Specialists of Design: The Devil Wears Prada at DCOTA (Part 2)

Yesterday, Design Center of the America's Director of Design Services and Design Professional's Alex Matamoros shared his recent design for a vignette display at the DCOTA. Here's more from Alex about his design inspiration and advice for our very own office space.

By Alex Matamoros

Adding a touch of texture to the space, I added the Andrew Martin Camargo coffee table.  The artwork behind the desk is a black and white photograph by renowned photographer Deborah Anderson, which balances off the bright magenta wall color.

I decided early on that the lighting had to be impressive for my woman's room. During my search I came across a pendant fixture from Mcewen Lighting Studios and knew it was a perfect fit. The light gives the room a masculine touch and a bit of an industrial feel that ensures the point of 'meaning business.'

I’m always in search of unique pieces for my clients and great places to look are antique stores. Browsing antique stores is a great way of adding exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces to any well-designed room.

I think Miranda Priestly would be happy yet still fierce while she worked in this sophisticated and well-appointed office.

What can be so much fun about designing these spaces is the lack of budget! The furniture is borrowed from the DCOTA's different showrooms, allowing me lots of options and freedom. I’m free to select everything that is perfect for the display without getting approvals, sign-offs or purchase orders and in the meantime, I get to do what I love!

While this is not the freedom that any of us can practice in our own homes or offices, when designing your own powerful space, I would advise starting with the desk. As the most important and most used item in the office, the desk should be comfortable and big enough to accommodate your needs as well as the kind of power you're looking for. Include a few personal items such as family pictures or mementos from your travels to make the office a warm space and show your feminine or softer side, and let the powerful feel of it follow you!

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more from the Cohen Design Centers' Design Professionals.