In 2018, celebrated Danish architect Bjarke Ingels completed the Dortheavej Residence in Copenhagen, a residential development featuring his characteristically innovative touch. The building consists of prefabricated units stacked together to create a subtle checkerboard effect, all at angles that make the curved structure appear to undulate. Its a striking example of Ingelss workmade all the more interesting by the fact that its not a luxury complex aimed at architecture aficionados willing to shell out top dollar. No, the project, designed by one of the countrys most famous living architects, is low-income housing.

The Dortheavej Residence in Copenhagen, designed by Bjarke IngelsRasmus Hjortshoj

In America, meanwhile, low-income housing is largely designed to be ignored. Government-subsidized residences are created to be functional and durable, but almost never beautiful. Its hard to imagine a government housing project in an American city being included on an architectural tour, like the Dortheavej Residence could well be. The idea of prioritizing function over form in this sector is something that interior designer Kia Weatherspoon, who spoke yesterday at Business of Homes Future of Home conference, is trying to chip away at.

The biggest hurdle, as I see it, is getting developers to understand that good design is not a luxury, its a necessity, says Weatherspoon, whose Washington, D.C.based firm Determined by Design was founded with the mission of bringing beautiful design to marginalized communities. Nine times out of 10, she says, developers contracted for affordable housing dont use an interior design firmnot even as a consultant. It usually takes one or two initial meetings with a developer on an affordable housing project to make the case for our work, to show them that I can do good design within their budget, she says.

For the most part, many developers are too far removed from the end user to bring a lens of empathy to the project. Our industry is very whitewashed, and its my belief that people dont advocate for these communities because they dont have a loved one who might live there, says Weatherspoon. I think thats what it takes for someone to say, This isnt good enough. If your team isnt diverse enough for you to take an empathetic view on this [type of work], thats a problem. And thats not to say that every designer of color has a connection to low-income communities, but they can understand it because it is primarily Black and brown people who are the end users of these developments.

Kia WeatherspoonCourtesy of Kia Weatherspoon

For example, Weatherspoon has been on projects where the developer was fighting for only uncomfortable hard surfaces or vinyl to be installed as seating in community areas. And I say to them, If your mother lived here, would you want there to be no soft seating for her to sit on? Thats also when we have a chance to explain how far performance fabric has come and how the technology on those textiles has evolved. It doesnt have to be all vinyl to last.

Convincing a developer of her value as an expert is just the first challenge. Once Weatherspoon lands the project, she has to not only design to an inflexible budget, but also comply with guidelines and requirements from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which include a federal set of policies in addition to regulations that vary from state to state. At Future of Home, Weatherspoon gave the example of a requirement for high-use, industrial cabinetry in affordable housing apartments, a policy she says dates back nearly 40 years. Outdated requirements often wind up costing the developer more, as the materials can be harder to find and more expensive to source than modern ones.

Manufacturing has changed and theres a premium on these high-use cabinets, she says. If you have a building that has 125 units, thats a lot of cabinetry; thats a big-ticket item. In addition to being pricey, heavy, box-style cabinets come with serious aesthetic constraints, as they usually only come in a certain door style or a few colors. But theres also an implication in that requirement that because these people are poor, theyre going to tear things up, she adds.

The Archer Park apartments, an affordable housing development that Weatherspoon designed in Washington D.C.Jennifer Hughes Photography

Decades-old materials requirements such as these are, sadly, the norm in HUD housing. The quality standards for carpeting, for instance, havent been updated since 1993, which is actually fairly recent compared with the standard for wooden doors, which dates to 1975. For HUD-funded units, Weatherspoon is required to use plastic laminate countertopsanother outdated material that isnt just unattractive, it may also be less healthy than other options, as they can contain formaldehyde, which may cause cancer. Indoor air quality is [negatively] impacted by materials like carpet and plastic laminate countertops as they age, she explains.

The outright lack of care for inhabitants health is a disturbing trend across affordable American housing, one thats been institutionalized by outdated, uninformed policies. A number of reports show that rates of chronic asthma are higher in low-income communities, a condition that a 2014 National Institutes of Health study directly attributes to low-quality housing. These policies dont consider the health and wellness of the residents, says Weatherspoon. Think about the year that weve all had and that there are people quarantined in low-income housing that was built 50 years ago that still has lead paint, that lacks energy efficiency or natural light. There are people living like that.

Weatherspoon is passionate about bringing long-overdue change to HUD policies, but feels that the first step is for the wider A&D community to acknowledge the fundamental problem in how we approach affordable housing. We need architects and designers to speak up and do their jobs, she says. Even if its not a sexy luxury project, you have to approach low-income or community-focused projects with the same zeal and integrity as you would a market-rate job. Were just one firm with this mission, but this is something we all should be rallying around so that we can do better.

Watch Kia Weatherspoon at the Future of Home conference here.

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The low-income housing system is broken. Designer Kia Weatherspoon wants to fix it - Business of Home

If, after being stuck at home for months on end, you are taking stock of your surroundings and looking for ways to spruce up the appearance or improve the functionality of your home, you are not alone. According to a report from Review Home Warranties, online searches related to home remodeling are up 84% this year.

Small but achievable updates in bathrooms, such as tile, hardware or paint, are among the more popular projects, according to the report. If youre going to update a bathroom and you want your design choices to stand up over time, the first step is determining what styles will be timeless for you specifically.

People tend to fall into one or two camps, interior designer Michael Winn of Winn Design and Build in Virginia said. They want a very classic-looking bathroom, or they want something contemporary and spa-like, like the Four Seasons. Translation: For many people, the bathroom might not be the place to get splashy with trends.

But what if you adore bold colors and patterns? Sometimes, the most timeless things are the things that you love, said Katy Harbin, a designer based in North Carolina. There are people that redo their bathroom every 10 years, and for them, choosing a paint color of the year and of-the-moment hardware might work.

For those who want to do it right and be done, though, Winn, Harbin and Boston-based interior designer Erin Gates, author of Elements of Family Style, agreed on five bathroom updates that are truly timeless.

Whether you prefer a classic-looking bathroom or a spa-like retreat, Winn said, white doesnt go out of style. Think white paint, tile, countertops, vanities and textiles.

If you find yourself craving color, you can add it with window treatments and towels, Gates suggests, or wallpaper and art. Just be wary of installing wallpaper in an often-used bathroom with a shower, as the steam can sometimes cause the paper to peel.

Harbin likes white towels with a contrast trim in a perky color.

Choosing the right paint color can be tricky, Harbin said, so its important to order larger color samples from paint stores rather than relying on paint cards. You can have an earthy bathroom, like a really pretty travertine and if you put a stark white with it, it falls flat, but rich creams will work, she said.

If you cant find larger samples, get a sample pot and paint a poster board to see how everything looks under your bathrooms lighting. Put the paint next to tile and countertop samples to be certain they all work together.

Blending two types of metals in the space can stand up better than going with one trendy finish throughout the room. In terms of particular metals, polished nickel is timeless, Winn said. Gates, too, prefers polished nickel; in her bathroom, she pairs it with a gold mirror.

When using two different metals (and no more than two), Harbin said to repeat them enough, and it will look good. Try using gold on knobs and a mirror and nickel on faucets and hardware and perhaps your lighting, for example.

Investing in higher-quality metal hardware also will help with longevity. A faucet with brass fittings and water-efficient technology may be pricier in the beginning, but youll be grateful later, Harbin said.

Marble, or a faux marble, like quartz with a marble appearance, will never go out of style, Winn said. Gates agrees, with a vote for Carrara marble.

The soft, porous stone requires some semiannual resealing to maintain its appearance, Winn said; newer generations of countertops in sturdier materials provide that marble look without the maintenance. These countertops are excellent in heavy-use bathrooms, such as those used by children, he said. Solid-slab marble is typically $100 to $200 per square foot; marble-like material is about $45 to $75 per square foot, Winn said.

White subway tile in a shower or bath will never age, Winn said. For floors, penny tile white or black and white is still found in homes built in the 1950s and 60s, Winn said, but clients also are asking for it in new bathrooms. Other classics include hexagonal and basket-weave patterns.

Choosing these tiles in white will age a bit better, Winn said, than tiles in bold colors or patterns. (If you love pattern and color, instead of a super-bold tile pattern, try a rug that can be easily changed out.)

Winn suggests white grout with white tile for a classic look. For a more modern feel, try a charcoal or black grout with white tile. As for size, larger floor tiles, such as 8 by 8 inches or 12 by 24 inches, can make a room seem bigger, since the grout lines are less visible, Winn said.

Small tiles 1 by 1 inch or 2.25 by 2.25 inches also are good for powder rooms to create a full, repetitious look. They also can be beneficial in a shower because more grout lines help prevent slipping, Gates said.

Winn recommends a free-standing, furniture-grade vanity, which will make the bathroom seem less utilitarian, he said.

Gates likes free-standing vanities with Shaker doors and undermount sinks a style she has in her bath. The Shaker style is simple, she said, without ornate details, and its rooted in history. Gates recommends a custom vanity if the budget allows.

White, gray and limed oak wood are all safe bets for a classic look that wont age, she says. In a powder room, Gates recommends a simple pedestal sink and free-standing cabinets or baskets to hold toilet paper and extra hand towels.

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Five bathroom updates that will help your space stand the test of time - The Spokesman-Review

The JaredCoffinHouse, a former whaling shipowners home turned hotel located in the heart of Nantucket, expanded late this summer with the opening of five new accommodations.

Additionally, the Tap Room, a fixture in the downtown dining scene for more than four decades, re-opened earlier this season after a 14-year hiatus. Celebrating 175 years, the three-story brick mansion offers a total immersion into Nantuckets whaling history.

Nantucket local and interior designer Audrey Sterk was selected to ensure careful preservation of the pre-civil war landmark while incorporating the islands nautical feel into the design. While the propertys footprint remained the same to retain the historic architecture of the 19th century building, portions of the ground floor have been transformed from a former restaurant space into the new accommodations.

Inspired by the colors of the sea and sand, the interiors feature a color palette of foggy greys, robin egg blues, and soft neutrals. In the individually designed rooms, custom furniture including four-poster King Beds, tulip-style coffee tables and walnut brown desks with lacquered inlay are paired with original refurbished wood floors from the 1840s.

For those looking for extra privacy, one suite features a private entrance that can be connected with the guest room to create a two-bedroom option. To complement views of Nantuckets historic streetscape, an extensive collection of original oil paintings is also on displayeach piece hand-selected by the hotels owners to highlight Nantuckets whaling days.

TheJaredCoffinHouse is steps away from what was historically called Petticoat Row. Men of the whaling heydey were out to sea for years at a time, spurring the ladies to become entrepreneurs that operated in the area close to the hotel. As a nod to the islands history making women, each of the four new suites is named after influential women.

The rooms pay homage to Anna Gardner, who was instrumental in calling an anti-slavery meeting in 1841 in which Frederick Douglass gave his first speech as an abolitionist speaker, as well as LucretiaCoffinMott, who participated in the countrys first meeting about womens rights in 1848. Guests can opt for the Maria Mitchell suite, honoring the first professional female astronomer who opened her own school in 1835 that was desegregated, a controversial move at the time. Lastly, the MaryCoffinStarbuck suite celebrates the woman who brought Quakerism to Nantucket in the early 1700s. She ran the familys trading post that served as the islands commercial center.

The 2020 season also brought changes in dining at the hotel. The Tap Room, located on the lower level of the hotel beneath the lobby, has been resurrected. A popular gathering spot for locals and visitors alike for more than 40 years, the restaurant shuttered in the early 2000s.

Boston-based Carroll Design Studio was brought on to re-imagine and re-design the pub-style outpost, which now offers indoor and outdoor dining. The two-toned interiors embody the essence of modern dining. An exposed brick wall is paired with ocean blue and cream shiplap that provides the backdrop for hanging bare bulbs and original dark wood ceiling beams. The semi-circle bar is at the heart of the space, while camel tan colored dining booths line the perimeter.

The menu offers a modern interpretation of celebrated Tap Room staples including traditional New England clam chowder, French dip sandwiches, grilled local swordfish and Welsh Rarebit consisting of melted cheese poured over slices of toasted bread. A full-service bar with beers from local Cisco Brewery and craft cocktails like Nantucket Red Margaritas are also offered.

TheJaredCoffinHouse has been a beloved Nantucket getaway for years and were excited to unveil our refreshed look and new restaurant, says Jason Curtis, general manager ofthe JaredCoffinHouse.Preservation was at the heart of the project, ensuring the historical feel remained, while updating with modern touches.

Originally constructed in 1845, theJaredCoffinHouse was the first mansion built on Nantucket. In its almost 200-year history, many distinguished guests have passed through the doors, includingMoby Dickauthor Herman Melville and President Ulysses S. Grant. TheJaredCoffinHouse as we know it today officially arrived on the scene in 2004 when it became part of White Elephant Resorts. Today its one of the most cherished properties on the island and serves as a centerpiece of the Nantucket Historic District. Guests enjoy access to a complimentary BMW courtesy car and use of Priority Bicycles.

The starting rate for a guest room is $195 per night and the starting rate for a new suite is $395 per night. TheJared CoffinHouses main building closes for the season on December 7, while the next door Daniel Webster building, with thirteen rooms, is open year-round.

For more information, please visitjaredcoffinhouse.com.

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Nantucket's Jared Coffin House Opens New Suites and the Tap Room - nshoremag.com

Because the algorithm isnt always right.

Recently, a new phase in housebound hobbies has appeared on the periphery or our doorsteps. Careful preparations of two or three hour-long recipes have, on a collective level, faded, and were once again moving to the peppier beat of gleeful consumerism.

A few months into lockdown our source of stimulus isnt in baking sourdough and twisting finicky shapes out of home-made pasta on kitchen benches, but in adding things to cart increasingly, new pieces for our interiors. Waves of packages from lockdowns triumphant purveyor Instagram are dropped off and ushered inside.

The cooking-model of the first wave was a time-consuming nod to slow living. Making the most of our time at home by learning the value of more involved tasks made us house proud, and amateur cooks dotingly captured their dishes via Ottolenghi, Laila Gohar, Alison Roman regaling one another with stories of that nights dinner: parsley-specked gnocchi, whole fish flushed-pink and dotted with lemons translucent flesh, and big pots of water bobbing with chicken and halved onions.

Its interesting to see how quickly Instagram and its algorithms can drive communal interest, an interest that is now firmly focused around indoors style. Recently opened parcels reveal green shimmers of Iittala glass or the soft plush of high thread count Bed Threads sheets.

A big delivery the other day presented orange and white checks that rose into an Occasional Pieces plinth for putting things on. The deeper into lockdown we go, the twistier the Lex Pott candles that arrive on our doorstep are.

This turn towards our spaces has permanent potential. Buying beautiful objects brings an opportunity to add detail, comfort, or to let our space tell a story of who we are. With this in mind, I spoke to Natalia Held, a Melbourne-based freelance interior designer, on breaking through inspiring Instagram feeds to create a space that authentically reflects your style.

Weve spoken before about designing space, in particular bedrooms, and youve talked about the entrance to your room as being a first important step in how to think about your layout.

The view from your doorway is something to take into consideration. When you enter a room the first object should be something youre proud to have be immediately visible or to showcase when your door is open. Whether that be something with sentimental value it could be a restored piece of furniture or pre-loved vessel or something that you searched far and wide for, or it may even be a special piece that demanded a lot of your paychecks. In terms of what kind of furniture that might be for some, a simple shelf or console that acts as a platform to showcase your taste in design is quite a good opening piece.

Some people dont like being seen sitting on their beds as they feel its quite an intimate moment, so removing your bed from the line of sight of the doorway then might be important to you. But in the same vein, your bed might be the piece you want to showcase. A lot of people portray their personality through their bed linen, and presenting softness through linen and pillows helps bring out the feel they want.

What furniture do you consider essential for personal spaces?

A big one is your own reflection. I think its so important to be able to see yourself using your space. Its a good way to perform self-practice, whether its attending to your skincare routine before you go to bed, getting dressed for work or taking photos of yourself. It provides ownership over your space, because you see how you operate in that room.

Another essential is mood lighting. Typically, I dont ever use the main light in my bedroom because I find that the light isnt tailored to the way I want to use the space, nor is it a colour I want to see my things or myself in. Mood lighting can be found in floor lamps, table lamps, or humidifiers anything that emits a softer glow can generate a specific mood, and whether that comes from warmer or cooler lighting is completely up to the individual.

Being housebound, Instagram is the most accessible channel through which were now finding design and a recurring theme of objects and layouts has been encouraged through the platforms algorithm. Is there a danger in being exposed to a repetitive feed of design?

To some degree, I have an issue with Instagram in terms of design, because promoted products and layouts encourage repetition. What part of that room that youve just seen on your feed relates to you? Pre-Instagram you would go to a store, or find a seller on Gumtree and come across a specific piece that meant something to you it was about the pride you felt because you found it, not something that was pushed up your feed because of an algorithm. I feel that your room is best when its curated by things from your own journey.

However, Instagram does make interesting design really accessible. The design intent is there, its just important that items sourced through Instagram still have design-integrity. A piece being either locally-sourced and designed, sustainable, and unique not a replica makes it worthy in my eyes. When you find such pieces, apply them to your space in a way which works specifically for your function.

Where else could you look to for organic inspiration?

Books and magazines like Frame and Wallpaper Mag are so important for curating style. Its possible that youve landed on that page and others have chosen to flick past it. Theres something quite special and emotional about connecting to design through books as it becomes a part of your personal experience.Designers I follow focus on small details. Its those small things commissioned artworks or light fixtures that you dont necessarily think of but are such a delight to cast your eyes over in the moment, and visually impact a space so much.

Some of those designers include Pierre Yovanovitch, Ilse Crawford, Axel Vervoordt and Halleroed. Pierre, for example, designs a lot of his pieces specifically to suit the layout of a room every part of the interior is completely tailored to the space. What I like about that is that hes laid out pieces according to the circulation of the room, depending on how you function in a space. Perhaps this notion is something to consider when we lay out our pieces in our homes.

Originally posted here:
I asked an interior designer how to look beyond Instagram inspiration when styling your space - Fashion Journal

As we leave behind the hotter-than-hot summer days and begin to feel the ever-so-subtle cooling breezes, many of us are left with the desire to mark the change of seasons (even where there are none). Homeowners can mark the passage of time by giving their home a facelift.

Precluding a home renovation, there are many things you can do to your home. Here are a few designer tips to help your home fall into its best version.

Pick one room, such as a powder room or entry hall, and wallpaper the walls with a bold, stop-you-in-your-tracks paper. This will help create an impactful first impression and fool every visitor into thinking you have done an entire renovation. Let them think what they will.

Never underestimate the power of color. The look and mood of a space can dramatically change when you alter the colors. For example, ivory and yellow are psychological substitutes for a room that may lack natural light, so they are great choices for creating an uplifting and bright room. A darker color such as black, brown or red creates a mysterious and warmer mood, and pink and green are purported to have a calming effect. Study your room, and determine your desired effect and then paint away.

Move your furniture around to create inviting and intimate conversation areas. Any space can become more intimate when you pull seating a little tighter. If your room allows it, create more than one arrangement within the room. Don't be shy to mix and match any combination of sofas, love seats and chairs. Refrain from lining the room with chairs; it will look like an arrangement for a group-therapy session. Conversational groupings should be interrupted by small tables to place drinks, books and magazines, as well as ottomans or hassocks to prop up your feet.

Do not be afraid to improve store-bought furniture. Say you picked up a pair of end tables at your local store; you can give it a custom edge or feature. Place a beautiful handkerchief, a remnant of a favorite wallpaper or a collection of antique prints on the surface, and top it with a piece of glass. Voila! You now have something quite unique.

Daring enough to try drafting or freehand drawing? Paint an unexpected surface such as the ceiling or floor. Try making a plaid pattern on the ceiling. This will entail some accurate measurements, tape and several layers of paint. If that sounds too restrictive, try a freehand detail on a wall or swirls of a roller on a floor. One layer after another, your bold floor pattern will come to life. The point is to have fun and give the room that "why didn't I think of that?" feeling to your visitors.

Finally, an easy makeover for any room that also improves the quality of the air and makes the room feel serene is the addition of plants and flowers. They will not only embellish the room but also make you feel so good!

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.

2020, Creators Syndicate

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Give your home a facelift this fall - Chicago Daily Herald

Londons urban wellness hotel, Inhabit on Southwick Street, has announced it will reopen on 1st October 2020, offering a truly restorative experience for those travelling to the city.

Set across six Georgian townhouses in Paddington, Inhabit launched in 2019 to provide travellers with a more conscious place to stay all single-use plastic is banned, anti-pollution air filtration systems have been installed and meditation booths, infrared saunas and nature walks comes as standard.

The reopening comes at a poignant time, following the hotels recent admission to Design Hotels, an exclusive and handpicked global portfolio of over 300 privately owned and operated hotels which share an aligned vision and passion for culturally rooted hospitality and cutting-edge design and architecture. The Scandinavian-inspired design matched with traditional British heritage and Eastern flair found at Inhabit encourages a peace of mind and is the creation of architects Holland Harvey and interior designer Caitlin Henderson Design. Across the world, Design Hotels member properties anchor a community of travellers united in the pursuit of inspired environment, genuine local culture, and transformative, boundary-pushing adventures.

Additionally, the hotel has cemented its commitment to sustainable business practices having achieve Green Key certification. The award is a leading standard for excellence in the field of environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. The prestigious eco-label represents the commitment of Inhabit to promise to adhere to the strict criteria set by the Foundation of Environmental Education and guests opting to stay at Inhabit can now be rest assured that they are helping to make a difference on an environmental level.

Inhabit also plans to unveil a digital version of their landmark wellness programme in time for the reopening, including Yeotown food and nutrition classes and recipe videos, a mindfulness podcast series, and online yoga classes, allowing for guests to continue to emerge feeling nourished, rested and inspired.

With its soothing spirit, Scandi-toned aesthetic and health-enhancing manifesto, Inhabit is ideal for busy solo business travellers as well as long-haul urban adventures after comfort and calm. With 88 fresh and uplifting guests rooms, Yeotown an inviting light-flood caf serving highest quality fair trade coffee, cold-pressed organic juices and a healthy, plant-loving menu, a digital programme of mindfulness activities, and the bounties of London on its doorstep, including nearby Hyde Park, Inhabit sets out to have a positive impact those who stay and the wider environment.

Average room rates: 150 +VAT for a double room.

Inhabit Hotel, 2527 Southwick Street, Paddington, London W2 1JQinhabithotels.com; +44 (0)20 7723 7723

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Inhabit Hotel joins Design Hotels and is awarded Green Key Certification ahead of October 2020 reopening - Premier Construction Magazine

Celebrated interior designer and film producer Gauri Khan will make her debut as an author with a book about her journey as a designer, announced publishing house Penguin Random House India on Monday. The coffee-table book, tentatively titled My Life In Design, will be released in 2021 under Penguins Ebury Press imprint, they said.

Khan said the book would be visually appealing, and guide both aspiring designers and people who want to learn about design in general. There are several experiences in my journey as a designer that I would like to record for posterity. The book will be very visually appealing with exclusive pictures and information that I feel could guide aspiring designers or those who are just generally interested in the art of design.

The lockdown has given me time to work on this coffee-table book and I will be extremely happy to see it published soon, said Khan, who owns Gauri Khan Designs (GKD), a well-known interior design company. She is also the co-founder and co-chairperson of the film production company Red Chillies Entertainment with her actor husband Shah Rukh Khan. According to the publishers, Khans journey as a designer -- be it renovating her own home, the homes of several Bollywood A-listers, including Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez, or designing commercial spaces such as retail outlets, restaurants, spas, hotels, show apartments and various turnkey projects -- has been an original and exciting story.

Beside giving readers an insiders view of her life and experiences as one of the most sought after interior designers in the country today, the book also promises to be a treasure trove with never-before-seen photos of her work, family and residence.

The pandemic has brought several learnings, and it has forced us to slow down, look around and ponder. As most of us are working from home there is renewed interest in creating our own happy space to keep us positive and motivated through these trying times.

I am delighted that Gauri Khan has decided to share her design philosophy and open up her home for all the readers. I am excited to be working on the book, and I look forward to publishing it, said Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage Publishing, Penguin Random House India.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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Gauri Khan sheds light on her journey as an interior designer in debut book My Life in Design - Hindustan Times

I asked if he remembered her being elated.

I do, he said. But also it was a project with a lot of problems. Stress. Deadlines. It was a design challenge, but also a business challenge. She had to get the project done. These things had to be manufactured.

She traveled to San Juan twice, the second time to supervise the installation. Among the attic discoveries was a Caribe Hilton postcard that she sent to her in-laws in Cleveland in January 1963. Here on business working like mad but enjoying the warm weather, she wrote, signing it Lonesome Helen.

The casino project was a triumph, but there were setbacks. While she was working on it, or shortly after, my father lost his job as the editor of an advertising media guide when the publisher folded. With her encouragement, he enrolled full time at Columbia University to finish his bachelors degree while she supported them. They downsized, trading their one-bedroom apartment at Bleecker and West 10th Streets for a studio in the same building.

My mother was also unsurprisingly, for a young working woman in the early 1960s a victim of workplace sexual harassment. One of her colleagues, an engineer, had a habit of getting in her personal space and saying inappropriate things, my father told me. There was no human resources department to deal with such things, which were more or less accepted then, so she was left to manage them on her own.

By 1965, my father had his degree and had been accepted into the Foreign Service. And just like that, my mothers career in lighting design was over. They moved to Martinique, and then to Paris, where they hung the Caribe Hilton fixture in the dining room of their apartment overlooking the Seine. It was packed away before I was born, and shifted in and out of storage as we moved from Virginia to Brussels and back, then again to Paris before we came home.

My mother returned to work for a few years in the 1970s, taking a job with a company that planned office space. And she found various creative outlets, learning to silk-screen as part of an artists collaborative in Marblehead, Mass., in 1969 and 1970, while my father was pursuing a masters degree at M.I.T. (Her handmade Christmas cards from that time survive, as do three silk-screened op-art shadow boxes.) Mostly, though, she threw herself into her role as a mother and, later, the spouse of a United States ambassador.

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The Lamp Was a Clue to a Life I Didnt Know My Mother Had - The New York Times

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed life to a different pace, but Houston interior designer Marie Flanigan is busier than ever.

In addition to publishing her first book, The Beauty of Home: Redefining Traditional Interiors (Gibbs Smith; $45; 240 pages), Flanigan has launched a new collection of lighting with Visual Comfort and a collection of natural stone slabs with Aria Stone Gallery.

Flanigans distinctive updated traditional style always showcases great lighting, so her collaboration with Houston-based Visual Comfort is a natural fit. It includes a variety of sconces, pendants, chandeliers and table lamps that can be seen on the Circa Lighting website now and will be in stock in December.

My inspiration was taking traditional fixtures and bringing them to life in a modern new way using the organic textures and refined metals and materials that are really representative of my work, said Flanigan, who is 38 and a mother of three. Just like the book is called Redefining Traditional Interiors, in essence, my collection is redefining light fixtures in a fresh new context.

Flanigan used some of the new lighting in a House Beautiful showcase house in Colorado, and it will be featured in the November issue of that magazine. Flanigan was in charge of decorating the library/tea room and used a deep red background with antique brass fixtures.

Oct. 7: at 11:45 a.m. during Fall Design Week events at James Craig Furnishings at the Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road (showroom 298)

More: Watch for announcements of other book signings at instagram.com/marieflaniganinteriors.

For the stone collection, Flanigans director of design flew to stone quarries in Italy to choose distinctive stone slabs that include a creamy white Bianco Dolomite, ruddy Breccia Pernice, veiny Calacatta Gold Borghini Diamond and Fume, a gray marble with spiderweblike veining.

The slabs arent just for kitchen and bathroom counters; Flanigan said that in projects shell choose marble for a tabletop or the surface of a side table. And while Cararra and Calacatta marbles remain go-to choices in home design, Flanigans a fan of out-of-the-box choices like green, rust or even deep charcoal.

Flanigan, a native of Lake Jackson, studied architecture at the University of Texas and later earned an MBA from the University of Houston, but learned the value of home from her mother, a gracious hostess, and learned to love materials when studying the centuries-old architecture of Italy.

Images from more than 20 homes several of them from the Houston area are featured in the book as Flanigan takes a master class approach, teaching the important elements of architecture, composition, character, palette, illumination, detail, simplicity, depth and surprise.

I dont want it to be Marie Flanigans view of how you should live. My mission in life is finding what beauty is for the people I work for and helping orchestrate that, she said. Getting to the heart and soul of what a homeowner is looking for is my favorite part of the job.

Throughout The Beauty of Home, natural materials shine through in every room, from construction materials to home furnishings. There are beautiful slabs of marble, onyx, travertine and other stone and wood applied in its many forms, natural grains in cabinets, the aging of antique doors, or various cuts in oak flooring. Natural light spills everywhere.

Much of Flanigans work is in new construction or dramatic renovations, working hand in hand with an architect and builder or contractor as plans for a home and its contents take shape.

I want a home to be a reflection of the people who live there and be a retreat from the world, Flanigan said. Nature is a huge inspiration for me, and I like to call on the texture of authentic materials, things you can run your hand across and experience true marble or real linen.

Architecture plays a big role in my work. You can decorate a home and fill it with furniture and only be at a certain level of design. If you consider interiors with architecture and weave them together, you can take it to an elevated level you would not have been able to, she continued.

Throughout her book, Flanigan emphasizes the importance of good architecture, elements as simple as placement of windows or more complicated, such as preserving the material details of an historic home.

Textures abound, from walls covered in panels of wool or suede, fireplaces surrounded by marble or cast concrete, wood floors topped with rugs of natural materials and fibers. Lighting finished with nickel or brass trim and chairs or barstools with cane backs or seats.

Natural stone repeats in kitchens and bathrooms, and Flanigan said that current projects feature slabs of stone on walls as much as tile.

And as beautiful as the homes in the photos are, nothings too precious to sit on or use. The era of rooms that people arent allowed to go into is behind us.

People are looking for more approachability today. They want to live in their homes and not cringe every time someone has a glass of wine on their rug, Flanigan said. They want beautiful things, but they want to be able to use them.

For some, that means lush interiors, fabrics you cant resist running your hand over, soft rugs beneath your feet and draperies that soften a room. In others, though, a more minimalist approach calls for a glass or acrylic coffee table that does its job in an almost invisible way or dining chars completely devoid of ornamentation.

Flanigan revels in wall treatments, whether its beautiful wallpaper, lustrous paneling or even stone treatments.

And you know were in an era of good self-care when closets are beautiful enough to make the pages of a design book. Flanigans closet treatments for men and women are worthy of any high-end boutique, with built-in cabinetry, lighted sections, chandeliers and furnishings.

I style every home we work on, and to be able to put this coffee-table book on their coffee tables will be a thrill, she said.

diane.cowen@chron.com

Excerpt from:
In Marie Flanigans new design book, theres beauty in every home - Houston Chronicle

Color and texture play equal roles in fabric design, a balance renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen knows well, as doesSunbrella, a leading manufacturer of performance textiles. Though the two have a history of collaborating, the recently launched Larsen Performance Collection marks the latter's first foray into designing a full collectionwith Sunbrella. The collection features a colorful selection of multi-use performance textiles that have the look and feel ofluxury fabrics with inspired designs.

A pioneer of 20th century craftsmanship, Larsens inspiration comes from a desire to weave designliterallyinto unexpected places, showcasing individuality and global ideas from his own travels. Larsen's familiarity with performance fabrics stems from his work atLongHouse, the16-acrenature reserve and sculpture garden he founded in East Hampton, New York. Striving to incorporate art in everyday settings, Larsens collectionwith Sunbrella offers rich, intricate patterns, which also are long-lasting, fade-proof and easy to clean.

Using his extensive print archive, Larsen reinterprets multicolor statement floral and stripe prints into woven jacquard patterns with soft chenille textures, giving a new tactile comfort to indoor and outdoor living. "Midsummer [the floral] was my most popular print which we did in the 50s in many colors," Larsen notes, "I've now revived the pattern as a jacquard woven."

As an avid and long-time basket collector, Larsen constantly refers back to fundamental basket weave patterns. The Interlacing pattern presents as a study in drawing out the essence of a baskets construction into a woven textile."We need fabrics to resist fading for all kinds of purposes, whether it's for children's spaces, work spaces, or living spaces," Larsen says, noting that anothersignificantconnection between these textiles and a properly woven basket is the durability.

The cornerstone of Hieroglyphs design comes from its fabric pattern. The Sunbrella design team created the performance version of a horsehair yarn, with bi-colors mixing matte and shine that give luster and durability to the pattern. Similarly, the Chinoise fabric features an all-over matelass pattern, providing a subtle yet eye-catching motif in a soft textural manner."It has been a pleasure having jacquard facilities and abilities to use multicolorsto create patterned fabrics which is what I've tended to do because they give pleasure," Larsen says about his experience designing with Sunbrella.

"Fortunately today, we have fabrics that are resistant to fading in the sun, rot or mildew, rain and wear and that is very special," Larsen says, noting the rising importance of multi-use spaces . "From quite bold, to subtle, to crisp, we have great variety in this small collection," he continues, "the colors have a crispness, cleanliness, bright or not, which I think will work well in many places."

Available now through Larsen Fabrics.

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Jack Lenor Larsen Teams Up with Sunbrella to Create Textile Collection That Doubles as Art - Interior Design