The Comm Sheet

Swipe Right For Bumble’s IRL Dating Experience in Aspen

Dating has never been easier—or harder, depending on your POV—thanks to dating apps. But Bumble saw an opportunity to bring their brand’s ethos to in-person experiences, and to bring the dating world full circle from in-person meet-cutes to Bumbling online and back again. Studio Coco Greenblum made it happen by turning an empty storefront in Aspen into what’s fondly called the Love Chalet. And Coco and her team did it in record time—three weeks to be exact. The result is a welcoming hive abuzz with potential connections and possibilities.

This Prison-Turned-Luxury Hotel Offers the Perfect Escape

Let's get real: "Luxury prison hotel" sounds like the setup for a joke. But HOSHINOYA Nara Prison isn't chasing shock value. It's preserving one of Japan's most significant historic buildings in a way that keeps its story alive. The former 1908 prison has been transformed into a 48-suite luxury hotel, where original brick walls, soaring corridors, and even former prison cells have become part of the guest experience. It's equal parts history lesson, design marvel, and "wait...I'd actually stay there."

The Airport That Became the Destination

Delayed flight? At Singapore's Changi Airport, that's practically a bonus. Regularly crowned the world's best airport, Changi has turned layovers into bucket-list experiences with Jewel, a complex designed by Safdie Architects that features the world's tallest indoor waterfall, gardens, art, and shopping. Massive renovations have refreshed existing terminals, and Terminal 5—a city-sized expansion designed by Heatherwick Studio with KPF, set to open in the mid-2030s—promises even better enhancements. Apparently, "best in the world" wasn't ambitious enough.

Coffee. Connection. Come On In!

People are very particular about their coffee and loyal to their cafés. Interior designer Christina Higham of Sun Soul Style Interiors is no different. Java Kai in Kauai has been her coffee spot of choice since before she lived in Hawaii. And now she’s achieved her pinch-me moment of designing the brand’s third iteration in historic Koloa Town. Set in a historic structure including a lanai to foster an open-air vibe, this is more than a coffee shop. It’s a community gathering space. So come on in!

Lounge Culture: 6 Rockstar Sofas for Offices and Beyond

Lounge seating comes in all shapes and sizes and in just as many personalities. The commercial sofa has come a long way since hospitality designers introduced “living room” lobbies in the 2000s, and today many productive workplaces can trace their success back to their comfortable and flexible lounge areas. It’s where some of the best ideas are born either through collaboration or quiet reflection. And now, companies—like Bernhardt, Viccarbe, Andreu World, Favaretto, HBF, and Haworth—realize the return on investment associated with specifying the right lounge seating.

How Erika & Liam Hardman Design Through Disruption

It’s hard enough to grow a new business, but Liam and Erika Hardman of Hardman Design also had to contend with a global pandemic and the war in Ukraine. As the duo prepares to open their second NYC showroom, we talked to them about resilience and craftsmanship, why they've resisted chasing trends in favor of creating furniture with staying power, and how a strong relationship with customers means everything.

Mountain-Inspired Magic Underfoot

Ever wanted to incorporate the rugged grandeur of a mountain range into a chic commercial setting? Tai Ping did exactly that. The brand’s stunning new Sierra collection brings the snow-capped peaks and windswept plains of the Sierra Nevada into interior environments. Think gorgeous, hand-knotted wool-and-silk rugs in earthy lithic hues like smoke and sunlit gold. Even better? Natural variations in color are embraced, meaning zero factory-made monotony.

A European Vacation… in Montauk

If your summer plans to Capri didn’t pan out, Barlume Beach has a backup. The new 19-room hotel from LDV Hospitality is bringing a dose of la dolce vita to Montauk with Mediterranean-inspired interiors by Studio Tre plus waterfront dining, a lively beach club, and a marina for those who happen to arrive by boat. Take a look at the design details—from cork floors and custom oak furniture to a verdigris lava stone bar—and see why the property feels more like a coastal state of mind than a themed resort.

Editor’s Note | 7.28.26

In this heartfelt note, founding editor Danine Alati reflects on 10 unforgettable months of The Comm Sheet, thanks the community that made it all possible, and signs off for the summer with an issue filled with standout design stories and inspiration.

Fab 5: Lindsey Scannapieco

Adaptive reuse isn't just Lindsey Scannapieco's specialty; it's actually her philosophy. The founder and managing partner of Philadelphia-based Scout transformed the city's former Bok Building into the thriving Village of Industry and Art (VIA), now a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and community organizations. As Scout brings the Sounds of Philadelphia installationto VIA this summer, Lindsey reflects on success, creative community, and finding joy in everyday moments.

Standing Up and Making a Statement With Chair Design

Take a stand, and make a difference. That’s the idea behind Don’t Sit on Me, the latest group exhibition at the Hudson Valley design store/gallery Available Items. Design industry veterans Kristin Coleman and Chad Phillips founded this business in 2022 as a place to champion contemporary design. And they’re not afraid of making a statement. Featuring 13 chair designs that confront injustice, this protest show runs through Aug. 2 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Human Rights Watch.

Alfonso Verduzcoa Translates Ancient Mexican Materiality into Modern Acoustical Panels for WVH

It feels like interiors keep getting noisier, amirite? Not only is it irritating, but health experts say excessive sound can cause chronic stress, sleep disruption, and cardiovascular disease. To avoid all that, check out ALMA acoustical wall panels, a collaboration by WVH with Mexican-born multidisciplinary designer Alfonso Verduzcoa. Inspired by Mexico’s rich material heritage and cultural identity, Alfonso has reinterpreted ancient, organic materials that say “touch me” into walls that are clearly the focal point.

Finishing Touches: 6 Office Accessories that Encourage Productivity

With the hybrid work model here to stay, selecting the right office accessories is one way to elevate workplace interiors. From movable planters to circadian lighting to whiteboards that help remote workers feel like they’re actually sitting at the conference table, accessories can help create a more efficient, comfortable, and personalized environment. These six brands—Orangebox, Isomi, AMI, Three H, BIOS Lighting, and Taamaa—are worth checking out.

The Wizard Behind Ralph Lauren Stores Goes Solo

After decades spent creating Ralph Lauren's unforgettable retail experiences, Alfredo Paredes has finally opened a world entirely his own. But this storefront in Hudson, New York, isn't a traditional showroom. Instead, it's a beautifully layered home filled with his furniture, vintage finds, art, rugs, and pottery. Spoiler: This spot is less about selling furniture and more about inviting people into his world.

Spago Turns Dinner Into a Deliciously Dramatic Performance

Inspired by a 19th-century science fiction novel and a healthy dose of Hollywood glamour, AB Concept's latest restaurant invites guests to wander through a dining experience that unfolds one scene at a time. At Spago at The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai, every meal feels like a theatrical production.

How Chic Can a 14th-Century Monastery Be? Check Out This Kraków Gem!

Ever dream of sleeping in a 14th-century monastery that’s moonlighting as an ultra-luxury, five-star hotspot? You can do just that at Stradom House, Autograph Collection, Karkow’s newest historical flex. The jaw-dropping property, designed by ADC Atelier, is pure indulgence. You’re welcome.

Coil + Drift Celebrates a Decade of Dancing with Light

Some people just have creativity in their bones. John Sorensen-Jolink is one of them. Ten years ago, the formally trained contemporary dancer and choreographer switched gears to launch lighting- and furniture-making business Coil + Drift in New York’s Catskill countryside. And he’s never looked back. Recently, we spoke with John about his unique career path, his experience living and working in a rural area, and his expansion into commercial markets.

FAB 5: Natalie Hartkopf

Natalie Hartkopf didn’t plan to join the furniture industry—until one unexpected chair delivery changed everything. Now chair and co-owner of Hightower, she leads the certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise and B Corp with sustainability, social health, and equity at the forefront. With new leadership roles on the IIDA and BIFMA boards, Natalie chats with us about connecting the industry, what makes good design, finding joy in everyday moments, and (hopefully) mastering French.

Editor's Note | 7.14.26

Seeing these countries playing together in the 2026 World Cup, the camaraderie among players on opposite teams, and the overall, joyful display of healthy masculinity gives me hope in humanity. And it reinforces the fact that we're not so different after all, no matter where we're from. In this issue we travel the world and see that meaningful, thoughtful, and downright breathtaking interior design can be found around the globe.