Four Designers to Know Now – May 2023

Much like the rainbow itself, the world of interior designers offers option after option, each with their own unique style of creative expression. Whether you’re looking for a designer with a flair for maximalism—a favorite in our book, as you may have learned by now—or a sleek, chic, minimalist, there’s something for every taste. And the very best designers can seamlessly adapt to different styles, taking on a sleek Miami penthouse as easily as a rustic Montana ranch.

We pulled together a selection of some of our favorite U.S.-based designers from coast to coast, each with an enviable aesthetic of their own. Learn more about them and shop exclusive curations of their must-have Chairish favorites below. 

NOEL PITTMAN

Based in Dallas, Noel Pittman Design is known for blending vintage and antique finds with newly made pieces to create chic yet welcoming spaces. Noel’s work has been featured everywhere from Veranda to Southern Living, in addition to myriad online publications. If you can’t make it to Dallas to shop her pop-up of globally sourced home goods, be sure to browse her personal curation of Chairish favorites.

Shop Noel’s Chairish Favorites >>>

What made you passionate about interior design? How’d you get your start in the field?

I went to Pratt for my master’s degree in interior design, but my love for it started long before going back to school. My mom is an interior designer, so I grew up understanding how impacted we are by our environments. I used to tag along as she went to fabric houses and antique stores, which I think made a lasting imprint. 

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

I love how Chairish expands one’s access and resource pool so significantly. Being able to shop for pieces across the country and the world is a game changer when it comes to sourcing for projects. 

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?

I strive to make rooms feel unique, and I think this is most successfully achieved when antiques and one-of-a-kind pieces are incorporated. I am not in favor of disposable items in general—buying pieces you can use for years to come is a good investment in multiple ways. 

What are three of your favorite pieces on Chairish now?

I love this 1910s antique Indian Agra rug; these Indian printed Mughal fabric panels; and this large contemporary scallop hanging pendant from Soane Britain.

Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room?

A special, personal piece of art is always wonderful to have in a room. A collection of antique or handmade ceramics is another good way to create a beautiful moment. 

Do you have any go to color palettes and color combos? 

I love mixing patterns and colors. I find myself using green, blue, muted red, and cream most often. I am also a fan of texture: I incorporate natural fibers like jute, sisal, rattan, and wicker a lot. 

What advice do you have for first-time clients about making their spaces truly personal?

Be honest with yourself about how you live and what makes you feel comfortable and happy in your space. If something makes you smile, use it!

AMITY WORREL

Born and raised in Austin, Amity Worrel took her passion for antiques and vintage finds to New York, where she worked for Christie’s as well as two legendary designers, Jeffrey Bilhuber and Tom Scheerer. She founded her own firm in 2006 and moved back to Austin two years later, and has since been crafting interiors that are colorful, creative, and reflective of her clients’ passions. Shop her cut of Chairish faves for a sampling of her eye-catching, smile-inducing style.

Shop Amity’s Chairish Favorites >>>

What made you passionate about interior design? How’d you get your start in the field?

My introduction to interior design was getting to work under the tutelage of two of the best in the business, Jeffrey Bilhuber and Tom Scheerer. Watching them work and learning the process of creating a home that was next level in both comfort and beauty was inspiring. That education alongside my appreciation of all things related to home and my intense interest in people and how they live combined to inspire my professional work in the field.

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

Chairish is a huge and primary resource for us for its ease of use, good customer service, and variety of selection. I have long been a fan of previously owned furniture, and vintage is a large part of our branded look. Chairish provides more intriguing options than more the standard and typical options out there.

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?

I was already working in the interior design industry when “green” design became a thing. I have “grown up” in this field, steeped in an industry trying to consider how to be part of the solution. It is my natural inclination to prefer vintage pieces over new, but I also have a strong commitment to always considering sustainability in our selections.

What are three of your favorite pieces on Chairish now?

I love this vintage Italian leather sofa from the 1970s; this Maitland-Smith Elsie occasional table; and this set of six leopard velvet dining room Parson chairs attributed to Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.

Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room?

I am not so much about a single moment in a room… We aim to lift the spaces we work in evenly so that when folks come into the room they think, “what an amazing room,” not “wow, where did you get that piece?” That being said, we do like to style and plan a room around amazing pieces that together feel collected. The final important key is to collect all the pieces and set them against beautiful colors, textures, and patterns that unite them.

Do you have any go to color palettes and color combos?

Since each project is unique, we take our cues about the color palette to use from the spaces we are working in and from the clients we are working for and the emotions and moods we want to invoke. There are some personal favorites that I lean into for myself. I love to use versions of my favorite colors together, including pinks of all varieties, greens, whites, and browns.

What advice do you have for first-time clients about making their spaces truly personal?

I always suggest to clients that they should not be afraid to use their personal favorites by way of furniture, art, and accessories. There is no need to be constrained by rules since your space is your own. If you need help making your personal tastes come together, get a designer’s ideas, but do not allow anyone to tell you not to embrace your own personal favorites.

Ateljé Nordöst

Co-founders Åsa Bollvik and Lotta Meynell called their firm Ateljé Nordöst (which translates to “Atelier North East” in Swedish) as a nod to their roots in Stockholm and presence in New York. Their design work meticulously offers a serene sense of place while also functioning as sustainably as possible for the environment, a true reflection of their Scandinavian heritage. Shop their one-of-a-kind finds for a touch of their unique perspective.

Shop Ateljé Nordöst’s Chairish Favorites >>>

What made you passionate about interior design? How’d you get your start in the field?

As Scandinavians, we come from a culture where design and aesthetics are a natural part of life—the passion has always been there for us. This perspective partly stems from a climate that speaks to spending a lot of time indoors, in turn emphasizing the importance of well-designed spaces that are equally functional, comfortable, as well as visually attractive. This is something we are passionate about and always strive to achieve, which has also been very well received by our New York clients.

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

Interior design is about storytelling and we love items that carry their own story and add that lived-in energy to a space. The Charish selection is highly curated so that design classics are mixed with more contemporary and unique statement pieces. This is a combination we always build around to create a dynamic and interesting setting, whether we are designing a downtown cocktail bar like The Mulberry or an upscale penthouse.

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?

Our Scandinavian heritage aligns with an environmentally conscious mindset in everything we do, especially when it comes to furniture selections and other items that can be repurposed and brought back to life in another setting or environment. We also aim to source locally for sustainable products as well as finishes and materials, while also avoiding any extensive shipping and airfreight.

What are three of your favorite pieces on Chairish now?

• We love the combination of the iconic sleek Scandinavian silhouette dressed in lavish tone-on-tone Tibetan wool seen in this Swedish 40’s lounge chair. 
• The 1960’s BMF candleholder by Fritz Nagel is as timeless as it is edgy and its stackable modular components allow for endless creative combinations.
• The organic tonality and veining of this mid-century marble pedestal dining table create a beautiful contrast to its polished geometric octagonal base and circular top.

Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room?

Recognizing and working around the emphasis or hot spots in a room is central when creating an interesting ambiance. This is achieved by exploring the genuine flow of a space, identifying areas and elements naturally in focus, and allowing that to guide the placements of key items to curate moments and an overall dynamic experience.

Do you have any go to color palettes and color combos? 

We love natural and organic materials and typically let the tonality of wood, leather, and metal guide the overall palette. As these tones tend to be warmer and the profiles softer, we prefer to juxtapose them with cooler tones and sharper silhouettes for visual balance and a more compelling composition. 

What advice do you have for first-time clients about making their spaces truly personal?

Most importantly, design around your life and how the space is truly being used. Find a few key pieces that you love and allow them to stand out by adding more supporting elements in terms of color, shape, and proportions. There is a visual hierarchy in everything around us speaking to a few main characters and colors, accompanied by more neutral pieces and tones that do not compete but rather complement and enhance each other. Bringing this ratio and hierarchy into a space makes it feel balanced and well curated.

BRADLEY ADCOCK

With a background in visual merchandising and display for an international fashion house, Los Angeles-based Bradley Adcock has always had an eye for design. After spending years remodeling and redesigning homes in the area, he launched his own firm six years ago, taking projects from the ground-up to their luxe finishing touches. Shop a cut of his Chairish favorites for a taste of his remarkable talents.

Shop Bradley’s Chairish Favorites >>>

What made you passionate about interior design? How’d you get your start in the field? 

I tend to walk into a room and redecorate it in my head. I would go to friends’ houses and ask them if I could rearrange their furniture! Before I became an interior designer, I worked in visual merchandising and display for an international fashion house. That’s where I really honed my understanding of scale and flow. 

What do you find most compelling about Chairish?

Where do I start? The furnishings are collectible and vintage. You offer speedy, one-of-a-kind design solutions in a world where lead times are longer than ever! I love discovering hidden gems. My design approach is all about layering items.

How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage? 

I’ve always been a huge advocate of reusing and repurposing. The first thing I do when I start a project is go through the entire house—attic, garage and all!—and determine what can stay and what can be reworked or reupholstered. You would not believe the treasures clients pull out. I have a collected design aesthetic, so vintage is an essential component.

What are three of your favorite pieces on Chairish now?

Some of my faves include this 1950s Charlotte Perriand Libre coffee table; this vintage three-arm wall light in the style of Jean Royère; and this pair of Méandre’ side chairs by Design Frères.

Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room?

Dark and moody rooms are always statement makers. Art can also make or break a room; I typically start with a neutral base and add colorful art to bring it to life.

Do you have any go to color palettes and color combos? 

I favor monochromatic color schemes using browns and greens. I love orange as a pop but my go-to color is greige (it has cool and warm undertones), because it’s a great base for any room.

What advice do you have for first-time clients about making their spaces truly personal?

Bring something that is personal and meaningful into the space. Add something unexpected or humorous; those are always conversation starters and make the room feel truly your own. Too much of any one style can make a room feel stuffy or unapproachable. 

Lead image: Design by Noel Pittman. Photo by Amy Neunsinger.