Shop Talk
Three industry professionals choose their favorites from the A&D Building.
Alan Tanksley is one of America’s leading practitioners of residential design, detailed interior space planning, and custom furniture and fixture design. An expert colorist, Tanksley makes every interior space both sophisticated and relaxing. Working relationships with such leading architects as Maya Lin, James Dayton, Robert Orr and Harry Elson has enabled his firm to realize a wide range of architectural renovations. In addition to residential design, the firm also does hospitality and commercial design, and has worked closely on a number of projects with developers such as National Resources and Alchemy. alantanksley.com
Left: I foresee Artistic Tile’s Kauri porcelain tile popularly used as a dynamic complement to the clean lines of today’s contemporary architectural interiors. Right: The Mirto Outdoor Lounge Chair by B&B Italia really caught my eye. Over the years Antonio Citterio’s clean, architectural approach to furniture design is a seamless match to my aesthetic.
Left: DRUMMONDS: I thought I’d seen every variation of Usk, a classically proportioned bathtub. However, cladding the exterior in hammered copper has revitalized my interest in placing this form within current and future projects. Right: Placing a circular carpet in any room serves as a bullseye, drawing the eye to a focal point. Edward Fields’ timeless Astra Shag -1 design captures the dynamic spirit of Art Deco’s finest designers, elegantly updated for use in today’s rooms.
Left: The Mesa Swivel Chair isn’t the latest chair on the market from Holly Hunt, but has been a favorite of mine for years. The smaller scale serves in a variety of functions and room settings. Plus, who doesn’t love a swivel chair? Center: Latooc Designs’ Urta Chair, from Florense, brilliantly inspired by Brazil’s renowned mid-century design icons may well be my new go-to chair. Its graceful lines and obvious comfort calls for the attention of today’s designers. Right: Just when I thought I’d seen every variation of countertop edge profiles, Poliform proves me wrong. The Artex kitchen adds another welcome addition to their classic contemporary kitchen designs.
Brooklynite Frida Kamau was born in Kenya and has lived in Oaxaco, Mexico, and London. She is a true multi-hyphenate who studied Fine Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), and designs interiors, gardens, event spaces, and does live installations for events. She is also the founder of Soko Africanus, a curated emporium focused on importing textiles, home accessories, jewelry, and art from her native Africa, made with natural and upcycled materials and traditional techniques. fridakamau.com
Left: What a clever solution for wet walls you wish you could wallpaper. The screenprinting gives Hastings Tile & Bath’s Flora Equatoriale porcelain tile a textile feel and I love the delicate lines and muted colors. Right: Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring’s Hickory is probably the best aged wood finish I’ve seen and the stain selection in satin finish feels and looks time worn. The carbon footprint is low and the tree selection is environmentally sensitive.
Left: I love how Nolte Küchen’s Black T11 material can still feel warm even in black. I would love this in a modern farmhouse but I can also see it in a posh bar. Right: I broil about half the time I cook but when you cook for two a full range oven seems like a waste of energy. This Wolf toaster oven from Sub-Zero/Wolf is a workhorse that would fit in a commercial kitchen or summer outpost.
Left: If a 1920s film was a wall, it would be Artistic Tile’s Flute Deco Nero. The simple vertical lines together with the curve of this black marble is so sensual. Instantly glamorous and timeless. Center: What a delightful way to bring natural stone in vibrant color into the space. Poliform’s Ilda table has a jewelry-like metal base, and is both romantic and timeless. Right: The lines of the arms and legs of Holly Hunt’s Gigi chair remind me of a chair with horn legs. I can see it in a modern hunting cabin! And the recline is so gentle and comfy.
Daun Curry Since starting her eponymous firm in 2009, Daun Curry’s projects have ranged from luxurious loft-like penthouses in New York City and Las Vegas, to season-ready Hamptons homes, and beach-side getaways in California—each spelling a narrative rich in layers and nuances. While Curry is known for incorporating unique finishes, textures, and materials that enhance the delicate balance between shapes, color, light, and shade, the clients’ history and lifestyle remains the impetus for each design. dauncurry.com
Left: The Zephyr Noir collection from Artistic Tile was designed by my dear friend Alison Rose. The texture and undulating shapes are so sleek and sexy. I can imagine it lining the walls of everything from a chic foyer to a sophisticated game room. Right: I’m obsessed with the Castle Benton cocktail tables from Holly Hunt. I love that they are both sculptural and functional and can be layered for a more dramatic effect, or stand alone as a singular statement.
Left: I discovered Fernando Mastrangelo’s artwork a few years ago at Surf Lodge in Montauk, so I was super excited for his rug collaboration with Edward Fields. My favorite is Fracture I, with its ombre hues and sculpted details, it weaves a geographic narrative within its commanding visual appeal. Center: The Art Deco Thames vanity basin from Drummonds is classic and timeless, and features exquisite marble panelling and a lower shelf, making it a beautiful and practical vanity for any setting. Right: The JennAir RISE Dual Fuel Range has obsessive craftsmanship crowned with indulgent details that encompass the reverse- knurled handle and two tone brushed bronze knobs and geometric grates.
Left: Designed by Mario Bellini, the Camaleonda modular sofa from B&B Italia has defined the aesthetics of an entire era of interior design. It has unlimited modularity and a geometric pattern that allows each element to become a sort of enormous pixel through which to define your home environment. Right: The Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring Retreat collection in Meditation is a frequent go-to. I’m always drawn to the soft, relaxing hues of White Oak, and the beautiful artisan cuts and natural beauty of this flooring.