Margarita Bravo

Photo Credit: Margarita Bravo

Given Miami's tendency for art and design, it should come as no surprise that the magic city is ranked third in the country as one of the best cities for interior designers. In order to satisfy the demand from their client's, nationally acclaimed luxury interior designer Margarita Bravo and her team have opened a new office in Miami on March 24th. This will mark the third office for Bravo with the first two located in Denver, CO and Montecito, CA. Bravo and her team are famous for their exciting, versatile designs coupled with superior client management, and the flair that reflects Miami’s global lifestyle. 

Bravo's design-build firm offers full-service residential and commercial interior design, decorating and renovation. Additionally, the firm brings her premier taste and years of high-end experience, dealing with clients from Miami and beyond.

Bravo and her team provide "white glove" client-centric attention to detail. This enables her firm to attend to the full scope of the design and decorating process and eliminates any stress for the client when furnishing or renovating their home or office. Bravo's approach to interior design and project execution finds the "sweet spot" between the client's desires and her own creativity and vision.

Photo Credit: Margarita Bravo

"For years, Miami has been a vacation destination, but now it has grown into an international hub for art, design, real estate, finance, fashion and technology," says Bravo. "We see Miami's multicultural and economic offering as both welcoming and refreshing. We have Latin blood in our veins, and we feel this is the right time to bring our expertise, along with our local talent, to create wonderful experiences for our clients."

Bravo's range of service include but are not limited to:

• Art curating and sourcing
• Architectural Reviews
• Kitchen and bath remodeling
• Custom furniture and cabinet design
• Construction coordination, space planning and green remodeling
• Lighting, furniture selection and more

Photo Credit: Margarita Bravo

Her expertise in working with craftsmen and architects allows Bravo to act as liaison or project manager if needed, and she is even able to manufacture furniture for clients who have not been able to find quite what they were looking for, under the brand name, Sorella. Additionally, Bravo can offer remote design, renovation and concierge service such as filling the client's new home with anything from caviar to champagne.

Bravo's Miami office will serve all of South Florida with world-class design, decor, and renovation services in Miami, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Alis Beach and Boca Raton. The team is fluent in English and Spanish.

The post Acclaimed Interior Designer, Margarita Bravo, Expands to Miami appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Cozy Salazar Interiors

Cozy recently shared her thoughts behind separating work life and personal life in a conversation with Haute Design.

Haute Design: As you know, the design and architecture industry's "hours of operation" are anything but standard. How do you find the balance between career and personal life?

Cozy Salazar: I still struggle with this on a daily basis. I really love what I do and sometimes I have a hard time separating my 'work life' with my personal life.  I tend to bring work home with me regularly, but as long as I leave the more stressful aspects of this job at the office, everyone is happy (or at least they pretend to be).

HD: Your children are often featured in your Instagram stories at work. Do they enjoy going to work with mom? Are they old enough to understand your line of work?

CS: I had my first daughter when my career started to pick up and that was tough. At the time, I did not have a full-time nanny, so Gianna went with me everywhere. I think it's because of this that she is so interested in everything I do. I bring her into the office for a couple of hours every week because she loves to be here. There are times where I'll be at a presentation and we find pieces of wallpaper and fabric samples that have little drawings on the back, which always makes me smile. Chiara, my youngest is only two, but I can already tell she has a good eye based off the shoes she picks out of my closet!

Photo Credit: Cozy Salazar Interiors

HD: Did you have a similar experience growing up? Would you ever go to work with your parents?

CS: Yes, my mom was always a working mom. I did not get to spend every minute with her, but the time we spent together was always special. She would take me into her office when I got out of school and I would always find ways to entertain myself there. She would always take me out for dinner afterward or sing in the car with me on the way home, and would always read me a book before bed.

HD: Have your girls expressed any desire to follow in your design footsteps? Do they ever share design input?

CS: They're still very little but I would love for one of them, if not both, to catch the design bug! It would be so special for me to teach them what I know, and to leave this to them one day. My oldest is very opinionated when she comes into the office, and although she may not know what she is doing, she definitely knows what she does and does not like, which is a crucial asset for decision-making in this business.

Photo Credit: Cozy Salazar Interiors

The post Cozy Salazar Shares Her Thoughts Behind A Work-Life Balance appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Michael Alan Kasket

Jasmin Reese, founder and Principal at Jasmin Reese Interiors, recently discussed her design philosophy with Haute Design.

Haute Design: You are based in Chicago but you do plenty of work for Naples and South Florida region. What would you say are the biggest differences in designing for either area? 

Jasmin Reese: For the most part, homes in Naples appear to be second or third homes, so the client is able to do something a bit more fun or perhaps something a bit out of their comfort zone that they would not have been able to do in previous occasions. This freedom to take design chances can translate into bold looks or finishes, furnishings that are more luxurious and beautiful, without the constant worry of "resale," or finishes getting "worn out" too fast.

Chicago is known for a neutral and gray palette generally but that would not describe my projects or my clients, for the most part. I try to introduce styles that would resonate with the client. My instinct is blending antiques with modern elements, dark elements mixed with light, feminine tones contrasting with masculine, high and low, as well as fully-encompassed rooms of color.

HD: Would you briefly explain your "Style Sessions" with clients at the beginning of each project?

JR: The process begins with a 15-minute discovery call to learn about general requirements. This is followed by a paid initial consultation within the space to establish the client's wish list. The next meeting is a fully-collaborative style session between me and the client. Throughout the meeting, we work together to establish principal design requirements, a budget and a general time table for the project. This is the most important meeting throughout the entire process and I make a point for all decision-makers to be present. Throughout the meeting we also establish a presentation date, which my team and I commit to arrive prepared with samples, floor plans and an itemized budget.

HD: How would you describe your design identity?

JR: As an artist, I am very passionate about our design projects and I strive to push the ideas as far as the client is willing to go. That said, I am also a business owner and I have to manage the team, client expectations, vendors, project completions, etc. So, my identity has to balance between the left and right side of the brain at all times.

HD: To what do you attribute the success of Jasmin Reese Interiors? 

JR: Right away, I think of my mother, who went from having a tiny shop in a terrible parking lot with a small business in Rhode Island, to running one of the best gift shops in the state, with loyal customers, great staff and a robust business. Personally, I think for our Chicago clients, having a brick and mortar shop and office is very important and it allows us to engage with clients and build trust within the community. I am also very lucky to have an amazing team of talented designers, who are creative, smart and kind. I thoroughly enjoy going to work, and although we work in a bit of a tight office space in the lower level of the shop, we all have a mutual respect for each other and there is no drama. The only drama we want is from the interiors of the homes on which we work!

HD: Where do you see your firm in the next five years?

JR: I see Jasmin Reese Interiors with a strong foothold in Naples and with a larger team in Chicago. We will have multiple project managers so that I can do what I do best, which is design.

The post Jasmin Reese Interiors Provides An Artist’s Perspective To Design appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Guimar Urbina, founder of Guimar Urbina Interiors has over 15 years of experience and has cemented herself as one of the most notable modern interior designers in the South Florida market. The eclectic and international expanse of her work provides for an extremely tasteful and worldly perspective.

Besides her interior design business, she is also the co-founder of The Wallpaper Company a boutique wallpaper company specializing in unique designs. Headquartered in the beautiful City of Miami, The Wallpaper Company maintains a regional network of showrooms and sales representatives worldwide. Today, the company stocks more than 5000 wallcoverings including papers, vinyls, fabrics, naturals as well as many unique hand-crafted specialties.

Guimar recently debuted her second wallpaper collection with The Wallpaper Company at Boutique Design New York, the leading trade fair and conference for hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community. This year the fair returned to New York’s Javits Center November 14-15, 2021 for its 11th year and was co-located with ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) + WantedDesign Manhattan, as well as HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA.

Guimar's newest collection was specifically focused on sustainability and included exotic textures, raw patterns, and unseen finishes that will for certain transform any space into a unique experience. Thousands of the world's best interior designers, architects, consultants, purchasing executives, hospitality property owners, and operators stopped by her booth to check out the unique collection.

"New York is the gateway to the world!" Guimar says about the experience.

For more information about Guimar Urbina, please click here.

The post Guimar Urbina Debuts Brand New Sustainable Wallpaper Collection At Boutique Design New York appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Luciana Fragali and Andre Wanderley, architect and interior designer, respectively, at Design Solutions Miami, had several sketches for living spaces ready before they were hired any a Los Angeles couple to design their new Coral Gables home. Throughout an interview, Fragali and Wanderley listened to the prospective clients' desires for privacy from adjoining houses, their wish to capture the family's passionate spirit, and  to balance her preference for raw, edgy architecture with his favoring of refined sophistication. The DS Miami duo's sketch pad quickly filled with outlines of what would eventually become the Coral Gables residence, which so effortlessly seems to unite all of the above.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The clients were drawn to the structure's architecture - a contemporary gem in a traditional neighborhood - as well as its location. The grounds are lush, and the residence is closely located to prominent schools for their children. That said, the interior still needs plenty of work in order to provide a level of personalization and reflect the owners' fondness for sophisticated, modern design.

"We had to look at every detail in the roman enhance it," said Fragali. "It was a full gut job requiring major renovations." The DS Miami team began by looking up. The interior designers removed the standard recessed lighting, remodeled the soffits for a cleaner look and selected - or designed - sculptural fixtures as statement features throughout the home.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

One such piece, a custom bar/staircase the duo dreamed up, illuminates the dining and family room, a space that would have been traditionally used for additional storage and often forgotten. "People often pass by the dining room in their home," said Wanderley. "So, to truly use it and not take it for granted, you have to really make it a cool space." In order to do so, Wanderley paired four natural cane-woven Colony armchairs with a vibrant indigo rug and sculptural organic butterfly-shaped glass dining table, all curated by Anima Domus Miami. Wanderley went on to explain, "you see the table from the entry, so I wanted a see-through scene to the living room, but also something sculptural."

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

When designing the interior layout of the space, Fragali wanted to ensure that each space had its purpose while fusing it modern, yet edgy design. The first-floor flows as an elongated tunnel, combing the living room, kitchen and dining room in one lengthened space. The first space to greet you is the lounge area. The family enjoys regularly hosting guests and throwing dinner parties. For that reason, it was essential to have an informal area to hang out and entertain.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The DS Miami duo knew the entry lounge would have to be a firm representation of the couple's innovative and edgy style. With the help of trusted partner, Anima Domus, they brought in two vital pieces to the space. The first, being the original 1227 floor lamp in crimson red by George Carwardine, and the second being a 77-inch Odino mirror by Moltenu & Baron, which leans of the 24-foot entry wall. "The mirror is massive," said Fragali. "And it makes the most dramatic first impression."  The former gives an illusion of color and the latter creates an illusion of depth.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

That same attention to detail inspired the duo's thoughtful use of materials throughout the residence. Walnut paneling, used generously and to great effect, warms this modern kitchen designed with black Marquina marble and top-of-the-line Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. The same walnut wood was used on the top kitchen cabinets, as well as on the butcher block-topped island. It also presents itself as a "floating frame" around the kitchen, separating the lounge and the living area.

"I love the color, balance and tightness of the walnut's grain," said Fragali. The wood balances sleek counterpoints such as the Venetian plaster encasing the entire floor and the main level's matte black Marquina marble wall.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

The result is a study in bold yet comfy furnishings, such as the living area's Pixel modular sofa - upholstered in a linen and low-profile chenille blend - adjacent to which, sit two extremely comfortable Belaire armchairs for ultimate relaxation, which add a harmonious contrast as well.

When deciding whom to trust with the furnishings of this magnificent residence, it came as no surprise that the DS Miami team enlisted the help of Anima Domus Miami. After a decade-long friendship and over 100 design collaborations, it was apparent that this partnership was built for success. Design Solutions was tasked to create a modern, edgy and welcoming environment, while Anima Domus would provide the luxurious furnishings seen throughout the spaces.

Photo Credit: Design Solutions Miami

"The point here, was to create drama or a showpiece," Wanderley adds. The living room's TV wall unit was designed with this principle in mind. The black-slatted wood paneling and mirror-backed shelves re as unique as the home itself. Likewise, the house exists to enrich the daily lives of the owners. "When a home is contemporary, you need to be careful not to make it untouchable," Fragali added. "I would call this edgy contemporary, but also, soft. To me, it feels like the right reflection of the people who live here."

The post Thanks To Trusted Partner, Anima Domus, Design Solutions Miami Does It Again With Coral Gables Home Boasting Wood and Metal Accents appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Chasity Centeno

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

Whether you are building, remodeling or redecorating, Riese Design can transform your home or business into a beautiful space to call your own. Riese design commits to provide satisfaction in each project while relaying a level of trust with clients in order to grant them peace of mind. You can rest assured the results Chasity Centeno, Principal at Riese Design, delivers will be the results you expect.

Chasity recently spoke to Haute Design about the opportunity Riese Design was given to participate in the hit TV show, George to the Rescue.

Haute Design: Congratulations on the big TV announcement! Tell us a little bit about how this came about. When were you working on these projects and filming the series?

Chasity Centeno: NBC reached out to me directly, about six years ago, when I first started. I am currently filming my eighth episode. We recently filmed 'Maggie's Mission' in the summer, while simultaneously juggling about 15 clients. We usually do one a year but this year we had the honor and pleasure of filming three episodes. One episode was filmed in the winter, and the other two were filmed in the summer and fall, respectively.

HD: For those who might not be aware of George to the Rescue, could you briefly explain the premise of the show?

CC: George to the Rescue is a home improvement show, which airs on NBC, and focuses on home renovations and makeovers for deserving families. Contractors, designers and tradespeople alike, donate their services to help out for the greater good of the family, with one main goal in mind - providing a space that heightens the functionality of the home by accommodating the corresponding family's wants and needs.

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

HD: Was this one of the more gratifying experiences of your career?

CC: Each and every episode that I work on, and the families I help, are gratifying all the same. Design is more than just making a space pretty. Design is about changing someone's life for the better, in the most important place they could ever be - their home.

HD: How much did these projects differ from your other projects?

CC: The scope of the project wasn't all that different from other projects that I take on. The biggest difference is the timeline where we squeeze what would be a three-month project into about four weeks. All the products need to be purchased, inspected, delivered, designed and installed in about a month's timeframe from start to finish.

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

HD: How and when can we tune in to watch the episodes?

CC: The next episode will air Saturday, October 9th, at 9:30am and 7pm ET in the greater New York area on NBC. The show is nationally syndicated. Our 8th episode, which we are filming this fall, is set to air in the Spring of 2022.

HD: Would you be willing to do more television appearances on similar programs?

CC: Yes, as long as it is for a good cause!

HD: What was your biggest takeaway from this experience?

CC: The reward you get from helping someone is not always about a dollar sign, it's more about what's at the heart of why you do what you do.

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

The post Riese Design Joins Forces With George Oliphant On Home Improvement Show appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Welcome to the world of Pedini Miami. The world class quality of Pedini kitchens and modern cabinets comes to Miami, bringing chic, ergonomic, contemporary kitchen design that is aimed to be functional for any person or family. Pedini Miami's level of excellence and quality of design concepts raises the bar in the kitchen design industry, setting a new standard of creativity, quality and beauty.

The Pedini DNA is present throughout the Casa 7800, a brand-new transitional estate which is nearly ready for occupancy. This stunning one-story home welcomes residents and guests alike with a great foyer, high ceilings and an expansive open floor plan which features a living room and dining room.

"It was an honor to be able to leave our mark on this beautiful residence while still fulfilling the client's vision," said Pedini Miami Vice President, David Rousso Jr. "Thankfully, our resources and the client's concept of an ideal home went hand in hand. The result is truly outstanding."

One of the stars of the home is the gorgeous, spacious eat-in kitchen with Thermador appliances and Zephy wine cooler. However, what truly elevates the kitchen space is the Pedini Cabinetry throughout. Pedini Miami's special cabinets are at the root of design and technology via the service of functionality from the research of the entire Pedini team. Pedini creates appliances that can serve multiple functions for a luxury home. To explore the wide range of cabinet designs and options Pedini Miami offers, CLICK HERE.

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

Kitchens are certainly not the only space where Pedini Miami elevates the luxury and functionality of your dream home. Pedini Miami applies luxury Italian sensibility to its custom bathroom pieces. With their range of Archeda bathroom design, you can finally have the dream bathroom you have always envisioned.

Pedini's Archeda bathroom designs include a vast array of lines which provide flexibility for any and every taste or design philosophy. Bathroom Gola, for example, is an elegant and timeless design that interprets contemporary style. The sleek patterns breathe in new life, complemented with lacquered colors and accessories. Or perhaps Bathroom Linea is more to your liking. Here, the aluminum profile handle in titanium and satin-finished aluminum can be implemented to the full range of decorative, wood and lacquered color coatings made by Archeda. Learn more HERE.

Casa 7800's master suite offers oversized his and her closets, a resort-style bathroom with double vanities, and a huge shower. Casa 7800 is the perfect luxury home for the single family looking to move into the Pinecrest area.

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

The post Introducing Casa 7800: Boasting Pedini Miami’s Custom Cabinetry appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Originally founded in 1998 in New York City, MS2 Design Studio, Inc. is a full-service design firm that specializes in high-end residential design. The firm specializes in custom built-in cabinetry, project management, unique wall, and floor coverings, innovative lighting systems, and custom furniture design, while always looking to the future for the newest materials yet still staying true to the classics. With a combined 30 years of design experience, you can be assured that MS2 Design Studio will help you create the home of your dreams.

MS2 Design Studio's Principal, Michael Scigliano, recently took the time to sit down with Haute Design to discuss a range of topics including lessons he has learned in the design industry and what he believes sets MS2 Design Studio apart.

Haute Design: What was your first experience in interior design? How did it go?

Michael Scigliano: My first job in interior design was with J. Robert Scott in NYC. I was the assistant to the showroom manager. I got the job offer after touring the D&D with a designer who befriended me and took the time to walk me through the building. I had no formal training, so to be offered a position with one of the top furniture designers was beyond what I could have hoped for.

That experience shaped the rest of my career and life. I learned about textiles, veneers, furniture construction, space planning, and how to combine colors, all from the best in the field. All of the top designers shopped at J. Robert Scott, so I got the chance to meet them and interact with them on their projects. The projects I was blessed to have worked on would always show up in publications and that was a very rewarding experience.

Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio 

HD: What are three major lessons you've learned since then?

MS: The top three lessons I learned are:

• You can be a talented designer but if you do not possess good people skills, your career will go nowhere. Most projects include two spouses who are building their dream home. Each with their own personality and approach to the design process. Not to mention the children, the architect, the contractor (and their subs), the A/V company, the pool and landscape designers. So, the majority of your day is making conversation and discussing design. If you are unable to convey your design and manage all the personal relationships that come along with making your design become reality, you will never make it in this field.

• You are your brand. Your projects are an expression and an extension of your personal style and the way you live your life, is part of that expression. The places you travel, the people you surround yourself with, the way you treat your body and mind, the charities you support, etc., this all becomes part of your company's brand.

• Lighting can make or break your project. The amount of lighting, the fixtures, the aperture, the temperature, the angle, all of this in unison can make a project shine (no pun intended). A talented lighting designer is a crucial part of any high-end project. Light can change the shape of a room, the mood it conveys and the overall experience.

HD: You design in both Miami and New York. What are the starkest differences in terms of designing in either city?

MS: The first major difference that comes to mind is scale. The scale in Florida is big. The homes are larger, the rooms are larger, common areas are larger, the land they sit on is larger. Everything is big. Even the larger homes in NYC tend to have smaller scale rooms, which leads to smaller scale furnishings.

That said, considering that Miami is NYC's unofficial sixth burrow, the aesthetic of our modern clientele is similar. They all tend to like edited, open spaces, with integrated features and a neutral palate. This combination brings to life a modern home which is interesting to be in and cozy enough to enjoy.

Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio

HD: Designers tend to say that the customer is always right and that they design for the client rather than for themselves. Would you say that part of your work subconsciously reflects who you are? If so, do you believe this to be the case with all designers?

MS: The comment I hear most when interviewing with a potential client is that the designer they worked with in the past, or previously interviewed with, did not listen to them. I hear this all the time. I've processed that comment and have tried to do my best to do the exact opposite for my clients. By the end of our time together, they need to be happy in their new home. I make this known to them from our initial interaction.

I do listen and I do my best to include as many of their ideas as possible. At the end of the day, it's an MS2 Design Studio project and it reflects my vision for the client but it also includes their personalities. Sometimes, this might be a personality the clients themselves did not know they possessed. That's the fun part of designing for a client that trusts the designer's judgement and experience. The client gets something that blows away their expectations.

Is the client always right? No. I have had ideas passed by me which I would never allow in an MS2 project. Part of being a design professional, is to teach your clients what works and what does not work. This knowledge was earned through decades of experience. A designer cannot expect their client to have the same knowledge as them, and therefore, when ideas which we know will not work are expressed to us, it is our job to explain why.

HD: What sets MS2 Design Studio apart from other design firms?

MS: Going back to the previous question, I would say that the biggest thing that sets MS2 Design Studio apart from other firms is that we truly listen to our clients. We are not pushing our own agenda. Yes, we want to design an amazing interior for each client and we want to express our vision (which we always do), but in doing so, we listen to our clients and we incorporate their ideas along with our design concept.

Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio

The post Michael Scigliano Reveals What Sets MS2 Design Studio Apart From The Competition appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Dorothy Alon, founder of prominent Los Angeles-based design firm, Sophea Interior Designs, has established herself in the last decade among Los Angeles developers, contractors, and other thought leaders in real estate. Dorothy has built her reputation as someone whose intuition and insight comes through in every project that she undertakes.

"We do things a little bit differently," says Dorothy. "About 90% of my clients are developers. After becoming familiar with the scale of work that I have done, along with my extensive experience in the field, they have developed the trust and understanding that we are a team and we are in this together. I think they appreciate that I'm not only focused on 'making things look pretty.' Instead, my approach is more like, 'yes, make this look pretty, but make it functional as well'."

Sophea Designs does not only handle the design aspect of a home, but it also participates in the planning and building process.

"Ideally, the architect gives me the floor plan before even going to the engineer," Dorothy explains. "Because we try to insure that all the interior built-ins and functional spaces are accounted for in order for us to not be limited by the structure itself."

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

"While interior design is a broad spectrum and entails a multitude of specialties, I decided early on to focus on spec homes and new construction projects. This kind of business requires the interior designer to be involved early on in the process. Typically, we are getting the floor plans after the architect's first draft and we are looking at the house placement on the site map. Then we check that all the main spaces are sufficient and proportional to the scale of the house, both in space and return on investment. We proceed by verifying every window and door size and location. Lastly, we are making sure all standard furniture works in the space and we have enough wall space for cabinets, storage and art. Once this is complete, we continue with designing and selecting finishes. If we have any comments throughout this part of the process, we send it back to the architect to hear their thoughts. We respect the work they have done so far and would like to make sure we are giving our client the best product possible in terms of architecture and interior. In essence, the architect is the conductor and we are the orchestra. We work with all architectural softwares to make it easy for them to quickly respond and keep the work streamlined."

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

Dorothy's passion in describing the ins and outs of her work and her company's functions is palpable. "I think about everything," she says. "I think of every house we work on as my own investment and as if I were going to live in each and every one of them. That is how I think. This is my mentality toward every home I have designed. I have worked on hundreds of houses and I start every project with the same amount of excitement. The passion toward what I do is what keeps me going. In that sense, we are different. We care. We really care about what we do."

Photo Credit: Sophea Interior Designs

If you wish to contact Sophea Interior Designs for a prospective project or want to learn more about Dorothy Alon's work, CLICK HERE for more information.

The post Sophea Designs Cares About Each And Every Design Project As If It Were Their Own Home appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Sensi Casa is a Home Staging & Interior Design firm based in Miami. Founder Chiara Sensi-Contugi has a distinct individuality and enthusiasm for her craft, which resonates in her design and has led to the success of her boutique design firm with expertise in residential and commercial design. Awarded Best of Houzz 2020 & 2021, Sensi Casa isn’t like other design firms. Their elevated approach offers what only very few firms can, turnkey homes in record time.

While Haute Design has previously highlighted Sensi Casa's several interior design services, we felt it would be a disservice to overlook Sensi Casa's Home Staging excellence.

Establishing a definition for home staging would be a good way to begin. Home staging is the process of professionally furnishing and decorating a home to make it seem as beautiful and appealing as possible for prospective buyers. Home staging is not meant to cover up any negative aspects of the home, but rather to accentuate positive features to show buyers the potential the space holds.

Home staging provides a multitude of excellent benefits for all parties involved. According to the National Association of Realtors, 95% of prospective property buyers use the internet when searching for their next home. Which means if you're selling, you ought to make your property seem as appealing as possible. Staging also allows for buyers to better imagine themselves in a certain space. This can be a much more difficult task to accomplish when you are simply looking at an empty property.

Additionally, staging can show buyers what a home's potential can truly be. If someone is on the verge of making the biggest investment of their lives, they're going to want to make sure it's for something they absolutely love. Depicting how the home could be lived in can show someone the real possibilities of the space. Believe it or not, staging can also make the space seem bigger. It might seem contrary to logic, but empty spaces actually make the room appear to be smaller than they truly are. Staging presents buyers with a tangible and practical vision of how to occupy a home, mitigating any notions of the need for more space.

When compared to un-staged homes, staged homes offer a huge benefit to vendors in terms of how quickly their properties get sold. According to Consumer's Guide to Real Estate Staging, un-staged homes sit on the market for an average of 143 days. Meanwhile, the very same homes stayed on the market for an average of 40 days once they were staged. Homes that were staged pre-listing remained on the market for an average of just 23 days.

When it comes to home staging, Sensi Casa offers two options: Sorellina and Sensi Casa.

Sorellina (little sister in Italian) is Sensi Casa's sister brand for home staging services and is catered to smaller properties with reduced budgets. The Sorellina home staging option includes three alternative package options which fit any client's needs.

If you're looking for luxury at its very best, look no further than the Sensi Casa home staging experience. This high-end home staging service will turn dreams into reality and clients into buyers. Similar to Sorellina, Sensi Casa also offers three separate packages. Packages include a rental period of up to 12-months.

To learn more about Sensi Casa's home staging and interior designing, head to their website HERE.

The post Sensi Casa Knows The Importance Of Home Staging appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Brittany Farinas, CEO and Creative Director of House of One, is an interior designer of residential and commercial spaces. With House of One, Brittany is setting out to revolutionize the South Florida interior design industry. House of One creates atmospheres that are both visually stimulating and experiential, while using carefully planned designs to fulfill functionality.

Brittany recently spoke to Haute Design about what she believes sets House of One apart from her competition.

Photo Credit: Lifestyle Production Group

Haute Design: What three words best describe the House of One aesthetic?

Brittany Farinas: Elegant, Tailored, Artistic.

HD: What is your first memory in which you realized you wanted to become a designer?

BF: I remember my first time walking through a multi-million-dollar home. I knew I had a passion and appreciation for interior design when I realized my eye could not settle on one single place. I was in awe at all the amazing finishes throughout the property.

HD: How crucial is the relationship between designer and client either before or during a project?

BF: The relationship between designer and client is special because it is both personal and professional. We are able to deliver great designs because we develop such great relationships with our clients and can understand their wants and needs on a deeper level. Communicating throughout the design process is extremely important to us . As the designer, it is our job to constantly reassure our clients that we are on the same team and aiming for the same end goals. We want our clients to feel included in the design process and encourage them to contribute their ideas and inspirations. There's nothing more rewarding than a well executed project where both parties are equally as proud of the results.

Photo Credit: Lifestyle Production Group

HD: What advice would you give prospective clients before selecting an interior designer?

BF: I think the most important qualities a client should look for in a designer is their ability to listen as well as their attention to detail. This will transpire not only through the design but also the design process, which we strive to make as enjoyable and smooth as possible for our clients.

HD: What sets House of One apart from other design firms?

BF: We view each design project as an exclusive art piece. That is where the name House of One comes from. Our specialty is creating bespoke pieces for our clients, which as a result, creates a one-of-a-kind atmospheres that express their unique personality and style.

Photo Credit: Lifestyle Production Group

HD: Whats is your vision for House of One in the near future?

BF: My vision for House of One is to continue to provide high-quality design services for our clients. We are currently discussing opportunities to diversify ourselves within the custom furniture space. I also see us taking on more commercial projects and possible multi-family projects in the future.

To learn more about House of One and Brittany Farinas work, CLICK HERE.

Be sure to follow House of One on Instagram, @houseofone_.

The post Brittany Farinas Explains What Sets House Of One Apart From Other Design Firms appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Pedini x Carolina Freyre Project

Photo Credit: David Rousso

Pedini Miami is excited to announce its new Modern Farmhouse project in Ponce Davis. The luxury real estate project is being developed as part of a special collaboration with award-winning construction company Mocca Group and renowned interiors designer Carolina Freyre.

The home aims to create a sophisticated yet organic and natural atmosphere with a contemporary take on a traditional, rustic style. Modern Farmhouse will include the latest in design trends for modern living spaces, including open floor plans, large windows to bring plenty of light into every space and outdoor areas, including terraces and garden patios.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

Pedini Miami was tasked with creating a kitchen and dining area that combined the home's unique country-inspired style and modern features for functionality. They delivered with an open kitchen space that features blue matte lacquer with glass features.

In addition to furnishing the kitchen and dining area, the team at Pedini Miami also helped design the home's spacious living room bar, creating a warm and welcoming place to entertain and relax with friends, family and guests.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

Photo Credit: David Rousso

Photo Credit: David Rousso

The luxury home is situated in the Ponce Davis neighborhood, which is considered one of the most exclusive areas in all of South Florida. Known for being home to people like Alex Rodriguez and the Bacardi family, Ponce Davis features beautiful tree-lined streets, majestic architecture and a vast amount of green spaces near beautiful Biscayne Bay.

Once completed, the Modern Farmhouse residence will be a prime example of harmoniously integrating traditional styles and modern architecture while maintaining a sense of uniqueness.

More information about the project can be found by visiting the firms' websites:

PediniMiami.com, CarolinaFreyre.com and moccaconstruction.com.

The post Pedini Miami Announces New Ponce Davis Project appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Born in Kansas, the designer and TV star Joanna Gaines balances her life between being a wife, a mother, and a businesswoman. Gaines is not only a star in the hit television show Fixer Upper but also the co-owner and co-founder of the design and real estate company Magnolia. 

Her interest in design emerged after she graduated from Baylor University with a degree in communications. She worked as an intern in New York and fell in love with the profession. Her expertise and knowledge of design will often give people the impression that she had intensive training in the area, however, when she started flipping houses with her husband she had zero interior design background. 

Magnolia, Gaines’ personal project, was founded in 2003 when she also opened her own shop, Magnolia Market. Gaines and her husband, Chip, put all their love for design into remodeling and flipping homes. She mentions on the company’s website how Magnolia Market’s business idea was born out of a dream that was imagined impossible. She explained how it came to life thanks to her husband’s support and encouragement. After having their two kids, the couple decided to close the Market to focus on family, while also putting all their efforts into Magnolia Homes, where they learned the construction side of the business. After starting with the television show, she made the decision to reopen Magnolia Market, which turned into a great store in downtown Waco and an extensive online store.

The exceptionally successful company landed Gaines in the post of one of the most successful designers and businesswomen in the country. In addition to her own company, the television show Fixer Upper transformed her into a design celebrity. Currently, with over eleven million followers, she is one of the designers with the highest number of followers on Instagram. 

Joanna’s style, inspired by her Texan roots, can be defined as classic, simple, and fresh. She has a great eye for seeing potential in old and antiquated things and turning them into new pieces. A room designed by Gaines will most likely include wooden floors, wooden furniture, a cozy fireplace, and a big plush bed. Interestingly, Gaines revealed that her favorite space to renovate and design in a house is the laundry room, since it is often underestimated, and can serve as a great inspiration and comfort space if designed right. 

The post Step Into The Story Of Famous Interior Designer Joanna Gaines  appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Redecorating your home can seem like a fun task at first, but people often find themselves lost, without knowing where to start. Decorating a space without a helping hand and some guidance can end up being an exhausting endeavor, leading you to expensive renovations and an unpleasant environment. We listed the top 5 tips from expert celebrity interior designers to guide you when decorating your space. 

1- Less is More

Windsor Smith, who has had celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow as a client, reminds us that “less is more.”  Most people believe that the way to create a stylish and sophisticated interior is to add as many items and details as you can. She recommends letting go of anything that feels excessive, that can be seen as clutter instead of a piece of the design. “Purge your home of anything that feels heavy - even clothing,” she adds. 

2- Nature as an Inspiration

Kari Whitman, the television star who has worked on the homes of Hollywood icons such as Antonio Banderas and Jessica Alba, explains how she incorporates nature in her designs. She mentions how every encounter with nature can serve as inspiration for a design. "The other day I was eating oysters and I found the inner shell beautiful," she said. 

3- Lighting not just from windows

Adam Rolston, of Incorporated Architecture & Design, points out that thinking that the only way to get a bright room is to paint a room white is a very common mistake, and it should be avoided. A better way to accomplish a bright and illuminated room is to keep the overall palette of the room light, as well as using mirrors to reflect natural light into your interiors. 

4- Comfort Comes First 

Brian Paquette, a Seattle-based celebrity designer, recommends putting comfort before aesthetics. When designing your home, there is always going to be that dream dining table or that beautiful couch you can't take your mind off it. However, if it is not functional in relation to your everyday needs, then it is not going to work in your design. He mentions how you should always focus on comfort and usage, like a real dining table you can spread out on and a comfy sofa rather than just a seat.

5- How to make a room seem larger 

Jeff Andrews, who has worked on the homes of Kendall Jenner and Ryan Seacrest, gives a tip on how to make any room seem more spacious. The key is to use statement furniture, in other words, invest in larger pieces, and choose something that you like looking at. He also recommends keeping the color scheme simple and uniform. Varying textures and incorporating small amounts of prints make the space coordinated and larger. 

The post Top 5 Design Tips From Celebrity Interior Designers appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

When you are planning to decorate your home, there are factors at play that determine how you decorate. These include aesthetic taste, budget, and functionality. Long ago, interior design conventions were introduced and nowadays people have accepted them. However, just like any kind of art and fashion, interior design is always evolving and changing. These are some interior design myths that are outdated and should be deconstructed. 

Small Room, Light Color

Who said that you need to paint a small room a light color? Many people have this idea that in order to trick yourself and your guests that a tiny room in your house is bigger, light color is the solution. This is not true, and actually, the opposite applies. A dark shade of paint may actually add depth to the walls and create the illusion of pushing the wall back, making the room feel larger. 

Must have a theme? 

The idea that every room must have a theme and be designed accordingly is also a design myth. Choosing furniture and decorations that match too much can make your home look monotonous and tedious. The key to success is to take some risks and mix things up, but with balance, of course. Bring in pieces in different styles, colors, and textures. That will certainly make your home more interesting. 

To be trendy, or not to be trendy

Most people think that a decorating plan should include all the latest trends. That is not always true. When decorating your home, you should take time to define your style and preferences. If you love your 30-year-old grandmother’s couch, you should definitely include that in your plan and find a way to make it fit with the rest of the design. 

Who needs an interior designer? 

Another common misconception about interior design comes at the time of deciding if you need to hire an interior designer. Most people think that if you can do it yourself, why should you hire? The reality is that while you may have great ideas and tastes to decorate your home, there are some insights and advice that only a designer can give you. Interior designers help you with planning and anticipate problems that might come along the way, making you spend even less money with problems you might encounter without the expertise of a designer. 

Design doesn't matter

It is also a myth that a properly designed interior is not necessary. The environments we inhabit have a lot of influence in our mood, how we feel, behave, and live. A functionally designed house will ensure that your daily routine operates just like you need it to. The right color palette on your walls can enhance your mood, and even prevent depression and anxiety. Our home is, for most, the place that we spend the most time at, so it is worth investing in a design that will make you feel happy and comfortable. 

The post Interior Design Myths That Should Be Deconstructed appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Project Runway mentor Christian Siriano announced the launch of his interior design firm, Siriano Interiors. Catering to residential and commercial design, Siriano Interiors is Siriano’s next major step in conquering the interior design world.

On January 5, Siriano, 35, revealed his new firm via Twitter and Instagram that wrote “New Interior Design firm, Siriano Interiors for 2021.” The social media post accompanied a picture of Siriano in a modernly designed room with the caption, “Here is a sneak peek of our midtown townhouse we just completed!”

Siriano Interior’s website includes photos of commercial and residential projects. Pillows, settees, chairs, fabric samples, and stools are also available for purchase. Siriano's designs reflects his fashion expertise with a modern, simplistic influence. Sirano incorporates textures and a neutral color palette in his designs.

After winning Project Runway, Siriano’s fashion career took off. Siriano’s fashion designs have been worn by global superstars from Angelina Jolie to Scarlett Johansson. Siriano’s fashion portfolio includes intimates, eyewear, home and bedding, and a beauty collection. In 2012, Siriano opened his first store in New York City. Siriano is also a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

For more information on Siriano’s latest interior design projects, visit the Siriano Interiors website.

The post Christian Siriano Announces His Interior Design Firm Siriano Interiors appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

There’s no denying that city life is incredible. But with so much going on, it’s essential to take a step back now and then and give those tired batteries a bit of a recharge. Sometimes you just want to get away from it all: not in a camping, backwoods sort of way, but in a more cocktail-sipping, sun-seeking kind of fashion. It was precisely this type of escape a Brazilian family sought when they purchased a vacation retreat on Fisher Island as a respite from their hectic city life in São Paulo. Home to free-roaming peacocks, it captures the allure of a secluded island, but it also has all the luxury amenities of an exclusive resort. “It never feels crowded, and people really appreciate the privacy and security,” the wife says. Set on the farthest point of the island, their condominium overlooks miles and miles of ocean. “It’s our happy place,” the wife says. “It’s where we go to decompress.”

Originally weighed down by heavy traditional details—dated wallpaper, mirrored walls, and a cumbersome enclosed kitchen that interrupted the great room—the condo underwent a lofty transformation from dated Mediterranean to beachy chic thanks to Miami-based designer Luciana Fragali, who has designed multiple Fisher Island homes for her clients. “Luciana is so flexible and willing to listen to our ideas,” the wife says. “She created family-friendly rooms, so we never have to worry about sand from the beach.”

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Although working on an island would seem like a dream, in this case, it posed some unique challenges. On Fisher Island, you can build only six months out of the year and subcontractors must arrive via barge, making preparation and timing paramount. Luckily, Fragali was able to work around these obstacles and transform the space entirely to feature new floors, walls, plumbing and electrical, appliances, materials, and finishes – this was a gut remodel of the entire apartment that took a great deal of effort and teamwork.

From the beginning, Fragali had one goal in mind: to open up the views. The owners asked for an expansive entertainment area, as well as comfortable guest rooms that offered privacy, making the vacation retreat as inviting as possible for their family and friends. To accomplish this, Fragali began by demolishing the enclosed kitchen wall to open up the space and transform the room into a spacious open concept living room and dining room featuring an exceptional dropped wood ceiling design.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

“We opened the kitchen up to integrate the living room and to make it one large space,” explains Fragali, who removed a dividing wall to make that happen. The resulting open area is more spacious and takes advantage of the beautiful sunset views. Next, she replaced the mirrored covered walls with custom built-in shelves that become one with the living area. Using this accent wall, she placed unique accessories that reflect the natural light and turquoise waters below. “As soon as you open the door, you feel like you are literally on the ocean,” the wife says.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Keeping the emphasis on the panorama, expansive sliding doors open completely onto a balcony, essentially disappearing and expanding the living area into an enormous entertaining venue. “This indoor-outdoor effect alludes to the home’s refined yet casual vibe,” Fragali says. For the furnishings, she selected low-profile pieces that speak to the owners’ low-key personalities. “The wife likes clean lines and is very pared-down,” she says. “So I wanted a warm, sophisticated apartment with pops of color.” The designer captured this casual elegance through a careful juxtaposition of pieces that blur the line between modern and earthy, such as the pairing of custom-made floating console matching the natural birch dining room pendants and textured wallpapered wall niches with LED strip for radiance accented with black and white art frames.

While the water views clearly inspired Fragali’s approach, they also influenced the palette, with touches of warm creams, natural wood tones, upholstery, artwork, and accessories throughout. Even the master bedroom is awash in the soothing, ethereal hue. The master bathroom was another obstacle of its own – it had to be completely gutted down to the studs. Only then could Fragali begin to design a new luxurious master bath unlike any other featuring a large shower and a curved freestanding bathtub backed by wood mosaic wall panels.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

But nowhere does the color scheme come more to life than on the balcony, where shades of sea and sky continue as far as the eye can see. From here, the family waves to cruise ships passing by. With umbrella-accented drinks in hand, they kick back and relax just the way they imagined, in true vacation style.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

The post Coastal Living In Fisher Island With Luciana Fragali Of Design Solutions appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Carmeon Hamilton is the first winner of HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen. Founder of Nubi Interiors, Hamilton competed in weeks of competition to define her interior design style from each challenge to the next.

The finale aired on Thursday on HGTV where Hamilton won $50,000 and the possibility of having her own HGTV show. Design Star: Next Gen is a spin-off to the popular series Design Star.

Hamilton was a front runner throughout each challenge by impressing the judges with her use of materials and pushing the limits within design trends. Hamilton described her style as “modern bohemian” influenced by African culture and textiles.

When describing Hamilton, HGTV’s President Jane Latman said, “Cameron is an incredibly talented designer whose creativity and heart was on full display inDesign Star: Next Gen.”

Hamilton celebrated her victory by posting a video of her win on Instagram. She captioned the clip, “Good morning world.”

Hamilton wrote on her website that her “purpose is to not only discover the beauty in all things, but to also help others find that beauty in the things that surround them every day.” Based in Memphis, Hamilton is an environmental curator, interior designer, merchandising consultant, blogger, and content creator for Nubi Interiors.

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Photo Credit: Timothy Godbold

What drew you to interior design?

I find interior design to be a truly creative environment. In the fashion industry, I was aiming to please the masses, but with interior design, I work one-on-one with a client, therefore I only have to please the client. I'm also selling my style. When a client approaches me, they've signed up for my aesthetic and my vision. Of course, I work with them taking into account, family, age practicality and personal preference, but with interior design, I'm me and what I provide is my creativity. For me, it's a more open creative process. There's no pecking order and I'm free to change, chop and play around with the space.

Describe your design approach and philosophy?

The best way to describe my philosophy is I design livable luxury. I want you to use the house. It's not a museum and I don't want my clients to worry about staining that crisp white leather sofa. Instead, I create a livable place that is also luxurious. Part of my process is editing. It's like doing a fashion show where you have 100 looks but need to narrow it down to 20. For me, I edit a house. I look at many bedrooms that are beautiful, but there's so much furniture that if you were to get up in the middle of the night, you'd trip on the way to the bathroom. When I'm designing, I think about every aspect of where I'm placing the furniture and if it's practical. I pride myself on ensuring each piece of furniture has its own space. Having space around something is important to my philosophy.

Photo Credit: Timothy Godbold

What inspired you when designing the 8J apartment at 196 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side?

I came to New York in 1990 for the first time and it was very different than what it is today. I was immediately attracted to the vibrant Lower East Side, so it was the perfect opportunity to incorporate that into 8J at 196 Orchard Street. When I think of the area, I think of Madonna and Blondie walking down the street with a dollar in their pocket. It's a romantic view, which shows in the ultra-suede walls I added and of course the Madonna art around the apartment. However, I also wanted to incorporate a bit of uptown as I wanted it to feel aspirational, so I went bigger in a smaller space to show that you can actually do that.

What draws you to military colors?

I like utility and masculinity. I also come from a career with Ralph Lauren so I like things that are authentic. Military fashion came from all things that were built for function, which means they have longevity. On Instagram, I'm about to show a whole room that is based on a black from a military tank. All these military colors represent bravery and comradery, which are elements that resonate with me as a person.

Photo Credit: Timothy Godbold

What trends do you see emerging in 2020?

I think there is a movement toward surrealism that will continue to grow. The eighties are definitely coming back, which I'm excited about, especially in furniture design. I'm telling my clients to by now because the pricing on these unique items will increase as it becomes more popular. I also think textures will be a focus. There will be a lot of textured walls, paneling, and other elements. I think the Scandinavian, minimalist grey is fading, allowing room for organic lines and a connection to the planet.

What are you working on right now?

I actually just bought a house in Southhampton right next to Georgina Bloomberg. I'm excited, it's going to be amazing. The house was built in 1972 and has a modernist feel with a lot of light.

The post Meet The Australian Fashion Designer Turned Interior Designer Shaking Up The Hamptons With His Military Style appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

An experienced interior designer should be an integral part of any building project. And yet, many homeowners do not realize the need for one until well into the process. As skilled as architects can be, they rarely, if ever, provide detailed interior elevations or address owners’ aesthetic and functional needs in great detail. As a result, general contractors requests heaps of clarifying information in order to complete the project. It is then that many homeowners realize that a great licensed interior designer is just what they have been needing since day one.

Not only is the staff of Equilibrium Interior Design Inc apt at helping clients finish their homes, we possess the ability to quickly and elegantly resolve already existent problems and anticipate any potential complications. We offer numerous valuable solutions that offer choices and options before an issue even arises, so the client can make well informed decisions. Additionally, at Equilibrium, we can source products and services that best fit the owner’s aesthetics, budget, preferences, and goals.

Hiring a licensed interior designer from Equilibrium is an investment. You get an ally with many years of experience, incredible talent, and technical knowledge, all of which ensure a beautifully designed and appointed home. We also know how to masterfully coordinate your project, which is, by far, the most difficult part of the business. There are so many players in the mix working toward a common goal, and their relationships are so tightly intertwined, that if one falls behind, it has a domino effect on everyone else.

The truth is, coordination is the one things no one is aware of, unless a problem presents itself. I would even go as far as saying that if you are working with an interior designer and you are encountering problems in the process, your interior designer is doing a poor job of coordinating. When the process goes smoothly, you wouldn’t think twice about the amount of coordination the project requires. It is all happening behind the scenes to deliver a well-executed project.

Let the interior designers of Equilibrium worry about all the moving pieces in the mosaic of you home, and create living spaces you will not want to leave, all while you enjoy doing the things you love.

Images courtesy of Equilibrium Interior Design Inc.

The post Hire A Licensed Interior Designer: It’s One Of The Smartest Home Investments You Can Make appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

With a talent for math, Magel worked in accounting and software consulting. In her late 20s, however, she resigned from Pricewaterhouse to pursue what truly made her happy. From working with developers and architects, to owning a home and beachwear store, Magel found her forte in interior design.

Having just finished a $24 million residence in Sagaponack, wrapping up homes in the Hamptons and embarking on new projects in New York, Magel talked to Haute Residence about her craft, its challenges and rewards.

You recently finished a project at Sagaponack, New York. What house is it?
It is a big house – 11 bedrooms. It took about a year and a half. We built it from the ground up, with breaking ground, designing everything and including the furniture, it took an year and half, which was pretty fast.
I really wanted to do a European modern farmhouse. I prefer sort of European interiors with the rustic wood – so that was my inspiration. But I wanted it to be more beach-y, clean, open.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

What challenges did you face?
The main things were that it is a $24M house and it is at the beach. Making a house feel substantial and high-end without being over the top – because it is at the beach and it is farmland out there – I really needed to figure out how to do that. I wasn't sure. [I had to] really think about getting a luxurious product without being ostentatious.
The other thing was, I mean, when you are building a house from scratch ... You know, all of the tiles needed to be there, before anything else. So, that means I had to have some ideas for all 12 bathrooms very early on and I have to say that was very challenging. I didn't even know what I was going to do in half of the bathrooms. I tried to use classic tiles. I used a lot of Belgian bluestone, calacatta gold, carrara. I used a lot of white marbles and big black stone. So, at least, when I started building off of those, I would have a classic base to start with.
I just love natural stuff. In the house I made sure that I do not use any synthetics. I use all natural materials. Even in my fabrics, my threads, I do not use any synthetics.

What is it like, as an interior designer, to have been involved in creating the house from the very beginning?
I think the reason the house is very successful is that the finishes, the architectural details go with the furniture. It was a whole look being done together versus someone designs the house and then you have to come in and have to make a decision what furniture go with the look of the house. I think it is super important to have an [interior] designer on from the very beginning and I don't think people realize that. They hire an architect, they finish the house and then they bring a designer in. But for us to work on the kitchens, the bathrooms, the fireplaces, pick the floor, you really are going to get a whole overall design. I think that the main thing is being cohesive.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

Do you have a favorite part of the house?
I actually love the junior master wing that [has] the bathroom with the black cabinet and a big oval tub. I like that bedroom down there – it is very relaxed. I also love the living room – the fireplace is my favorite thing in the house. It is a form of calacatta gold and it is special. I just love how you walk in through the front door and look straight out at the back of the house.

When working on homes, what is your relationship with clients?
Obviously, it is their home and everybody has sort of things that they like or don't like just because maybe they grew up with it. I do a lot of upfront research. I make sure that they send me a lot of images of things that they don't like, that they like. But then, I really try to narrow it down. I tried to collect most of that information upfront, so that I am presenting things that they are going to be comfortable living with. It is a collaboration but I am trying to educate and narrow things down, so that they have some good choices that they are going to be comfortable with.
As a designer, a lot of it is about educating people. These are the things that we can do that stay in the realm of your comfort zone – whether it is budget, style, color.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

How would you describe your work process?
I think that every designer works in a different way. I mean, I have my particular system, which is collecting a lot of information from the client, images that I love myself to be inspired. Then you are taking into account a budget – there are so many details that you need to create art, basically. It is being an artist. So, it is hard to describe my process of how I get to the end but it is collecting a lot of data and then, sort of, deciding how all of that fits together.
I really, really use a lot of texture. I make sure that there is a soft fabric and then there is a hard surface – maybe a wood or a metal. Because I do not use a lot of pattern, I have to really be creative with textures.

Why don't you use patterns?
I am just not attracted to them. I like one or two in a corner but when I come to a room, I like it to be easy on my eye. I do not want to see a lot. I want to sort of just get enveloped into the room and I find that patterns can be jarring to the eye. I like it in, maybe, a dining room or a room that you don't spend a lot of time in.
But you know, I go through phases. Sometimes I am more into patterns than others but for the most part I am not a big pattern or color person. Unless it is an accent, I do not mind an accent of color in my art – meaning, one or two pillows, maybe a rug, but these are all things you can move if you get sick of looking at them.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

Are there any styles you particularly like?
I am eclectic, so I probably take little things from everywhere. I am taking little bits and pieces from anything that I like.

Do you have a favorite project ever?
Not really a favorite. I love them all. I get very, very involved when I am doing a project. This [last] one was amazing because I didn't really have a client. I got to do what I wanted to do and I think you can really see that. But I like all my projects. At the time I am doing them, they are always my favorite. And then I move on to the next one.

How do you combine luxury with the intimate and everyday that form somebody’s home?
I think you can do very beautiful architecture and lighting and get the glamour and get the wow. But then, I want to make a home feel comfortable. I want to be there and watch TV, right? I want my bedroom to be comfortable. So, you pick and choose the rooms where you want to have that wow factor and also lighting. I think that lighting can be so beautiful.
So, it is just balancing those two things – and I want comfort when I am at home. But I think you should find a way to be comfortable and still make a statement and still have pieces that are wow factors in the room.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

You adhere to environmental and social responsibility – how does this translate in your projects?
Right now, I am just about to build a house that is very cutting-edge in regards to the environment and even personal health. I am building a home that is mold-free. It keeps the moisture out of the house, has a great air flow in and out of the house. We are working on using healthy materials. I think that our homes have got very, very toxic. So, right now we are doing a lot of research into building this next home that is going to be low chemicals.
I was very involved with a non-profit that was helping women artists create things. So, when we can we are buying back goods from women artists and overseas. The fabrics we use – we try to use as many as we can find that don’t have a lot of dyes, not a lot of chemicals. The same with rugs. It is a hard thing to do at this point because there are so many chemicals out there in our goods, but that is where, I think, using these more natural materials [is important]. We are working on a furniture line that is low in VOCs [volatile organic compounds that are emitted as gasses and have adverse health effects].

What brands do you prefer to work with?
I use a lot of Holly Hunt fabrics. I use Rogers and Goffigon. I love BDDW – they have beautiful furniture. Monc XIII is one of my favorite stores – I buy a lot of accessories from them. But it is different for every project. I also tend to make a lot of the pieces because I want the house to be unique or maybe I need a certain size and when I come to make things, I am able to create the bed exactly the size I need it, to do the sofa exactly the size it needs to be. So, I make a lot of the things in my houses.

The house Magel furnished in Sagaponack.

What is next for you?
I have five projects right now in NYC – I have a townhouse, I have two condos, I have a loft. They are all downtown, interestingly.

Is that a lot of projects to have?
It just depends on the size. I mean, if it is a big house in the Hamptons, I might take up only a couple of those. But five is a good amount. I have other things that I am wrapping up, but I am just starting five new projects in New York. I take on anywhere between two to 10 usually, depending on my schedule.

What things are you wrapping up?
I have houses in the Hamptons that I am wrapping up. When you are doing a big house, you know, you have a few guest bedrooms that still need to be finished or you need to start a basement. When you have huge houses, you usually have clients for two to three years and you have already done the main parts of the house but then you start on the pool house and you start on these less important areas.
I have a lot of clients that I have had for years. I have a client in the Hamptons that now just bought a place in Tribeca and so I am working on her place now, but I have spent years working on her place in the Hamptons. And it is great when you have [long-term] clients – you already know each other, it is a good relationship and it allows more creativity because the client trusts you.

Visit Tamara Magel’s website here.

Images courtesy of Tamara Magel

The post Interior Designer Tamara Magel Talks about her Craft, Projects, Challenges and Rewards appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Now known in the décor scene for her “modern mountain” aesthetic, the Colorado native—who constantly strives to create designs that are contemporary, comfy, and unique—has a number of successful projects under her belt. After probing the young designer last January about her latest endeavor—which involved conceptualizing the interiors of the four-bedroom suites at The Residences Viceroy Snowmass—we decided to get to know the Aspen belle a little better.

Read on for a more personal Q&A with the stylish mountaineer, who talked to us about her “ski-town chic” style, unveiled the design project she’s most proud of, and divulged how she manages to marry the wants of her clients with her one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

You are one of the few designers who were born and raised in Aspen. How has your hometown influenced your designs?

Living in the mountains has really inspired my design. One of my greatest inspirations is the Aspen tree—I really feel that it has an overwhelming beauty. From its chalky bark to the perfectly shaped green leaves, I’m always trying to incorporate a piece of the special tree—or something that reminds me of it—into my design. One of my favorite examples is when I use a sheer textile and the pattern looks just like Aspen trees.

Kristin Dittmar Design – Eau de Claire Condo

Define “ski-town chic” and discuss the strategies you use to seamlessly integrate the small town style into larger, more urban areas.

I feel that many mountain towns and their design styles have stopped evolving. Designers can’t seem to get away from the large tree beams, antlers, and taxidermied animal heads. In my projects, I like to lighten up walls, clean up lines, and add different finishes and textures. I'm not against using some of the old traditions, but I like to update them. I’m always using different types of natural products such as petrified wood and hair-on-hide rugs. You can select from so many different styles of hair-on hide rugs that would fit into the chicest Manhattan apartment.

To what extent does your own home reflect the same mountain-chic touch you are known for having?

I love to entertain and my house is the perfect, comfortable environment to have friends over and sit in front of the fireplace. Throughout my home, I have mixed tons of different textures and finishes including fur, wood, and chunky braided wool rugs into one cohesive design. My newest and favorite piece is an old antler mirror I had in storage—I re-painted the horns white to add a little funk. I also feel it’s important to collect art. Whenever I travel I always try to pick up something interesting—it’s a great conversation starter.

Kristin Dittmar Design - The Residences Viceroy Snowmass

Which of your interior design projects are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of a house I recently worked on in Aspen for a family that I have become really close with. I was able to work with the clients from start to finish, which was really great, as it helped the end product standout and flow more. We incorporated so many unique design elements including large hair-on-hide headboards, fur pillows, and textual wallpapers. The clients took my advice and brought some ideas back from their recent trip to Africa that we were able to use in the house. At the end of the day, the project felt like such a success because the clients were incredibly happy, and that’s what makes the job fun and rewarding.

Kristin Dittmar Design – Chateau

How do you ensure that your own aesthetic manages to shine through in your designs, while simultaneously catering to all of your clients’ needs/wants?

Again, this is one of the best parts of design—working with different types of people, learning about them, and mixing their styles with my own aesthetic. I feel that you have to be able to understand your clients and their desires and have fabulous style in order to be a good designer. You may not always see eye-to-eye with clients, but working though differences and having a happy client at the end of a project is always my goal.

If you could design any space in the universe without having to worry about any fathomable limitations such as cost, what would it be?

Oh my, I would like to design so many different spaces—it's hard to pick just one. If I had to pick one place, however, it would be a small boutique hotel with a restaurant inside. I would get so into detail that each brick would have its own story.

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For interior designer Samuel Amoia and sculptor Fernando Mastrangelo, the concept was a no-brainer.

Both successful artists in their own right, the creative pair have managed to add an exciting, new "flavor profile" to the luxe home décor scene with their recent launch of AMMA Studio, an avant-garde furniture line featuring an assortment of pieces crafted using highly intriguing materials, such as BB pellets and Himalayan rock salt.

"We were inspired by nature and geometry to create organic and modern forms out of innovative and natural materials that have never been contextualized before in furniture design,” Amoia reveals. Among the collection's innovative furnishings are drums fabricated out of the natural crystalline substance topped with cement, amorphous tables made out of ground coffee, and skeletal mirrors embellished with brilliant borax crystals.

AMMA Studio's organic amorphous tables

The two artists were first introduced to one another by Tali Jaffe—the executive editor of Cultured magazine—after she interviewed them separately for a feature story. She immediately recognized the blatant similarities in the two men’s design approaches and aesthetics, and eagerly suggested that they meet.

The crafters quickly hit it off and decided to collaborate on an organic-formed piece Amoia was looking to create for 1 Hotel & Homes, a brand dedicated to natural and simple living. Together they conceptualized a functional bar made of Himalayan rock salt and blue-dyed cement—an item that was featured in Amoia’s Elle Décor Showhouse during Art Basel.

Fernando Mastrangelo and Sam Amoia pose with AMMA's Himalayan rock salt and cement drums

Ultimately, the work’s incredible success prompted its makers to ponder the creation of a full collection of products. Their vision quickly became a reality with AMMA’s official launch last February, and the creative firm’s subsequent debut of over 30 pieces just three months later.

“It was a very fast, but natural evolution,” Mastrangelo confesses. “I love making the pieces—you never really know what you’re going to get... [the collection] is truly a perfect combination of both Sam’s aesthetic and mine.”

Fernando Mastrangelo in front of an AMMA borax crystal mirror and a black geode table; a Himalayan rock salt garden stool on his right, and an amorphous sand and cement table on his left

Though they speak the same design language, the two collaborators are fueled by separate motivations: while Amoia’s passion for interior design originated from his extensive international travel, Mastrangelo—who outlines his design philosophy in three points: content, form, and materials—is inspired by the pursuit of an aesthetic he can “feel,” but “often can’t describe in words.”

“A piece’s form must work in harmony with its concept, or else it will not be successful. It’s important to determine which materials are going to work best for the content and form of the piece, [so that they may] tie the entire work together conceptually and metaphorically, the sculptor explains. “When those three elements are fluid and balanced, there is perfect harmony in the work, and it becomes undeniable.”

AMMA coffee grounds table

The handsome duo have a slew of projects in the works, including a 12,000-square-foot ground-up construction along the beach in Miami, for which the Studio is crafting custom sand-cast walls using sand harvested directly from the client’s backyard. AMMA is also in the process of outfitting a restaurant and a hotel penthouse and gym in the Floridian city, plus a Central Park South pied-a-terre and a Fifth Avenue apartment in New York.

“The best part about it all is that this is just the beginning,” says Amoia. “We are constantly growing and evolving and creating, and there is much more to come.”

Photos courtesy of BFA

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Highly intrigued by the physical world, Rashid boldly set out to master nearly every fathomable sector in his trade, including graphic, jewelry, interior, architectural and technological design, in order to explore and influence the way physical material shapes everyday experiences.

Garden Chair (Photo courtesy of archiexpo.com)

The renowned artist has since outlined the creation of a wild assortment of things–from small-scale objects like office desks, laptops and (award-winning) vodka bottles, to grander creations such as furniture, residences and hotels–and has collaborated with a long list of luxury product companies in his storied career, including Prada, Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Davidoff, Veuve Cliquot, YSL, Giorgio Armani, Issey Miyake, Estee Lauder and Cappellini.

The eclectic designer is currently working on variety of ventures across the globe, including a condominium in Latvia; three hotels (one in Germany, one in Malaysia, one in Israel); and four residential buildings in Manhattan (in partnership with Israeli developer, HAP). The Canadian native also has a high-end, advanced mobile phone in the works (which, he confessed, is unfortunately still too nascent for him to divulge much about), and is in the process of planning a bevy of interiors worldwide (among them, a dental clinic in his homeland).

Miami Tower (Photo courtesy of Curbed National)

Though some may call him "kooky" for his outrageous, techno-morphic flair, we'd like to consider Rashid–whose work has been featured in art institutions all over the world, including the MoMA and Centre Pompidou–a passionate innovator who simply dares to push the envelope and think outside the norm (albeit to an unparalleled extreme).

Eager to peek into the mind of the seasoned jack-of-all-design-trades, we probed the eccentric craftsman on his personal aesthetic, unique source of inspiration, and thoughts on the potency of design in the modern world.

Semiramis Hotel (Photo courtesy of idesignarch.com)

Your work has often been described as “funky” and “futuristic.” Do you agree with these labelings? In your own words, how would you define your personal aesthetic?

It’s not futuristic because it exists now–it’s present! What I try to do is bring some heightened, emotional experience into one’s life, to elevate a moment and make one feel more alive through inanimate things. I always wondered if design could touch you emotionally, like a film or music can, because it’s a different type of art form. Can I design something that makes a positive emotional feeling? That’s really my underlying goal: to make things more human. Technology and products themselves can be very dehumanizing and just utility-driven. Can I make you break out into a smile or make you feel more comfortable, or provide you with a more engaging experience? Can I make your life simpler and more relaxed? Can I make an object to destress you and rather than stress you? Those are the questions I try to ask myself.

Is that why you use many colors in your work?

I would say yes–color is very emotional. It has a huge impact on us. I’ve been using a lot of color for a very long time, and the world was pretty gray up until the last few years. If I had one percent to do with it [becoming more colorful], I’m thrilled! Now you can buy yourself a digital camera in ten colors. I love that consumers are now embracing color. In architecture, we’re finally starting to see examples of facades that are beautifully colored, and colored glass around the world. It’s a new energy–one that makes us feel better.

Luminous Sun Lounge (Photo courtesy of archiexpo.com)

You have expressed in the past that the digital/information age has been a key source of inspiration for your designs. How so?

I’m inspired by three different aspects of the digital age–first, I’m inspired by the software and the tools that I have. They allow me to do things that could’ve never done before in history. Second, I’m inspired by the digital age’s language, [as I ask myself], if the digital age has a language today that never existed before, what is it? When we look back at periods of language–at say, the Baroque period, or the Belle Epoque period, or Modernism–they were all very much based on the technologies of that era. Today’s digital age is interesting, because the technologies of today are actually immaterial. The digital age is about “nothing”; it’s about immateriality. So I asked, “What would the material world look like if it’s in unison–if it’s working with and mirroring–this immaterial world?” That forced me to try to find and create new, “visual languages.”

Third, just technology in itself–the production machinery–inspires me. Is there a new machine that can make a chair a certain way? A new material that works a certain way? A new production method that could make something better? The digital age for me is all encompassing and inspiring.

Nhow Hotel in Berlin (Photo courtesy of de.ehotel.com)

Have you incorporated any intriguing materials or elements into your products?

Many, many, many things–I don’t even know where to begin!

In a lot of the buildings I’m working on now, I [try to use] interior materials–claddings–that are more efficient and smarter. For example, the flooring that I put down in my office, in the 400-room Nhow Hotel in Berlin, and now in some of the condominiums [I’m designing] in New York is a 100% biodegradable wood, a sawdust that has been created into a panel. The panels–which are made in Germany–are quite large and interlock, making them so simple to install.

The nice thing about the technology is that I can make a print that is totally biodegradable in any color or pattern that I want, so in turn I can make floors look really alive . . . using a completely self-sustainable product. I make different patterns to speak about the digital age, to look like data and information, energy, and 3D. Every time I have a 2D surface, I try to make it look optically 3D, because I think the digital age has [produced] a really dimensional world, [one] that’s far beyond 2D. When I started design in the analogue age, we were designing everything in 2D, but now that I work with 3D softwares, I don’t look at anything in 2D anymore. In turn a lot of the decoration and embellishment that I do [taps into] the 3D world.

Sustainable Home with DuPont Corian (Photo courtesy of archithings.com)

[I also work with new types of] glass, polymers and plastics. I made a chair that I just showed in Milan; it’s made of biodegradable plastic, made from a Chai fruit in Brazil, instead of a material like polypropylene or polyethylene [that is derived] from oil. We can now make plastics that are very high-performing [without oil-based materials], so I’m trying to use a lot of those plastics now.

Is sustainability one of your key aims?

It’s not right on the top of my list, only because a lot of the time when you work for companies, they’re the ones who [determine] what material is going to be used. If a company asks me to make chairs with polycarbonate material that is are derived from oil, it’s very hard to convince the firm to change the material [in order to] produce goods in a way that is more responsible–believe me, I’ve tried! I try to steer them towards what I think are the right plastics to use, [ones] that are more environmental.

I was brought up with the notion of being [environmentally] responsible–I didn’t know what it was like to be wasteful. [Back when I attended] university in Canada 40 or so years ago, I was taught to design products that were either recyclable or regenerative; I would design something so that it could snap apart, and one part of it could go down one cycling stream, while the other would go down another. If I designed a chair, I would make the legs metal and the feet in plastic, and I had to make sure it could pop apart very easily, so that the metal and plastic could both be recycled. [Sustainability] was part of my education. Recently, I designed a water bottle that’s being produced in [an eco-friendly] plastic.

Luminous Garden Sofa (Photo courtesy of archiexpo.com)

How would you define “luxury?”

I don’t see “luxury” in the cliche sense that something has to be made of impressive material, or handmade. Luxury no longer involves just physical material. For example if I had a camera and I wanted to make a high-end luxury version, I could gold-plate it, but I think now we as human beings realize that that’s not enough anymore. What would really be luxurious is if that camera had features [that made it] more seamless in its user’s life [such as intangible technological capabilities]. So “luxury” can be redefined a bit, based on the 21st Century digital view of it. I see it now as a more immaterial concept rather than a material one.

HAP Six (Photo courtesy of HAP)

Describe the power of design, and how it impacts our everyday lives.

The popular take on design is that [designers] make cool forms, or do funky things, but the reality is every manufactured good in the world was designed, for good or bad. The generic stuff around us that doesn’t work well was poorly designed. Design touches so many daily experiences. When I was a professor teaching, I got my students to count how many objects they touch in a day, and the average number was 640. That’s what we interactive with. So of course design has a massive impact on daily life. Because the world is commodity- and capitalist-driven, design is a commercial act–we design things to sell, [which means] design has a huge impact on the economy. At the end of the day, design is good business. Design is also a way of [recording the] progress and evolution of humanity. If you pick up any object from history, like a vase from the Ming Dynasty, [it tells you] so much about the time, the social life, the milieu of that time. These things are designed to document human existence and history. Design really shapes human culture.

What is your ultimate aim as a designer?

Sometimes I realize that philosophically, my intention is similar in all these projects: to really shape the future. What I mean by that is be really cognizant of the present. The technologies, production and construction methods of today shape [my work], which in turn I hope will affect [mankind positively] in the future. I’ve always believed that design is really about moving us forward. It’s not about looking at or copying the past. It’s not about style. It’s about making a better world and a better life.

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Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I think of design all day, every day. Design is something that is a part of my life. Walking along the street, nature inspires me. Appreciating art, reading poetry, experiencing unique cultures and philosophy and listening to the life experience of others also helps to inform my design.

Are you looking forward to following any new design trends this year?

Design trends are usually followed by new technological developments. I would like to be on top of the new technologies that lead to more sustainable products. Over all, I think they contribute to the increased well-being and happiness of residents and guests.

What should a client expect from you should they choose you as their interior designer?

I strongly believe that the design of a space should reflect that space’s culture, location and time. Today, many designs are “cookie cutter” without showcasing the special environment they are a part of. My designs are always simple, sophisticated, inspiring, stylish, warm, inviting and elegant, and they always reflect a true sense of place and time while remaining “timeless.”

To learn more about Reiko Lewis, check out her Haute Design Network Profile and www.ventusdesignhonolulu.com

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I find inspiration everywhere…the textures and color plays of nature, fashion, art, and music. I try to fill my days with beauty. I get my best ideas in the quiet of the night or early morning…it’s a wonderful time to problem solve.

What should a client expect from you should they choose you as their interior designer?

Ideas, ideas, ideas! I like to start with the architecture of the project, look for the beauty of the empty space and work to develop the space to its fullest potential.

What other designer’s work do you admire? 

Well, lets start with Julia Morgan's exciting architecture in the early 1900s. Today, I really like the work of Axel Vervoordt, particularly the unique spaces in the Flemish and Bavarian farmhouse renovations. I also recently saw a modern NYC apartment by Cristiana Mascasenhas that was casual but exciting…just beautifully designed.

Are you looking forward to following any new designs trends this year?

I generally like the "loosening up" of interior design. By that I mean less stiff, perfect, formal and more casual, livable spaces with personality.

What characteristics does your dream client have?

Lets see...I have had a number of dream clients recently. They have really great taste in life. They are wonderful interesting people…fun to be with and work with.

How do you intend to take your design expertise to the next level?

Life has a way of bringing new challenges, and with each challenge met we grow a bit and move on up to the next level. I do love my job!

Visit Deborah Schmidt's Haute Design Network profile here.

The post Deborah Schmidt Shares Her Design Aesthetic and Inspiration appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Suzanne Lovell is an Architect, Interior Designer and Principal/CEO of Suzanne Lovell, Inc., an interior architecture firm with offices in Chicago and New York. She is also the the author of Artistic Interiors:  Designing with Fine Art Collections.

An innovator practicing at the intersection of architecture and interiors, design and art, Suzanne Lovell is known for her unique approach toward designing couture environments for extraordinary living.

Suzanne Lovell, Inc. consistently delivers gracious interiors through the intelligent integration of architecture, sophisticated materials, custom furnishings and textiles, antiques and fine art collections.  The result is a sophisticated, elegant and approachable interior that expresses a passion for home and reflects the distinct personal style of each Client.

Every author needs a big stainless steel Sharpie – it dries instantly!

My board is my favorite place to harbor inspirations.  Every year I fill it, and every year I start again.

Beautiful things and people I love inspire my every day…And one always needs a lucky parrot!

Lance is my constant companion, my shadow, and my ever-present reminder that there are no sofa emergencies.

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