The Iconic Home, the fully virtual show house presented by Architectural Digest and the Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN) in partnership with Method®, returns on September 27 with a new roster of leading Black designers, artists, and architects.
The project follows a successful debut run of the partnership last year. Conceived as a modernist retreat in upstate New York, the previous iteration of Iconic Home included spaces ranging from AD100 designer Brigette Romanek’s sleek, all-wood kitchen, to Christopher Charles Evans’s outdoor courtyard (complete with an aquarium).
Now, the Iconic Home takes on an entirely new narrative. The focus will be green living, with designers and architects creating spaces that, even if virtual, are imagined to be as sustainable as they are stylish. Elizabeth Graziolo of Yellow House Architects, featured as an AD “One to Watch” last February, has been tasked with the project’s architectural planning. To reach her final design, Graziolo tapped into storytelling, envisioning the home as one for a married couple with a daughter. The two dads—one a novelist, the other an NYC-based floral designer—seek an upstate home for their young family in the Hudson Valley. Situated among nature, the building and interiors take numerous sustainable living initiatives into account. And when it came to the architecture, Graziolo did what she’s best known for: crafting a space that harmonizes classical proportions with modern accents.
For the interior of the virtual house, the participating designers will be responsible for creating their respective rooms with Graziolo’s narrative in mind. Just like last year, each will have carte blanche to design a space that reflects their own unique personal style. In addition to Graziolo, this year’s lineup of designers includes Rasheeda Gray of Gray Space Interiors, Danielle Colding of Danielle Colding Design, Arianne Bellizaire of Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, Travis London of Studio London Co., Joan Goodwin of Verandah Interior Design, Alvin Wayne of Alvin Wayne Interiors, Breegan Jane of Breegan Jane, LLC, Mikel Welch of Mikel Welch Designs, Andre Hilton of Jordan Hilton Interiors, DuVäl Reynolds of DuVäl Design LLC, and Sara Zewde of Studio Zewde.
“The highlight of the Iconic Home will always be the opportunity to showcase new designers and architects, as well as the artists whose work is shown throughout the house. It’s the talent—the creatives—that’s most exciting,” says BIDN’s president, Keia McSwain, who is also a participant in the show house. “There’s something extremely special and fulfilling about bringing the epitome of Black creatives to the forefront.”
The virtual home will be brought to life by The Boundary, a leading company in architectural visualization. Building on last year’s success, the 3D rendering will allow users to travel through the house and discover everything that the space has to offer. While experiencing the rooms, viewers will be able to click on the furniture, art, and products to get further details, as well as gather sustainability tips and tricks from the designers. Throughout the house, there will be product innovations from Arhaus, Beautyrest, Crate & Kids, Garage Living®, Heat & Glo, Kohler, and Rémy Martin. The Iconic Home is presented in partnership with Method®, a leading brand in design-driven home products and personal care for over 20 years.
As of September 27, the show house will be available to explore on Architectural Digest’s website, with a full week of Instagram-driven events to supplement the activity online. Throughout the month, AD PRO will take a deeper look at the individuals behind the designs. Visitors are strongly encouraged to donate to BIDN, the first nonprofit focused on Black designers and architects that continues to provide opportunities and support to its growing network of talents.
