it to a gravity hose system.If you’re looking for a more convenient, all-in-one solution, the 22-ounce LifeStraw Go Series Water Bottle is also on sale for an all-time low of aroundat REI and Amazon. The BPA-free bottle features a built-in two-stage filtration system, including a carbon filter that’s designed to reduce odors and improve taste, making it a solid pick for everything from travel to your daily commute.The MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove is on sale for down from at REI. The single-burner canister stove can boil water in just 3.5 minutes. It’s also lightweight, foldable, and compatible with most isobutane-propane fuel canisters, making it a great pick for backpackers looking to shed weight.Black Diamond Spot 400% offBlack Diamond’s Spot 400 headlamp offers great battery life and simple, easy-to-use controls. Best off all, it’s plenty bright, making it a great option for both indoor and outdoor use.at REIIf you’re looking for a reliable and comfortable headlamp, Black Diamond’s Spot 400 is great for everything from camping to hiking to late-night reading sessions. It’s currently available from REI for, which remains one of its better prices to date. The 400-lumen headlamp offers adjustable brightness, a red night vision mode, and an IPX8 waterproof rating, so it can handle rainy nights. It’s also dual-fuel compatible, meaning you can use standard AAA batteries or use it in tandem with Black Diamond’s rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery for more flexibility.The pocket-sized Black Diamond Moji Lantern is down toat REI in multiple colors. The rugged Moji lantern offers 200 lumens of warm, dimmable light and adjustable lightness, along with an IPX4 rating for water resistance. It features a double-hook design, too, so you can use it as a table lantern or hang it up. The JBL Flip 6 is selling for at REI and Amazon, down from and about shy of its all-time low. The portable Bluetooth speaker delivers powerful, clear sound and an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. The Flip 6 also offers up to 12 hours of playtime and features JBL’s PartyBoost feature, which allows you to pair multiple JBL devices together for a more powerful audio experience.Garmin’s Varia RTL515 Radar Taillight is on sale at REI and Amazon for, nearly matching its lowest price to date. The headlight combines a bright LED light with a rearview radar that, when paired with a compatible device, warns you of cars approaching from behind from up to 153 yards away.Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove% offColeman’s basic Cascade Classic Camp Stove features enough cooking power for most meals, two burners, and a matchless igniter.at Colemanat REIIf you want a straightforward stove that gets the job done, Coleman’s Cascade Classic Camp Stove is a good option that starts atwhen purchased directly from Coleman or at REI. The compact stove is pretty basic, but it offers everything you need for simple, reliable camp cooking. It’s got enough cooking power to handle most meals and two burners, so you can cook multiple things at once. It also features a matchless push-button igniter, along with built-in wind guards for better flame control and adjustable heat knobs for more precise cooking. It’s easy to carry and set up as well, with a durable steel cooktop and a removable chrome-plated grate for easy cleanup.You can buy MSR’s TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter for down from at REI. The squeeze-and-sip filter removes bacteria, protozoa, and particulates, so you can drink directly from natural water sources or refill bottles. The filter is highly portable at just 5.2 ounces, too, and can easily fit in your pocket.The BioLite SolarHome 620 Plus kit is on sale for down from at REI. The compact, solar-powered system is designed to bring lights, charging, and audio to off-grid locations. Along with a 6W solar panel, it features an integrated FM radio / MP3 player, three hanging 120-lumen LED lights, and a pair of USB ports for charging various devices.See More: #reis #anniversary #sale #dropping #prices

Pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee – Knoll’s latest lineup is one you’ll want to savor slowly. Unveiled as the Knoll Pavilion at Milan Design Week 2025, the heritage brand’s newest suite of collaborations brings together a who’s who of design visionaries, each offering their own take on craft, comfort, and form. Featuring sculptural seating, finely crafted wood pieces, reimagined icons, and playful, lounge-worthy designs, each piece stands on its own, yet together they showcase Knoll’s ongoing commitment to championing the brightest minds and reinventing familiar furniture typologies. Biboni Sofa by Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee Looking for that just right balance of relaxed yet engaged? Enter the Biboni Sofa by Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee. It brings sculptural softness to seating, its rounded folds shaped into an enveloping, almost anthropomorphic form. Designed with an architectural mindset, every detail enhances its relationship to the surrounding space – best experienced floating in the round, as part of a constellation of elements. “It wants to be a good friend,” says Johnston. “We like that it can be giving in that way.” Balancing structure and comfort, Biboni is at once formal and informal, soft yet supportive. Biboni Sofa by Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee Biboni Sofa by Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee, D’Urso Occasional Tables by Joseph D’Urso Muecke Wood Collection by Jonathan Muecke Architect and sculptor Jonathan Muecke doesn’t hide wood joinery the way others might feel compelled to. Instead, he celebrates it, boldly showcasing end grain and structural connections as defining features in the Muecke Wood Collection. Muecke focuses on the materiality of the pieces and the spatial relationship they have with the room. “I don’t think about chairs and tables as objects,” he says. “I think about a chair in terms of material – as a marker of human scale, a physical record in relational space.” Perron Bun Lounge Chair by Willo Perron With its plush, oversized cushion seemingly floating above a slim sculptural base, the Perron Bun Lounge Chair by Willo Perron blurs the line between lounge chair, sofa, and bed. Its playful, cloud-like form offers an ultra-relaxed take on seating, balancing softness and lightness with a performative edge. Designed for sinking in, stretching out, or curling up, it’s comfort at its most inviting – and a little unexpected. “I come from pop culture and music, and my work is always a little bit performative,” says Perron. Perron Bun Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Willo Perron D’Urso Occasional Table by Joseph D’Urso A celebrated minimalist, Joseph D’Urso first designed the D’Urso Occasional Table for Knoll in 1980, and now it’s reissued in three sizes. Its sleek silhouette pairs industrial materials with thoughtful function, from polished steel finishes to discreet casters. With a lower open shelf that acts as a second tabletop, clearing the top surface of clutter, it’s a small piece of architecture that seamlessly balances form and utility. D’Urso Occasional Tables by Joseph D’Urso The Barcelona Collection by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Lastly, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Collection, originally introduced in 1929, gets a fresh update with new fabric upholstery options and an ultra matte-black frame. The timeless elegance of the iconic chair, stool, and couch is reimagined with subtle shifts in materiality, bringing even more versatility to Mies’s famous “less is more” philosophy. The Barcelona Collection by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Year after year, Knoll continues to build on its legacy of collaborating with design’s leading voices to create pieces that balance bold ideas, unique points of view, and timeless appeal. From sculptural seating to thoughtful reissues, each release reflects the brand’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and shaping the way we live with design. To learn more about Knoll’s latest 2025 collections and the Knoll Pavilion, visit knoll.com. Photography courtesy of Knoll. #knoll #unveils #suite #new #collaborations

In 2017, interior designer Lisa Koch, who had recently finished decorating The Faena in Miami, met hotelier Jeff Klein at the Sunset Tower in Los Angeles. He hired her on the spot to freshen up the Art Deco landmark: “I was extremely drawn to Lisa because she wanted to respect the soul and listen to the history and bones of the building,” says Klein, who also owns notable properties like the San Vicente Bungalows and The Jane Hotel. Two years later, Klein and his husband, producer John Goldwyn, purchased a nearby 1937 property built in the style of a 19th-century French manor—and knew Koch could transform the interiors into an inviting and transporting oasis inspired by its original architectural blueprints.Interior designer Lisa Koch sits in the curved breakfast room. “I found this French 1960s chandelier at Carlos de la Puente in New York and sent a picture of it to Jeff,” she says. “He replies yes, go ahead—so I brought it back to Los Angeles.” The house project took her almost five years to perfect. “Jeff and I are quite aesthetically aligned,” Koch says. “We didn’t come into each room with a distinct vision but rather it unfolded very naturally.” With the help of architect Ward Jewell, nearly every inch of the house was overhauled, from the climbing rose-covered stucco exterior walls and dove gray shutters to intricate arched foyers and a walk-in walnut bar. A guest house was removed to maximize space for the gardens by landscape designer Lisa Zeger, and a large swimming pool was replaced with a smaller one at the rear of the property. Unstained French oak floors sourced from an old English country estate cover every room except the kitchen and gym, with each plank laid with uneven spacing to exude the sense they’ve settled, like the house, with time. “Our intention was to respect the integrity of the property so it didn’t feel like a 1970s house Halston could have lived in,” Klein says.In the living room, pigmented plaster done by hand and applied paneling on the walls were inspired by the late-1930s architectural appeal of the original house. “We added thickness to the walls to allow for paneled casing around the French door and windows,” Koch says. Above the fireplace encased in an Italian marble mantle from Jamb hangs an inset brass-trimmed antique mirror that reflects light from the gardens. The painting on the far wall is by Jean Dubuffet, while the sofas are from Roman Thomas. In the living room, dentil crown molding, pigmented plaster, and decorative paneling were added to convey the original 1930s architecture, while the walls were thickened to include detailed casings around the French doors. An inset brass-trimmed antique mirror sits above the Italian marble mantle by Jamb, while a Jean Dubuffet painting hangs beside the grand piano. Pocket doors lead into the library, where a chandelier that belonged to Lord Mountbatten vies with Rosie Uniacke periwinkle armchairs. “We had planned on making the walnut paneling dark and bought dozens of stain samples but in order to remove the cathedral wood grain patterns we had to bleach it out multiple times,” Koch explains. “But after we lightened it, it looked much better, so it was a happy accident.” Above the fireplace, a projector unfurls from the ceiling, allowing it to double as a screening room. A 1958 pen and ink watercolor by Jean Cocteau—the first piece the couple ever bought together—stands between shelves lined with antiquarian and art books. “John is a voracious reader and very particular about organizing his books,” Klein muses.Glass pendants from Gordiola hang above a 19th-century French table in the kitchen that had once been a small room with a fireplace and two sofas. Koch completely reconfigured the space to accommodate large prep stations, two Miele dishwashers on either side of a double integrated marble sink, and a walnut paneled pantry with sawtooth adjustable shelves. It connects to a butler’s pantry equipped with open shelving and a second Subzero refrigerator. A skylight and the pitched ceiling was installed to allow natural light to pour in throughout the day. A proper corridor bar was built into a hallway next to the pantry to replace the original smaller one in the library. Paneled in walnut, the interior glass shelving sits in front of an antique mirror illuminated by backlighting. Salmon marble countertops on the sink and bar mix with colorful Murano glassware on shelves along the window. A grid of antique European maps framed in burlwood on the walls nods to Klein and Goldwyn’s love of travel and history. The kitchen was completely reconfigured with a high-pitched ceiling and a skylight, where sea green pendants from Barcelona hang above a 19th-century French table and a pantry displays Goldwyn’s collection of copper pots and pans he found in the Cotswolds, Paris, and the Hamptons. A dark hallway off the kitchen became a breakfast room with curved floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lily pond and a 1960s candelabra. “We didn’t stick to any formula, but rather purposefully chose furnishings from various centuries and provenances,” Koch says. Pieces found during their travels range from chandeliers and busts bought at Flair in Florence to antique Irish dining room chairs and 17th-century Four Seasons goddess statues salvaged from a torn down European count’s palazzo which now line the pool.Alongside the curved windowed walls of the breakfast room, Lisa Zeder installed a circular pond with floating Egyptian lotuses, lily pads, and a bubbling fountain. Climbing vines, rosemary, jasmine, and lush varieties of flowering perennials in planting beds border the Belgian antique cobblestone terrace. “We wanted every room to have views of the gardens, so the original staircase was moved and reduced into a spiral shape with a banister I found in France,” she explains. An oval ceiling oculus was added above, as well as a proper foyer where Robert Polidori’s 1986 photograph of Versailles’s interiors hangs beside an antique table with carved lion’s paw feet. Leading into the primary sitting room, a nook with a George Smith sofa is surrounded by prints by English artist Rose Wylie. “They were cut out of an art auction catalogue and framed in burlwood—I’m not too grand to admit that,” Klein says with a laugh. In the primary bedroom, a four-poster by Rose Tarlow flanks a Francis Bacon lithograph and working marble fireplace. Three sets of French doors lead out to a balcony with aerial views of the gardens, terraces, and round lily pond.A loggia with four arches was installed to allow views of the terrace and gardens below, and the exterior walls are clad in stucco. Old Belgian pavers cover the floor while a wooden ceiling gives the space both texture and intimacy. Liza Zeder Design Group designed the arrangements of plants, ferns, and trees in antique pots. The furniture is a mix of custom and vintage Baker upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric. “The loggia truly connects the interior to the exterior,” Koch says. “We didn’t want anything in here to feel like it belonged strictly inside or outside.” A sense of quiet serenity radiates from a rectangular lily pond directly across from the front entrance to the house, setting the tranquil tone of the property. Verdant hedges, vines, and lush flowering bushes of white rain lilies surround its borders. An outdoor fireplace and seating area on the south side of the house adorns the upper terrace, where grass pavers reclaimed from Belgium imbue a geometric motif. The exterior furniture is Formations and McKinnon Harris. The much-frequented spot has become a calming respite for Klein and Goldwyn and often used whenever they’re hosting friends or having parties. Goldwyn, an avid gardener who can often be found with pruning shears in his pockets, and Klein collected all of the art together by trawling through flea markets, antique stores, or auction houses. Meanwhile, in a former concrete open box with irregular walls, a loggia with four classical arches and Belgian antique pavers was built in the downstairs entry hall with lush potted plants and succulents selected by Liza Zeder. “Every night, we sit in the loggia, turn on music, and have a drink while watching the sunset,” Klein says. “The light dapples across the gardens and the smell of jasmine wafts into the house—I look forward to it everyday.”The façade of the house remains largely unchanged since it was built back in 1937. The steel troweled, unpainted stucco exterior wall finishes were designed to patina and crack with age, French ardoise slate covers the roof, and three dormers inspired by the original architectural plans were refabricated. Climbing white, orange, and pink French roses from Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria cover virtually all of the exterior walls, blooming four to five times a year. Limestone steps and dove gray wooden shutters were added while the French copper lantern hanging above the door is circa 1880. Floor to ceiling shelves and cabinetry were installed in the primary sitting room to accommodate books and photographs. Chairs and a sofa from George Smith create a cozy reading nook underneath artist Rose Wylie’s framed prints, and French doors lead to a terrace that looks out to the back gardens. Goldwyn, a producer, reads at least two books a week—from novels to European histories—as well as countless Hollywood scripts. The sitting room also includes a hidden midnight kitchen. In the dining room, curved walls cladded in linen juxtapose a late-19th-century French dining table surrounded by antique Irish chairs upholstered in burgundy leather from Hawker. Klein and Goldywn found the chandelier at Flair during a trip to Florence, while the mauve silk rug was custom designed. “We open the French doors leading to the upper terrace surrounded by flowers during dinner parties—and you can hear the peaceful murmur of the fountain in the lily pond,” Klein says. Cased in light walnut wood paneling, the library features blue armchairs by Rose Uniacke, a 19th-century Italian card table that seats four, and a sofa and coffee table from Roman Thomas. In addition to the two tall bookcases, low shelves line the side walls to accommodate the hanging of art. Perched upon the Jamb fireplace mantel is a Jean Cocteau pen and ink watercolor from 1958. On the right, three sets of French doors provide direct access to the back garden. In the primary bedroom that adjoins the sitting room, an intricately paneled octagonal coved ceiling was built to add height and scale. A very pale pink plaster was applied to the walls while the furniture is a mix of Rose Tarlow and bespoke pieces all upholstered in cream velvet fabric by Nobilis. The doors flanking the bed lead to matching closets and bathrooms, while French doors on the south wall open out to a balcony. The lithograph is by Francis Bacon and a pop-up lift for a television comes out of the custom curved desk. One of the two identical primary suite bathrooms, which connect to the walk-in closet and the primary bedroom, features walls clad in full slabs of Calacatta viola. Unstained antique French oak sourced from an old country home in England used throughout the majority of the house covers the floors. “We added a pitched ceiling for additional height along with a Jamb hanging globe,” Koch adds. All the plumbing fixtures are Waterworks while the vanity was custom made. Painted in an obsidian dark green high gloss lacquer from Fine Paints of Europe, the downstairs powder room opens into a floor-to-ceiling mirrored alcove. Koch added traditional crosshead basin taps from Lefroy Brooks to the custom-made marble and bronze vanity with an integrated marble sink. The room looks out to the front garden while full marble slabs cover the lower walls and floors, imbuing a seamless visual high impact. The sconces were found on 1stDibs. The breakfast room off the kitchen furnishes a generous view of the garden due to the installation of a curved window. “The Paul McCobb dining chairs, which originally belonged to my clients, were restored and reupholstered in ultra suede,” Koch says. A French 1960s bronze chandelier hangs above the limestone dining table and, on the opposite wall, Koch designed floor-to-ceiling cabinets to accommodate a collection of 19th-century silver and crystal glassware. A view of the back exterior of the house, which now features a loggia leading out to a rolling lawn and lush leafy gardens. To maximize the space of the gardens, a guest suite that had been added in the 1990s was removed from the north side of the house. All the landscaping and plantings were designed by Lisa Zeder Design Group. Below the terraces, Zeder set twelve linear Platanus x Acerifolia trees into beds teeming with green and white plantings—creating an homage to the style of old estate gardens in France and Italy. #tour #transformed #oasis #inspired #history

About a half hour south of the Puerto Escondido airport is a stretch of Oaxacan coastline where whale sightings are common and the surf break is world famous. The remoteness of the region is key to its appeal. Architects and designers are drawn to the Mexican state for its deep history of crafts, from villages where weavers have worked for generations to the artist Bosco Sodi’s Tadao Ando–designed nonprofit, Casa Wabi. And while this rugged region may be hard to get to, it’s anything but unfamiliar territory to the architect Will Meyer and his wife Kerstin; their sprawling coastal compound occupies a three-acre plot that has been in her family for decades. Based in Nashville most of the year, the couple wanted to create a retreat for themselves and their two teenage children.The IngallsThe living room is set beneath a double-height palapa and has a 35-foot custom sofa. Chairs by Decova; custom cocktail table and rug.Meyer, who co-founded the multidisciplinary design studio Meyer Davis with Gray Davis, worked with builder Patricio Sodi, brother of Bosco, to develop a -family-friendly structure that nods to local culture as well as to Mexican modernism. “It was a really collaborative working relationship,” Meyer says. “We were able to play off each other.”“It’s very difficult to keep the elements out in this part of the world. You have to let nature tell you what to do.” —Will MeyerThe building’s central feature is a double-height palapa, a traditional thatch-roofed structure made of dried palm leaves. A symbol of tradition, the palapa anchors the southern end of the six-bedroom residence and houses communal areas including the dining room, kitchen, and bar.Almost 1,000 custom-made breeze blocks, laid out in a lattice pattern inspired by traditional weavings and made from local clay, serve as a focal point while also allowing for natural cross-ventilation. Only one room in the home has air conditioning. “It is very difficult to keep the elements out in this part of the world,” Meyer says. “You have to let nature tell you what to do. There is a lot of engineering behind the scenes to make it all seem effortless.”The IngallsIn the guest wing’s lounge, the sofa and chair are by Decova, the cocktail tables are by Arca, the rugs are from Dialecto Puerto Escondido, and the lamp is by Tseebal.Living in harmony with the elements is central to the layout. The interiors are outfitted in a palette of warm gray, rich oxblood, and tawny ocher drawn directly from the surrounding landscape.The grounds were planted by Kerstin’s brother Ramses Alexander, who has a home next door, as does her father. The celebrated landscape architect Edwina von Gal consulted on sustainable plantings for the area, which is densely populated with Natal plums, cacti, and 15-foot-tall mangrove shrubs, between which the family likes to hang hammocks.See Inside the Oaxacan RetreatOutdoors, a 35-foot-long built-in sofa stretches along the back of the home, connecting the guest rooms and primary suites and inviting visitors to linger in front of the egg-shaped pool, gazing at the unobstructed 220-degree view of the ocean beyond. “If we’re here, we’re entertaining,” Kerstin says. “We can’t have an empty house. It needs to be lived in.” All the pillows, rugs, and fabrics were commissioned from local vendors by Kerstin, who has spent years sourcing Oaxacan textiles for her company, Maya Sund. “Every town here in Oaxaca has its own talent and its own history,” she says. “There is always something new that you learn in the creative process.”The IngallsHomeowners Will and Kerstin Meyer.The furnishings are sparse, but they feel even more luxurious for the intentionality with which they were chosen. The sizable dining table in volcanic stone was -custom-fabricated in Mexico by Arca, pendants were made locally of palm leaves, and decorative ceramics and dishes were sourced from the ethical online market Obakki. “There’s a precision to the house and architecture that’s seen through the lens of craft, and the hand that can be seen in everything in it,” Kerstin says. “Those two things need each other.”And with a stable Starlink connection and the calming sound of the sea close by, the family just needs to make the time to sit back and relax—and keep an eye out for whales. ◾This story originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBESean SantiagoDeputy EditorSean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality and travel, culture, and luxury shopping. Since starting his career at an interior design firm in 2011, he has gone on to cover the industry for Vogue, Architectural Digest, Sight Unseen, PIN-UP and Domino. He is the author of The Lonny Home, has produced scripted social content for brands including West Elm and Streeteasy, and is sometimes recognized on the street for his Instagram Reels series, #DanceToDecor #this #dreamy #oaxacan #vacation #home

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Audiophiles can argue over the perfect conditions for music listening from now to approximately eternity. This week, Valentino’s creative director Alessandro Michele, is proposing his version of the musical ideal: an installation called L’Atelier Sonore in the Madison Avenue Valentino flagship. Created in concert with architect Francesco Lupia and Terraforma, the Italian cultural collective, it launches tonight with a private, 10-hour listening party tonight, featuring some of Michele’s favorites, including artist Kevin Beasley and DJ Veronica Vasicka. The next day, the mezzanine opens to the public and will run through August. With its “bespoke sound system, a handcrafted multifunctional listening console inspired by traditional cabinet-making, and modular seating with velvet cushions,” according to a statement by Valentino, L’Atelier Sonore taps into a growing trend of ultra-luxury, bespoke listening rooms. View full post on InstagramCall them the new media room—or the new wine cellar or the new art wing—the listening rooms trending right now aren’t “man caves” or rec rooms with turntables. As much as they’re designed to enhance the sonic experience of the listener, these rooms are also built to showcase a super high-end, technically advanced sound system. Everything about them is sleek, custom, and obsessed with sound. Here, ELLE Decor investigates where listening rooms got their start, what’s happening with them now, and how to even build a listening room of your own. View full post on InstagramWhat is a listening room?Listening rooms are spaces designed to listen to music from high-quality sound systems. The key is amplification of sound quality––and not in only volume. The design is supposed to enhance the natural acoustics of a space so that listeners experience the “true” sound of the music or audio. The listening room therefore has to reduce exterior noise pollution as well as isolate the sound inside the room so it doesn’t bleed into exterior spaces. Listening rooms are similar to an evolved version of listening booths in music stores. Once the realm of audiophiles, the conversational definition of a listening room has expanded to mean spaces made for people who really like music and want to optimize their or their guests’ listening experience. Chairs are comfortable, lighting is low, and the ambiance is relaxed: These are spaces intended to foster an awareness of the way music or audio art makes you feel. What’s the history of the listening room?According to Sasha Frere-Jones, who wrote about listening rooms for Harper’s in 2022, the birth of the traditional listening bar can be traced to Japan just after World War II, when a “weak postwar economy” contributed to music lovers repurposing equipment instead of buying it new: “In the late Fifties and early Sixties, Japanese movie houses gradually upgraded to locally made pro audio, and the older stuff made its way into surplus shops. The used gear became part of listening rooms and jazz cafés.”Though they’re not popping up on every corner of major cities, the number of these types of venues continues to grow. Lists of listening bars in Los Angeles, London, New York and Berlin circulate the internet each year. Hotels are building listening rooms. The St. Augustine, in Houston, Texas has one just off the lobby, so guests can relax after checking in.Nicole FranzenIn the listening room of the St. Augustine, a sofa is by Lee Industries is covered in a striped fabric by Kravet. In tandem with the rise of listening rooms is the increasing prevalence of bespoke sound systems, like the one installed at Maison Valentino or the one made by Bridge Street Sound for Tower Labs, the Tower Records listening room in Brooklyn. Bespoke sound systems like these are typically made to suit the size and shape of the room, which inherently impacts sound waves and how listeners receive sound. And here’s another key to the space designed for reverential listening: There’s no right way to do it. Everyone listens differently just as each space impacts audio differently. The ideal setup, therefore, is up to the room’s builder. With this in mind, here are a few basic tips for constructing a listening room of one’s own. How to build a listening room at homeFirst: Identify what kind of listener you areDo you want to attempt to make a room that’s as close to perfect as possible? Or do you want to wow friends with a sound system that replicates a great music venue? Maybe you just want to optimize the space you have for the speakers you bought. Determining your listening goals will help you decide how much to invest in a listening room. Frere-Jones came up with a mnemonic device to define the different types of listening environments he identified after writing about listening rooms for Harper’s: “corner, club, cathedral, and cocoon”: The street corner is the block party experience, people are talking and ambient sounds join with the music. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the cathedral, which is how he describes the luxe listening room designed by the audiophile. Cocoon and club are in between. If you immediately react to one of these experiences, you might decide that a really good sound system in a room with a really nice chair is the extent of your listening room investment. Or you might decide it’s time to read the trade papers and consider construction on the guest room. Which takes us to step two…Second: Consult a sound expertIf you find yourself drawn to the minutiae of gear specifications: study first, build later. If you’re not, be warned: You can easily get lost in forums that describe the optimal modal density for your listening room and more. But, if this gets you going, here are a few solid resources to help you take flight:Regardless, seeking advice from an expert is helpful. And ideally, you’ll visit a few existing listening rooms to get a sense for the difference each element makes. Third: Consult a contractor. Not everyone has a lot of real estate to work with, and knowing how best to segment and insulate a space to optimize sound quality requires bonafide credentials. Consulting a contractor or specialty architect at this point is key. Though everything will depend on what you’ve got to work with and how much time and money you’ve got to invest, many elements of the listening room are built to cut down on reverberation. A few key elements to consider are:Floors: Most resources suggest solid floors that aren’t elevated above the foundation. Some say carpeting is ideal, others say concrete. Windows: Skip them, or very make sure they’re well sealed and insulated. Ceilings: Consider sound panels. Doors: As far from the sound equipment as possible. Lighting: If you’re after the reverential mood of a true listening room, consider low-light. Seating: Make it comfortable, ample, and reclining. #valentinos #latelier #sonore #art #listening