Amanda Loper – Amanda Loper

amandaloper.com

Amanda Loper combines her knowledge for interior architecture and product design with the ever impending need to drive her community forward. She’s worked on many projects, including one of our favorite coffee spots, St. Frank Coffee Shop in the Russian Hill district of San Francisco, and an extensive collaboration with the SF Planning department to implement high-density affordable housing and a community center in Hunters View. Loper is constantly combining impeccable style, a sharp architectural background, and her passion for social awareness in the housing sector of urban development.

Andrea Faucett Design + Interiors – Andrea Faucett

andreafaucett.com

Andrea Faucett has worked on a range of different projects, from commercial interior design to product development for the beloved SF chocolate company, TCHO. Her background is in Architecture from the California College of the Arts. Her mission is to design responsibly and to be mindful of the environment. Her zen and spiritual mentality beautifully influences her design aesthetic.

Ashley Redmond – Ashley Redmond

The ultra-stylish Ashley Redmond has been designing interiors for residential and commercial spaces for over 15 years. She is the director of interior design platform, decorist, which streamlines the purchasing and decorating process to one online webpage. Her designs and projects have been featured in publications such as Vogue, Sunset, Elle Decor, Rue, and many more.

Benni Amadi Interiors – Benni Amadi

benniamadiinteriors.com

Benedetta (Benni) Amadi couples her keen architectural eye with current and on-trend style, mixing new and vintages pieces to bring a personalized touch to her projects. Refinery 29, Homepolish, and Design Milk have all featured the redesign of her home in San Francisco, CA, which showcases Benni’s passion for creating spaces that reflect the people inhabiting them in a chic and polished fashion. She’s also the mama of 2 adorable pups, Marlo and Giuno.

Caitlin Flemming Design – Caitlin Flemming

caitlinflemming.com

In addition to Caitlin’s design blog, Sacramento Street, posting daily on interior design, travel, and style, the well-traveled Caitlin works on interior design projects throughout California. Her iconic clean layered work mixes old and new style in a fresh, stylish fashion.

catherinekwong.com

With a degree from Brown University and Parsons School of Design, Catherine Kwong brings a highly developed knowledge of design as well as a natural ability for polished aesthetics to every project. She has received praise from various publications, showcasing her unique ability to blend luxury pieces with personal treasures.

Eche Martinez – Eche Martinez

echemartinez.com

gamble + Design – Jeni Gamble

gambleplusdesign.com

The classic gamble + Design is a one-stop-shop, providing the full spectrum of design, including architectural services for residential projects of any size. Bringing local artisans, a modern edge, and great attention to detail into one cohesive space is what drives gamble + Design to follow their passions and create beautiful environments. From homes in Pacific Heights and Marin, all the way down the coast to L.A. to work on Candis Cayne’s beach home, principal designer, Jeni Gamble, masters the full design process from concept to the final touches.

Geremia – Lauren Geremia

geremiadesign.com

Vogue writer, Brooke Bobb, describes Lauren Geremia as the go-to designer for start-up offices in the Bay Area, creating Instagram’s first office as well as the work spaces for Lumosity, DropBox, and Figma, just to name a few. However, Geremia has also worked on a wide range of residential and commercial spaces throughout San Francisco, including Churchill, Citizen Band, Coffee Bar and BloodHound. The Geremia team exudes contemporary style by mixing custom pieces with sophisticated design.

Gina Rachelle Designs – Gina Rachelle

ginarachelledesign.com

In 2012, Gina Gutierrez left the world of lifestyle and fitness and applied her learnings of business management, coupled with her instinctive eye for design, to establish Gina Rachelle Design. Whether she’s designing for residential homes, or commercial spaces, such as the Diakadi Fitness Center in SOMA, Gina brings a fresh eye to every project.

Grant K. Gibson – Grant Gibson

grantkgibson.com

Grant Gibson has merged his New York sophistication and California flexibility to create residential spaces that not only look great but reflect the personalities of the space, and the people that inhabit them. Grant integrates personal treasures and rich pieces to bring together a look that turns his client’s house into a well manicured home.

Hulburd Design – Holly Hulburd

hulburddesign.com

Hulburd Design focuses on creating modern sleek designs that provide an element of sophistication while providing a sense of comfort and warmth to the environments. Principal designer, Holly Hulburd, brings her background in architecture design and combines that with her passion for art to create unique spaces for her clients.

Kendall Wilkinson Design – Kendall Wilkinson

kendallwilkinson.com

Whether they are doing a full-scale remodel, custom furniture pieces, or working on their collection of indoor/outdoor fabrics, Kendall Wilkinson Design brings a professional and chic element into any endeavor. Participating in showcase events for Elle Decor, Luxe, and the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Kendall’s extensive experience and impeccable taste are apparent.

Lauren Nelson Design – Lauren Nelson

laurennelsondesign.com

In addition to designing vibrant and chic homes and offices throughout San Francisco, Lauren Nelson Design has worked on prop-styling for companies including The Today Show, Starwood Hotels, and Anthology magazine. Nelson embodies what it means to be a young and fashion forward designer in an increasingly trendy city like San Francisco.

Lauren Ranes Interior Design – Lauren Ranes

laurenranes.com

Lauren Ranes began her career working for several leading interior design firms before branching off and establishing Lauren Ranes Interior design in 2011. As a talented, stylish designer, Ranes truly understands the balance between traditional and fresh aesthetics.

Martin Group – Beth Martin

martingroupsf.com

Featured on Elle Decor‘s “A-list: Designers We Love” in 2016, Beth Martin has been credited by leading publications as creating visual designs in high-end residential homes for over 20 years. Working closely with her team of highly trained contractors, craftspeople, and furniture makers, their visions is always executed at the highest level of elegance.

Mend – Susie Ho

mendetc.com

Principal designer, Susie Ho, started Mend in order to bring color, texture, and an effortlessly happy spirit to her client’s homes throughout San Francisco and Los Angeles. Featured in Refinery29, Susie explained her passion for pattern, everything vintage, and lots and lots of fresh flowers.

Niche Interiors – Jennifer Jones

nicheinteriors.com

A small team of four highly trained interior designers, Niche Interiors prides themselves on bringing earth friendly as well as family friendly design to every home. Principal designer Jennifer Jones is a LEED Accredited Professional as well as a Certified Green Building Professional, proving her commitment to making her clients indoor space as health conscious and sustainable as possible.

NICOLEHOLLIS – Nicole Hollis

nicolehollis.com

Nicole Hollis is the principal designer and creative director at NICOLEHOLLIS, an award-winning group of 34+ interior designers who dedicate their craft to “elevating the human spirit”. NICOLEHOLLIS’s extensive collection of influential clients appreciate the sophistication and unprecedented amount of detail put into every project, bringing an air of worldliness into every design.

Martine Paquin Design – Martine Paquin

martinepaquin.com

Martine Paquin Design has been designing contemporary, environmentally friendly homes in the Bay area and Tahoe since 2008. The firm believes that in order to create a comfortable living space their most be a symbiotic balance between the natural elements of the home, such as lighting, and the materials used in decor.

Regan Baker Design – Regan Baker

reganbakerdesign.com

Regan Baker Design believes that good design starts with a productive and efficient process. This is achieved by setting up front expectations, and help keep the clients ideas and solutions front and center. From this philosophy Regan and her team have created mid century inspired homes that combine natural elements with kitschy patterns to bring their clients personality alive.

Soledad Alzaga Interiors – Soledad Alzaga

soledadalzaga.com

After moving to San Francisco from Buenos Aires, almost 20 years ago, Soledad Alzaga has been focusing on boutique residential and commercial interior design. She combines polished chic design with sophisticated and unique pieces.

Studio One – Lisa Collins

studioonesf.com

Lisa started her career in the design world as a graphic and product designer who had a strong passion for photography. After remodeling her home in Marin County, Lisa unleashed her talent for interior design. After going back to school to get a second degree in interior and architectural design from UC Berkeley. Lisa started her own design firm, Studio One, combining her sharp eye and fresh California aesthetic, creating livable sanctuaries for her clients.

Studio Revolution – Jemy Massie & Emily Ellis

studio-revolution.us

The dynamic duo of Studio Revolution, Jemy Massie and Emily Ellis, met at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. After a short period of time at different design firms the two decided to combined their different design perspectives and styles to bring a funky aesthetic to residential homes and commercial setting across the Bay area.

Wick Design – Will Wick

wickdesign.com

Will Wick has been creating timeless, bold designs in the Bay Area for over 10 years. Taking his love for architecture and travel and merging it with contemporary interior design in both the residential and commercial environment. Wick Design explains, “when he cannot find the perfect piece, Will makes it himself; he has a growing line of his own lighting and furniture designs that add an extra element of eclecticism to his spaces.”

Just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you have to ditch your design snob tendencies. We’ve scoured the Internet and found appropriate DIY pumpkin masterpieces, chic decor, spooky tablescapes and delicious bites and sips to celebrate this year, suitable for the design-enthusiasts.

DIY Pumpkins

Chic Decor

Tablescapes

Dare to Sip and Taste

Our daily routine consists of sipping our morning coffee while we scour through our social media channels and go-to news sources. Each day, we learn about how a new company is “disrupting” something. Online furniture is an industry that is rapidly evolving, and Article, the online furniture company, is at the forefront, spearheading efficient and affordable production best practices while keeping customer care as their number one priority.

By working directly with manufacturers and adjusting the design of traditional home furnishings based on modern living habits of real people, Article manages to deliver high-end furniture that has become an interior staple. Here, Article shares their two cents on production practices, experiments with new retail experiences, and most importantly, putting the customer first.

Photography courtesy of Article

Article, previously known as Bryght, is known for producing high-end furnishings with prices less than 70% average retail cost. How does the Article production process make this possible?

Article was founded by a group of four adventurous software engineers who saw incredible inefficiency in the way furniture was made and sold. They resolved to come up with a new way to make shopping for beautiful designer furniture simpler, easier, and more affordable.

The resulting solution is Article.

By working directly with the manufacturers who create our furniture, we’re able to cut out the traditional middlemen. This affords us significant savings that we are then able to pass on to customers in the form of radically lower pricing for beautiful, high-quality product.

How is Article different than the thousands of other online furniture retailers out there?

One of our core guiding principles is being direct.

That starts at the production process and filters all the way down to how we interact with our customers—through our website and through our online digital presence. By being direct we are able to make high-quality designer furniture not only more accessible, but we can also deliver a better overall experience for customers.

What are some of the challenges Article faces with your unique production process?

Candidly, we have had trouble keeping things in stock in the past.

While our collection is carefully selected by our product team, what ultimately becomes a success is up to our customers. Given that our approach to new products has been to soft-launch a limited starting inventory on the website and see how they perform in the weeks that follow, if an item finds immediate success, it’s up to us to quickly determine how much inventory we should follow up with.

Unfortunately, this can sometimes cause delays in inventory arriving, but I am pleased to say this is something that we are getting much better at.

In regards to your team, we read that you have no sales people, and a large support team. In your opinion, how essential is customer service to furniture retail and the interior design industry as a whole?

It is pretty hard to overstate the importance of our customer care team.  There’s a high degree of trust that our customers have to place in us when they’re planning to purchase a sofa they’ve never sat on or even seen. Being able to pick up the phone and directly contact a real person (all right here at Article HQ) to walk you through the process, answer product-related questions, or troubleshoot your order is critical.

We empower our team to solve any issues on the spot. You will often find them walking amongst our samples taking specific measurements, confirming construction details, or even creating short videos to share with customers to demonstrate a specific feature of a piece.

What we love about Article is your mission to listen to your consumers and use that feedback to produce something better. That’s what Ivy is all about as well. What are some key pain points Article has addressed with furniture production, purchasing, shipping and returns?

There are three key pain points we address:

1. A well thought out selection: You will immediately notice that we don’t have thousands of items to choose from. We carefully select and continually refine our product offering, ensuring that each and every piece meets a real need for our customers. Every piece is designed to last.

2. Service, not sales: We don’t have any salespeople on our team. Instead, we invest in a customer service team that is here to help you through the process and find the pieces that are perfect for you – not incentivized to sell you more based on commission.

3. Unrivaled value: Historically, customers generally had to make trade-offs when it came to design, comfort and affordability. It was easy to find something that ticked one of those boxes, or maybe two, but good luck with all three. All of our pieces are beautiful, functional, and feature materials that are chosen for their reliability and quality. All of this at radically lower prices than our traditional retail competitors.

Which 3 words would you use to describe Article furniture?

Beautiful, functional, affordable.

What are some of your best-sellers?

Our number one seller is consistently the Sven sofa in our Charme Tan leather. However, the recently launched Charme Chocolat leather and our velvet options are quickly growing in popularity. Coming up behind it would be our marble Mara coffee tables, our Conan dining tables, and our Ceni collection—whose classic mid-century look has been a favorite with our customers since the inception of the company.

Based on your knowledge of the industry, what are some modern day issues impacting the furniture retail business?

Traditional retailers are struggling with high retail rents that have a huge impact when you need the kind of space that a showroom requires. The traditional approach also necessitates huge investments in inventory, and consequently an inability to be flexible and fast-moving.

Our business model very deliberately addresses all of these issues, and allows us to offer radically better value.

Why would an interior designer want to use Article to furnish a residential or commercial project?

The same reasons that customers in general choose Article: great style, lasting quality, and outstanding customer service. Something else that designers often appreciate is that we are able to provide super fast delivery on items that are in stock.

We also offer a trade discount program for professional interior designers, and we are working on expanding this program to include other perks and special offers for our interior design partners.

How can Article ease the sourcing, buying and shipping process for interior designers?

We realize that your reputation is on the line when you are working with a client, and you are entrusting us to deliver on our promises. This is something we take very seriously, and are actively investing in—making life easier (and better) for our interior design partners.

We are currently hiring for a Trade Partner Program Manager specifically to work on this.

What are 3 tips of “best practices” to offer interior designers for making the most out of Article?

1. Sign up for our program: Drop us an email (support@article.com) and ask to join our trade program. This gives designers access to exclusive offers. We just need a business license and/or a link to your website to get your application underway.

2. Request swatches: While you are at it, let the team know a selection of swatches you would like us to send. We are happy to send you out a lovely little care package.

3. Stay up-to-date: Keep an eye out for our emails that we send out every two weeks. We are always adding to our collection, and when you are signed up to our trade program you will be among the first to know when new products (and new lookbooks for inspiration) launch! For your daily dose of inspiration follow us on Instagram.

Tell us about the Breather Showroom experiences you have created for your customers…

That is really the first of our experiments in a new retail experience. We have collaborated with Breather, a company that offers beautiful, relaxing spaces for people to meet, work or focus. Our first trio of spaces are in Santa Monica, and we have been booking time for our customers to go and check out our pieces. They are free to just hang out and do whatever they please – read a book, watch TV, or invite some friends to all go along together. Most importantly, there is no salesperson hovering over your shoulder—the space is all yours.

This collaboration is only in its beginning stages, but the feedback has been really promising. It is definitely something we will be continuing to experiment with—undoubtedly in other cities where our customer base is strongest.

What’s next for Article?

We have some incredibly exciting projects that are set to go live in the near future.

First up, we have heard customers’ feedback and will be expanding our collection into new areas, including bedroom and outdoor furniture, as well as a broader selection of accessories. Of course you can expect all of these to be as beautiful, functional, and affordable as our collections to date.

We are also just about to open a new warehouse in L.A., adding to our existing warehouses in New Jersey and Seattle. This will mean faster delivery times for our customers in California and the surrounding areas.

Finally, we are starting to experiment with new ways for people to experience our brand in the real world. It is in its early days, but we are looking at how we can reinvent the traditional retail showroom experience to provide a more intimate, delightful experience—we call them living rooms rather than showrooms. We don’t want to give away too much, but we can say that we envision places where you don’t have to evaluate your new sofa while in the presence of hundreds of other shoppers, or a with pushy salesperson following you around.

Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, the fast-growing home essentials brand, is a woman to admire. Ariel simply had enough with overpriced luxury bedding, so she took matters into her own hands and launched Parachute in Venice Beach. The brand’s mission is to fulfill consumers’ needs for high-quality bedding and a good night’s sleep, without breaking the bank. Parachute is dedicated to starting and ending your day feeling your very best, considering you spend 1/3 of your life in bed. The trade program provides exclusive discounts and tax exemptions, complimentary fabric swatches for bedding, and personalized one-on-one consultations.

Parachute has been noted as one of the “25 Hot Los Angeles Startups to Watch” by Business Insider, and has been featured in many other notable publications including, ELLE DECOR, Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times to name a few. Here, Ariel shares her founding story, how Parachute is changing the $26 billion home textile industry, and what makes Parachute as a brand unique compared to the other luxury bedding brands out there.

Ariel, we’re incredibly inspired by your story – how you recognized a flaw in the bedding business and made a change with your bare hands. What was your “Aha” moment that made you realize you needed to start your own business to make that happen?

During my sophomore year at NYU, I spent six months in Italy. As a way to practice my Italian, I would go to the markets to look at beautifully detailed fabrics and talk to the artisans about how they made them. I’d hear stories from sons who were running businesses started by their great-great grandfathers. Then one night, I checked into a picturesque hotel on the Amalfi Coast. I pulled back the duvet, arranged the pillows to my liking, crawled into bed…and found perfection that I didn’t know existed. Those sumptuous sheets were softer than anything I had ever experienced.

Fast forward to 2012 when I was shopping in a big box retailer. I went in looking for bedding and found myself surrounded by stacks and stacks of products that all looked the same, and no one could tell me what anything was. I wanted comfortable, quality sheets, but I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg. I also didn’t want to buy something cheap for the sake of buying it and end up unhappy. I was overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated. I left not knowing what to buy, and I got angry – I’m going to use sheets more than any other product in my home, but no one is asking me how I sleep at night? I also realized that no one had an association with brands when they bought their sheets. This is when I had my “aha” moment. As someone who built brands in advertising, I recognized a true business opportunity. They say if you can’t find it, create it. And so I did. In January 2014, Parachute launched with an assortment of Bedding essentials.

Photo by Parachute

They say if you can’t find it, create it. And so I did.

 

Parachute’s office and showroom are based in Venice Beach, CA – rock on! How have Venice vibes influenced Parachute’s design and brand vision?

I grew up by the beach in L.A. but lived in New York for 10 years. I decided to return to launch Parachute because I was looking for renewed inspiration and a change of pace. The relaxed, laid-back vibe and sense of community in Venice Beach are integral to both Parachute’s brand aesthetic and work culture.

Parachute is in great company, surrounded by some of L.A.’s best food, artists and shopping. There’s also a phenomenal interior design movement happening here in L.A. – world class architects, artisans, decorators, etc. It’s exciting to be a part of that. Oh, and the weather doesn’t hurt either. I love that you can relax on the beach almost year round, and our color palette is inspired by the natural beauty of our surroundings. There was no question this place should be Parachute’s home.

Venice also celebrates health and wellness in a way that I appreciate. We have many yoga studios, fitness centers and juice bars within walking or bike riding distance of our headquarters. I view sleep and comfort as a critical part of health and wellness, and I love that our brand provides a product that enhances the sleep experience and upholds the values of our community.

Photo by Parachute

Based on your knowledge of the industry, what are some modern day issues impacting the $26 billion home textiles industry?

People who want luxury bedding have been forced to pay too much for it. There is insane markup in this category — there are bedding brokers, licensing fees, and all kinds of intermediaries between the manufacturers and the stores. By buying directly from the manufacturer and delivering straight to the consumer, Parachute is able to circumvent all those markups and pass along those savings to customers.

What makes Parachute bedding different than other luxury bedding?

Parachute is changing home textiles – a category that had no brand loyalty until now. While many consumers remember where they bought their bedding – a department store or big box retailer – there wasn’t a brand that was connecting with customers and engaging with them past the point of purchase.

We’re providing a modern alternative to what had been around for ages. Our key differentiators are quality, craftsmanship and comfort.

Quality: Our home essentials are Oeko-Tex certified and made of the finest textiles, combed with precision to remove all impurities and dyed naturally.

Craftsmanship: We work directly with the best factories all over the world to offer our customers a superior product at a lower cost.

Comfort: We offer thoughtful design details that are uniquely Parachute, such as Pillowcases that have a back envelope closure.

Wellness: Our blog shares interior design inspiration, sleep and wellness tips, and helpful information about caring for your home essentials.

Photo by Parachute

Parachute is changing home textiles – a category that had no brand loyalty until now.

 

In your opinion, how does quality bedding affect health and wellness?

You use your bedding every night, and it comes into direct contact with your body, so it’s extremely important to look for all natural options that are safe for your skin. But beware of the term “organic”. Companies frequently manipulate the term when labeling their textiles. Fibers grown organically – but processed with toxic chemicals – may still carry the organic label. “Wrinkle free” or “permanent press” labels should be avoided because manufacturers treat these fabrics with formaldehyde resin, a toxic chemical. Instead, you should look for bedding that is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning no harmful chemicals or toxins are used. And yes, all of Parachute’s home essentials are Oeko-Tex certified! You spend ⅓ of your life in bed, so your sleep experience matters.

What makes Italian bedding so special?

We travel the globe to locate the best mills to make our Bedding. Our Percale and Sateen fabrics are made of the finest long-staple Egyptian cotton and spun in one of Tuscany’s world renowned mills. These artisans have been weaving world class linens for over 80 years!

Our Linen is produced in the Guimaraes region in northern Portugal, where textile production has thrived since the 18th century. By collaborating with expert craftsmen, we’re able to deliver a premium quality product that upholds the high standards and heritage of that region. Our partners’ passion for textiles is demonstrated through their attention to detail. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference.

Photo by Parachute

You spend ⅓ of your life in bed, so your sleep experience matters.

 

Tell us about your partnership with the UN’s “Nothing But Nets” nonprofit…

Social responsibility has been implicit to Parachute’s business model from the start. Our dual intent is to provide a luxurious sleep experience and to give back, which is why we partner with the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets, an organization providing safe sleep to those in need.

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign created by the United Nations Foundation to prevent malaria, a leading killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa. For every Venice Set sold, we donate one life-saving malaria prevention bed net through this campaign. You can also join our efforts to raise awareness and make an impact by contributing a $10 donation to Nothing But Nets at checkout.

What is Parachute’s best-seller?

Our best-selling Venice Bedding Set bundles your sleep essentials for comfort, ease and convenience. This luxurious set includes one Fitted Sheet, one Duvet Cover and Pillowcase(s). Forty percent of Americans sleep without a Top Sheet, so why pay for something you don’t need?

Photo by Parachute

The Parachute blog is a destination for people to learn how to “wake up happy from now on”. What kind of content and ideas can interior designers pull from your blog?

Our blog shares sleep and wellness tips, helpful information about Parachute’s collection of home essentials and interior design inspiration – like Desert-Inspired Design Tips, Styling Bedroom Artwork and 5 Ways to Style a White Bedroom.

How does Parachute typically work with interior designers?

We are proud to offer exclusive trade pricing and services. Our Parachute Trade Members receive 15% off retail prices and tax exemption with resale license, complimentary fabric swatches for Bedding and one-on-one service from a Parachute team member.

Photo by Nicole LaMote

What should interior designers learn and understand before sourcing bedding for their clients?

Parachute takes a modern approach to classic bedding design. Our unfussy style and neutral color palette – inspired by the natural beauty of our Venice Beach surroundings – appeals to a variety of design aesthetics. Our customers are 48% men and 52% women!

It’s been quite a year…what’s Parachute’s focus for 2017?

While we’ll continue to expand our assortment of home essentials, what I’m most excited about is bringing this physical and experiential version of Parachute to our customers in more cities around the world. Whether that’s through additional retail spaces or another Parachute Hotel, we want to be where all of our customers are. We’re dreaming big.

Photo by Nicole LaMote

Are you an interior designer in search of an easy interior design software and project management tool to run your business? Learn more about Ivy here.

With cheaper flights this fall, it’s a good time to book your holiday abroad. Looking for a more local experience? Airbnb continues to give access to international historical homes, whether it be an Old-Havana villa in Cuba, or an architectural phenomenon built for a nobleman in Belgium. We’ve sifted through thousands of spaces and have uncovered some of Airbnb’s most impressive listings suited for the design-enthusiast, each capturing unique architectural elements to its local culture.

Photography via Airbnb

Havana Casa Blanca in Havana, Cuba

This 19th-century villa is located in historic Morro-Cabaña park, overlooking the Havana Harbor and the Old Havana. The Spanish-style colonial home includes an outdoor garden, a pool and shaded terraces.

Link to book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5694900

A Little House in Paris, France

This ancient industrial building has been converted into a charming well-collected home for friends and family. Including 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the loft can accommodate up to 11 people comfortably.

Link to book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2749954

The Sibarist Penthouse Garden in Madrid, Spain

This gorgeous luxury penthouse has a huge terrace with panoramic views of the city of Madrid. The space, designed by The Sibarist, is complimented with contemporary art pieces, reflecting the downtown vibe of the Chamberí Neighborhood.

Link to book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10682512

Avant-Garde Flat in Antwerb, Belgium

This luxurious 220 meter apartment was originally built in 1845 for one of Belgium’s nobleman. It has since been renovated, maintaining its original features. The tall ceilings and private entrance hall provides a spacious feel, coupled with large double glazed windows with great views of the historical church. The master bedroom faces an enclosed garden.

Link to book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9816979

An Architect’s Flat in Barcelona, Spain

Link to book: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/959089

 
We’re grateful to get to know Laura Benko, a holistic lifestyle consultant, applying her skills as a modern Feng Shui expert. While she honors ancient tradition, she incorporates her own personalized approach as well, assisting hundreds of clients achieve positive psychological and energetic transformations in themselves and the places they call home. Here, Laura shares her learning journey, her methodology in getting to know her clients, and techniques to apply as an interior designer.

Laura – you are a holistic lifestyle expert. What life experiences brought you on this journey to draw connections between clients’ challenges in life and how it shows up in their space?

In 2001, I was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow cancer. I left my job to focus on my health and a plan of action. While in a bookstore, a book about Feng Shui & Health fell on my head. There was no one else around and the book was firmly on the shelf. I had never in my life received such a blatant, divine sign. Since I had an interest in Feng Shui and a sensitivity to the energy of spaces, I decided to buy it. After implementing changes in my environment and really feeling a difference, I found out the author was giving a lecture in NYC. I attended, loved what she had to say, and ended up calling her office afterwards to see if I could work for her a couple days a week as I juggled doctor appointments on the other days. She happened to need someone that day. She hired me, I went through her Feng Shui training program, and eventually left. I studied with other Feng Shui masters around the world and started my own business. I’ve found that my own journey has enabled me to help my clients to live a happy, healthy, fulfilling life. I can easily identify how their challenges in life mirror their environment. My greatest joy of my job is pointing these connections out to my clients.

Photo via Laura Benko

Why do your clients typically seek you out?

Clients seek me out when situations in their life are particularly challenging, such as: an illness, divorce, feeling stuck in their life, financial issues, relationship concerns, a stall in their career or stressed family dynamics. Other times, clients seek me out simply because they have moved into a new home and want to “get it right”, or, they want to ensure that their home is setup to allow the best to unfold. If a client doesn’t know the extent of what I do, and they call me in to talk about paint colors or furniture placement, afterwards, they are usually pleasantly surprised by how deep a consultation goes. I often hear comments like “this was like a therapy session for me and my home!”

How do you get to know a client you are consulting? What types of questions do you ask?

When I sit down with a client for a consultation, it’s a very personal conversation. It has to be. Otherwise, our time together won’t be effective and transformational for them. Before the consultation, they need to send me a brief paragraph about what is currently going on in their life and where they want to see a change. Based on that, I ask my questions accordingly. However, sometimes other issues come up in the consultation that they never mentioned, but they need to be addressed in order to create an environment for them that truly supports all of their goals and desires going forward.

Photo via Laura Benko

Can you identify some common life challenges that physically manifest in a space? How can they be remedied?

Fear shows up a lot, and clearly. Fear of not being good enough presents itself in artwork and mirrors hung too high, making the occupant feel like they can never measure up. Use the rule of thumb that from the center of the artwork to the floor should be 60″. If your client is super tall or short, adjust accordingly. Fear of change manifests literally – in homes where nothing has been updated in eons. We’ve all seen homes like that where not even a throw or placemat has been updated in decades. The solution is to start small and consistently work towards updating and freshening up more and more in incremental steps. Fear of not having enough shows up in cluttered homes. Edit, edit. Edit and learn to let go. Fear of failure shows up in pockets and piles of procrastination – from paperwork to clothes. Get effective systems in place for dealing with everything from recyclables to mail to a place to put your keys.

A single client that wants to be in a relationship but is surrounded by nothing but single imagery (i.e. a single chair in a corner, single photographs, single imagery in artwork) should begin to pair things up and bring in symbolic images that represent your ideal relationship. In addition, a room has to be made for a potential mate. If you are living in a space that is jam packed with your things, you are not metaphorically and physically creating the space for that person to come into your life.

If you are feeling easily overwhelmed, an easy and immediate remedy is to clean off your surfaces. You’ll gain instant clarity if your immediate surface surroundings are clear.

How is your practice different than a traditional Feng Shui consultation?

I don’t prescribe Foo Dogs, red doors and lots of tchotchkes! It’s not about facing north, south, east or west either. I prefer a clean aesthetic and recommend ways to adjust the chi without adding clutter or colors you may not like. Every person is unique and their home surroundings should be too. I utilize some of the ancient principles but with a modern and personalized approach. The end result is a space that is efficient, organized, feels good, looks good, inspires and holds meaning as well as a higher vibration of energy.

You authored The Holistic Home: Feng Shui for Mind, Body, Spirit, Space, a modern take on the ancient concept of Feng Shui. What are some key elements your book covers that are particularly relevant to interior designers?

Really listening to your clients is key and many interior designers already do that. But, taking it further can be what makes the space that you’ve designed for them so much more special and meaningful. A good way to do that is by looking at the symbolism you are putting together for them. If your client has sleeping issues, don’t put pictures of crashing waves in the bedroom, go for the serene scenes. If your client reveals they have relationship struggles, make sure that their nightstands are even – these are like energetic anchors of a relationship. If they are unequal, relationship dynamics often follow that. I see it all the time, you would not believe how revealing this is! Also, ensure that you are getting full design input from both sides, not just one, so there are equal voices being represented. If you have a client who has anger issues, don’t use lots of red – which is an active, yang color that easily fosters aggression. Be bold with your clients’ dreams, not necessarily your own design visions. If your client informs you that they have aspirations of let’s say starting a cupcake business, an option can be finding a huge picture or painting of a cupcake to hang in their kitchen to be the inspiration they see daily to boost them in fulfilling their dreams! Other times, it can be more subtle, but equally powerful. If an empty nest couple wants to entertain more, choose a bigger table and even more seating than you normally would. It’s about creating the space for their dreams to unfold.

Photo via Laura Benko

In your opinion, how has the ancient concept of Feng Shui evolved over time? What’s different now compared to thousands of years ago?

Thousands of years ago, Feng Shui (which translates to wind and water) started as a way for Chinese farmers to position themselves in the most favorable way to harness the forces of nature in order to yield the most prolific crops. If you had a bountiful harvest, you would also be prosperous and healthy –  and if you had those two points, you’d most likely be happy. Aligning yourself with nature still holds true today. An example of this is positioning yourself in the most beneficial way in the office or in the bedroom. You want to have your back against the wall and see the largest expanse of the room – which in ancient times was similar to positioning yourself with your back against the security and wind flow of the protection of a mountain. In modern times, this tenant taps into a primordial instinct of having an evolutionary advantage, not feeling subconsciously vulnerable or easily startled. In my practice, in over fifteen years of hundreds of consultations, I’ve learned to implement some of these reasonable principles, yet I’ve let go of the superstitious rituals that don’t logically resonate with me or my clients.

What is your best tip to offer interior designers in creating a balanced space, keeping in mind a client’s mind, body and spirit?

In my book, The Holistic Home: Feng Shui for Mind Body Spirit Space, I talk about the importance of connecting the Mind (the psychology of how we dwell, subconscious symbolism, how client issues manifest in their space) along with the Body (colors, positioning, furniture placement, organization, sustainability, health) with the Spirit (the invisible energies, the “soul” of a home, the flow of chi, the atmosphere, the Feng Shui) all together. All of these aspects are connected. For example, if you only address colors with your client, and not get into how they will be living in their home, their goals and ambitions, what makes them happy, motivated or at peace, you will only be having a superficial result at best. It may look nice, but how will it affect the occupants in the long run? Is it an environment that addresses all of their needs?

Photo by Susan Fisher Photography 

This has been an exciting year for you, including the success of your book publication. What are some other projects you are particularly proud of?

I’m still guest lecturing established architects at Pratt, which I enjoy. Although at the end of my 8 hour lectures, my head is usually spinning! I’m also currently writing my second book, The Holistic Dog: Inside the Canine Mind Body Spirit Space (Skyhorse, August 2017). It’s a coffee table-style book of beautiful photography, shot by photographer Susan Fisher, of dogs in their spaces. I write about each incredible dog, delving into their mind, body or spirit in some way. There are also interviews with canine experts in the mind, body and spirit arena, so it can be a great resource for dog owners. I’m so excited about this project. Check out www.TheHolisticDogBook.com for progress updates and sneak peaks of some of the dog stars. I’m also the Founder of The Holistic Home Company, a luxury goods company that makes products for the mind, body and spirit. Our beauty division has tripled in sales growth in the last quarter alone and we recently launched a new dog division. I suppose I’m most proud of this business venture, in organically developing a lifestyle brand that encompasses books, beauty products, home goods, gifts and pets.  I absolutely love both the creative and cerebral facets I juggle on a daily basis and I’m excited about all the opportunities on the horizon for my company.

It’s almost the end of 2016 – what’s your focus for 2017?

Bringing The Holistic Dog to publication, managing the growth for The Holistic Home Company and enjoying my favorite three; my husband, my daughter and my dog!

Photo via Laura Benko

We had the pleasure of getting to know Chrissy Crawford, the Art Advisor and Founder of ArtStar, an online art gallery offering a highly curated collection of contemporary art. ArtStar collaborates with leading and emerging artists to produce a number of editions of their work. The platform lets you skip the trip to the framer, offering high-end custom framing and free shipping to your destination of choice. From an interior designer standpoint, ArtStar provides personalized curatorial services as well, helping you enhance your well-designed residential and commercial spaces with unique pieces. Here, learn how ArtStar is changing the way you can seamlessly purchase contemporary art online, from sourcing to hanging.

How does ArtStar change the way people can buy and collect art online?

We offer a tightly curated selection of photography, limited-edition prints, and original paintings. ArtStar’s curators travel to art fairs, galleries, and studios around the world to hand-pick work for our website. ArtStar prints all of the photography sold on our site, so we know the work is fully authenticated, high quality, and limited edition. Also, ArtStar offers 7 custom high-end framing options. We make collecting easy.

What is your criteria and process for sourcing art?

We source work from both emerging and established artists. ArtStar has work ranging from Yayoi Kusama to a 21-year-old junior in art school. We pick artists that we think will be the next “ArtStar” and have something special that sets them apart.

Courtesy of Casa Home and Resort

ArtStar curates, advises, frames and manages the end-to-end ordering for buyers – how is the ArtStar trade program different from the other online art galleries out there?

We are incredibly hands-on with our designers. Two were at my wedding! We will set up a call or email with designers to understand their projects, curate suggested work, help them select the image, size, and frame, and my dedicated sales person watches their order from printing to delivery. We want the return business and will do everything to make sure the work shows up flawless and on schedule.

What are some of your best-selling genres and decor styles?

We sell a lot of surf and fashion photography. Because ArtStar is curated, it has a specific look. We like a lot of color and images you cannot find anywhere else. Our playful works with humor and fun images sell incredibly well.

Tell us about the LittleCollector…

I noticed there was a void on the market of cool, contemporary art for kids. We started reaching out to well-known contemporary artists like Mickalene Thomas and Shepard Fairey with the mission “contemporary art for kids”. They came up with their own concepts and the results are so fun! LittleCollector has punching bags by Nick Cave, photos of vintage collections of Barbie Shoes, Polaroids of Hello Kitty, and strawberries with buck-teeth, to photos of Hot Wheels.

In your opinion, how has technology affected the art world?

Technology has made the art world more accessible. Sites like ArtStar, Artsy, 1stDibs, and Paddle8 bring galleries online so collecting is not limited by time, geography, or relationships.

How essential is customer service to the art industry?

It’s everything. Art is expensive. People want to understand what they are buying. We will go out of our way to talk collectors through their decision, help them select the frame, and follow-up to make sure they are happy. We take extra care of our designers and follow-up with thank you notes. It’s why people come to us instead of the bigger art companies.

Courtesy of Michelle Kappeler Images

We noticed that you have a Live Chat feature…Ivy does too! How has Live Chat improved your relationships with your clients?

LiveChat is great because collectors can talk through any questions in real-time before they place their order. How annoying to wait on an email reply when you want to check out!

How does the ArtStar experience ease the sourcing, buying, shipping and framing process for interior designers?

We make life easier for designers by having all of our inventory online with all prices and sizes listed. A lot of art sites ask the collector to inquire on price and availability and are not e-commerce.  Lastly, we offer 7 high-end framing options and free shipping. ArtStar allows you to skip the framer and scheduling delivery.  

Courtesy of Bennett Leifer Interiors 

What are 3 tips of “best practices” to offer interior designers for making the most out of ArtStar?

1. Reach out to us with your projects and let us make suggestions. We know our inventory and can think of images that designers might have overlooked.

2. Let us frame for you. Our frames are custom, archival, and gallery quality.

3. Sign up for our trade program to receive designer discounts on all orders.  

For the designers dealing with clients who don’t know “where to start” with art but want to purchase, what are some strategic ways to understand a client’s needs?

Start with budget. Understanding what your clients will want to spend will help you select photography or editions vs. finding original paintings. I usually meet with the clients, get to know them and their taste, then send them a deck of suggestions and see how they respond. I can expand on the works they like in a revised deck.  

Courtesy of Smith Firestone and Associates

What’s ArtStar’s focus for 2017?

We are toying with the idea of “discovery shops” in L.A., Dallas, Miami, and New York. Designers can bring their projects or clients to our store and select images, customize their frames, and place an order. The work would arrive 2 weeks later ready for the wall.

We launched our first mail order catalog this fall, you can sign-up here.

It’s October, therefore we’re hunkering down in our cozy nooks and watching Netflix, a lot of Netflix. But what’s catching our eye? The detail-oriented and transformative sets of these addictive masterpieces. For 30 minutes – 1 hour at a time, each set removes us from our busy lives into an alternate moment in time, whether it be in the White House, a bachelor’s apartment in NYC, a San Diego home with a sea-view, or a Floridian-inspired kitchen. Take a look at some of our favorite Netflix sets.

House of Cards

The show’s production designer, Steve Arnold, is responsible for designing the presidential sets. The production team did get a tour of the White House, but this tour did not include the private living quarters. Because of this lack of visual reference, the production team used archival materials and photos from the Historic American Buildings Survey to inspire their vision for the sets.

Master of None

Emmy award-winning Production Designer, Amy Williams, took on the challenge of decorating the apartment of Dev, a single millennial male living in NYC, played by the hilarious and adorable Aziz Ansari. The aesthetic? According to the official LookBook Williams created for this set, Dev’s style and decor is “eclectic, modern, playful, masculine, midcentury and sentimental with thrift store finds”. With the help of Pinterest, Williams surely mastered the look.

Photography by Amy Williams

Grace & Frankie

Beauchamp Fontaine, the Set Decorator of this San Diego-based comedy, truly tuned into the personalities of each individual character and designed accordingly.

1) Coastal chic for the Beach Home, a much-needed zen sanctuary for the recently divorced Grace and Frankie.

2) Corporate feminine for professional powerhouse Brianna’s office (tuning in Rebecca Taylor’s office vibes with those Modernica pink chairs)

3) Well-traveled and collected for the free-spirited Sol and Frankie’s home. This home was filmed in a real home to a ceramicist and sculptor.

4) “Magazine Perfect” for Robert and Grace’s home, exuding overly formal elegance to mirror their up-tight personalities.

Photography by Houzz

Bloodline

The production team including Scott P. Murphy (Production Designer), Jason Stewart (Art Director), and Bill Cimino (Set Decoration) focused entirely on the details. The story is based in Islamadora, an island along the south strip of Florida, so you certainly feel relaxing tones of the Floridian Keys’ lifestyle. The show’s center of attention and activity resides in the kitchen, so the production team made the effort to make this set the heart of the show. They ensured the kitchen appliances, including the stove and the sink, represented the decades the home lived through.

Photography via Scott P. Murphy

There’s a proliferation of consignment platforms offering design enthusiasts new ways to buy and sell furniture and accessories online. One of many is Viyet – and what makes them different? Their exceptional dedication to service and mission to empower designers of the trade. Viyet has a trade program offering designers 15% off all orders, and a curator/client-relations team providing one-on-one services. After a finished project, they’ll even feature your designs, furnished with Viyet’s pieces, on their homepage and blog. Here, Viyet shares details about their curation strategy, relationships with interior designers, and what’s next for 2017.

How does Viyet offer a white-glove service experience for online consignment?
Our goal is to make selling furniture online as easy as possible by taking the hassle out of consignment. Through our network of skilled curators across the country, we are able to take care of every step of the consignment process, from photography and pricing, to coordinating pick-up and delivery to the buyers. Our consignors can rest easy knowing they are in the hands of experts while we find the right buyers for their pieces.

Photo courtesy of Viyet

ELLE Decor named Viyet “the best place to buy furniture online”. Why is now the time to consign?
Through our partnerships with top designers and editors, we have been able to cultivate a savvy audience of active buyers who appreciate great design, ensuring that our consignors receive the highest possible return on their investment. These buyers are on the hunt for unique pieces that will make their home stand out, but they don’t want to wait the 4+ months it can take to have a custom sofa delivered. This is why Viyet has become so compelling to the design buyer – we offer a large yet curated selection of brands from the top end of market, all for 40-80% below retail prices along with the added benefit of immediate shipping.

Viyet seems to roll-out its “consigning” opportunities one city at a time – what is Viyet’s curation strategy?
We want to be where the designers are. This means having curators present where there are robust designer communities, which includes the usual suspects like New York and Los Angeles, as well as places like Charlotte with its close proximity to High Point, NC. Given the fact that this is a highly relationship-driven business, we don’t want to rush our expansion, but are instead taking the time to get to know the local designers and earn their trust one community at a time.

As a company, why does Viyet focus on the high-end category vs. the full spectrum of pre-owned pieces?
High-end furnishings are defined by better quality materials and craftsmanship, two factors that preserve re-sale value over time. We want to make sure our selection represents the best of the best, and by focusing on top brands with a reputation for excellence, we are able to make sure that our products will still look good and function as intended for many years to come. Our product is original and one of a kind. This creates additional demand from consumers who appreciate custom pieces.

Tell us about some interesting partnerships you are proud of…
We are excited about our most recent partnership with Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles Magazine. We partnered with Editor in Chief Elizabeth Ralls, designer Beth Webb and blogger Jennifer Boles to put together an elegant evening celebrating Viyet’s launch in the Atlanta market.  The dinner was a great way for top designers in the city to mix and mingle and talk about their projects. Elizabeth guest edited and picked her must have’s from our site, while Beth Webb was featured on our home page and across all of our digital channels.

What are your best-selling categories and styles?
Our top categories are seating, tables and accessories for different reasons. Accessories are fun and an easy way to spruce up a room.  They instantly change the way you perceive a space and can make a statement about how you are feeling at a given time of year. Tables and seating are higher ticket items but the values are so incredible and our discerning consumers understand that.

Photography courtesy of Viyet

Who are some of the up & coming designers and manufacturers that have been making a splash in 2016?
We are excited about new talents on the scene like Antonino Buzzetta, Henry & Co, and Drew McGukin. But we also love partnering with seasoned designers that are always working to create incredible homes like foley & cox and Jay Jeffers.

How does the Viyet interior designer membership program differ from other trade programs out there?
Like many programs, we offer a discount on all merchandise for designers (15% in our case). Where we differ is in our approach to service. We have a team of brand ambassadors who are dedicated to helping our trade clients find exactly the piece(s) they are looking for, and making sure the fulfillment process is as smooth as possible post-purchase. We are also always looking for ways to help our trade members build their own brands by featuring their work on our homepage, email campaigns, blog features and more.

Photo courtesy of Viyet

Why do interior designers like shopping on Viyet?
First, the fact that every item on our site has been personally vetted by a curator takes a lot of the x risk factor out of buying items online. Designers can shop confidently knowing that each item is accurately described. Second, our trade buyers recognize that we offer a way to make their budgets go even further without sacrificing quality. By shopping Viyet, designers can find investment pieces from brands like Holly Hunt, Baker, and Donghia at Restoration Hardware prices. Because everything is ready to ship immediately, we also offer an easy way to find last minute finishing touches that can be delivered in a matter of weeks instead of months.

What are 4 tips of “best practices” to offer interior designers for making the most out of Viyet?
Check new arrivals early and often: we release new product every Monday and Thursday. Our best items sell within a matter of hours, so act fast!

Make an offer: many consignors are willing to negotiate, giving you an opportunity to get an even better deal.

Refer your client’s old furniture to us. Instead of figuring out how to shoehorn that old table or regrettable impulse buy, refer your client to consign with us and increase their design budget.

Look for our to-the-trade only emails that highlight certain promotions and additional on-site discounts.

What’s Viyet’s focus for 2017?
Our focus now is on scaling our inventory selection and continuing to provide high quality supply to meet buyer demand. We are doing this by unlocking inventory from key design hubs around the US (and ultimately the world) from individuals, designers, and manufacturers themselves. We are now curating inventory in the New York Tri-State area, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and South Florida with many more locations to come.

Here are some of our favorite humble and over-the-top presidential vacation and post-term homes.

Bill and Hillary Clinton recently purchased this ranch-style home next to their home in Chappaqua, NY

Photos by Trulia

Both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have stayed at the luxurious Ladue Estate in Missouri

Photos by Steven B. Smith

Currently, JFK & Jackie Kennedy’s Virginia retreat is on the market

Photos by Mona Botwick

This Circa-1700 Farmhouse in Dutchess County, NY, housed by Hebert Hoover, George Washington and Calvin Coolidge to name a few

Photos by Estately

Oahu Lani, the gorgeous beachfront estate the Obama’s resided in while Barack ran for President in August, 2008

Photos by Ron Dennis

Richard Nixon’s White House in the west, aka “La Casa Pacifica”

Sotheby’s International Realty