In a profession dominated by women, a set of men stand out as leading interior designers in the American West. WHJ introduces readers to five designers whose influences are rooted in the West but who have made impacts coast to coast. Their firms have garnered national attention and awards, influencing design from the ranches and ski enclaves of the Rockies, to flats in New York City, to executive residences in California.
We encourage you to read the full article here.
American Society of Interior Designers, Georgia
GOLD- Residential New Construction – Bath
The design of the bathrooms focus on context and flow. Within the residence are the private spaces for the couple- individual bathrooms and dressing parlors, gym, massage room and two courtyards, one with an outdoor shower. The hallways create direct connections to different rooms so one can close the doors and not impede access to any other room or the outdoor courtyard.
On the gentleman’s side, there is a grand presentation of Blanco Trajane and Nuvolato Etrusco marble. The cabinetry is in hand-carved gunstock walnut and accented with an antique Italian Arts & Crafts mirror with unique inlays and modeled edges, c. 1900. Likewise, the room extends into a handsome dressing parlor finished in gunstock walnut paneling and includes many fine custom details for wardrobing and daily inspiration such as the 1950 c. bronze helmet sculpture.
On the lady’s side, opulence begins with the plaster walls in a lime wash finish and the ceiling of wood coffers complemented with an antique mirror. The vanity top is Calacutta Manhattan as are the mirror surround and door casings. To the right of the vanity is a Michel Salerno “Iron Eye,” France, 2016, a unique handmade mirror of forged steel, bronze and black nickel.
The space continues into a dressing parlor, an extension of her boudoir. The antique French white oak vanity holds a rare table-top braided clear glass frame with gold inclusions by Venini. Italy c. 1936, a custom wall mirror in 4k Gold leaf Stettheimer pattern, a custom Fisher Weisman Acanthus Minor Bench, and custom rug with bronze inlay.
American Society of Interior Designers, Georgia
GOLD- Residential New Construction 7000+ sq ft.
The owner’s international lifestyle, interest in history, admiration of craftsmanship from many eras, and appreciation of the property’s natural elements serve as inspiration to the interior design execution. Thus the curated collection includes such diverse elements as rare gunstock walnut paneling, ancient Egyptian porphyry and millennia-old Roman stones, ancient sinker cypress, hand-rubbed plaster walls, and local handcrafted metal and woodwork.
Although newly constructed, the ranch house harkens back to a time when extraordinary craftsmanship and the use of rare materials culminated in homes built for generations. The owner gave the interior designer one dictate: “make it look collected and curated through time.” To that end, the designer spent five years traveling the globe to curate and source art, artifacts, and antiques while amassing finishes and furnishings.
American Society of Interior Designers, Georgia
GOLD- Residential New Construction – Outdoor Living
The Texas ranch’s topography and ecosystems included lush green hills, grassy plains, a pristine river, a 12-acre lake, and scattered wetlands. Time is spent in the outdoor kitchen, lounging and dining areas.
Carlos Motta Espasso collection guide the furnishings surround the patios, pool deck, sitting areas, and outdoor dining. The appreciation for a collected design approach includes an ancient Roman Cipollino block serving as an outdoor bench.
The land adjacent to the residence’s grounds is an enclosed game preserve and the owner desired a viewing location without disturbing them. The interior of the rondavel has seemingly simple furnishings. Upon closer inspection, the “simplicity” of the interiors reveals that thoughtfulness of the selections- a custom ‘bench’ made of ancient cypress harvested regionally, animal hide floor coverings, a primitive chopping block- Late 19th C., custom bar stools, woven rugs, and light fixture sitting on shelves like in a traditional Southwest adobe dwelling.
American Society of Interior Designers, Georgia
GOLD- Residential New Construction 3,500-7000 sq ft.
Nestled along the bank of the Beaverhead River in Montana, this sportsman’s lodge provides its owner and his guests a retreat from their busy lives. The maverick embodies the Western spirit and as such there are long days out in the wilderness to be followed by lively evenings at home. The deep connection between the surrounding landscape and the interior environment is evidenced by the dedicated use of wood and stone throughout the home, the same elements found in the surrounding environment.
The living room where people gather is outfitted in warm natural tones and materials that stand-up to the rugged lifestyle. The custom hand-hammered iron chandelier; mohair, leather, and fur upholstery; antique French fruitwood cocktail table; custom leather Jean De Merry lounge chair next to the fireplace; and a unique floor lamp from Senegal in venne wood, all add stylish layers to the rustic interior. Though this space may seem too luxurious for dusty boots, performance materials and rugged furnishings were thoughtfully planned to live up to the client’s day.
This outdoorsman knows how to soak into the natural surroundings to disconnect and re-charge. His space, true to the region’s history and environment, reflects the same.
Rod Lewis, the owner of the incredible Rancho Grande Sabino, challenged us to build a home that will last forever. The architecture reflects generations of Texas ranch life and draws on South African and Dutch influences, but to us this meant the interiors had to live up to the past as well as the future. As the article in the latest edition of Western Art & Architecture states, we were “able to source pieces that were used appropriately — but, more importantly, held a strong story — by working with a network of art and antique dealers around the world.” Every piece of art, furniture, and stone was specifically curated for its purpose and they came together to create a legacy.
Bill recently sat down with Western Home Journal to discuss, among other things, Rocky Mountain interior design. He reflected “Design in the American West didn’t originate in a vacuum; it evolved over hundreds of years with disparate influences. Native Americans knew the raw materials of the land and the power of nature. Their wisdom and world view influence how things are in harmony with the land. Europeans via the East Coast arrived as explorers and homesteaders, bringing their own influences of building techniques. As a designer, how do I mix the elements that honor the diverse cultures of the West? The combinations are endless and we start with the location and the client’s vision.”
Our north star is always creating spaces that reflect the client’s personality and lifestyle. At the end of the day, it’s not really what the room looks like, it’s how it feels and how comfortable you are living there. We see inspiration all around us – particularly in the western landscape. The challenge is honoring that, while also creating harmony within for the client.
We encourage you to read the full article here.
“Standing Guard”
Hand-toned gelatin silver photograph
From the book, BISON; Portrait of an Icon by photographer Audrey Hall and writer Chase Reynolds Ewald
We’ve collaborated with Audrey and Chase for years and we are excited for their latest creation, BISON. Every year we celebrate an artist and so we were thrilled when our dear friend Audrey said “Yes, of course!” to “Standing Guard” being this year’s celebrated art.
The first of its kind and winner of a 2021 National Outdoor Book Award, BISON tells the story of this iconic species through the photography of Audrey Hall and writings of Chase Reynolds Ewald. With a foreword from the Emmy award winning filmmaker John Heminway and perspectives by Montana Poet Laureate Henry Real Bird, this 224-page hard bound and slipcased volume is a fitting tribute to an American icon.
Audrey Hall is an internationally exhibited and collected artist with a dozen design books to her name. She brings the rigor of her fine arts background to the challenges of creativity, resulting in a growing collection of books, images, films, installations, and music.
We look forward to our next collaboration!
Whether we are working out West or in the middle of Manhattan, we always approach a project with the same guiding principles – authenticity and environment. We are driven by the location’s topography, climate and culture while seeking to create designs that speak to the user, not just aesthetically but also emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.
We are humbled to be recognized for our work and our philosophy in this month’s Western Home Journal. Drawing a comparison between Peace Design and a master mixologist, the article reflects on a variety of projects – prepared for different people in different locations. Some clients like their cocktail shaken and some like it stirred. Regardless of the method, the goal is the same: to create harmony within.
We congratulate ADAC on 60 years of excellence and we are proud to be a part of the Atlanta design community. Our office is located in the hub of some of the best design expertise and resources in the South –helping us create beautiful interiors for our clients nationwide.
