The Comm Sheet

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.

Editor's Note: June 30, 2026

I'm freshly back from an impromptu Caribbean getaway (adults-only—woohoo!), and my mind is still at the beach. But, alas, there's work to do. So I'm here bringing you an issue chock-full of really rich content that you just have to see.…

RA!'s Latest Hotel Design Is a Geometric Gem

Can a hotel be both a sanctuary and an extension of the city itself? We think RA! studio’s latest hospitality project answers with a resounding YES. At Laiva Hotel in San José del Cabo geometric architecture meets local heritage to create an immersive, context-driven experience.

It’s Not About Selling Furniture. It’s a Whole Vibe—the Henge Way

Some brands don't chase attention—they command it. That’s Henge. The Italian furniture company has opened a dedicated space inside Luminaire Chicago, the city's expansive luxury design destination in River North. Following its first permanent U.S. showroom in Miami, Henge chose Chicago for its rich architectural legacy and thriving design community. Debuting during Design Week Chicago, the immersive space invites architects, designers, and clients to experience the brand's sculptural furniture, extraordinary materials, and unmistakable approach to contemporary interiors.

Pollini at Ladbroke Hall's Next Chapter Feels Like Home

White tablecloths? Sure. White-knuckling over which fork to use? Nope, not here. Pollini at Ladbroke Hall has unveiled its next evolution with refreshed interiors by Linda Boronkay that swap stuffy for warm sophistication and make the restaurant feel more like an impossibly chic living room than a formal dining room. Housed within a restored 1903 automobile factory, this London destination blurs the lines between hospitality, art, and design, proving that today's most luxurious spaces aren't the ones that make you sit up straighter, but the ones that invite you to settle in and stay awhile.

Fab 5: Samantha Josaphat-Medina

Samantha Josaphat-Medina almost walked away from architecture after years of feeling undervalued in the industry. Instead, she founded STUDIO 397 Architecture, named for her distinction as the 397th African American woman licensed as an architect in the U.S. Here, she reflects on resilience, why clients should value design beyond the drawings, and the importance of creating spaces that balance exploration with rest.

Alkemis Paint Keeps Microplastics Out of the Ocean. Can Your Paint Do That?

Paint has come a long way (baby) since the days of oil-based solvents. In 2021, Maya Crowne and Price Latimer rolled out their new wellness paint, called Alkemis, which distinguishes itself as being supremely eco-friendly. This Cradle to Cradle Certified paint is mineral-based, so it inhibits mold growth. Even better, it ditches the VOCs and toxic synthetic pigments, and zero microplastics end up in the ocean. Now, we can all breathe easier.

5 Furniture Picks for a Growing Demographic You Shouldn’t Ignore

Who isn’t looking for solutions that cut through the noise when it comes to product specification—especially for the autistic set? The IBCCES's Certified Autism Resource (CAR) product designation helps specifiers find products that have been rigorously vetted by a board of experts that includes autistic self-advocates. From Orangebox's modular acoustic pods to Creative Activity's fully customizable sensory rooms, these six furniture selections prioritize universal design principles for the wave of neurodivergent individuals soon to be entering the workforce.

Axia Invites You to See the Chandelier in a New Light (Or Not)

The Axia Chandelier isn’t trying to make a statement, nor does it seek to disappear into the background. By reinterpreting a classic fixture, the Italian lighting brand Lodes, in collaboration with Martinelli Venezia, brings the chandelier into a new light—or lack thereof.

Fab 5: Michael Johnson II

Michael Johnson II, FIIDA, AIA, NOMA, approaches design as a form of emotional storytelling rather than decoration. The associate principal and director of interiors at Hickok Cole applies that same philosophy across projects ranging from corporate interiors to cultural spaces, always with wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind. In this Fab 5, the D.C. native discusses designing with curiosity instead of judgment, why “safe” spaces are forgettable, his dream of learning furniture-making, and how Outkast’s Aquemini fuels fearless creative thinking.

A Vintage Naples Vacay Spot Gets a Four Seasons Makeover

Old Florida vibes, revived! The Naples Beach Club features a major expansion of a longtime local favorite with lots of luxe enhancements, including a new hotel and residences. Hart Howerton’s master plan, architecture, and landscape design, plus gorgeous interiors by Champalimaud Design, have delivered a fresh interpretation of this vintage waterfront gem, where guests can kick back with a cold drink and catch that heavenly Gulf Coast breeze.

Bright Colors, Big Heart, Courtesy of Dvira Interiors

Community centers don't always get the design-star treatment. But the Jewish Youth Network's new home, designed by Dvira Interiors, is a welcome exception. Filled with punchy colors, flexible gathering spaces, playful graphics, and subtle nods to Jewish culture, the project was created to support everything from learning and socializing to artistic expression and community events that help young people feel connected.