AJC Design specializes in hospitality design, residential and multi-family design projects for clients anywhere in the world. Creativity is Everything!™ is the mantra that has fueled AJC Design’s work since its inception in 2007. A vivid, unhindered imagination is at the core of every one of our compelling projects, no two which are the same. That’s why our company logo depicts a hardy walnut shell. While one half references our own passion for dreaming up one-of-a-kind designs and our dedication to making them a reality, the other is an ode to our clients, whose ideas and visions are just as integral to the design process. Built on communication, this mutual, respectful relationship is the foundation for all of AJC Design’s intricate, timeless interiors. We are energetic and honest and keep our clients well informed, involved, and comfortable, learning and laughing along the way.
Creativity is Everything!™ is integrated into all of our studio capabilities and embedded in our signature design process. Our work is customized for each project and client’s needs, so that no two projects are the same, and every project reflects creativity, imagination and original thinking.
Each client relationship starts with generating a creative vision for the project through concept design, which builds the foundation for the rest of the project. We continue our creative journey through schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration, where the project is actualized.
Creativity is Everything!™ means being able to see possibilities no one else can see, to create what nobody else has created, at a budget that works for your needs first. We infuse Creativity is Everything!™ to transform empirical knowledge into sketches, renderings, construction documents, and custom FF&E designs that reflect our client’s vision, goals, and brand, as well as the social / historical context of the project’s physical location.
Alicia Cannon, founder and principal of New York-based AJC Design, flaunts a signature style that melds dramatic, pop-inspired pieces with tailored, classic settings, fostered by her collaborations with the likes of luxury brands and urban artists.
Cannon’s vast expertise spans full-service and luxury hotels, inviting private residences, and vibrant workplaces. Consider the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, awash in coastal Connecticut charm; the Lanes, a multi-use, ground-up Long Island City residential building capped with a rooftop terrace; or the Long Island headquarters of the brand-new Opal Wealth Advisors
In 2015 Cannon was named one of Hospitality Design’s Wave of the Future honourees, the same year that she won a Stevie Award Bronze, attesting to how she infuses each of her projects with both professionalism and ingenuity, her top priority always capturing and nurturing a client’s vision. That’s why the Woman Business Enterprise-certified designer loves spending ample time getting to know every single one of them personally and embarks on a true partnership to unite functionality and rich, aesthetic details.
Recent AJC Design work includes the Sheraton Mahwah in New Jersey, which draws on the hotel’s past as the former Ford Motor headquarters; the Sheraton Wilmington South hotel, complete with soaring atrium; the lobby at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio that calls to mind the Spanish Colonial era; and a design competition culminating in two guestroom schemes for the Bellagio in Las Vegas that telegraph the Italian village of Bellagio in Lake Como. AJC Design has also completed the Thayer Hotel in West Point, New York, Hotel Indigo in downtown Brooklyn, and the Westport Inn in Connecticut, and is currently working on the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, slated to open in 2020, as well as the Thayer Resort and Spa scheduled for 2022.
Cannon is a graduate of the Pratt Institute, where she cultivated her childhood passion for transforming humdrum interior spaces into enduring, matchless designs.
When I was 9, I turned to my Magic 8 ball if I wanted to know what would happen in the future. When I was 23, I turned to my tarot card reader. But when it comes to questions about my industry, I turn to journalism, social media (I just joined Clubhouse) and my own intuition to prepare for what’s coming down the road in the design industry. At this point of the year, here are five trends that I’m excited about.
If you read my January blog, you know that CBD and Cannabis is a trend that’s here to stay because of its multiplicity of uses. It’s an integral ingredient in health and wellness products, cooking, and hemp-based fabrics. As its legalization gains traction across all states in the U.S., we will see its impact on the economy and our society for the next decades to come.
Next up on trending items are all things wicker and rattan. We saw this trend emerging last year and is gaining more traction into 2021. We’ve been noticing that the wicker rattan furniture of today is no longer what you remember seeing in the Golden Girls’ Miami house. Rattan furniture (wicker refers to how it’s weaved) has a fun DIY element. It can add an extra dimension to a room as well as a lightness that has a beach boho quality. What’s more, you can move wicker furniture around without breaking your back or the bank. Rattan is not only easy to paint but is also versatile as indoor or outdoor furniture.
Third on my list of trends is Venetian plaster. Venetian plaster, which has been around for many years, is now more than ever easy to use. That’s because Venetian plaster, also known as lime plaster, is applied with a trowel and can be applied to any flat surface. It can provide unique details like shine, depth, and texture. In addition, plaster adds an artisan/ craftsman quality to an interior, and can easily be repaired and reconstructed.
Finally, and the last trend that I’m following is outdoor adventure lodging. Whether it’s renting an RV, or even going to a hotel, there is real benefit of a getaway where people can disconnect and recharge. However, keep in mind there will likely not be any room service or daily housekeeping. These rustic refuges will have just the right number of amenities and provide access to trails, rivers, and space for reflection and relaxation.
Of course, when it comes to trends for colors and patterns in 2021, I look no further than my favorite fashionista cities such as Milan and Paris. From what I’ve seen, bright floral patterns flooded the fashion runways in Paris. I predict they’re going to be extremely popular this year for wall coverings, bedding or accent pieces. I am also noticing that blazers may be replaced by chic track jackets and khaki materials are also coming back. As always, these pattern and fabric trends will spill out into the interior design world.
While I love following new trends, I also must remind myself that following trends doesn’t compare to figuring out your own unique style preferences. Trends change quickly so climbing on the bandwagon could leave you spending a lot of money trying to keep up. My advice: “Follow your design gut when it comes to design trends. And always be two steps ahead of the followers.”
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