Where I work: Christina Z. Antonio
Born and raised in London in a family of Greek leather artisans, New York City-based artist and furniture designer Christina Z. Antonio creates a range of innovative furniture, lighting and objects from materials including leather, parchment, precious stones, wood, metal and blown glass. In January, we arrived at Christina’s studio in Chelsea to see where she dreams up her much-coveted business.
Where I work: David Weeks 2021
After checking out designer David Weeks’ New York studio for the first time in 2012, we decided it was time for a refresh after moving to a new studio in Bed-Stuy. In his Brooklyn studio, he designs and develops a variety of items, from lighting and furniture, to accessories and super fun Cubebot® wooden robot toys. To see how things have changed in the ensuing nine years, we headed to Brooklyn in February to see the new fossils.
Where I work: Dave Palmer of Love
Dave Palmer is the Executive Creative Director of LOVE, a UK-based creative agency focused on storytelling, branding, packaging and advertising for the best global brands. Located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in an old Victorian textile warehouse that has been converted into offices, LOVE spans two floors and has an “industrial Victorian” vibe with playful local humor and cultural references. Plus, there’s a revolving door for staff dogs and two bars! We had to see it for ourselves, so in March we (almost) jumped into the pool to see the office space that was waiting for all employees to get back in once it was safe post-pandemic.
Where I work: Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli from Studio Dainelli
In April we arrive in Milan, in the Brera district, home of Dainelli Studio. Founded by designers and architects Leonardo and Marzia Dainelli in 2007, this practice designs interiors for private and public spaces, in addition to collaborating with popular home furnishings brands, such as Arketipo, Fendi Casa, Fratelli Boffi, Gallotti & Radice, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Londonart and Moj , For example, but not limited. The duo recently returned to the office after lockdown, sharing their refined studio featuring a chic black and white color palette with neutral undertones added as accents. The partners shared a welcoming setup designed to feel like a living room, along with how they work in the space.
Where I work: Ali Filji of Alikhan Filji Design
For over 14 years, lead designer Ali Velji has run his eponymous boutique design firm, Alykhan Velji Designs, in Calgary, Alberta, specializing in residential and commercial design. Velji has perfected a timeless aesthetic by seamlessly merging modern and classic elements and bringing to life the visions of its clients. This time, the client became in order to design the new headquarters of his company. In May, we went north to Canada to learn more about Velji, his practice, and his new residence-inspired office space.
Where I work: Daniel Lantz of Graf Lantz
Holger Graf and Daniel Lantz founded Graf Lantz in Los Angeles in 2009, drawing inspiration from Holger’s German heritage and Daniel’s passion for Japanese beauty. The funky home + lifestyle brand, known for updating and reimagining classic styles using durable, sustainable merino wool felt and high-quality leather, creates an ever-growing line of practical and functional things for the home and office, tech accessories, and all kinds of bags + handbags for every occasion. June landed us at their Silver Lake studio where Daniel Lantz showed us around the corner to see how and where their designs appear.
Where I work: Keng-Fu Lo of Chain10
Back in July, we caught up with Keng-Fu Lo, the architect and managing director of Chain10 Architecture + Interior Design Institute, in the Lingya district of Taiwan. The award-winning company delivers innovative, cutting-edge projects with a focus on nature and wellness, all of which are sustainably minded and provide key links between people and their environment. Lo shared more about the space, which he designed, with views of Kaohsiung Harbor, a green rooftop garage garden, and an extensive book collection lining the walls.
Where I work: Enis Karavil of Sanayi313 Architects
Enis Karavil is Creative Director and Co-Founder of Sanayi313 Architects, a multidisciplinary studio he launched with his brother Amir in Istanbul, Turkey in 2015. After studying interior design at the Inchbald School of Design in London, Enis leveraged his brother’s business expertise to make up their own accessories brand, In addition to their own architecture and design studio, Sanayi313 Architects. In August, we brought Enis inside their industrial studio, formerly an auto repair shop, to see how it works.
Where I work: Ladies and gentlemen studio
The Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, founded by Dylan Davis and Jean Lee, offers a thoughtful approach to their range of products, including jewelry, small items, lighting and furniture. The Brooklyn-based couple met while studying industrial design and went on to shape their studio as they create work that continues to inspire curiosity and wonder. Last September, we visited their Brooklyn studio to get a taste of their space and their design process.
Where I work: Isabelle Dubern-Malevays from The Invisible Collection
In October, we arrived (almost) in Paris to see where Isabel Dorburn Maleviez was living and working during the pandemic. The co-founder of the Invisible Collection had to get creative about where she worked once her travels to her place in London had stopped. This meant creating a comfortable focus space in her open and light-filled Parisian apartment. She shared how she pulls it all together and stays inspired while staying in one place.
Where I work: Ryan Sajian
Ryan Saghian is a 30-year-old interior designer who founded his eponymous company at the age of 21, launched a furniture line in 2014, opened a flagship showroom in Los Angeles in 2016, collaborated with Peugeot on his single-set wallcovering in 2018, He released his SoHo dinnerware in 2020, and most recently, he created a line of rugs in 2021. His highly sought-after aesthetics of Old Hollywood glamor meet modern millennials, keeping him and his crew of six occupied with upscale lodging. and hospitality projects. In November, we went to Los Angeles to see his newly designed office in Robertson III to learn more about his work style and creative space.
Where I work: Tom Dixon
In the latest Where I Work of 2021, we had to check out Design Milk’s favorite Tom Dixon and his headquarters, The Coal Office, in King’s Cross in London. He designed his studio and offices, as well as showroom, flagship store and restaurant, all in one place, where unique lighting, furniture, objects, candles, etc. are on display. The British icon shared about his design process, how it has changed during the pandemic, and a little bit about his expansive London complex.
