18 AUTUMN 2026 CONTENTS 12 FROM THE EDITOR 14 WELCOME 16 CONTRIBUTORS 20 BOOKNOOK Read the room 22 MUSE Three artists mixing mediums, ideas and the rules of engagement 32 EDITOR’S PICKS Things to light, cook and covet 33 THE DEEP END: A BATHROOM ROUNDUP Tubs that make a splash and tiles that make a statement 34 GATHER ’ROUND: A KITCHEN ROUNDUP What’s cooking in the social hub of the home POV: SMALL TALK Four projects made for conversation and connections Louisville, Kentucky 41 DOWN TO EARTH Natalie O Design New York, New York 43 GO WITH THE FLOW Tami Wassong Interiors New York, New York 46 ART & SOUL Dunnam Zerbini Design Houston, Texas 47 GOIN’ WEST Rainey Richardson Interiors FEATURES Chevy Chase, Maryland 50 ALL TOGETHER NOW Architect Peter Miles leads a residential design transformation Boston, Massachusetts 56 LA DOLCE VITA Designer Lisa Tharp’s own pied-à- terre in the Back Bay proves that a home built for receiving is a home built for connection Long Lake, Minnesota 62 LAKESIDE LIVING A Minnesota home, designed for being together Brussels, Belgium 68 DEPTH PERCEPTION Gilles Dewavrin creates a layered, luscious environment in Brussels Sunset, South Carolina 76 RICH, WARM AND WONDERFUL Designer Veronica Russell fashions a lakeside home at The Reserve at Lake Keowee New York, New York 82 GOOD FOR THE SOUL BarlisWedlick Architects and MK Workshop bring heart and soul to an urban apartment Austin, Texas 88 THE ART OF BELONGING Designer Christina Cruz proves true luxury is measured by the life shared within the home LAST WORDS EXIT STRATEGY The dinner party’s golden rule: come hungry, stay interesting and please don’t make us regret dessert ON THE COVER: The home library on the cover is designed and styled by Alicia Henn Creative. Photography by Vora Quinn Neuroaesthetics nyoor-oh-ess-THED-iks [noun] The scientific study of how the brain perceives, processes, and responds to art, beauty and aesthetic experiences. Interior design is often assumed to begin with the home itself. I begin by designing for the people who will live in it. That’s what applying neuroaesthetics to interior design has changed for me. Rather than beginning with furnishings or the latest trends, I first work to understand how my clients want to live. How do they entertain? Where does the family naturally gather? Which spaces could restore energy, and which would encourage conversation? Those answers become the foundation for every design decision that follows, influencing everything from the floor plan and furniture arrangement to lighting, artwork and the atmosphere of the home. One of the guiding frameworks of neuroaesthetics I use in my practice is the Design Triad, identified by Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, founding director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. It suggests that people are naturally drawn to spaces with three qualities: coherence, fascination and hominess. These principles don’t remain theoretical. They guide every design decision that shapes the room. In spaces where people gather, coherence influences how we organize a floor plan, establish clear circulation and arrange seating so conversation flows naturally. Fascination is created through thoughtful layers of art, lighting, texture and meaningful objects that invite people to engage with the space and one another. Hominess is achieved by designing spaces that reflect the people who live there, creating a genuine sense of comfort, belonging and ease. As our homes become the setting for family gatherings and celebrations this fall, thoughtful design becomes more than beautiful. It quietly supports connection, making guests feel welcome while hosting feels effortless and visits become lasting memories. That’s the difference neuroaesthetics makes. It doesn’t change the goal of interior design. It changes how the design aligns an environment to the people who spend time there. Eryn Oruncak, ASID Certified in Neuroaesthetics Founder of Elan Design / Interior Design & Fine Art Brain Trust THE INVISIBLE DESIGN LANGUAGE Formed For Husband-and-wife design duo Gavin and Kelley Brodin designed the Earth Meets Sky lamp as a limited-edition collectible lighting sculpture. formedfor.com il Campo TO THE TRADE AT SHARRIS.COM