Design Chicago Highlights with AAPIDA and Atelier Davis

I came home from Design Chicago with plenty of interior design inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the people who make this industry so much fun. Stepping away from our Atlanta design studio for a few days gave me time to explore Chicago showrooms, connect with our AAPIDA community, and talk candidly about the business of design. Between a beautiful private dinner, the MART Showhouse, and a panel on trust, it was a full and meaningful trip.

Exploring Chicago with AAPIDA

I started the trip with the Chicago chapter of AAPIDA, the AAPI Design Alliance, joining several of their events around town. As a co-founder and president of AAPIDA, getting to spend time with our chapters and see the communities they are building is one of my favorite parts of traveling.

SHIIR Rugs and an Evening with Soucie Horner

Our first stop was a SHIIR Rugs presentation at Soucie Horner, where we had a chance to see their beautiful rugs up close. Rugs are such a tactile part of an interior, and there is no substitute for experiencing them in person. For someone who loves working with color and texture, it was a treat.

That evening, Shea Soucie welcomed us into her beautiful Lincoln Park home for a private dinner and tour. Seeing a designer’s own home is always a privilege, and being invited to sit down for dinner makes it even more special. It was such a generous way to bring the group together and a lovely start to the trip.

Interior Design Inspiration at the MART Showhouse

The following day, we headed to the MART for Design Chicago. One highlight was touring the MART Showhouse, where my friend Tuan Nguyen of Nouveau Design House, who also serves as Chicago AAPIDA chapter president, had designed a beautiful space. It is always exciting to see a friend’s work in person, especially alongside other designers’ interpretations of what a room can be.

While at the MART, I also got to stop by Katonah Hardware, which carries my decorative hardware line, Nest Studio. It was a lovely opportunity to connect with one of our showroom partners during the trip.

Talking About Client Trust with AAPIDA and STARK

I also joined Tuan and Linette Dai of AAPIDA’s Los Angeles chapter for Trust. Broken., a panel sponsored by AAPIDA and STARK Carpet and moderated by STARK CEO Chad Stark.

The title gets right to it. What happens when we break a client’s trust? What happens when a client breaks ours? And how do we navigate the fallout when a vendor lets us down?

These are situations that affect the experience of a project just as much as the design itself. We talked about boundaries, expectations, and how to set ourselves and our clients up for success. It was an honest, insightful conversation, and also a lot of fun. There is something reassuring about comparing notes with other designers and realizing how many of the same challenges we navigate.

For me, the conversation was a reminder of how closely trust and communication are connected. Being clear about the process, addressing problems early, and having the occasional uncomfortable conversation are all part of caring for a project and the people involved.

Food and Wine with Luxe at the BSH Showroom

We also stopped at the BSH Experience & Design Center, home to Gaggenau, Thermador, and Bosch, for a food and wine pairing discussion sponsored by Luxe Interiors + Design. A chef and sommelier walked us through the pairings, including an amazing lamb and Cabernet combination. A very enjoyable way to spend part of the afternoon, and certainly one of the tastier moments of the trip.

Design Conversations at Brizo

The Design Chicago kickoff party was another chance to catch up with friends and colleagues. The following day, I attended a great panel at Brizo featuring fellow AAPIDA co-founder Young Huh and Noz Nozawa. Getting to take a seat in the audience and hear from designers I admire was a lovely way to round out the visit.

Bringing Inspiration Back to Atelier Davis

I left Chicago grateful for the hospitality, the conversations, and the time with our AAPIDA community. Trips like this give me fresh ideas to bring back to Atelier Davis, our Atlanta-based interior design firm, and to the residential and hospitality projects we work on near and far. They also give me space to step back from the day-to-day work and learn from my peers. Thank you to the Chicago chapter and everyone who welcomed us. I’m already looking forward to the next visit.