In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Chris Benz likes to blur the line between fashion and interiors. In his projects, the New York designer behind Cult Projects draws on everything from the latest nail polish trends to archival fabric patterns. “I like to mix elements of the past with modern pieces,” he tells Business of Home. “The electricity of an unexpected combination of colors and textures is what really excites me.”
For his flat lay—inspired by the Long Island farmhouse project he’s currently working on—Benz employed a similar ethos. Using a blend of sophisticated materials and vintage motifs, he fostered a space that strikes a balance between fashion-forward and tongue-in-cheek. “The mood board has a baseline of neutral sophistication, but with a dash of bad taste,” he explains. “I just got back from Japan and found these terrific reissued midcentury tablewares with retro prints that feel so out of place among high-end finishes in the scheme.”
The final design reads equal parts of-the-moment and old-school, with characterful pops of graphic prints and flashy finishes, ranging from striped wallpapers to shiny brass wall plates. “Personality and thoughtfulness is always a through line in my work,” says Benz. “It’s really the thing that cannot be re-created by an algorithm, as any designer will tell you.”
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from gingham-patterned tile to a quiltlike wallcovering.
1. EXTRA-LARGE PULL HANDLES IN HEIRLOOM BRASS BY DEVOL
“I really can’t sacrifice on beautiful hardware, and deVOL’s is so tactile and satisfying to touch on a daily basis. The living finish of the heirloom brass tarnishes in such a magical way that is so honest in an old house.”
2. GAMBIT 5 MOSAIC ZELLIGE TILE IN BURNT SUGAR + AMBER + GLAZED EARTH BY ZIA TILE
“Zellige tile has been part of my aesthetic for quite some time, and it was exciting to see this update come through the pipeline. I love the concept of a gingham combined with a hard material like masonry—we’re using this as a shower floor, and I think it will be quite special paired with brass hardware.”
3. SOUP PLATES BY BDDW
“I was an early collector of BDDW ceramics. Even as a student at Parsons, it was always very special to me to be able to purchase a small cup or saucer to add to my assortment of mismatched beauties. Now I find such inspiration pulling them into my projects and presentations—and especially my dinner parties.”
4. NAIL POLISHES BY NAILBERRY
“I love color and accessories, and I’ve finally succumbed to trying out nail polish. Lots of the cool boys I saw in Tokyo recently had unusual nail polish colors, and Nailberry has very interesting ones to try.”
5. CALACATTA TURQUOISE MARBLE BY ABC STONE
“I installed a little jewel box kitchen recently at a project in Bellport, Long Island, for which the clients used a lively slab of Calacatta Turquoise stone, and it really turned out fantastic—somehow a wild stone pattern in a small space ends up looking just terrific.”
6. VENDOME SUNGLASSES IN GLACIER BY JACQUES MARIE MAGE
“My signature sunglasses. I recently bought them in this springy mint color that is awesome. As someone who had bright pink hair for many years, I find it’s best to always have one bright accessory so that you don’t need to worry about anything else you’re wearing.”
7. TENT STRIPE LARGE WALLPAPER IN SEAGLASS BLUE BY CHRIS BENZ FOR WALLSHOPPE
“This stripe is a real winner—the subtle undulation of the stripe adds a little energy to the room and a softness that feels just right.”
8. ELSIE FABRIC IN PALE GOLD BY CLAREMONT FOR WARNER TEXTILE ARCHIVE
“Coming from the fashion world, I can always pick a fantastic print. This one in particular really speaks to me: an archival print reintroduced by Claremont on featherweight linen. It’s soft, beautiful and heavenly.”
9. CALACATTA TURQUOISE ANTICO MARBLE BY ABC STONE
“Another fantastic alternative to traditional Calacatta marble, this one has just enough color to feel personal and unexpected.”
10. DITSY FLOWER WALLPAPER IN GOLD ON BROWN BY CHRIS BENZ FOR WALLSHOPPE
“Possibly the world’s most perfect wallpaper print, this little number is called Ditsy Flower, and it’s practically perfect in any room and any setting.”
11. UNLACQUERED BRASS TOGGLE SWITCHES AND ROTARY DIMMERS BY FORBES & LOMAX
“Similar to cabinet hardware, I am a strong proponent of elevated wall switches like these brass toggles and rotary dimmers. Invest in the little things that you touch throughout the day that will be satisfying and pleasurable.”
12. MONROE STREET WALLPAPER IN BROWN BY CHRIS BENZ FOR WALLSHOPPE
“This vintage textile print wallpaper from my first collection with Wallshoppe has been a favorite. It adds a warmth and tactile appearance to walls without the hassle of traditional upholstery.”
13. VENETIAN MARBLE BY ABC STONE
“I am always drawn to nontraditional stone for countertops, and this Venetian marble is no exception, both in color and pattern. The soft mauve and gravelly texture is an unexpected type of material for a kitchen or bathroom, but nonetheless luxurious.”
14. AMBER 2X6 RECTANGLE ZELLIGE TILE BY ZIA TILE
“The richness and variation of zeolite glazes in this tile is really unmatched. I try to use them as much as possible in as many places as I can, and recently as flooring for mudrooms.”
15. LOG CABIN QUILT WALLPAPER IN NEUTRALS BY CHRIS BENZ FOR WALLSHOPPE
“This vintage log-cabin-quilt print wallpaper that I designed in subtle neutrals envelopes a room in coziness.”
16. NAMCHE BAZAR INCENSE BY ASTIER DE VILLATTE
“Ever since early Covid days, I’ve been on a Namche Bazar incense kick, so I always keep this box at the ready.”
17. ERIDAN WALLPAPER IN OR BY PIERRE FREY
“Bamboo and gold walls? Yes, please!”
18. ADERIA RETRO BY NO.59 STUDIO
“Too much good taste is no good; you always need a little bad to balance it out. I found these reintroduced midcentury tableware pieces in Tokyo, and they feel a little Brady [Bunch], a little Mary Tyler Moore, and just right against the more expensive finishes.”
