A large crowd in formal attire gathers under dramatic white drapes hanging from the ceiling in a spacious, elegantly lit venue.
SCAD Savannah – Summer 2024 – Exhibitions – Olimpia Zagnoli – ”Multifaceted” – Documentation – SCAD Museum of Art, Jewel Boxes – Photography Courtesy of SCAD

September 9, 2026

Words: Cindy Allen, Edited by Jen Renzi

Cheers To Cindy Allen And 25 Years Of Design Excellence

Interior Design Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen celebrates 25 years at the helm of this magazine with a trip down memory lane to highlight standout issues, moments, and stories.

Standout Design Moments Through The Eyes Of Editor-in-Chief Cindy Allen

the covetable cover

“That’s the term I coined for the prized top spot of every issue of Interior Design. As editor-in-chief, I’ve selected more than 350 covers over the past 25 years. They have certainly evolved since the magazine’s inception in 1932, then called the Decorator’s Digest, but what has held steady is our dedication to the unequaled talents, unmatched work, and ever-evolving business of design—and to showcasing the very best visuals.”

  • Lobby with geometric red ceiling and illuminated sculptural column, featured on the cover of Interior Design magazine, March 2023. Bold yellow and white text highlights the theme “on fire!”.
    MARCH 2009.
  • A person walks down a modern floating staircase with perforated steps casting light patterns on the wall; text reads “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “let there be light.”.
    OCTOBER 2014.
  • A person stands in front of a large jet engine inside a modern, white space. The cover reads “Interior Design, December 2018, turbocharged, best of year.”.
    DECEMBER 2010.
  • Aerial view of colorful, abstract outdoor structures with people walking, featured on the cover of Interior Design magazine, May 2023 issue.
    MAY 2021.
  • Cover of Interior Design magazine featuring orange geometric wall panels, chairs, and tables with the text “all shapes and sizes.”.
    OCTOBER 2015.
  • Person standing barefoot inside a silvery, translucent tunnel. The words “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “pushing beyond” are on the image.
    JANUARY 2016.
  • A misty, gold-toned spa room with a tiled heated bench, wall niche, and ceiling lights, featured on the February 2023 cover of Interior Design magazine.
    FEBRUARY 2023.
  • Cover of Interior Design magazine featuring a close-up of a woman’s face behind a modern office scene with a table, chairs, and red bottles. The word “mesmerizing” is on a chair.
    FEBRUARY 2012.
  • A woman in a blue dress stands near modern wooden benches in front of a large, colorful mosaic wall under the text “INTERIOR DESIGN.”.
    NOVEMBER 2017.
  • Interior Design magazine cover featuring a red-toned lounge with plush seating, round tables, and a large circular light on the wall. Text reads, “hospitality’s all aglow.”.
    OCTOBER 2023.
  • The cover of Interior Design magazine shows a spiral staircase with a colorful circular floor art at the bottom; “90th anniversary vision” text appears below the title.
    APRIL 2022.
  • Cover of “Interior Design” magazine featuring a pattern of colorful, closed paint cans arranged in rows; text reads “infinite possibilities.”.
    NOVEMBER 2022.
  • A magazine cover with five human-shaped cutouts showing clouds, a silhouette hanging from one cutout, and the words “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “stretching boundaries.”.
    OCTOBER 2010.
  • Person hangs upside down on rope swing inside a wooden room with circular opening; “Interior Design” magazine cover, June 2023, with text “at work, at play.”.
    JUNE 2023.
  • Three people lie on a circular red seating area under a spiral neon light, viewed from above, on the April 2023 cover of Interior Design magazine.
    APRIL 2023.
  • A person stands in a large red-carpeted room with circular ceiling lights and red columns. The magazine cover reads “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “new york groove.”.
    SEPTEMBER 2019.
  • The cover of Interior Design magazine features a woven black sculpture above a photo of a person’s eye and brow, with the caption “face time” in the lower right corner.
    NOVEMBER 2020.
  • A person stands in a large, geometric wooden interior with a high ceiling; the words “INTERIOR DESIGN” are overlaid at the top.
    SEPTEMBER 2014.
  • A mannequin in a white dress with red, yellow, and black circles stands in a colorful doorway. Text reads “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “fashion: right on target.”.
    APRIL 2004.
  • A person in blue steps onto a large silver tarp with “INTERIOR DESIGN” and “jump right in” text above.
    JANUARY 2018.
  • Cover of Interior Design magazine featuring a modern gold building facade with an arched entrance; two people walk outside. Text reads “eye on the future.”.
    JANUARY 2019.
  • Colorful chairs surround a white dining table set with glassware and plates, against a vibrant backdrop featuring a large blue-toned face. The text “INTERIOR DESIGN” appears at the top.
    APRIL 2014.

ceiling shatterer

“To be one of only five editors—after founder and publisher Harry Anderson, Sherman Emery, Stanley Abercrombie, and Mayer Rus—is such an honor. I’m particularly proud of being the only woman, and the second longest–serving editor. I began my term at Interior Design as the marketing director, an experience that makes me uniquely positioned to man today’s digitally disrupted ship, which we’ve morphed from a monthly print issue to a multimedia content generator and global design media brand. I’m dedicated to supporting the industry, whether in print or pixels.”

  • A person with short curly hair, glasses, and a large circular necklace looks to the side against a white background.
    Cindy Allen.
  • Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man in a suit and tie, seated with his arms crossed on a table, looking directly at the camera.
    Harry Anderson.
  • A man in a suit smiles at the camera with his hand resting on his chin, against a backdrop of bookshelves filled with books.
    Sherman Emery.
  • A man with short hair and a slight smile looks to the side. Blurry text is visible on the wall behind him. Black and white photo.
    Stanley Abercrombie.
  • A bald man with a goatee, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt, looks at the camera in a black and white portrait.
    Mayer Rus.
  • Tall, colorful vertical bars display different months and years, each labeled “INTERIOR DESIGN” with corresponding publication dates and text, arranged in a row.

first issue

“My debut issue as editor, the New York issue, with the bold headquarters of the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn on the cover, went to press when 9/11 devastated our world. In that period of grief and rebuilding, my mission became crystal clear: to serve (and protect) and inspire (and elevate) our beloved design industry. Throughout my 25 years, my desire to create community and support change has remained constant.”

  • Magazine cover titled “Interior Design” features a white table, two decorative heads, a white stool, a sculpture, and a red rug against a green wall. Text reads “Greater New York.”.
    SEPTEMBER 2001: cover.
  • A magazine page with an “Interior Design” header and a message reflecting on 9/11, dedicating the issue to victims, their families, and those who helped during the tragedy.
    SEPTEMBER 2001: cover overlay.
  • A brightly lit stage with large red curtain accents, illuminated stairs, and a podium reading “She Done Already Done Had Herses” at center stage.
    Rockwell Group: Hairspray. September 2002. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • Modern interior with curved wooden seating, translucent wall revealing building facade behind, and a tall column in the center. A few people are seated on the steps.
    OMA: Prada Epicenter, New York. APRIL 2002. Photography by Paul Warchol.

sheer beauty

“There may never be anything quite as moving as witnessing Swarovski Crystal Palace: stunning designer creations that were installed in a dusty, historic Milan stable during the 2003 edition of Salone del Mobile. We featured a photo essay in the August issue.”

  • A cascade of sparkling, transparent strands flows from the ceiling to a white table, pooling on its surface, in a dim, empty room with yellowed walls and a doorway in the background.
    Vincent Van Duysen: Cascade.
  • Three metal chairs face a wall in a bare room with warm light. Hanging beads or chains create a colorful, shimmering curtain effect near the corner.
    Unidentified.
  • A suspended cylindrical light fixture with hanging strings and a glowing sphere in the center of a dim, empty, concrete room.
    Tom Dixon: Ball.
  • A weathered wooden door with “CHIUDERE” written on it, partially obscured by a decorative branch with clear crystals in the foreground.
    Tord Boontje: Blossom.

my favorite things…

“We were curious to see what objects of desire our designer pals covet, so we threw a show-and-tell party and captured it all on film for the March 2004 issue!”

  • A person holds a rectangular object covered in assorted white buttons, partially obscuring their face, against a black background.
    Laura Bohn: early-1900s mother-of-pearl button box. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • Person with round, reflective glasses and black turtleneck holds several round, translucent objects in open hands against a plain background.
    David Ling: Murano glassblowing leftovers. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • Person with short brown hair sits sideways on a wooden chair, smiling, wearing a gray cardigan and dark pants. Blue and white mosaic tile wall in the background.
    Deborah Berke: 1950s Thonet molded-plywood. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A man wearing glasses and a dark jacket sits indoors in front of a marble lamp with a white shade.
    Shamir Shah: Carrara marble and walnut lamp. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A smiling man in glasses and a suit holds several dark, square-shaped objects in his open palm against a black background.
    David Mann: Prague cobblestones. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A woman in a black and white outfit sits behind a metal peace sign sculpture, partially obscuring her face, against a dark background.
    Victoria Hagan: Irish wheelwright’s tool. Photography by Eric Laignel.

in the mix…

“Gilt, a fine-dining restaurant at the former New York Palace Hotel, sited in a 19th-century landmark building, was Interior Design Hall of Fame member Patrick Jouin’s very first project in New York—a blending of old-world elegance with contemporary opulence and technology. It featured an oyster-shape bar, lit with lilac-colored LEDs to form a glowing architectural structure…wowza!”

  • People walking on a transparent floor seen from below, with striped grid lines and silhouettes visible against a bright background.
    Markzeff: Theory Headquarters, New York. APRIL 2007.
  • Two women in sleeveless black tops wear bold helmets, one with white polka dots and the other with white crescent shapes, posing against a plain background.
    Edward Mann: archival Daily Mirror image, “Swinging Sixties,” Victoria and Albert Museum, London. December 2006. Photography by John French/Courtesy of the V&A.
  • Woman sitting under a vintage hair dryer, reading a magazine in a retro salon with red walls, neon “HAIRCUT 100” sign, and a Coca-Cola machine.
    Mort Fryman: “A Century of Great Photography from the Virginian-Pilot,” Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia. DECEMBER 2006. Photography courtesy of the Virginian-Pilot.
  • Elegant restaurant with set tables in the foreground; a modern, purple-lit bar with geometric design stands against ornate, classical walls and balcony in the background.
    Jouin Manku: Gilt Restaurant & Bar, Palace Hotel, New York. MARCH 2006. Photography by Eric Laignel.

icons of design

“For our 75th anniversary, we gathered industry legends and spent an unforgettable day in the photo studio. They regaled us with tales about their remarkable lives, and we captured their spirit alongside iconic products and published the results as the feature story in our 2007 Fall Market Tabloid.”

  • An older person with white hair and large round glasses holds a shiny, spiral-shaped metal sculpture against a plain light background.
    Iris Barrel Apfel: M2L’s ClassiCon Usha by Eckart Muthesius. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • An older person in a light shirt and hat holds a cluster of large, dark, wavy-edged vases, partially obscuring their face.
    Jack Lenor Larsen: Fontana Arte’s Cartoccio by Pietro Chiesa. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • An older man in black sits on a modern white lounge chair, while an older woman in black stands behind him, one hand resting on the chair, both looking off camera.
    Massimo and Lella Vignelli: Knoll’s BambergMetallwerkstätten by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • Two older adults sit side by side, smiling and playfully holding eyeglasses to their faces. One holds a cane, and both wear colorful clothing against a plain background.
    Arthur and Teddy Edelman: Lobmeyr’s crystal candy dishes by Oswald Haerdtl. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • Woman in a red cardigan and black pants sits smiling on a modern black and white desk, with one leg crossed and her hand resting on the desk.
    Hilda Longinotti: M2L’s Tecta M45 by Marcel Breuer. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • Woman with dark hair and red lipstick in profile, wrapped in a light-colored fabric decorated with small rectangular patterns, set against a plain dark background.
    Ruth Lynford: Maharam’s I Morosi. Photography by Paul Godwin.
  • A modern yellow and black shelving unit stands against a textured wall in a minimalist room. The magazine cover reads “Interior Design” and “market tabloid design icons.”.

the year of the face…

“When you’re in a position to review so many projects from designers all across the globe, you become very attuned to what elements or themes are trending and feeling culturally relevant. For instance, there was a period in 2008 when I noticed a number of innovative interiors all featured graphics of faces, blown into larger-than-life formats. Quite a look!”

  • A large wall mural of a person’s eye and hair is partially visible behind two empty mesh chairs and a white table.
    KPMB Architects: Torys Headquarters, Toronto. August 2008. Photography by Tom Arban.
  • Person with their back to the camera, hair styled in intricate woven and braided patterns with added curly and looped hair decorations, on a light background.
    Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir: Hair Sculpture, “Manufactured: The Conspicuous Transformation of Everyday Objects,” Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, Oregon. December 2008. Photography by Tom Arban.
  • A close-up of a person’s eye surrounded by colorful pink, purple, and blue glitter, creating a vibrant and textured appearance.
    Marilyn Minter: Glazed, Enamel on Metal, “Excerpt: Selections from the Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn Collection,” Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. December 2008. Photography courtesy of Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir.
  • A wall features a large portrait of a woman with blond hair behind a modern pool table with four balls on its black felt surface.
    Rigg Design: Brooklyn Town House, New York. August 2008. Photography courtesy of Marilyn Minter.
  • A large wall mural shows a close-up side profile of a person with short dark hair, their forehead touching the wall, behind a row of empty conference chairs.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.

in the mix…

“How many Barbies does it take to create a custom stair installation for the brand’s Shanghai store? In the hands of Slade Architecture, it’s 800 dolls, each a different style and in a different dress, but all in the same Pantone color—Barbie pink, of course.”

  • Person walking down a curved staircase surrounded by transparent walls with small red dress ornaments hanging inside.
    Lade Architecture: Barbie Flagship, Shanghai. April 2009. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A futuristic hallway with a red carpet, white walls, blue accents, and small white figurines displayed on black shelves along both sides.
    Mark Worthington and Richard Devine: Ugly Betty, Los Angeles. November 2009. Photography by Iwan Baan.
  • View through two large orange sculptural chairs to a modern office space with yellow chairs, glass walls, and eclectic decor.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • Black modern chair in front of a wall with bold black and white horizontal stripes and abstract geometric shapes.
    Highland Associates: Playboy Enterprises, New York. June 2009. Photography by James Prinz.
  • Person wearing a shaggy, bright yellow fur costume with an orange headpiece, arms bent and raised, standing against a white background.
    Nick Cave: Soundsuit, “Meet Me at the Center of the Earth,” Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco. December, 2009.

shape shifters

“We love showing all the ways designers come up with inspo and concepts. For instance, Hall of Famer Patrick Tighe created a mountainlike installation for the SCI-Arc Gallery—an 18-foot soy-based polyurethane-foam cone with a CNC-carved interior, its form derived from digitally mapping music by the composer Ken Ueno.”

  • Two people stand inside a cave-like room with textured white walls, a skylight above, dotted light spots, and a glowing red feature set into one wall.
    Tighe Architecture: Out of Memory, SCI-Arc Gallery, Los Angeles. March 2011. Photography by Art Gray.
  • A modern interior space features angular red walls and ceiling panels, a white pillar, dark flooring, and a glass entrance in the background.
    Clive Wilkinson Architects: Fox Head, Irvine, California. October 2013. Photography by Benny Chan/Fotoworks.
  • Modern industrial building with a zigzag roof, clad in metallic panels, under a cloudy sky with a visible rainbow in the background.
    Zaha Hadid Architects: Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland. December 2012. Photography by Hufton + Crow.
  • A blurred person walks behind frosted glass windows in a modern, minimalist concrete interior with geometric openings.
    BA Collective: Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. January 2011. Photography by Benny Chan/Fotoworks.
  • White mannequin wearing an intricate, geometric, spiked back piece made of interlocking paper or plastic shapes in a minimalist gallery setting.
    Beatrice Weiland and Meredith Lyona: Competition Winner, “Pratt + Paper & Ralph, Pucci,” Ralph Pucci International, New York. December 2012. Photography by Antoine Bootz.

antarctica 

“As editors, we are proud to proclaim we will go to the ends of the earth to find great design. Well, in the case of Halley VI research station in Antarctica, we actually went there! Designed by Hugh Broughton Architects with AECOM engineers, the station, which was featured in the June 2013 issue, can be repositioned as the ice shelf shifts, thanks to ‘legs’ set on skis.”

  • Blue modular building on stilts in a snowy landscape, with people in orange jackets walking around; “INTERIOR DESIGN” magazine cover, June 2013, headline reads “out there!”.
    Photography by James Morris.
  • Modern spiral staircase with glass sides and metal railings, set against curved wooden walls and a blue floor, leading up through a circular ceiling opening.
    Photography by James Morris.
  • View under an elevated blue and red building on snowy ground, with clear sky and distant structures visible in the background.
    Photography by James Morris.
  • A brightly lit hallway with blue carpet, white walls, green door frames, and several closed doors leading to a glass exit at the end.
    Photography by James Morris.
  • A row of blue and one red interconnected research modules stands on a snowy, flat landscape under a clear blue sky.
    Hugh Broughton Architects: Halley VI Research Station, Antarctica. June 2013. Photography by James Morris.

diffa through the years…

“When my pal David Rockwell invited me to chair DIFFA, it was an easy yes—I knew I could help do good…and make a DIFFA-rence. Goodness solves problems, builds bridges, and creates communities. My 12-year steward-ship was all about adapting and making the nonprofit relevant, growing its support to encompass broader community challenges such as homelessness, food insecurity, and mental wellness.”

  • A person walks past a large illuminated sign that reads, “DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS @DIFFANATIONAL.”.
    Dining by Design Benefitting DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. April 2019. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A row of twelve trophies is displayed on a long table in front of a geometric red and gray UNITY backdrop, with white cubes beneath the table.
    Interior Design and Reis Contracting, “Unity.” April 2019. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A display with a yellow wall featuring the word “LIGHT” in large letters, illuminated bulbs, and yellow blocks arranged in front.
    Interior Design and Shawmut Design and Construction, “Light.” April 2018. Photography by Alan Barry.
  • Orange and red geometric backdrop with the words “Unite With Love” and six open cube stools arranged in front.
    Interior Design, Reis Contracting and SITU Studio, “Unite With Love.” May 2022. Photography by Alan Barry.
  • A modern room with red tables and chairs faces a black-and-white striped wall featuring the large word “HOPE” in bold red letters.
    Interior Design and Silverlining Interiors, “Hope: A Tribute to Ali Tayar.” April 2016. Photography by Garrett Rowland.

mad men…

“During the final season of Mad Men, its creator Matthew Weiner, a design junkie, reached out (I kid you not) to see if we’d be interested in featuring the sets (I kid you not). We jumped and were given complete access: first, a candid sit-down with Matthew, getting the inside scoop with production designer Dan Bishop and set decorator Claudette Didul, and then documenting it all for the April 2014 issue—from Peggy’s office to Don’s boudoir!”

  • A framed butterfly print hangs above a wooden cabinet with a radio, glass ornament, stacked books, and a tall red thermos on top.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A round metal ashtray filled with cigarette butts and ashes, standing on a pedestal against a dark background.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A blue chair faces a wooden cabinet with a potted plant, set against a wall with geometric brown and white wallpaper in an office space.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A woman stands behind a seated man in a modern office hallway with colorful abstract art and a large spoon artwork on the wall.
    Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • A mid-century modern office lounge with blue, red, and yellow sofas, two yellow lamps, a coffee table, magazines, and large windows with blinds.
    Mad Men set.
  • A woman in an orange nightgown sits on a bed, comforting a seated man in a white shirt who looks down, both appearing somber in a dimly lit bedroom.
    Megan Draper (Jessica Pare) and Don Draper (Jon Hamm). Mad Men Season 6, Episode 5. Photography by Michael Yarish/AMC.
  • Woman sits at a cluttered office desk, wearing a red turtleneck and patterned dress. She faces slightly to the side with a neutral expression. Blinds and city buildings are visible behind her.
    Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss). Mad Men Season 6, Episode 13. Photography by Jamie Trueblood/AMC.
  • Spacious living room with mid-century modern furniture, large windows, sunken seating area, and ceiling panels revealing studio lights above.
    Mad Men set.

in the mix…

“In designing the Paris office of Le Cargo, Odile Decq centered on a fun motif: thought bubbles! The window configuration created a cloud of bubbles across the facade, and she dreamed up bloblike plaster finished–steel room enclosures that have free-form contours—just like how soap bubbles aren’t perfect spheres, but change shape as you blow on them.”

  • A colorful geometric mural with bold shapes and lines decorates a modern indoor space with a wood and glass counter in the foreground.
    Georges Rousse: Latex Installation, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Las Vegas. January 2017. Photography courtesy of the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
  • A person kneels, holding up a large, colorful, abstract artwork featuring red, orange, and white foamy shapes against a plain background.
    Gaetano Pesce: Cara Madre, “Gaetano Pesce: Molds (Gelati Misti),” Pacific Design Center Annex, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. January 2017. Photography courtesy of Gaetano Pesce.
  • Two people sit in chairs facing each other in a modern Cadillac showroom with large glass windows and colorful neon lights inside.
    Gensler: Cadillac House, New York. September 2016. Photography by Eric Laignel.
  • Modern building lobby with a large red ceiling feature, white and black floors, and rows of mailboxes mounted on both walls. Glass entry doors are visible at the far end.
    Studio Odile Decq: Le Cargo, Paris. March 2017. Photography by Roland Halbe.

train fare…

“Knowing the power of a graphic visual identity, cities around the world have elevated utilitarian subway stations with eye-catching designs. Chris M.Forsyth photographed a number of such stations in Berlin, Montreal, Munich, and Stockholm for a series he dubbed The Metro Project, showcased in the March 2017 issue as a celebration of murals, stained glass, sculpture, and more.”

  • Concrete stairs and railings lead down to a subway platform with a moving blue train and brick walls in the background.
    Ayotte et Bergeron: Charlevoix, Montreal. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.
  • A modern underground station with curved yellow walls, black accents, and a white tiled floor under a bright ceiling.
    Landeshauptstadt München Baureferat and Alexander von Branca: Marienplatz, Munich. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.
  • A large textured orange circle on a gray wall behind a blurred figure walking in an indoor public space.
    Mario Merola: Sherbrooke, Montreal. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.
  • Modern subway platform with large black and orange dome lights, blue-lit textured walls, empty benches, and train tracks on the right side.
    Auer Weber and Ingo Maurer: Westfriedhof, Munich. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.
  • A yellow train moves quickly through a modern subway station, with circular ceiling features and a tiled platform in view.
    Berliner Senatsverwaltung für Bau- und Wohnungswesen and Rainer Rümmler: Rathaus Steglitz, Berlin. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.
  • Three escalators lead up from a subway station with a dramatic red, cave-like ceiling and dark rocky walls.
    SL:s Arkitektkontor, Anders Åberg, and Karl-Olov Björk: Solna Centrum, Stockholm, Sweden. Photography by Chris M. Forsyth.

swervy, CURVY

“Unlike the typical research facility, where scientists work in uninspiring and often uniform spaces, CJ Blossom Park is a high-quality, highly branded lifestyle experience that CannonDesign conceived to attract the best scientists and stimulate creativity through interaction. Multiple disciplines are placed together to foster an interactive cocktail of collaboration fueled by technology and hotel-style amenities.”

  • Aerial view of a curved red walkway next to a crowd of people lined up in winding rows on a light-colored plaza by the water.
    Es Devlin: Louis Vuitton resort-wear show, Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, Rio de Janeiro. April 2017. Photography courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
  • A person wearing a billowing red outfit and white leggings stands on one foot with arms crossed, wearing white sneakers with red accents against a gray background.
    Paula Cánovas and Nikelab: Experimental polyester garment with VaporMax sneakers, “Vision-Airs: Experiments in Style.” April 2017. Photography courtesy of Nike.
  • A person in a swimsuit stands with arms outstretched on a diving platform in front of a large wall with abstract blue patterns.
    Entro Communications: University of Toronto Aquatics Center painted mural, Archigraphia Redux. May 2017. Photography courtesy of Poulin + Morris and Graphis.
  • Modern office space with white floors, a curved staircase, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large green moss installation extending from the wall onto the floor.
    CannonDesign: CJ Blossom Park, Suwan, South Korea. January 2018. Photography by Christopher Barrett.

hall of fame through the years…

“The Hall of Fame gala is the commercial design world’s most epic annual event. Its legacy is deeply connected to the place where we celebrate, which for decades was the landmark Waldorf Astoria New York—until, that is, it closed for renovations in 2017. Last year we were finally able to return to this grand and beloved venue, thanks to a meticulous restoration and renovation. The evening was a full-circle moment.”

  • A large, ornate ballroom filled with round dining tables and guests facing a stage with a screen displaying a person speaking.
    Waldorf Astoria New York, 2014. Photography by Keith Claytor/Time Frozen Photography.
  • A woman wearing glasses speaks at a podium with a microphone, with her image projected on a large screen behind her.
    Cindy Allen presenting at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 2019. Photography by Keith Claytor/Time Frozen Photography.
  • Facade of The Waldorf Astoria hotel with two flags, gold accents, and multiple lit windows at night.
    Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York, 2025. Photography courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria New York.
  • A red and clear curved glass award labeled “Interior Design Hall of Fame” sits on a wooden surface against a black background.
    Hall of Fame Awards designed by 3form, 2025. Photography by Keith Claytor/Time Frozen Photography.
  • Large crowd gathers under dramatic white draped fabric panels in a spacious indoor venue with high ceilings and red backdrop.
    Jacob K. Javits Convention Center River Pavilion entryway designed by Tsao & McGown with Sunbrella, 2019. Photography by Cindy Allen.
  • A large audience seated at round tables attends an event with a stage and a screen displaying “Interior Design” in white text on a red background.
    Jacob K. Javits Convention Center River Pavilion, 2019. Photography by Cindy Allen.
  • A large group of people stands on stage in front of a screen that reads “Interior Design Hall of Fame,” while an audience sits and watches.
    Hall of Fame 30th Anniversary, Waldorf Astoria New York, 2014. Photography by Keith Claytor/Time Frozen Photography.

bold moves

“Schemata Architects created the °C pod hotel on a modest budget by salvaging 168 sleeping pods from a nearby hotel that were still in good shape. The interior architecture is a cool composition of plywood, fiber-reinforced plastic, simple light fixtures, and builder chalk marks left on the industrial concrete flooring.”

  • Modern glass geometric structure sits atop a traditional brick building with rectangular windows, set against a clear sky.
    Zaha Hadid Architects: Port House, Antwerp Port Authority, Zaha Hadid Architects: Redefining Architecture & Design. March 2018. Photography by Hufton+Crow.
  • MRI machine in a modern, blue-lit hospital room with cabinets and a counter along the wall.
    KMD Architects: MRI room, Stanford Health Care outpatient facility, Emeryville, California. February 2018. Photography by David Hodges.
  • Six people stand in a concrete room wearing long, puffy, color-blocked coats with hoods and matching gloves, arranged in a semi-circle.
    Moncler: Genius Collection, Palazzo della Scintille, Milan. April 2018. Photography courtesy of Courtesy of Moncler.
  • A row of stacked, individual capsule beds with numbered doors in a modern, minimalistic capsule hotel.
    Schemata Architects: °C Pod Hotel, Tokyo. March 2018. Photography by Atsushi Nakamachi/Nacása & Partners.

designbiz

“When the pandemic hit and the world was in stay-at-home mode, SANDOW and Interior Design pivoted on a dime to keep our community connected. We launched popular initiatives like DesignTV and DesignBiz, a twice-weekly Instagram Live series in which I interviewed creatives like hospitality designer Nicole Hollis, interdisciplinary designer and educator Behnaz Farahi, and design leader Paula Wallace to check-in and air the challenges and joys of designing in unprecedented circumstances.”

  • Black and white photo of a smartphone screen showing two women chatting during a live video call, both wearing glasses and smiling. The phone is mounted on a tripod.
    Nicole Hollis.
  • A smartphone displays a live video call between a smiling woman and man, each visible in separate frames, with viewer count and comments on screen.
    Marcel Wanders.
  • Orange graphic with text: “DESIGNBIZ DUTCH DESIGN WEEK @interiordesignmag new time: 12:00 pm (ET)”.
  • Black-and-white photo of a phone screen showing two people on a video call, both wearing glasses and smiling; live viewer count is 80.
    Daniel Germani.
  • Two people smile and talk during a live video chat on a smartphone screen, shown in black and white.
    Margaret McMahon.
  • Black graphic with orange and white text promoting “DESIGNBIZ: insights from the industry,” happening today at 12:00 pm (ET) on @interiordesignmag.
  • A smartphone displays a video call between a woman and a man, both smiling, in black and white. The phone is held upright in a stand.
    Piero Lissoni.
  • A phone screen shows two women in a split-screen video call; the top woman smiles and wears glasses, while the bottom woman has short, side-swept hair and looks at the camera.
    Behnaz Farahi, MIT Media Lab.
  • A smartphone screen shows a black and white video call with one person in the top half smiling and another person in the bottom half, both visible via front cameras.
    Yves Béhar; Fuseproject.
  • Two people smiling during a video call, shown on a smartphone screen in black and white.
    Mavis Wiggins, TPG Architecture.
  • Orange poster with large text: “ON the craft here&now conversations with...” in white and black bold letters.
  • A phone displays a split-screen video call with two people smiling and laughing; the phone is mounted on a stand among cables and other electronic devices.
    Paula Wallace, SCAD.

the future is bright

“Studio Proba’s pool, a site-specific art installation at a private residence, is a feat of environmental storytelling that creates a completely immersive experience. Capturing the fluidity of coral reefs, the mural is composed of organically shaped custom ceramic tiles—each completely handmade—in a color palette that reflects Miami’s tropical energy. The project perfectly captures the joy and optimism I have for the future.”

  • Aerial view of a colorful, block-shaped building complex with red, yellow, blue, and green roofs surrounded by roads and walkways.
    BIG Architects: Lego House, Billund, Denmark. April 2022. Photography courtesy of the Lego Group.
  • A rectangular swimming pool features a colorful abstract mural on its floor, surrounded by green grass and beige pavement, viewed from above.
    Studio Proba and Cerámica Suro: Private pool, Miami. January 2026. Photography courtesy of Studio Proba.
  • Abstract illustration of a face with blue round glasses, green lenses, red lips, and red hair, created on vertical panels.
    Limpia Zagnoli: “Multifaceted,” SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia. November 2024. Photography courtesy of Olimpia Zagnoli and SCAD.
  • A person walks past a glass display featuring a colorful mural of a face with geometric shapes on a brick wall.
    Limpia Zagnoli: “Multifaceted,” SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah, Georgia. November 2024. Photography courtesy of Olimpia Zagnoli and SCAD.
  • A person observes colorful, vertical transparent panels suspended from the ceiling in a bright, white art gallery.
    Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos: Exposição Cruz-Diez, Simões de Assis Gallery, São Paulo. January 2025. Photography by Fran Parente.

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