It’s 2023! While many take this time to reflect on their personal goals, we asked seven designers—Vy Truong, Han Dang, Kristina Phillips, Lance Thomas, Annie Obermann, Nadia Watts and Gideon Mendelson—to share how their firms are stepping into the new year.
New Horizons
“We’ve seen a surprising surge of success at our firm within the short span of two years. We hope that through earnest hard work and pride in our designs, we can continue this upward momentum into 2023 and beyond. Our goal is to explore different design types and styles, and meet new clients in varying industries to help them realize their goals. We love using bright or monochromatic color schemes with an impactful metal component, like gold or silver, for contrast, and we’re looking forward to incorporating mood lighting—opting for LED strip lighting, sconces or table lamps to create atmosphere. While growth is always good, we definitely value quality over quantity. Learning creatively and improving the quality of our designs is always a [top priority].” —Vy Truong and Han Dang, Very Handsome Studio, Houston
Lost Time Regained
“This year is a fresh start. We are all more than ready to make up for lost time during the pandemic, from traveling abroad or reconnecting with people that we have missed seeing in person. I also think we are shifting to a more traditional approach to design. We want stability, timelessness and, frankly, a house with good taste. The pendulum has swung so far in both directions—from grandmillennial overload to minimalistic modernism—that whiplash has taken a toll. Classic styles with quality furnishings will take precedence—but with fresh fabrics and modern-ish tweaks. Vintage will always have a place, as pieces with history are what creates the story of a home.” —Kristina Phillips, Kristina Phillips Interior Design, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Table Setting
“I’m looking forward to designing more formal dining spaces in 2023. Open floor plans [have been] popular, but I’ve already started to see an increase in client requests for more traditional layouts with separate dining rooms. Separate rooms allow you to be more adventurous in your design, too.” —Lance Thomas, Thomas Guy Interiors, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Cruising Altitude
“Forge & Bow is in its sixth year as a company, and we are starting to feel the rhythms that only come with time. We are looking forward to practicing our craft as designers and builders. We have an inspiring team and building our culture is top of mind.” —Annie Obermann, Forge & Bow Dwellings, Fort Collins, Colorado
Create Connection
“As I will be tackling some updates in my own home, I look forward to documenting the work through photography and proudly using fabric from my collection with Kravet. Building on that success, I am eager to create new designs using a combination of mediums as the inspiration for new products. I also love and look forward to the opportunity to form new relationships in the industry, as this community is such a source of support. The Design Leadership Network is an amazing resource for building relationships among talented and like-minded creators. I am lucky to call many members my friends.” —Nadia Watts, Nadia Watts Interior Design, Denver
Stable Ground
“I look forward to staying busy and continuing [our firm’s] financial success, which enables me to work with a team that I love, to do work that I find meaningful and enjoyable, and to pay a few bills at home. We have some very exciting projects coming up and a few completed ones that we are going to photograph. I’m excited to develop my craft and provide improved service to our clients.” —Gideon Mendelson, Mendelson Group, New York
Homepage image: Lance Thomas looks forward to designing more formal dining rooms like this one in Navarre, New Orleans | Haylei Smith
