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Rivian Wants to Redesign EV Shopping Into an Inviting Space

By in Design

Rivian Wants to Redesign EV Shopping Into an Inviting Space

“Disruptive” is thrown reflexively and regularly when discussing electric vehicles’ impact upon automotive manufacturing, fuel efficiency, mobility technologies, and ultimately how we drive. But alongside these developing changes, the public’s expectations related to the car shopping experience is also evolving, one veering away from the haggle and hassle of dealership-oriented car buying of yesteryear. The introduction of EV truck and SUV maker Rivian’s Spaces in New York City’s Meatpacking District is the first of several brick-and-mortar retail showrooms meant to connect with new EV buyers who want to casually get to know the brand, vehicles, and electric vehicle technologies all without the dreaded hard sell.

Interior of Rivian Spaces High Line, with wood shelves displaying Rivian branded accessories with three people browsing.

Interior of Rivian Spaces High Line, New York City with parked Rivian R1T and R1S parked inside.

Interior of Rivian Spaces High Line, New York City with parked Rivian R1T and SUV parked inside.

Interior of Rivian Spaces High Line, New York City with parked Rivian R1T truck parked inside with person seated on truck bed door swinging legs.

“Rivian Spaces are purposefully designed to be casual and inviting, where anyone who is curious is welcome to come in to learn more about us and our products,” said Denise Cherry, Senior Director of Facilities Design and Retail Development at Rivian. “We’ve peeled away the formality that can be associated with automotive retail and focused on creating a relaxed, family-friendly environment that invites guests to stay awhile and discover at their own pace.” That’s all a nice way of saying Rivian’s Spaces are imagined to be more like other retail experiences and less of the unwelcome persuasive spiel attached to today’s auto dealerships.

Render of Rivian NYC Space retail exterior.

A render for comparison. Located under the High Line in New York City, the product displays inside the New York City Spaces are made from diverted ocean-bound plastics from Rivian’s factory in Normal, Illinois while greenery throughout takes cues from the High Line which is just above the retail space.

Cherry emphasizes the difference between these Spaces and a traditional dealership is their “casual, warm atmosphere”, an environment expressed through their choices in materials, eclectic furnishings and interactive educational displays. “Through Spaces, we want to inspire people to imagine where they can go and what they can do in a Rivian.”

Additionally, reflective of Rivian’s environmental efforts in manufacturing their vehicles, so too will Spaces be designed with consideration of their footprint and impact. “For example, for our 10th Avenue Space in New York City, we intentionally minimized the structural buildout in favor of modular components that can be moved from site to site,” explains Cherry, “Future Spaces locations like Laguna Beach, CA and Groveland, CA, showcase adaptive reuse, breathing new life and purpose into existing structures.”

A converted movie theater in downtown Laguna Beach converted into the South Coast Rivian Spaces showroom with blue Rivian truck parked out front and sunset skies with clouds overhead.

Render of interior space for Rivian Spaces planned for Laguna Beach within former theater building.

Rivian is bringing in architectural experts to ensure historically-significant features of the historic South Coast theater were retained while updating the interior to contemporary energy, code, and accessibility standards.

Rivian Spaces will eventually roll out across the country in other markets, joining the company’s existing network of over two dozen service centers across the U.S. and Canada. These other new Spaces include a showroom housed within a converted movie theater in downtown Laguna Beach, California (above), and also an indoor-outdoor 10,000-square-foot site in Austin, Texas complete with a green space, rooftop patio with panoramic views of the city. Rivian emphasizes the architecture and interior design of each location will reflect their locale, including distinct furnishings within.

Rivian's Austin Space exterior painted black with colorful snake motif painted across it.

Rivian’s 10,000 sq. ft. Austin Space will offer direct access to the Ladybird Lake biking and running trail in the city’s South Congress district and a rooftop patio.

Render of future Space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn within brick building. Shown with open garage and Rivian truck parked inside.

Space in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

A render of cabin-like Rivian Spaces, a location of a former historic gas station, with Rivian trucks parked out front.

Rivian Space in Groveland, California – a gateway town to Yosemite National Park – is housed within a former historic gas station converted into a modern cabin design aligned with the brand’s modernist adventure lifestyle.

In numerous ways Rivian is steering the EV buyer closer to something akin to customers and the Apple Store, wooing potential customers into uniquely designed retail destinations showcasing product to try without the hovering pressure to buy, emphasizing product-focused experiences and education rather than immediate sales. While nothing is guaranteed, we’re apt to predict the future of buying your next car will become nearly as easy as buying an iPhone one day – albeit a bit more expensive.

The first Rivian Space opens today, June 16th, at 60 10th Avenue in New York City’s Meatpacking District, with additional locations TBD.

Gregory Han is the Managing Editor of Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Five on Photography

By in Photography

Five on Photography

An Organic Image

image
Currituck Window – 2021, Canon EOS R

image
James Neihouse, ASC

I was on a trip to photograph lighthouses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and ended up at the Currituck Beach lighthouse earlier than I wanted for the light, so I decided to climb up to the lantern room to check out the view. I was mesmerized by the spiral stairs and spent most of my time shooting inside the structure. For this image, I knew I had to carefully balance my exposure to retain some detail outside the window, so I picked a window that was mostly looking out at the green foliage.

For my still work, I shoot with a variety of Canon cameras: EOS-1D X for high-speed continuous shooting, the EOS 5DS R for its 50-megapixel resolution, and the EOS R for its small and light form factor. Most of my still photography is done with Canon glass. I like the way it looks with their sensors. The sharpness and contrast of their lenses, combined with the dynamic range of the sensor, just seem to fit the way I shoot. I feel that I get a more organic, filmlike image. I have a variety of focal lengths, from full-frame fisheye to 800mm. For some landscapes, I’ll use a tilt-shift lens. For the photo shown here, I used an EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM.

Mostly, I shoot around f/8 to f/11 for landscapes and do a lot of focus stacking. I use several different filters, all Tiffen, including a polarizer to reduce haze and control glare, a 3-stop graduated ND to control skies in my landscapes and the foreground during long nighttime exposures, and 4- and 10-stop NDs for long daylight exposures. With wildlife, I try to shoot a tight stop — f/16 to f/22 — for the increased depth of field, which means I have to shoot at higher ISOs than I normally do to get a faster shutter speed for controlling motion blur. I use Topaz Labs’ DeNoise AI on those images.

What I’m shooting determines my configuration. I use long lenses with the 1D X when photographing wildlife, and work off a Really Right Stuff tripod with an FG-02 gimbal head. For landscapes, I primarily shoot with the 5DS R and treat it like a view camera. I use a Hoodman loupe magnifier on the rear display screen to help me set critical focus.

I almost never use automatic functions on a camera — which, I guess, is a throwback to my film days — though I do use autofocus and find Canon cameras to be very accurate in this regard. ISO is almost always at the native for the camera I’m using, and I always shoot raw images, with the least amount of compression, because I want the best “negative” to work with in post.

Celebrating a local Sculpture Exhibition in Port Augusta

By in Sculpture

Celebrating a local Sculpture Exhibition in Port Augusta
We partnered with the local Port Augusta City Council to support a Sculpture Exhibition, in the local area close to the Bungala Solar Farm. The Exhibition celebrates the theme of “Solar & Sun – Harnessing Natural Resources”, with sculptures made from at least 50% raw or recycled materials. Learn about our approach to ‘Creating Shared Value’ and how this initiative acted as opportunity to promote sustainability within the local community and increase local tourism in the area.

Porventura Invites You To Play in Their Sandbox

By in Design

Porventura Invites You To Play in Their Sandbox

Remember when playing in the sandbox was fun as a kid? Adulthood often leaves play in the rear view mirror but this Sandbox brings it back in the form of a playful storage cabinet. Designed by Tel Aviv-based Roee Magdassi for Portuguese brand Porventura, Sandbox is a modular shelf design comprising an oak wood box and a series of geometric components the user can arrange for their own storage, and aesthetic, needs.

The square shelf, which is elevated on black steel legs, acts as the container to hold all of the colorful pieces. The components, which are a mix of boxes and blocks, come in a series of shapes, sizes, and colors that can be rearranged into endless configurations to hold your most favorite items all while looking like a playful interactive puzzle. Fill it up or leave it sparse as more of an art piece – either way, it would be fun to have.

angled view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside with red lamp on top

closeup partial view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside with red lamp on top

angled view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

closeup angled view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

partial view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

slight angled view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

partial corner view of modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

modern living room with modular storage shelf with colorful geometric boxes inside

To learn more about Sandbox, visit porventura.pt.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

31-year-old’s dog grooming business brings in $1.3 million a year: ‘I came to the U.S. with two scissors and a clipper’

By in Native

31-year-old’s dog grooming business brings in $1.3 million a year: ‘I came to the U.S. with two scissors and a clipper’

Gabriel Feitosa has a knack for turning animals into art.

At his grooming salon in San Diego, anything is possible: Bernedoodles become giraffes and poodles become Pokémon.

Feitosa, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, opened Gabriel Feitosa Grooming Salon in 2018, capitalizing on a $1.3 billion global pet grooming market. 

Feitosa and his 10 employees groom about 20 dogs a day, and at least 500 per month, the 31-year-old tells CNBC Make It. But many of the animals he works with don’t just get a haircut — they get a full makeover. 

As a dog grooming artist, Feitosa combines traditional grooming techniques with unique designs, and uses vegan, pet-friendly dyes. His larger-than-life creations have amassed a cult social media following, with over 2 million followers on TikTok and 400,000 on Instagram. 

The intricate designs can take between 3 and 5 hours to complete, including food and bathroom breaks for the pup, and cost anywhere from $500 to $1,200. In a typical week, Feitosa works between 40 and 50 hours. 

The salon brought in about $1.2 million last year, according to tax documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Feitosa earned another $125,500 in 2022 for brand deals and sponsorships. 

“This salon is a dream for me,” says Feitosa. “I came to the U.S. with two scissors and a clipper, and now I have a place where I feel like an artist and show the world that this career is possible.”

Finding career inspiration while running an errand

Feitosa’s dog grooming career began when he was 12. 

Feitosa would take his sister’s dog, Icaro, to the local groomer in São Paulo whenever he needed a bath and a haircut. 

Little did he know these trips to the groomer would jumpstart a fulfilling career of his own. Feitosa was fascinated watching the groomer bathe, cut and spruce up the dogs. 

“I thought, ‘Wow, this lady gets to play with dogs all day and make money?'” he says. “I just got obsessed.”

Feitosa was eager to learn more, so he asked the groomer to teach him how to wash dogs. Soon, he started working at the shop after school. 

He left high school right before graduating to pursue dog grooming as his full-time career, working at the salon and teaching dog grooming at a vocational school based on his real-world learnings. Pet grooming does not require specialized education or certification, and Feitosa says he did not complete a formal education program.

From artist to entrepreneur 

Shortly after he turned 23, Feitosa was offered a grooming internship with a dog breeder in Sacramento, Calif. and moved to the U.S.

He spent the next three years working with groomers and dog shows around the U.S. as part of the internship before settling in San Diego with his then-husband in 2017. 

In San Diego, Feitosa got a part-time job as a dog groomer for a small salon with a pet boutique and bakery in the front. He took on a second part-time gig assisting a poodle breeder to make ends meet. 

Several months later, Feitosa’s boss approached him with a deal: She would sell him her grooming business, which included all of the equipment in the shop, as well as her client list, for about $40,000. He would also have to pay the $1,100 monthly rent for the space.

Feitosa took the offer and grew his grooming business in the back of the building while his former boss ran the pet boutique and bakery in the front.

Feitosa says it was challenging to balance his artistic pursuits with the responsibilities of being a business owner.

Photo: Tasia Jensen

But having the freedom to experiment with designs trumped the headaches of running the shop, like renovating the space and managing employees.

“Sometimes, you need to take a leap of faith not knowing if it’s going to work out,” he says. “But I was excited to create a safe space where people — and their dogs — could feel good, and I could do what I love.” 

The salon shut down for two months at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, but was deemed an essential business and allowed to re-open in May 2020.

That same month, Feitosa’s former boss retired, and he took over the lease for the entire ground floor of the building.

He received a small business loan of about $60,000 from the government, which helped cover the costs of renovating the space and hiring additional help. 

‘It brings so much joy to people’

In 2021, Feitosa was cast on “Pooch Perfect,” a competition TV show for dog grooming artists on ABC, where he was a finalist. 

That opportunity helped him grow his social media following and business. Feitosa says people have flown in from other states just to bring their dogs into his salon.

He’s transformed shelter pets waiting to be adopted, family pets and therapy dogs that work in hospitals. 

“The designs might seem fancy and unnecessary, but the amount of smiles you put on people’s faces by walking by with a dog in one of these designs is an unforgettable experience,” he says. “It brings so much joy to people.”

Looking ahead, Feitosa hopes to open a second grooming salon in Los Angeles and host his own dog grooming TV show. He thinks his 12-year-old self would be proud of where he ended up. 

“I’ve learned that success is a consequence of following your passion and your purpose,” says Feitosa. “If grooming dogs is the most random thing, but that’s what you love doing and you do it to the fullest and hardest you can … why can’t you achieve wealth and success?”

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Rock Photographer Returns to The Ranch for Storytelling Event – Laguna Beach Local News

By in Photography

Rock Photographer Returns to The Ranch for Storytelling Event – Laguna Beach Local News

Henry Diltz to Share Favorites from Five Decades of Shooting Rock Legends

Notable rock photographer Henry Diltz will speak at The Ranch on July 23. Photo/Henry Diltz

In the world of rock and roll photographers, there are perhaps none as extraordinary as Henry Diltz. The famed photographer shot the most iconic rock photos of all time, and five years after his first appearance at The Ranch, Diltz will return on Sunday, July 23, to look “Behind the Camera With Henry Diltz.” 

During this one-night event, Diltz will share some favorites from his 50 plus year career and tell the stories behind them. A selection of signed prints will be available for purchase. 

This February, Diltz was honored with the Grammy Trustees Award for his significant contribution to the music industry. He has also been featured in several documentaries centered on the music of Laurel Canyon. His catalog includes over 250 album covers photos, many publicity shots, and tens of thousands of candids. Together they have become an indelible part of our collective story of music.  

Diltz’ first sale was a single shot of Buffalo Springfield in 1966 for $100. He went on to photograph The Doors, Crosby Stills Nash, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Steppenwolf, James Taylor, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Paul and Linda McCartney, and nearly every other prominent musician and group from the 60s  

to 80s and beyond. He was also the official photographer at the Woodstock and Monterey Festivals. His work has graced hundreds of album covers and featured in countless books and magazines, and his career continues today.  

His story as a photographer began with a $20 used Japanese camera purchased while on tour with his own band, the Modern Folk Quartet. Doing what he loved every day resulted in archives numbering in the tens of thousands of frames.  

Despite Diltz’ lack of formal photography training, he was easily assimilated into the world of music: the road, the gigs, the humor, the social consciousness, and the psychedelia. He became friends with his subjects, which enabled him to capture candid shots that convey a rare feeling of trust and intimacy. 

A few of Diltz’ most recognized images are James Taylor for the album cover “Sweet Baby James,” The Doors at The Morrison Hotel, Crosby Stills Nash on the red couch for the cover of their first album, Joni Mitchell leaning in the window, and Eagles “Desperado.” 

The main event starts at 7 p.m., but attendees are invited to come at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy cocktails and live music on the Sage Ballroom patio. There is also a VIP champagne reception limited to 20, where guests will have a chance to chat with Diltz and also receive premium seating for the presentation. The event concludes with a question-and-answer period.  

Tickets can be found at Eventbrite.com by searching for Henry Diltz or using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/617236851037.

F5: Molly Kidd on Her Love of Floral Arrangements + Vintage Scandinavian Lighting

By in Design

F5: Molly Kidd on Her Love of Floral Arrangements + Vintage Scandinavian Lighting

Molly Kidd, co-founder and principal designer at Light and Dwell, studied interior design as she grew up, fascinated by creativity and transforming spaces. She and co-founder, Aymee Kuhlman, met and formed a friendship that turned into a business partnership when they opened the proverbial doors to the interior design practice in 2015. Their intent was to design homes that are a place of light where families can gather, entertain, and lounge while creating memories.

Based in Oregon, Light and Dwell is naturally influenced by the Pacific Northwest and an emphasis on quality over quantity. Sustainability plays a large role in every project, as the practice implements a 50/50 initiative to mix vintage and custom-made pieces – giving new life to objects while simultaneously supporting local makers. This approach to creating spaces that feel fresh yet timeless is in line with Light and Dwell’s nod to old European culture, full of easy refinement. “
I visited Europe for the first time when I was 16. I stayed with a friend who was living in Paris and will forever be impacted by the Parisian architecture and cobblestone streets,” Molly shared.

Molly Kidd Photo: Chris Mottalini

“
In the beginning, every penny made was reinvested back into the business,” Molly said. “A few years into Light and Dwell, when Aymee and I took our first “big” paycheck, that’s when I realized this could be my career! I realized that my creative abilities aren’t something that everyone else has, and that this talent could change people’s lives. Your home has the ability to transform your life for the better, and I love that I get to do that for individuals, couples and families.”

With a heavy focus on craftsmanship, Light and Dwell opened a shop in fall 2022 with their own one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. It was the next natural step after creating custom pieces for clients, gathering inspiration while traveling, and wanting to bring even more sustainability to the home collection. It’s no surprise that they’re crafted to last a lifetime, and there are plans to continue expanding the line throughout the year.

When she’s not designing or running Light and Dwell, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three kids and entertaining in their home in Oregon.

This week Molly Kidd joins us for Friday Five!

looking up into a green canopy of trees

Photo: Chris Mottalini

1. The Outdoors in the PNW

After growing up in a beautiful forest, I always find solace and inspiration outside. Whether it’s going for a hike, driving through the mountains, or sitting in my backyard, I can’t get enough of it. Many of our designs are inspired by nature and the natural, muted, earthy palette of the region – lush green, overcast days, the ocean, and mountains. Some of my favorite materials are stone and unlacquered brass in their raw state as they age and patina over time.

light-skinned woman wearing an oversized button-down shirt and jeans drinks from a cup of to-go coffee

Photo: Molly Kidd

2. Artisan Coffee Shops

Everyone who knows me knows I can’t go a day without a cup(s) of joe. Breve au laits are my go-to drink of choice! Every time I travel, I look up artisanal coffee shops in the area. I love supporting local cafes and trying new beans wherever I go. My everyday coffee shop knows my order before I get to the counter, and I absolutely love that sense of community. If you see me in the streets, I’ll most likely have a coffee in hand.

floral arrangement in hues of white and pink

Photo: Molly Kidd

3. Floral Arrangements

My love for design and arranging started with being a florist in my late teens. Every project at Light and Dwell starts with a floral arrangement to create the overall color palette and inspiration. I love the textures, layers, and colors floral arrangements provide. I’m a big fan of Hart, a local florist in the PNW. Florals have the ability to completely change the atmosphere of a room. Some of my favorite florals for creating a light and airy atmosphere are chocolate cosmos, garden roses, tulips, and hellebore.

interior of an antique shop with furniture

Photo: Molly Kidd

4. Local Antique Shops

I remember growing up antiquing with my mom. Every item tells such a beautiful story, and most of the items are one-of-a-kind. They bring about warmth, character and new perspective to spaces. In all of our designs, we have a 50/50 initiative, incorporating 50% new and 50% vintage items. Traveling around the country for different projects, one of my favorite things is finding antique shops to fill the project with local finds. Whether it’s vintage furniture or Levi’s, I love the hunt.

three armed floor lamp with shades on white background

Photo courtesy 1stDibs

5. Vintage Scandinavian Lighting

I’m constantly inspired by the soft and subtle wave detailing in vintage Scandinavian lighting. Vintage lighting has this perfect juxtaposition of old-world and modern day for the perfect accent. It adds character to a space and is versatile enough to fit with any style.

Work by Molly Kidd + Light and Dwell:

white kitchen space dimly lit looking through to a. butler's pantry

Utah European Modern Projet This modern European home is the perfect place where the owners, a doctor and entrepreneur, can both entertain guests or relax. The family was drawn to warmer tones, so Kidd incorporated a variety of beige tones and unlacquered brass finishes throughout the home. Much of the inspiration throughout was pulled from elements from the French Riviera. Photo: Amy Bartlam

light wood and marble bath

Villa with a View Project Light and Dwell became involved with this project at the very beginning, starting with the plan and site development. The goal was to design a forever home that would capture the surrounding views and evolve with each season of life. They also wanted each design element to speak to the vineyard the property was located on. Kidd drew inspiration from Northern California vineyards, European villas, the home’s surrounding landscape, and the clients’ love of Italy. The result is a lighter version of a rustic ranch home full of bespoke pieces mixed with a European-inspired feeling. Photo: Chris Mottalini

styled kitchen with island, pendant lights, and wooden stools at the counter

Villa with a View Project Light and Dwell became involved with this project at the very beginning, starting with the plan and site development. The goal was to design a forever home that would capture the surrounding views and evolve with each season of life. They also wanted each design element to speak to the vineyard the property was located on. Kidd drew inspiration from Northern California vineyards, European villas, the home’s surrounding landscape, and the clients’ love of Italy. The result is a lighter version of a rustic ranch home full of bespoke pieces mixed with a European-inspired feeling. Photo: Chris Mottalini

bedroom under eaves with bed and nightststands

Villa with a View Project Light and Dwell became involved with this project at the very beginning, starting with the plan and site development. The goal was to design a forever home that would capture the surrounding views and evolve with each season of life. They also wanted each design element to speak to the vineyard the property was located on. Kidd drew inspiration from Northern California vineyards, European villas, the home’s surrounding landscape, and the clients’ love of Italy. The result is a lighter version of a rustic ranch home full of bespoke pieces mixed with a European-inspired feeling. Photo: Chris Mottalini

Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by great art and design, she can be found making a mess in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social.

A Crucial Mistake Aspiring Professional Photographers Make

By in Photography

A Crucial Mistake Aspiring Professional Photographers Make

Becoming a successful professional photographer takes a lot more than being good with a camera; you need to have a lot of business sense and a keen understanding of how a career as a creative differs from that of a traditional 9-to-5 job. That latter point often trips up aspiring professionals. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced commercial photographer sharing one such mindset mistake and what you can do to avoid falling prey to it. 

Coming to you from Scott Choucino of Tin House Studio, this great video tutorial discusses why treating career advancement in professional photography like that of a more traditional job can lead to stagnation. It is natural to think of advancing in a creative career as a roughly linear progression, much like that of more traditionally structured jobs, but as Choucino notes, there is rarely much of a “middle” in many genres. This means you often need to have the confidence in your abilities to go after the bigger jobs instead of waiting for them to come to you. Knowing your worth and how to advocate for yourself is one of the most important characteristics of a successful professional. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino. 

If you would like to learn more about the business of photography, check out “Making Real Money: The Business of Commercial Photography With Monte Isom!”

Entering This 700-Square-Foot Chicago Home Feels Like a Family Reunion

By in Art World News

Entering This 700-Square-Foot Chicago Home Feels Like a Family Reunion

That’s where Curtis, a writer and director, comes in. His style is a little more bold and bright. Case in point: the vibrant orange arch in the living room. But what makes the space so interesting is that it is truly a blend of what they both gravitate toward, which has shifted and grown for each as they’ve crafted this space together—theirs is an ever-evolving home. Curtis and Danielle are responsive to the apartment, which they were drawn to thanks to the built-ins and trim of the older building. They pay attention to how their home lives and breathes, and they switch their art and furniture up with the seasons, playing with light. “We would do something, we would give it, like, a week, and then if we didn’t like it, we could veto it and come back,” says Curtis. “We would let it breathe,” adds Danielle. “And then when we fell in love with it, we just kept it.”

The green front door is painted in Dark Everglade by Behr.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

Hosting plays a large part in Curtis’s and Danielle’s lives, and they wanted their home to be welcoming from the minute guests walk through the Everglade green front door. “We want it to feel like a family reunion,” says Curtis. Friends and family are greeted by the gallery wall by design, it is meant to be the start of the conversation. The TV is on a swivel so as not to be the focus of the room; instead, the furniture is designed to encourage folks to talk to one another. But the art collection is the real star of the show, and unique pieces are found in every room of the couple’s home.

The somewhat unexpected layout of the apartment was part of the appeal for the Washington-Taylors.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

The kitchen wallpaper is from Etsy.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

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