Three Can’t Live Without Products

“I love the Bamboo Linen and the Lorimer Percale bedding together. It feels so luxurious. I also can’t wait to use the beach towels–summer is coming!”

• Kassatex: How did you start designing?
• Ariel: I studied set and lighting design at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. The move to interiors was strangely natural. Reinaldo (Leandro) and I like to bring a space back to it’s original intention–make a Soho loft look like a Soho loft. Prewar should look prewar. My apartment is in a 1926 slightly Spanish style building and I had fun uncovering and restoring small details like terracotta floors and wrought iron light fixtures. Spanish style in Greenwich Village feels a little like designing a set.

• K: 3 designers who inspire you:
• AA: Anyone who is super honest and consistent in their vision. I love Axel Vervoordt , Atelier AM, and Serge Castella is really cool .

• K: Favorite moment when a project is complete:
• AA: About a week after a client moves in and they text me that they love it. People are usually a little overwhelmed at first.

• K: Favorite room to design?
• AA: Living Room. So many different ways a living room can go and so many different ways people live.

• K: Most difficult project?
• AA: Bedrooms–they are so personal.

• K: Three favorite colors for walls:
• AA: White, off-white, and I never thought i’d say this but beige…my bedroom is a beige Lime Wash.

• K: Runway Ready: Do you ever pull inspiration from fashion, or everyday life?
• AA: Everyday life, yes. I love historical references.

• K: How important is it to fully design a room, accent pieces to major elements, or do you allow room to grow with evolving tastes and items?
• AA: It depends on the client. Sometimes people want to finish a room on their own with objects from their own lives–sometimes they don’t have time. I’m happy with either.

• K: Three decor trends you wish would fade away:
• AA: If it’s a trend, it will fade. I don’t like trends.

• K: Repro or Authentic? When is it ok to use a reproduction of a popular item?
• AA: Ideally never a reproduction. If you can’t afford it, find something different! There are a million other options out there.

• K: Favorite cost efficient brand you love to use when mixing high/low:
• AA: I like Room & Board. for beds and other basics. It’s clean, modern design.

• K: Three websites for design inspiration:
• AA: Pinterest and Instagram. And I love Remodelista, they have great resources.

Written and Produced By: Kelly Florio Kasouf