Architectural Digest Feature
With ten miles of waterfront along the Pacific Ocean, it’s no wonder that Newport Beach is a haven for an active outdoor lifestyle, offering excellent surfing, swimming, fishing, and more. But the Orange County town offers plenty of luxe activities on land, too. We’ve rounded up the hottest new stores, restaurants, and spas to visit this spring.
Lavender Salon brings Paris’s Left Bank style and beauty to the Left Coast. In addition to boasting some of the area’s best hairstylists, the salon offers guests lavender Bellini cocktails, tea and coffee served in Hermès china, and macarons. 1617 Westcliff Drive; lavendernb.com
Designed by Melanie Murata and Melissa Pyell
Interior Design Magazine
What the millennials are saying…
Boutique Design, New York (BDNY), Speaker
Speaker discussing “Shape Shifters: Space Plans and Spec Lists to Amp Up Multi-tasking Lobbies, Guest Rooms and Restaurants.” Matthew Hall, editor of Boutique Design magazine, led this discussion with notable designers and architects such as Ed Bakos, Managing Director, Champalimaud; Hans Galutera, Co-founder and Principal, BG Studio International; Michael Suomi, Principal and Vice President, Design, Stonehill & Taylor and Nathan Lee Colkitt, Founder and CEO, Colkitt&Co. BDNY is produced by Hospitality Media Group LLC (HMG)
Boutique Design West, Los Angeles
Guestroom Design Challenge, 1st Place Team
FOCUS: 20 - and -somethings’ wanderlust, their demand for livable luxury while traveling, their discerning eye and mindfulness. See design here.
DESIGN ENVY FACTORS: Bespoke multi functional solutions, such as a space-saving minibar/sink/closet area; a white board that allows us to engage with guests and showcases local art; a translucent glass front on the wardrobe area to play to Millennials’ bent for displaying their treasures; a commissioned grafitti mural; and multimedia screens, including one positioned on the ceiling over the bed.
GENSLER (NEWPORT BEACH, CA) PROJECT TEAM: Lorraine Francis, regional director of hospitality interiors, Melanie Murata, interior designer, Thomas Ventura, architectural designer, and Melissa Pyell, project designer
ASID National Board of Directors
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has announced its newly elected 2016 Board of Directors, comprised of three officers, seven directors-at-large, and one industry partner representative.
ASID Emerging Professional of the Week
“I hope to continue to push the boundaries of design, continue to learn, and give back to the next generation of designers so we can push our profession forward. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and mentors I’ve had throughout my early career, and would be honored to continue the path of working with and learning from tremendously talented people in an environment that fosters innovation.”
Florida State University Alumni Spotlight
Melanie Murata graduated from Florida State with a Master of Science in Interior Design in August of 2014. Melanie also completed her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at Florida State and passed the LEED Green Associate Exam during this time.
After graduation, Melanie started working at Gensler’s Newport Beach office as an interior designer. Melanie recently served on a project team that competed and was selected as the winner in Boutique Design West’s 2015 On-Site Design Challenge where design teams were tasked with “crafting a clever, cool, connected guest room concept tailor made for Millennials and Gen Xers.” The team won $2400 and was featured in Boutique Design Magazine. View the article here.
Melanie was also recently nominated by Randy Fiser and will be serving on the ASID National Advisory Board for the 2016-2017 fiscal years. As part of her ASID duties, Melanie will be advising on behalf of the Millennial generation (students, recent grads, young professionals) and how ASID can help young professionals accomplish important milestones.
ASID Student & Emerging Professionals Marketing Campaign
Professional and student career story featured on ASID Student Chapter printed collateral and on social media.
Interior Design Educator Council (IDEC)
Video Competition Award
Produced by Melanie Murata and Amanda Tomlinson using Adobe Premiere + After Effects.
The Graduate School Honors Outstanding Scholars
Florida State University honored the achievements of its graduate students at the annual Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence on April 9, 2014 in the Great Hall of the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House. This event recognizes the accomplishments of FSU’s graduate students in teaching, research and creativity, and leadership.
Interior Design Students Awarded National Honors
Los Angeles, California
Tony Purvis was awarded the 2013 national Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award for his thesis research by the American Society of Interior Designers. The award was announced at the 2013 Dwell Conference at the annual awards ceremony in Los Angeles on June 21st.
At the awards ceremony, Melanie Murata, interior design student, received the ASID National Student Leadership Award 2013 as immediate Past President of the FSU Interior Design Student Organization.
Again, Congratulations to FSU Interior Design Students Tony Purvis and Melanie Murata!
Design Perspective Video