We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
This week we got a chance to chat with Amalia Graziani, whose real estate development firm Noor Property Group services New York City, The Hamptons, and San Francisco. Amalia holds the distinction of being one of a limited number of female builders in her industry – although hopefully not for long! And her bold sensibilities are not only represented in her career path, but also her design work, which carefully juxtaposes contemporary and classic elements, and pays homage to the work of local artisans.
Read on to find out what change she’d most like to see in the development and interior design industry, and which daring David Lynch character’s aesthetic she compares to the styling of her interior work.
What’s helping you get through quarantine?
This past year I’ve been working on a few renovation projects, which have kept me sane and engaged through quarantine. With more time available to spend on site, I’ve leaned into learning to do a lot of work myself alongside my construction team. Engaging with the physical side of building is not something I normally do, and I’ve found it to be extremely rewarding. Whether it’s large-scale demo or small tweaks at home, this kind of work is therapeutic.
Were it not for this year, I’d probably never have picked up a chainsaw or learned to cut steel. These new skills have already been helpful when managing my team and reviewing quotes.
What is the coolest vintage piece in your house?
I have a 60’s chair from Jorgen Hovelkov called The Harp. I love its lines. It catches the light differently throughout the day, so the shadows in my living room are very geometric and dramatic.
Who is your ultimate style icon?
As much as I love building eclectic spaces with bold materials, I’m very simple when it comes to clothes. I love Josie Packard, Joan Chen’s character on Twin Peaks. She’s always dressed in clean pieces that play with proportion and blend masculine and feminine elements.
What’s something you wish would change in your industry?
I’m a developer, and I feel that representation is an issue both in development and interior design; However I think most would agree that it’s more prominent in development. There are droves of people working in construction trades who – in their 30 or 40-year careers – have never reported to or even worked alongside anyone who isn’t a straight man. This leads to more workplace communication challenges than there should be at this point in history. I’d like to see the industry become more inclusive.
What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to designing?
With the digitization of how we consume spaces and get design ideas, there are more spaces being built to look great on camera. What makes a space enduring is how it makes you feel when you’re in it. A fast fashion model of building just leads to renovations happening at an accelerated pace and buildings looking dated faster. Construction and materials are taxing on the environment, so I’m always happy to see spaces that are built to stand the test of time.
