i+D - July/August 2021 - 28

Contributors
" The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step, " penned by the ancient Chinese philosopher and
poet Lao Tzu, perfectly reflects the destinations theme
of this edition of i+D. Whether our authors convey such
escapes through distant travel or to one's own backyard,
inspiring design is the avenue that makes each
experience truly memorable.
- Linda K. Monroe
1. Diana Mosher, Be Our Guest
For her assignment on the guest experience (p. 38),
Diana enjoyed interviewing diverse designers about
their destination projects. " They are all fabulous
in their own way, and each offers a unique guest
experience and opportunity to escape, " she offers.
" I was intrigued by the Kaleidoscope Project,
which was designed as a showhouse by more
than 20 creatives. Their many different aesthetic
viewpoints merged into one amazing destination
that lives on as The Cornell Inn. " Although
Diana notes that one of her own preferences-
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico-may not have that
country's best beaches, " the views of Banderas Bay
are really spectacular. " She says, " I look for a hotel
that incorporates beautiful ocean views and fresh air
into the lobby décor. There is nothing as relaxing as
arriving at a beach destination and seeing the water
off in the distance. "
2. Ambrose Clancy, ICONic Profile: Vicente Wolf
Favored destinations should always lift one's
spirit, and the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill,
New York, does that for Ambrose. " It pays homage
to another time, when the East End of Long Island
was primarily farm country, " he states. " It also
allows the fragile, water-sourced light-similar
to Holland, which drew so many artists to the
East End-to flow freely in its open galleries.
The approach to the museum from the parking
lot is a walk under a great bowl of sky, preparing
you for a sense of freedom and beauty. " For this
edition's " ICONic Profile " (p. 46), Ambrose
found its subject, Vicente Wolf, uplifting as
well. " An immigrant to the United States whose
formal education ended in high school, Vicente is
knowledgeable on any subject you bring up, " recalls
Ambrose, adding, " Oh, and he also has a wicked
sense of humor. "
3. Danine Alati, The Spirit of Aloha
Danine defines a memorable destination as one in
which a unique location is displayed through its
interior design and décor. " When I visited Soliman
Bay, Mexico (near Tulum), we stayed in a casita
right on the beach. Every design element was
reflective of the tranquil setting that's just 10 minutes
from Mayan ruins, " she says. " The highly curated
design, coupled with the warm, welcoming customer
service, made us feel right at home in our own
private paradise. " Similarly, the projects Danine
highlights in " Design Pulse: Honolulu " (p. 16)-
from the iconic Queen Kapi'olani Hotel and the
lavish Royal Hawaiian by Philpotts Interiors
to WATG's pro bono work to ARCH Hawaii's
mobile activation for a local telecom- " all proudly
reflect their Hawaiian setting. By implementing
locally sourced materials and carefully considered
colors, textures, and design touches, the designers
communicate that these projects are nowhere other
than the island of Oahu. "
4. Anna Zappia, All Aboard
While working on her " Business of Design "
article about a return to travel (p. 24), Anna was
surprised to learn that current travel numbers-for
both business and leisure-are up. " While people
aren't quite ready for extended stays overseas yet,
they are willing to make shorter trips within the
United States, especially to see family, friends, and
colleagues, " she explains. " I think that speaks
to how important personal and professional
connections are. " On a personal note, Anna cites
Paris as one of her favorite destinations. " I love the
mix of old and new there: contemporary clothes
and haute couture, modern and classic art, high and
low design, " she asserts, adding, " Whether in store
windows, a gallery, or a street installation, there's
always an unexpected twist to the presentation. "
5. Jesse Bratter, Outside Is the New Inside
Among her favorite places, Jesse reveals, is
Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the
British Virgin Islands. " The property has a rich
history ... but what I love most about it is how it
nestles into the landscape; its combination of luxury
cottages and villas can barely be detected above
the trees, except for a few dramatically angled
vaulted rooftops belonging to one of the resort's
restaurants, " she remarks. " The property's most
recent iteration came about thanks to Miami-based
architectural firm OBMI and New York-based
design studio Meyer Davis, who reimagined its midcentury-modern-meets-ocean-paradise
vibe. The
public and private areas are all thoughtfully imbued
with natural materials, casually chic furnishings,
and 1960s-inspired artwork. " Conversely, a
distinctive ambience doesn't have to be in an exotic
location, as Jesse uncovers in her article about
outdoor living and entertaining at home (p. 30).
6. Jessica Goldbogen Harlan, Fresh Cuts
While researching textiles for her " Material
Matters " article (p. 48), Jessica was impressed by
the work manufacturers and mills are doing to be
more sustainable. " The textile industry has gotten
a bad rap in years past about its impact on the
environment, and I'm grateful that companies are
recognizing the importance of reducing their use of
resources and eliminating toxic chemicals from their
production, " she says. Personally, Jessica indicates
how much she admires one of her favorite city's
unique architecture and design aesthetic: Santa Fe,
New Mexico, is " totally different from anywhere
else. " She says some of the best aspects of the adobe
buildings are the rustic vigas (or beams) in the
ceiling; the built-in nichos (niches), little recessed
shelves that are perfect for displaying a piece of
pottery or a small sculpture; and the beautiful
walled courtyards.
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Image 1: Rashidah De Vore/
Image 2: Kirk Condyles/
Image 3: Juan Parra/
Image 4: Anna Zappia/
Image 5: Charles Dundas-Shaw/
Image 6: Kelley Klein
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i+D - July/August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - July/August 2021
