From sculptural lighting fixtures to curated paint colors, these five products from designers and manufacturers of color can inspire joy, beauty, and design excellence in the built environment—and diversify your supplier list.
1. Interior Paint and Paint Prep, Clare Paint
Aiming to streamline the traditional—and sometimes tedious—process of paint shopping, Nicole Gibbons, an interior designer whose work has appeared in the likes of HGTV and Elle Decor, launched Clare Paint in 2018. Her New York–based company offers VOC-free, Greenguard Gold–certified, and ultra low–odor paints in designer-curated shades that include the creamy on point (pictured above) and pale greige penthouse. In addition to the hues, Clare offers painting supplies, a multisurface primer, a flat white ceiling paint, and a mess-free, at-home trial process that enables prospective customers to test looks with peel-and-stick color swatches. clare.com
2. Architectural Metal Panel Systems, BŌK Modern
An elegant range of architectural metal wallscreen and rainscreen panel systems from the firm started by partners Heddie Chu and Russ Naylor in 2009 encompasses guardrails, façade cladding, shades, and fencing, all laser-cut with intricate geometric patterning. The largely prefabricated systems—designed to streamline installation and reduce environmental waste—are available in aluminum, cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, stainless steel, and Cor-Ten steel, often eliminating the need for secondary structural steel systems. Designed for interior and exterior applications, BŌK Modern products are available in powder coating, Kynar, and an anodize finish from clear to dark bronze. bokmodern.com
3. So Good Collection, Me and General Design, Wolf-Gordon
Cristina Casañas-Judd and General Judd, the couple behind the New York firm Me and General Design, collaborated with Wolf-Gordon to develop a new collection of whimsical, digitally printed wallcoverings. Drawing on their sensitive design ethos and knowledge of architecture, music, and art, the duo created four wallpaper offerings—Vista, Perch, Nouveau, and Echo—that feature rhythmic cityscapes, Art Deco, geometric patterns, and kinetic lines. Each style is available in a range of colorways, including blush, dusk, and smokey. wolfgordon.com
4. Bloom Senarius, Studio PGRB
Founded by Priti Gandhi and Raymond Barberousse, who earned his B.Arch. from Howard University and entered the lighting world in 2012, after a decade in architecture practice, this Miami-based firm is known for timeless, handcrafted lighting fixtures that range from quirky sconces to chandeliers inspired by molecular geometry. The studio’s Bloom Senarius pendant evokes a flower in bloom with its cast brass, six-armed design, and white frosted globe LED bulbs. With a maximum power consumption of 40 watts and a standard finish of satin brass, the fixture is also available in natural brass, brushed pewter, satin nickel, polished nickel, and matte black. studiopgrb.com
5. Traction Avenue Collection, Shimoda Design Group by Mannington Commercial
For this carpet tile collection,Mannington Commercial vice president of commercial design Roby Isaac continued his strategy of engaging independent artists and designers, this time collaborating with the Los Angeles–based Shimoda Design Group to translate the city’s streetscape into three styles of 12"×48" modular carpet planks: Tread Hex (pictured), Spatial Fade, and Soft Tread. The collection of subtle yet dynamic patterns is available in a range of colors suitable for corporate, retail, higher education, and hospitality spaces. manningtoncommercial.com
This article appeared under the headline "Manufacturers and Designers of Color Make an Impact" in the October 2021 issue of ARCHITECT.
