Hospitality Design: What I've Learned

Chantell Walsh, Strategic Hotels & Resorts

Growing up in a small town in central Minnesota, Chantell Walsh’s creativity took the form of graph paper floorplans and endless hours outdoors inventing adventures. A pi

Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O'Neal, and William Harris, AvroKO

For more than two decades, AvroKO has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a design firm. Founded by longtime friends Greg Bradshaw, Adam Farmerie, Kristina O’Nea

Craig Stanghetta, Ste Marie

Raised in Sault Ste. Marie, a small industrial town in Northern Ontario, Craig Stanghetta grew up surrounded by hospitality—his family owned the city’s oldest hotel. Thou

Sarah Klymson and Simon Marxer, Hyatt

As senior leaders shaping the future of Hyatt's wellness-focused brand Miraval, Sarah Klymson and Simon Marxer bring complementary expertise to the table: Klymson is

Dr. Jonathan Leary, Remedy Place

Growing up in a small town outside Providence, Rhode Island, Dr. Jonathan Leary always had big dreams. At a young age, he had plotted to move to Los Angeles and pursue a

Caroline and Sabri Farouki, Farouki Farouki

Caroline and Sabri Farouki, partners behind New Orleans-based studio Farouki Farouki, bring a personal and global perspective to their practice.  Caroline grew up in Laf

Suchi Reddy, Reddymade

Suchi Reddy’s creative journey began in Chennai, India, where she grew up in a vibrant home curated by her mother—think scenic wallpaper, terrazzo floors embedded with ma

Jacu Strauss, Lore Group

Born in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, Jacu Strauss’ early years were marked by his imagination—crafting dollhouses from wine boxes and drawing urban streetscapes i

Morris Adjmi, Morris Adjmi Architects

As founder of his eponymous New York firm, visionary architect Morris Adjmi's work is deeply rooted in a respect for heritage while embracing innovation. With a care

Cathy O'Brien, Naturopathica

From her childhood in Larchmont, New York to leading a renowned wellness company, Cathy O'Brien’s wide-ranging career spans the music industry as well as the beauty

Brad Guidi and Jason Brown, Blue Flag Capital

When Jason Brown and Brad Guidi joined forces to create hospitality real estate private equity firm Blue Flag Capital, they weren’t just building hotels—they were craftin

Darius Davie + Matthew Sears, Groom Guy

Growing up  in Brooklyn, lifelong friends Matthew Sears and Darius Davie started their entrepreneurial journey thanks to a shared passion for design, grooming, and commun

Elizabeth Blau

A driving force behind the evolution of Las Vegas dining scene and beyond, Elizabeth Blau began her F&B journey under the legendary Sirio Maccioni at Le Cirque in New Yor

Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir

Icelandic hotelier Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir has built a reputation for her innovative approach to creating immersive guest experiences. Growing up in a small town near Re

Vincent Celano, Celano Design Studio

From working in a butcher shop as a child to immersing himself in the world of art and architecture, Vincent Celano’s upbringing in Brooklyn, New York instilled in him a

Matt Goodrich, Goodrich

Matt Goodrich, principal of his New York-based design studio Goodrich, has cultivated an approach that is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and pursuing the unexpected.

Episode Re-release December 8, 2020: Tara Bernerd, Tara Bernerd & Partners

Revisit our conversation with prolific designer Tara Bernerd, founder of  her eponymous London-based firm Tara Bernerd & Partners. Back in 2020, as the world was facing a

Aliya Khan, Marriott

Having lived across continents—from Hong Kong to Houston and Singapore to Pakistan—Aliya Khan’s upbringing instilled a appreciation for culture, architecture, and art. A

Tom Ito, Gensler

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tom Ito, a third-generation Japanese-American, was destined to be in the hospitality industry. He worked at his grandparents’ restaurant w

Sam Fox

Born in Chicago and raised in Arizona, Sam Fox’s early experiences working in his parents’ diners, Mexican restaurants, and delis shaped his understanding of the industry