5 Designers Tell Us What Iconic Interior Design Means To Them

  • 1 Apr '20
  • 9:30 am by Nuriyah Johar
Like any form of creative expression, good design transcends style. While some may be drawn to the extravagance of maximalism, others find solace in the minimal. Stark modernity and rich classicism can be equally compelling; the straightforward and the eclectic can inspire in their own ways. We asked a few interior designers with varied design sensibilities to pick what they considered to be truly iconic interiors.
Herculaneum is amongst the most well-preserved sites in the world. Photograph Credit – Crosby Studios.
Harry Nuriev  – Crosby Studios  “There are so many in our world, but one of the most iconic interiors that popped up in my mind is the Herculaneum Ruin in Rome. It is hard to believe that this room was built and designed more than eight thousand years ago. It’s so fascinating to see how designers and architects use to work back in the day along with the perfect proportions of walls and floor plans.”
The Amanyangyun resort was designed as part of a restoration of a 2,000-year-old forest. Photograph Credit – Amanyangyun.
Abhishek Mathur – Studio HBA  For me, one of the most iconic projects of the past decade is the Amanyangyun hotel in Shanghai designed by Kerry Hill Architects. The blending of historic architecture and camphor trees with contemporary design language is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Kerry Hill whose work is an inspiration to many of us.”
The Petit Trianon was built between 1762 and 1768 during the reign of Louis XV of France. Photography Credit – Pinterest.
Baptiste Bohu “I fell in love with Versailles Palace when I was 5. There is not a clear explanation of why I just did. I was amazed by its grand architecture, the dramatic marble floor patterns and the beautiful details. My most iconic building is “Le Petit Trianon” renovated under the directions of Queen Marie Antoinette. To me, it defined French Style as it is today and has been acclaimed worldwide.”
This living room features in the 1998 Coen brothers film “The Big Lebowski. Photograph Credit – John Lautner.
Annkur Khosla I consider John Lautner’s work iconic and avant-garde for its time. I think when there is a shortage of resources and technology, breaking boundaries in mind and material is the toughest part and this project displays both these skills.
Ian Schrager’s idea behind the Public Hotel was to make luxury accessible to all. Photograph Credit – Public Hotel New York
Shantanu Garg I nominate the Public Hotel New York as my favourite space for the unusual take on interior design. Herzog & de Meuron and Ian Schrager Co. were behind the design of the property which the hotel has dubbed as ‘cosy-radical-chic.’ I am a strong believer of the contextual essence in architecture and interior design that gestures the influences and history of its regional context. And such characteristic cannot be defined by a particular style. This property defines the perfect narrative of the blending of styles yet does the playful act in a modern backdrop.