111 West 57th Street by Husband Wife | Photography by Nicole Franzen
We believe it’s almost impossible not to be influenced by design in some way. We strive to uncover ways in which design has a more indirect, unexpected, and subtle influence on our lives. We look for design in small things, such as the ethereal light streaming through a sheer curtain or the texture of a surface. To us, these elements impact the way we feel and live.
111 West 57th Street by Husband Wife | Photography by Nicole Franzen
Husband Wife co-founders Justin Capuco and Brittney Hart
To me, design provides the music to live by. It is also one of the biggest annoyances in my life. Outside of my work, I prefer things to be under-designed, imperfect and accessible. I think the most influential design experiences in my life have been the totally unintentional ones. I spent a lot of my youth skateboarding in the city, and that provided me with the most profound experience of architecture and community.
Akin Atelier founder Kelvin Ho
Casa Figueira by Luigi Rosselli Architects, Atelier Alwill and Buck and Simple | Photography by Prue Ruscoe
Casa Figueira by Luigi Rosselli Architects, Atelier Alwill and Buck and Simple | Photography by Prue Ruscoe
I love seeing how other people design. I find it really refreshing to experience other people’s thinking and tastes. When I’m staying at an Airbnb or in a hotel, for example, it’s interesting to see the different design solutions people have come up with. When something’s done really well, but simply, that’s when design is the most powerful.
Romy Alwill, founder of Atelier Alwill
Beyond the creative influence of design, I find it intellectually compelling. From the early days of my practice, I’ve drawn inspiration from historic Nordic and American design figures—notably, the ‘Swedish Grace’ movement, of which Axel Einar Hjorth and Gunnar Asplund were central figures in the 1920s. For early 20th-century American design, Paul Lazlo, Terrence Harold Gibbings, James Mont and Harvey Probber stand out. These influences, combined with my interest in storytelling through design, truly inform my aesthetic approach.
Pierre Yovanovitch in his New York Gallery | Photography by Stephen Kent Johnson
Los-Angeles based designer Kelly Wearstler
Great design can inspire, evoke emotion and elevate daily experiences. The environments we inhabit are intrinsically connected to our well-being. Each design choice can contribute to an uplifting experience, reshape our perspectives and refine how we present ourselves to the world.
Fashion is a key outlet for me to explore design outside of my professional practice. I approach my personal style much like I approach interior design—by juxtaposing contrasting styles and textures to introduce an element of material mixology. This fusion of elements results in a unique expression and reflection of the innate beauty that well-conceived design brings to every facet of life.
Art Scene by Kelly Wearstler | Photography by Ingalls Photography
I’m always travelling. Travel gives me energy. Wherever I am going, I make the time to visit an exhibition, an iconic house, an old church, a new hotel that’s just opened, or a restaurant; I love exploring the area around a project to get a sense of its ‘energy’. Nature is also a constant source of inspiration for me.
Interior designer Nathalie Deboel
Knokke House by Nathalie Deboel | Photography by Thomas De Bruyne
Nick Tobias, founder of Sydney-based practice Tobias Partners
Nick Tobias
Architect, Tobias Partners
Sydney, Australia
I have a particular love for contemporary art. It doesn’t influence me in a direct way per se, but it certainly gets me thinking more creatively. Film can also be a great source of inspiration for architects, and vice-versa I think for filmmakers. But the greatest inspiration for me would have to be nature; nature is the most extraordinary design of them all.
Nick Tobias’ Camp Cove home | Photography by Anson Smart
Nick Tobias’ Camp Cove home | Photography by Anson Smart
Benoît Viaene
Architect and designer, Benoît Viaene
Ghent, Belgium
I will start off by saying that I’m very in tune with what I do and don’t like. I’m very critical. Critical doesn’t mean negative, though. I’m at a stage of my career where I don’t look to be ‘fed’ ideas; when you are sure of what you want, it’s more of a feeling than an act of searching for something.
When I was a young designer, we only had library books. Young designers have all these resources at their fingertips—Instagram, Pinterest, online magazines, etcetera—but you have to be eager to explore! And don’t just copy and paste; make it your own.
Belgian architect and designer Benoît Viaene
Lake Como by Benoît Viaene | Photography by Piet-Albert Goethals
Lake Como by Benoît Viaene | Photography by Piet-Albert Goethals
In many ways, ‘design thinking’ is just about applying creative thought to solve contemporary problems. This works across all aspects of life, so I feel like my design training is embedded in how I think.
Like all architects, I also love travelling and experiencing new cities and architecture. My husband is also an architect, so our family holidays are often planned around looking at buildings. We have dragged the kids on Le Corbusier tours and to the Venice Biennale often. Seeing things that others may not notice can be a blessing and a curse when travelling!
Mansard House by Studio Bright | Photography by Rory Gardiner
Mansard House by Studio Bright | Photography by Rory Gardiner
Brahman Perera
Interior Designer
Melbourne, Australia
Design is holistic; it’s not just a collection of disparate parts. I try and engage with the different types of design that shape my micro and macro environments—from how I dress to my own home to my interest in theatre and the arts.
In my own practice, design encompasses far more than just interior design. A fragrance, for example, can contextualise a home setting, or a piece of music can inform a hospitality space. So it’s important I look for inspiration outside of the design world I work in.
Interior designer Brahman Perera
Terra House by Brahman Perera | Photography by Lillie Thompson
Terra House by Brahman Perera | Photography by Lillie Thompson
