Hospitality Design: What I've Learned

Designer Mark Zeff's life changed in 1982 after boarding a flight bound for New York City from Australia. What was intended as a short trip soon stretched to three weeks, and before he knew it, New York was home. Spending glamorous nights at Studio 1954 and mingling with iconic creatives Andy Warhol and Anna Wintour, it wasn't long until he founded his namesake interior design and architecture firm MARKZEFF, the force behind Magnolia Bakery, Virgin Nashville, and New Orleans' Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. As Zeff says, "Patience always prevails."

Wanting to combat burnout after stints at several high-profile firms, Barbados-born, Toronto-raised Ian Rolston set out on his own to found Decanthropy. Rather than bringing just another design studio to market, Rolston was fueled by his desire to remake design for the better. The "innovation studio", as he calls it embeds equity and inclusivity at every layer from people to processes to projects. As Rolston says, "We have to understand how other people see the world and through their lenses. And we can only do that be collaborating with people that are different and have different experiences. It's okay as a designer to not have all the answers."

Wanting to combat burnout after stints at several high-profile firms, Barbados-born, Toronto-raised Ian Rolston set out on his own to found Decanthropy. Rather than bringing just another design studio to market, Rolston was fueled by his desire to remake design for the better. The "innovation studio", as he calls it embeds equity and inclusivity at every layer from people to processes to projects. As Rolston says, "We have to understand how other people see the world and through their lenses. And we can only do that be collaborating with people that are different and have different experiences. It's okay as a designer to not have all the answers."

Entrepreneur K.J. Hughes has proven himself time and again, first cutting his teeth as a nightlife promoter before founding a sports and entertainment agency. His latest venture?Manifest, the Snarkitecture-designed, Washington, D.C.-based hybrid concept that spans a barbershop, speakeasy, coffee bar, and retail shop. No matter Hughes' pursuits, there's one constant—his persistence to bringing his dreams to life, despite any challenges that arise.

Entrepreneur K.J. Hughes has proven himself time and again, first cutting his teeth as a nightlife promoter before founding a sports and entertainment agency. His latest venture?Manifest, the Snarkitecture-designed, Washington, D.C.-based hybrid concept that spans a barbershop, speakeasy, coffee bar, and retail shop. No matter Hughes' pursuits, there's one constant—his persistence to bringing his dreams to life, despite any challenges that arise.

In this 100th episode clip show of Hospitality Design's What I've Learned podcast, editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen reflects on 100 fascinating guests, incredible stories, and thought-provoking lessons learned with past guests including Raul Leal, SH Hotels & Resorts; Brad Wilson, Ace Hotel Group; Venus Williams, V Starr; Ian Schrager, ISC; chef Daniel Boulud, Kia Weatherspoon, Determined by Design, Paula Scher, Pentagram, and more.

In this 100th episode clip show of Hospitality Design's What I've Learned podcast, editor in chief Stacy Shoemaker Rauen reflects on 100 fascinating guests, incredible stories, and thought-provoking lessons learned with past guests including Raul Leal, SH Hotels & Resorts; Brad Wilson, Ace Hotel Group; Venus Williams, V Starr; Ian Schrager, ISC; chef Daniel Boulud, Kia Weatherspoon, Determined by Design, Paula Scher, Pentagram, and more.

In November, Marcus Samuelsson became the first chef to guest edit Hospitality Design magazine, and to celebrate, we're re-releasing his episode from August 2020. During the conversation, the prolific chef, restaurateur, and author discussed his career as well as the subject on everyone’s minds at the time—COVID and its impact on the industry. Since then, Samuelsson has opened Hav and Mar, a fusion of his Ethiopian and Scandinavian roots. The barrier-breaking restaurant is featured in the issue, along with conversations with artists Derrick Adams and Shantell Martin, fashion plates Dapper Dan and Lana Turner, and champions of Black food, Rasheeda Purdie and KJ Kearney. To read it, visit Hospitality Design.com

In November, Marcus Samuelsson became the first chef to guest edit Hospitality Design magazine, and to celebrate, we're re-releasing his episode from August 2020. During the conversation, the prolific chef, restaurateur, and author discussed his career as well as the subject on everyone’s minds at the time—COVID and its impact on the industry. Since then, Samuelsson has opened Hav and Mar, a fusion of his Ethiopian and Scandinavian roots. The barrier-breaking restaurant is featured in the issue, along with conversations with artists Derrick Adams and Shantell Martin, fashion plates Dapper Dan and Lana Turner, and champions of Black food, Rasheeda Purdie and KJ Kearney. To read it, visit Hospitality Design.com

Michael Suomi's multifaceted career in architecture and interior design has included stints with Jordan Mozer and Associates in Chicago to Stonehill Taylor in New York, where he worked for 15 years before going out on his own with the New York-based Suomi Design Works. His namesake firm's budding portfolio includes the Pelham Hotel in New Orleans and the forthcoming Radical hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, which promises to push boundaries. As Suomi oft-repeats, "If you can dream it, it's possible."