Our “Follow This Tastemaker” program brings you closer to your favorite designers than ever before. The latest tastemaker we’re excited to introduce is Bay Area and Napa Valley-based Benjamin Dhong—dubbed the “mixmaster.” Known for his signature style of combining unique, quirky antiques with polished, modern pieces, he is beloved for his command of blending textures, embrace of a neutral palette, and out-of-the-box creativity. His designs are never boring, never pretentious, and always masterfully airy and harmonious.
Benjamin Dhong began his career interning for San Francisco interior designer Martha Angus where he sorted fabrics, hauled marble samples, and filed and re-filed tear sheets—the usual, intern duties. But, despite his background in business, he discovered he had an innate eye for great interiors and later took the creative plunge to pursue design as a full-time career. Now the principal of his own full-service interior design and architecture firm, Benjamin works transcontinentally, taking advantage of our uber-connected digital landscape to work with clients cross country virtually. His work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Wall Street Journal, and more.
Of course, Benjamin and all of us at Chairish share one thing in common—a love for vintage and antiques—and Benjamin is one of the best at working secondhand harmoniously with contemporary furnishings. “If there were no antiques, it’d feel all very polite… but like a hotel room. Antiques give gravitas and soul to the mix. They add a unique vibe to a room, especially if they’re a little quirky,” he says. “Sometimes antiques are handed to you and you’re stuck with Aunt Edna’s chair — but I love the challenge of taking an orphan and making it the star of the room.” And Benjamin is never afraid to surprise his clients by saving and reworking an old piece of furniture into a freshly decorated, super-chic room.
Want to follow Benjamin Dhong’s clean, sophisticated, yet one-of-a-kind style? Keep watching this page for his current favorite decor pieces, both vintage and newly made. To receive all of Benjamin’s new product picks and design tips directly to your inbox, be sure to follow him for ongoing updates on all the things that are attracting his attention. And, check out our in-depth interview with him where we talked the art of mixing traditional and modern styles, design destinations, and lifestyle favorites.
