Drawn Together, Studio Db (the Architecture And Interiors Of Studio Db)

By (author) Briit Zunino
Short description/annotation:
Hailed by Architectural Digest as a firm that is able to capture a desired mood or ambiance emphatically, this incredibly exciting design duo presents its most intriguing domestic projects in this eagerly awaited debut.
Description:
Studio DB, a Manhattan-based interiors firm headed by husband-and-wife duo Damian and Britt Zunino, is inspired by the European ideal of an appreciation for the beauty in everyday life the resulting work embraces the juxtaposition and tension between polished and playful, between modern and traditional. In each project, there is a creative mix of materials, unusual forms, and whimsical patterns and colors, all anchored by a contemporary desire for livability and ease. Thoughtful design details also distinguish their work, with tactile and natural materials interpreted in fresh and interesting ways. Examples include exquisite hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper in a dining room, paired with suspended lamps in a variety of geometric forms; the terrazzo floor of a city foyer, incorporating massive chunks of stone slabs and smaller rocks from the client s travel adventures; and a subtly patterned wallpaper applied to the ceiling of an entrance hall to add a note of gentle distinction. The studio organically launched in 2007 after Britt and Damian had worked together on several residential projects. Britt''s unconventional background includes work in fashion, editorial styling, interior design, and the action sports industry. Damian s love of planning, construction, and design was fostered during his time at the Yale School of Architecture. The pair s unique experiences and expertise complement each other, bringing a collaborative and comprehensive approach to each scheme. As the duo states in the book s introduction, In the end, it s the dialog, the push and pull between different viewpoints from different eras, that makes the end result more engaging.
Review quote:
"Partners in life and work, and parents of four, Britt and Damian of Studio DB create rooms that not only draw people in but draw them together. Playful yet sophisticated, comfortable yet functional, their interiors wisely intuit how families want to live, marrying styles while leaning on quality craftsmanship to address everyday needs. That’s what great design is all about—connecting people to one another. There is no better reflection of that than the couple’s own home, the same Manhattan loft where Damian grew up. Here they have created a place full of family history, bridging past and present while exercising the courage to make it their own. They understand that great rooms contain history and that those stories are continuously being written. Every Studio DB project is unique, informed by the needs and dreams of its inhabitants, many of them creatives themselves and repeat clients—the greatest stamp of approval. The firm’s work does not fit into one style, but the throughline is a palpable sense of joy." — Alison Levasseur, Architectural Digest Global Interiors & Garden Editor

"The married duo behind Studio DB brings a yin and yang polarity to their livable, lovable interiors. Britt Zunino is a former snowboard pro, now a champion of color and pattern. Her husband Damian is an architect as adept as modernism as he is at historic preservation. As their book Drawn Together so gorgeously shows, their work is an antidote to the soulless, hotel room-like ambiance that is far too common in the design world. With great stories on their projects, and stunning images of the homes they have transformed (or built from scratch), this book takes us on their journey in designing spaces where their clients—and yes, kids and pets included—can be their happiest selves." — Ingrid Abramovitch, ELLE Decor Executive Editor

"Britt and Damian''s designs are a masterclass in injecting personality