The facade restoration of the historic cast-iron building at Bond Street and the Bowery has won the National Award of Excellence from the Society of American Registered Architects. This prestigious honor follows the building's previous receipt of the Lucy G. Moses Award for preservation excellence. The $4.5 million restoration, led by CTA Architects with Christa Waring at the forefront, involved the meticulous replication of over 1,000 intricate cast-iron units. Originally designed by Henry Engelbert in the 1870s and formerly used as a bank and theatre, the building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Despite challenges, including a failed attempt to plant a tree on the sidewalk due to complex permitting and utility issues, the project's successful completion highlights the collaborative efforts of CTA Architects, D+DS Architecture Office, Traditional Waterproofing and Restoration, Van Cronenburg Architectural Hardware, and GACE Consulting Engineers.

Ken Fulk designed a Vail retreat for recent empty nesters with their four grown children in mind, transforming the 10,000-square-foot home into a playful and sophisticated mountainside retreat. Inspired by the Bavarian Alps, the American West, and Scottish Highlands, the home features a grand salon with oak planks and fur throws, a rustic primary suite, and a game room wrapped in luxurious draperies. Fulk, who was tasked with making the home appealing to millennials and Gen Z, completed a major renovation of the property, incorporating custom millwork and hand-painted murals. The design blends elegance with a sense of whimsy, making it a vibrant gathering place for the family.

Designer Tania Handelsmann has skillfully combined moody elegance with seasonal aesthetics in her renovated Georgian terrace in Sydney. The home, originally a pair of Regency-style terraces, features a blend of dark, atmospheric front rooms and a bright, casual rear family room. Notable details include steel doors from Ganci, joinery handles by Van Cronenburg, and a mix of vintage and modern furnishings. Handelsmann's design emphasizes timeless materials and textures, like solid French oak flooring and Calacatta Viola marble. Personal touches, including a vintage brass bell and 17th-century French table, add historical charm to the family-centric space.

Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent have transitioned from their spacious Spanish colonial in Los Angeles back to a more intimate 3,400-square-foot 1899 town house in Manhattan's West Village. Despite their previous enthusiasm for the LA home, the couple found themselves yearning for the vibrancy of New York, where they originally met and felt more connected. In their new abode, recently renovated to perfection, Berkus and Brent have infused warmth and personality through design elements such as a custom white oak bookcase, rich textures, and vintage touches. They meticulously curated their belongings to fit the smaller space, creating a cozy yet functional home that reflects their style and accommodates their family life with children Poppy and Oskar. Their redesigned space not only showcases their design expertise but also emphasizes their commitment to making a house feel like home amid the dynamic cityscape.

The Shaker style, characterized by simplicity and functionality, is experiencing a revival in contemporary design, exemplified by The Commerce Inn in New York's West Village. Designed by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, this restaurant features Shaker-inspired elements like peg rails, pew-shaped booths, and spindle-backed banquettes. The Shakers, known for their commitment to gender equality, environmental stewardship, and crafting perfect objects as a spiritual practice, continue to influence modern aesthetics through their emphasis on purity of form and functional beauty.

Sheila Bouttier, founder of Galerie Provenance, has infused her Los Angeles home with a blend of modern elegance and traditional charm. Designed by Hollywood architect William Hefner, the 6,500-square-foot residence merges mid-century aesthetics with warmth, featuring bespoke furnishings and curated art. The interiors showcase pieces like Marco Zanuso's 1950s armchairs and Benjamin Abramowitz's artworks, reflecting Bouttier’s deep connection to her grandfather's legacy. The house includes diverse spaces from a black-paneled office to a vibrant family room and serene master suite, all harmoniously designed to combine stylish comfort with personal history. The Bouttiers also integrated an outdoor living area and lush gardens, creating a cohesive and inviting environment that celebrates both contemporary and classic design elements.