AT HIS TRIBECA SHOWROOM, INCOLOUR Martin Kesselman leads in color coaching his clients, helping them select a color palette that reflects their lifestyle, personality, and space. “We are really trying to create a story or mood for their space.”
As a native New Yorker, Kesselman had a front row seat to the city’s ever-evolving art scene, especially within his childhood neighborhoods, Chelsea and Brooklyn. “I always had the drive to be creative but I never wanted to be a struggling artist, so I became an entrepreneur in color,” he says. He developed a fascination for design while working at art galleries in lower Manhattan. “I got to know some of the art collectors and was intrigued by how they were displaying big contemporary art in a gallery-esque way in their homes,” he explains.
TriBeCa, he says, is undergoing an art movement. “This is the next place it is going to happen. I like a little grit, I like diversity, and I think it’s inspiring to be around all of these artists. I still consider myself one. I still like getting my hands dirty.”
Kesselman’s showroom is part gallery, part workshop, part traditional paint store, and color drives the aesthetic. The storefront is equipped with workspaces to invite designers, architects, and clients to work alongside him when evaluating color. “The house of color, as I sometimes call it, has the best of the best,” he says. “I wanted other designers to come and bring clients, fabrics, plans, and to spend time with me and utilize my color tools. It’s not often that you can walk in off the street and speak with a design professional and get expert advice.”
Kesselman is adept at creating moods by playing with finish and texture in addition to color. He also utilizes areas that are often overlooked like the ceiling, “the 5th wall.” He uses color to not only complement the art inside homes but to create it himself. His passion for his subject is all-encompassing—from designing interiors to imagining entirely new colors in his role as ambassador with luxury paint brand Farrow and Ball. His latest creation, Elliyah, is a peaceful, nuanced white, an antidote to the frenetic pace of downtown living. This dreamy hue is a reminder to clients—and Kesselman himself—to slow down.
Peace and livability are two ideas Kesselmen stressed in creating a new set of Fine Paints of Europe colors tailored specifically for Downtown living. These selections contrast the busy and lively streets of New York with comforting neutrals. “Some colors are complex and living with them is a more active experience. This is about finding balance,” Kesselman says. “People have busy lives, myself included, and sometimes you just want to escape, or you want to go home and feel serenity. That’s what I want for my clients, to have a pleasant and happy experience.”
To see how Martin Kesselman leads in color coaching, visit incolour.life.
Interior designer Purvi Padia is giving back with Project Lion, a humanitarian effort that marries her professional life and personal passions.
INTERIOR DESIGNER PURVI PADIA has a lot to celebrate. This year marks her eponymous firm’s 10-year anniversary, and she has recently taken a successful leap into humanitarian work with Project Lion.
As a first generation Indian-American, Padia recognized that she had access to opportunities unavailable to many, especially in her parents’ country of origin. “Everything that I’ve done in life has been informed by this first generation hard-working mentality, never forgetting what my roots are and where I come from,” says Padia.
Growing up, she made frequent trips to India with her family, where she quickly became aware of her privileges. She recalls seeing children on the street who had not eaten for days. “I could not reconcile why those children who looked exactly like me had such different lives.” As an adult she knew she wanted to help, so she contacted government-run orphanages, intending to provide donations and assistance. Instead, she was met with a lack of transparency.
After years of feeling powerless, Padia had her light bulb moment. She was inspired by the movie Lion based on Saroo Brierley’s memoir, A Long Way Home, a true story about a young boy’s journey from Australia to India to find his lost family. She began speaking with humanitarian aid organizations. She connected with UNICEF and founded Project Lion to address the issue of displaced orphans in India. “Together with UNICEF, we came up with a three year plan to serve the first 200,000 of these 1.5 million orphans,” she said.
Today, Padia and UNICEF are actively working together in order to not only ensure that these children are given access to sanitation, healthcare, education, and nutrition, but also that they are guaranteed human rights. UNICEF is working closely with the Indian government in order to train social workers, as well as to institute practices and regulations that ensure care for future generations of at-risk children.
Project Lion launched this May at the Highline Hotel, hosted by Sienna Miller and Jenna Bush Hager, and raised over $850,000 for the initiative. Padia, in collaboration with Aguirre Design, created the Sinha (Lioness) Bowl, a limited-edition, hand-forged brass, footed bowl that embodies Indian design. The bowl is available on her website and 30 percent of the proceeds will go directly to Project Lion.
As Padia gears up for her first field visit to India this fall, her kids are begging to tag along. “It’s very important for children to understand that as humans we have this obligation to help the rest of humanity whenever we can, and to show empathy and compassion,” said Padia.
As for the future of this project, Padia has big plans, including design events coinciding with Indian holidays to raise awareness. While this humanitarian effort is an international one, Padia’s passion has found a home downtown.
The gradual onset of the cooler weather tends to tease the much-anticipated comforts many of us look forward to all year long. From intimate fireside conversations to curling up with a glass of wine or a good book under a lush throw, the enjoyment of the season is only enhanced by the gorgeous colors of the fall foliage from the vantage point of the home.
So when Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams announced their soon-to-come Fall Collection—the New Modern—we waited with delight. It did not disappoint.
Designed with intention, each beautifully crafted furnishing is meant to elevate the way we live—today. It’s the brand’s version of modern, with each piece exuding a warm yet architectural nature that invites conversation and comfort while emanating an understated, yet unavoidable, clean-lined elegance.
To showcase a behind-the-scenes take on what defines the New Modern, we sat down with Allison O’Connor, President, and CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, to get an unvarnished look at the breadth of the collection and some insight into the inspiration behind some of our favorite pieces. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did!
Downtown: How would you describe the essence of the new Fall Collection?
Allison O’Connor, President & CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: Our Fall Collection focuses on warm and welcoming design with an architectural appeal, a blend of beautiful craftsmanship, and timeless style. We’re drawn to elements that both look and feel luxurious—like the deep and generous cushions in our sophisticated Montauk Sectional, so tailored yet still inviting. We’ve also been excited to work with even more exceptional materials this season. Our Hayes Dining Table, for example, is inspired by mid-century Italian design and features a stunning contrast of American walnut and lightly antiqued brass sheeting. You’ll find that a lot of thoughtful, design-driven detail has gone into this collection.
Decorative Pillows.
And at the heart of everything, of course, is customization: We love to see our customers express their own design voice through our brand, whether it’s choosing a favorite fabric from our exclusive Kravet library, or unique details like nailhead and finish.
Downtown: How did your definition of the New Modern inspire the direction of the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Most of us have experienced some major lifestyle shifts recently, and a lot of that has centered around home—how we interact with space at home, what home means for us. We’ve built deeply personal bonds with our concept of home, and at the design level, it has inspired us to consider how fresh, relevant design can elevate the way we live. This is the basis for the New Modern: It’s a deep reverence for living in the present, and for a customizable design that becomes part of the fabric of our homes, part of those memories we make. For us, it’s about creating interiors that are aesthetically pleasing but also support our busy lifestyles and families.
Keane Dining Table & Chairs.
Downtown: The cushions on the Montauk Modular Sectional look incredibly comfortable—while maintaining a very sophisticated yet casual look. What are some of the details that went into achieving the look and feel of the sofa?
Allison O’Connor: We conceptualized our Montauk Sectional to look effortlessly elevated, yet still be an irresistibly inviting place for everyone to gather thanks to its exceptionally versatile design. We love its Turkish corner cushions and deeply angled back—they create a very tailored yet sculptural appearance. We added a wood plinth base to complete the look with an understated foundation, and also offer some additional opportunities for customization with more than 20 wood finishes and over 600 fabrics.
Montauk 4-Piece Sectional.
Downtown: We particularly love the warmth of the Keane dining chair and the beach-vibe sophistication of the Portia Dining Chair (can’t you see this in an expansive Hamptons dining room with views of the ocean?). What do you most love about these two designs and what inspired their shape for this particular collection?
Allison O’Connor: Yes—absolutely, ocean views and all! Our Keane and Portia dining chairs are perfect examples of multifunctional sophisticated seating. Both have a fresh, modern feel that complements almost any style of the dining room, office, entry, or bedroom while enveloping you in an extremely comfortable sit. Keane, in particular, has a modern floating curved back and warm solid-maple wood frame accented with a plush seat and back that can be customized in fabric or leather. And the Portia Dining Chair is a modern slip-covered barrel chair for easy-care dining. With its loose seat and comfortable curved back, Portia is perfect for casual dining settings. And you can customize in a choice of hundreds of fabrics.
Portia Dining Chairs + Vann Dining Table.
Downtown: We are obsessed with pairing the Portia Dining Chair with the Vann Dining Table. What would be your ideal color palettes/finishes when using them together?
Allison O’Connor: I love that style pairing. Portia and Vann nicely balance uncomplicated form with a sophisticated feel. I like dining rooms to feel airy and relaxed, to gather my family and friends and share a meal together, and warm neutrals are a wonderful way to set the tone. For Portia, I’d choose MG+BW exclusive performance linen in Flax, a warm and grounded fabric that’s very family-friendly and also easy to care for. To complement that, I love the idea of our Vann Dining Table in the Weathered Oak finish—it really emphasizes its unique grain patterns from reclaimed wood.
Spindle Chair.
Downtown: We love the height and look of the Spindle chair. What types of frame finishes and fabric choices are available?
Allison O’Connor: You can customize our Spindle Chair from more than 600 fabrics and 40 types of leather, including performance fabrics, velvets, linens, chenille, and boucle. That also includes exclusive access to Kravet fabrics that were previously only available to designers. We also have more than 20 unique wood finishes to work with.
The beauty of Spindle is its exceptional craftsmanship—it features this very classic yet timeless turned-wood detailing, and it evokes a distinctive aesthetic depending on the finish. Choose something dark and smoky like Storm and you instantly have a very dramatic and modern piece or try something a bit rich and warm like Toffee and the chair evokes a very different kind of character. The spindle has unique upholstered details, as well, that add striking contrast against the frame—so choosing any favorite fabric is going to stand out beautifully.
Niles Bed.
Downtown: The Niles bed looks particularly enveloping. Is it as comfortable as it looks? What do you most love about it?
Allison O’Connor: Niles is the ultimate bed to choose for serene, cocoon-like comfort. It’s designed in a curved, overstuffed batwing silhouette with a sheltering headboard and rails that seem to wrap around you. It also features finely tailored seams that bring a level of sophistication without losing its warmth. I think it appeals to an instinctive part of us, almost like a hug. It’s just lovely. And that’s how a bedroom should feel—a sanctuary where we go to relax, recharge, and feel nurtured. If you want to experience our Niles Bed in the most luxurious way possible, customize it in a soft fabric like performance luxe velvet. You might not want to get out of bed in the morning.
Downtown: We love the Margaux Full Swivel Side Chair and its midcentury vibe—what inspired adding a much-loved swivel feature to such a gorgeous chair?
Margaux Swivel Chair.
Allison O’Connor: Our Margaux Side Chair is a much-loved part of the collection, with influence from mid-century Italian design. It’s already a fluid piece of furniture, with a svelte and smartly scaled frame that complements dining rooms, home offices, and entertainment areas of all dimensions. Then we realized that we could bring fresh appeal to this favorite by making it a swivel, so that this chic little accent chair can suddenly, truly, sit anywhere in style. The swivel version features a sleek metal base in two choices of finish, and we created a matching swivel ottoman to celebrate the design.
Downtown: The Tate Dining Table is a favorite—is the oak finish as textured as it looks? How many people can it comfortably accommodate?
Allison O’Connor: Yes, that fantastic texture is actually a striking sunburst veneer pattern over carbon oak. Our Tate Dining Table balances two key elements perfectly—modern minimalism and natural materials—in a very sleek and clean design. It has a tapered central column that you can comfortably seat six people around, so it’s a smart, design-forward choice for a dining room or an open-concept kitchen.
Tate Buffet.
Downtown: The Tate Buffet exemplifies everything we are loving about cane these days! What inspired the use of this material?
Allison O’Connor: The exquisite detail of materiality is centric to our design ethos. Our Tate Collection’s star material is carbon oak. It has this rich, varied texture that adds so much depth and character. The woven cane front of our Tate Buffet gave us an opportunity to juxtapose two very distinctive, natural textures to create a functional piece that feels at once organic and modern while balancing the drama of unrelieved black with some lightness.
Blake Media Console.
Downtown: The Blake Media Console shows a bit of a departure from the rest (at least in terms of the color palette). What do you most love about its place in the collection?
Allison O’Connor: Blake is a bold statement piece. Consoles can easily become the focal point in a room whether they’re staged in an entryway, office, living room or dining area, so we had some fun imagining how color, material and shape all command attention. Blake is built in the style of modern campaign furniture, so it has that inherent sense of functional structure and purpose. And to that, we added striking denim blue and satin brass hardware accents as a way to balance masculine form with a very fashion-forward concept. It’s completely unique in this season’s collection, and we love the personality that it brings to any space.
Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug.
Downtown: The Hazel Flatweave Jute Rug adds the perfect pop of color to almost any design in the collection. What inspired the color palette and what would you pair it with?
Allison O’Connor: It’s a beautiful accent, isn’t it? Hazel is one of the exceptional creations from our partnership with Obeetee, who is world-renowned for handmade rugs and carpets. They share a lot of our values, including respect for artisan craft, natural material, and a sustainable manufacturing process. Hazel is made from extremely soft jute so it’s not going to be scratchy underfoot, and the color palette evokes a cool vintage vibe through desaturated colors in warm, earthy tones. The geometric pattern is very current, but Hazel also has a relaxed feel to it, so it helps to set the tone in a modern casual space.
We love it paired with our Vann Dining Table, which has similar geometric lines and a natural look and feel. Grounding the space around our Montauk Sectional is also a great, harmonious look. But we want people to experiment, too, with their own design vision. Hazel is a very adaptable rug to any space—tell us where you’d put it!
Downtown: What are a couple of your favorite accessories in the collection? We cannot get over the Antwerp Boucle Throw in Camel!
Antwerp Boucle Throw.
Allison O’Connor: The Antwerp Boucle Throw is one of my favorites, as well. It’s so incredibly cozy, and something as simple as a boucle texture adds so much depth and character when it’s thrown over a sofa, armchair, chaise, or bed. Another favorite is our collection of Italian Carrara Marble barware—there’s a set of coasters, a lovely and curvaceous champagne bucket, and a large round serving tray. Carrara has a luminous lightness to it, and very faint striations in the stone. It’s a favorite of ours to work with because it adds such richness to a room without being overwhelming.
We also have a partnership with Lost Art Salon and an exclusive collection that we’ve curated with them that I love. Lost Art Salon brings rediscovered art to the public from history and underrepresented groups, with an emphasis on 20th Century Modernism. Our collection features striking watercolors, prints, and photography—modern pieces that reflect a unique vantage point through the lens of the artist.
Ojai Woven Leather Pillows.
Downtown: What are your favorite elements of the collection and which design would you take home with you today?
Allison O’Connor: I really do love how well our Fall Collection embraces modern design that’s completely approachable. Our Giselle Collection is a perfect example of that—it’s a luxurious statement collection, with gentle curves and an elegant profile that makes for gathering and igniting conversations. And the attention to detail speaks so eloquently to the craftsmanship of our artisans. Yet it’s also warm, generous, utterly comfortable—something you can sink into at the end of a long day without feeling like such a glamorous piece is off-limits for every day. Our furniture is made to be enjoyed. I’d take home everything in the Giselle Collection today.
As the cooler months approach, decadent daydreams consisting of lounging poolside or sipping a rosé near the vineyard’s vines are slowly slipping away. Instead, fantasies of ambient fireplaces, plush throws, and cozy, cloud-like beds designed for repose and relaxation are easing back in. Below, we tapped luxury Italian brand Society Limonta for some easy-to-incorporate tips on how to design the perfect bed for both summer and fall!
1) Layers, Layers, and More Layers!
Layering is one of the easiest ways to increase visual interest, combine textures, and add in contrasting colors and/or prints. It’s also one of the best ways to make sure your bed is ready for both a chilly summer night and a warm fall evening. Topping off layered bedding with a complementing throw blanket at the end of the bed is always a nice touch. It can easily be placed aside or brought into use for that extra bit of warmth. Items such as our Ted Throw take up minimal space yet can provide much more warmth than you’d expect from such a lightweight design. Meanwhile, our Multi Plaid throw’s soft alpaca boucle and wool blend body offer’s a bit more warmth and weight for the colder months.
2) Start With The Right Base!
If shades of neutrals are your palette of choice, start with a lighter base sheet and work your way up to the darker colors for an ombre appeal. If tone on tone holds more of an allure, throw in varying textures or gradations of the same shade for a cohesive yet more dimensional look. When introducing a vibrant or bold statement bed cover, make sure to start with a crisp white base. Doing so will make your outer layer pop and serve as the perfect foil. For those that love the surprise unveiling of a fun sheet set, our Raia Bed Sheet and OLS Flat Sheets play well with a large variety of our solids and patterns, yet offer some hidden personality. Fun fact: our garment-dyed REM Fitted Sheets are made of thermo-regulating linen that is ideal for all seasons.
3) Don’t Be Afraid of Pattern
Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns in large or small ways—pattern on pattern can create an incredibly striking look. If you’re new to blending varying designs together, find a unifying element within each pattern. Whether it’s color, scale, or a geometric aspect, find what ties them together and exploit it. The days of perfectly matching are gone—vary the scales of each pattern to draw the eye and create balance. In addition, incorporate solids in complementing colors to create a more harmonious look. Our Ottanio Big Throw and Nite Quilt offer a range of colors to match any aesthetic and perfectly offset any pattern/s.
4) Heap on the Pillows!
Who doesn’t love pillows? A couple of shams, two standard pillows, and two or three throw pillows can add just the right amount of interest and comfort. The more pillows you use, the more you can also play around with color and shade gradations in bedding choices. Pillows also offer the perfect opportunity to introduce a bold new color or a statement-making pattern. Our Nap Bee Set Federe not only plays well with solids but works with a variety of different colorways.
It is very distinct to live in a big town from living in a small town. Even if someone wishes to move to a big town, you have no chance to get a big home. You will have to plan your home for your family members as easily as possible if your house is a townhouse. A townhouse can be more elegant and fascinating than a big house. A townhouse can offer more fun and convenience than a large house if it is well built and tailored to your preference.
If you know how to plan the interior of the townhouse, do it. Look at any of the smart townhouse interior design ideas below to present a designer house yourself without investing a fortune. These ideas of townhouse interior design give a lovely appearance to your house.
1. An Artistic Entryway
If your townhome has a different entryway, have it decorated too. Hang various kinds of paintings, portraits, etc. on your wall. They can either be your family photos, portraits, or some good photographs of a series of scenes. You can even hang some good motivational images or quotes on the wall.
If you love pets, you can have pet portraits on your walls and celebrate all of your pet’s lovely memories for your life. CanvasPop will help you develop a portrait which beautifully represents your pet, and it’s personality. Here you can also have plants and small monuments if there is a wide entrance area. Stir in a nice mat to greet people warmly.
2. Stylish Bedroom
A Bedroom is a place where we spend much of our time at home, and this is why it’s interior must be planned carefully. It should be comfortable and cool if you have a spacious room to make yourself feel at home in a nice king size bed. Have elegant lighting to add a special touch. Don’t make your floor look flat, get a nice matt to add some beauty.
Have various items such as mirrors, dressing tables, etc. to give a stylish look to the bedroom. Mounting mirrors in your bedroom is one of the oldest tricks to design a bedroom. Mirrors offer an illusion of a larger space. It will add light to the room and allow fresh air. It brings charm without taking too much space in your townhouse bedroom. Windowsill can be used for lighting or supplementary storage. It provides additional illumination to the house.
3. An Outlandish Kitchen and Dining Room
Another smart interior design idea for your townhouse is an outlandish kitchen and a dining room. You can spice things better if you wish to spend your time in the kitchen. Use light colors to keep the walls of your kitchen look clean and vibrant. You don’t have to do many things to plan your townhouse kitchen. A stunning interior can be built only with the cabinet.
Photo by Mark McCammon from Pexels
Coloring your cabinet white gives it a smooth touch plus, and a dark hue will build a sense of a wide room. You can also use small round tables to conserve your room and select additional accessories for your townhouse kitchen. There is no other best place to have fun than the dining room of your townhome. Place colorful chairs around the table, perfect illumination producing a clear tone, and a set of vases blend with other special features to create an unquestionably modern dining room.
4. A Beautiful Living Room
The living room is the best place in the house where we relax with our families, take a look at our favorite tv shows, play, eat and have fun. The first area our visitors can see when they walk into the house is also the living room. We ought to decorate our living room in the best way to give a perfect first impression.
Get a fresh, contemporary touch with the trendy decor in the living room. Have nice sets of sofas, chairs, tables, plants, lighting, and antique displays for the ideal look of your house. Also, have elegant wall decorintheliving roomto change the look of the walls in the room.
5. A Pretty Bathroom
Typically, a townhome usually has a bathroom too. You should concentrate on designing it with proper storage, particularly by using the wall to put floating shelves. Make sure to have tiny windows to have proper lighting into your townhome bathroom.
Your bathroom space can have mirrored appliances, white towels, and polished countertops. However, the main emphasis of the entire bathroom space is on the glass-door shower. Therefore, a compact, spacious bathroom is much easier to get a gorgeous interior design in which you can provide white tiles and sleek illumination.
As many of us are purposely spending more time at home these days, a rising demand for interior enhancements has hit the market. And with it, comes a natural uncertainty of how to approach a design upgrade when the end goal is to work with a professional. Simply picking out luxurious new bedding or that plush sofa you have been pining after doesn’t always do the job.
But lucky for us, many designers have been working with remote clients for quite a long time—and it’s much more personal and collaborative than most would expect. To get a more rounded out picture, we spoke toTurett Collaborative’s Director of Interior Design Jessica Shaw, who shared some insight on the benefits of working virtually with an interior designer.
5 Benefits of Working with an Interior Designer in a Virtual World
by Jessica Shaw
See Your Desired Design in 3D Before You Commit
Designers are known for creating floor plans and mood boards, but a virtual world offers the opportunity to find a designer that can go beyond these traditional models. Search for one who is skilled in using 3D design software and can provide you with a virtual walk-thru of your newly desired environment. What was once a costly endeavor, now has become a competitive edge. Not only will you be able to see what your space will look like without having to “imagine” it, but this also allows you to adjust the design without making costly purchasing mistakes.
Access to an Informed Personal Shopper
While “shopping” has always been part of the job description for a designer, it’s more important now than ever before. If you are not comfortable going to a store, a designer can go for you. They also have access to private furniture lines and advanced knowledge of their products. Your designer can provide honest insights you need to make informed product decisions. Plus, they have access to samples and can send you materials and finishes for you to review without you ever having to leave the comfort of your own home.
The Mute Button is Your Money & Time-Saving Friend
Being proactive by prepping for your virtual call and utilizing the mute button can not only streamline the design process, but it can save you time and money when dealing with hourly rates. Whether you are the only one involved in the decision-making process or are consulting with others, use the mute button on virtual calls to honestly discuss in real-time what you like and don’t like for a more efficient meeting. Be sure to also ask your designer to send you the floor plans, ideas, and furniture suggestions before your call so you can review them and make more thoughtful decisions.
Insider tip: Since designers are visual people, share your design style, and taste digital by creating a Pinterest board or PPT presentation of images. This will not only save time on the initial design meeting, but it gives your designer a true sense of your taste. Be sure to also virtually introduce the people who live/work in the space and include information they might not otherwise “see” virtually. IE: if your partner is 6ft tall and you are 5 ft tall, that might not come across on camera and can be important when specifying furniture or hanging artwork. Or if your partner or kids are notorious for spilling on the rug every morning, make sure your designer knows to get a rug that’s easy to clean up. An added benefit: you might learn something new about yourself, your partner, or your family member.
Throw Out Your Calendar & Say Hello to a Scheduling Guru with a Deep Rolodex of Skilled Tradespeople
It is more important now than ever to know who is in your home, when they will be there, and to fully understand the installation, new construction, and renovation process. Does the painter come before the electrician or after? How do you know if the painter is a professional? As COVID-related issues have delayed this process, a skilled designer knows how to manage people and get them in and out in a more timely manner. Plus, since they have connections to and regularly work with professional installers, tradespeople and subcontractors you will get on the schedule faster.
Gain a Safety Advocate & Enforcer
It can be challenging and uncomfortable to enforce others to wear masks, shoe booties, gloves, and apply social distancing in your home. To take the burden off of yourself, your designer can act as your safety advocate and voice any concerns you might have. This could include implementing cleaning and safety protocols to ensure you are comfortable from start to finish.
