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Architecture + Design

2 Bay Area Designers Share What’s Exciting Them Lately

Next In Design 99 honorees Carmen René Smith and Dimitra Anderson dish on what’s catching their eyes, from top local shopping spots to artists worth knowing.


Carmen René Smith

Home wet bar with navy cabinetry and fireplace with marble surround set behind a yellow-velvet-upholstered chair and gold coffee table.

Photo: Vivian Johnson

Through a blend of maximalist furnishings and playful art layered atop strong interior architecture, this LUXE Next In Design 99 talent strives to create spaces that evoke wonder. Here the Aquilo Interiors principal shares a few of her design faves.

Go-to paint color? Farrow & Ball’s quintessential Hague Blue or Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue—they are both so swanky!

Designer inspo? Pierre Yovanovitch. He shows restraint and focused intention in his use of color and layers but is still a master of innovation and playfulness.

Favorite artist? Bisa Butler. Her vibrant, intricate textile portraits shed vital light on the contributions, resilience and beauty of black individuals and communities.


Dimitra Anderson

Dining area with bubble-like chandelier over a round table surrounded by yellow upholstered chairs and set against windows flanked by yellow drapes.

Photo: Paul Dyer

By sticking with a few constants (clean lines, color and texture) plus a dash of the unexpected, the principal of Dimitra Anderson Home keeps her residential projects feeling fresh. Read on to discover what has been attracting the LUXE Next In Design 99 honoree’s attention.

Art obsession? I am captivated by pop art and am always on the lookout for emerging artists in the genre. My favorites are James Verbicky and Todd Gray.

Must-visit shop? Coup D’Etat, which carries unique furnishings sourced from local artisans as well as vintage pieces from around the world.

Trend on your radar? We’re loving matte black appliances over stainless steel and plumbing fixtures that incorporate colorful elements.


Next In Design: 99 - Featured Trailblazers

Luxe Interiors + Design is thrilled to spotlight these Next in Design trendsetters. Explore more stories from the forefront of design innovation, and discover the fresh faces redefining the future of our industry.
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