The Comm Sheet

Rustic Barn Turned Mod Tasting Room by Hawkins Interiors

Sip, stroll, and soak it all in at Pelio Estate’s newly reinvented tasting room in Carmel Valley, California. It's a rustic-modern dream brought to life by Hawkins Interiors in collaboration with Backen & Backen Architecture. What was once a humble barn and gravel lot is now an indoor-outdoor haven of warm wood, soft textures, vintage touches, and those jaw-dropping valley views framed by massive fold-away glass doors. Cozy by the fireplace, wander beneath olive trees, or settle into shaded outdoor nooks—every detail is designed to feel effortless, elevated, and endlessly inviting.

The Urban Conga Brings Communities to Life with the Power of Play

We’re all in need of a little more face-to-face connection these days. We’re talking live and in person—we know, GASP! The Urban Conga is reviving that essential human desire with neighborhood installations that turn heads and bring people together through open-ended play. Read how a handful of bright honeycomb structures—called The Hive—completely rejuvenated an alley in an Albany, New York, neighborhood that decided to be known for its resilience rather than its trauma.

Stars Align at Sol Sanctuary at Aarunya Nature Resort in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Aarunya Nature Resort celebrates its 10th villa with Sol Sanctuary, a celestial-minded two-bedroom retreat aligned to the sun and moon. Designed by architect and resort founder Nath Rankothge, the villa blends sacred geometry, natural materials, and indoor-outdoor flow to inspire deep restoration. From skylights that track celestial cycles to moon-shaped plunge pools and forest-facing verandas, every detail strengthens the bond between people, land, and spirit. Rooted in sustainability and Sri Lankan heritage, Sol Sanctuary offers an immersive wellness experience that reconnects guests to nature—and themselves.

Architecture Comes to Life in an Immersive German Installation

Forget cucumber water! This spa serves up a full-on sensory trip. At Thermen & Badewelt in Sinsheim, "Immersive Horizon: Breathing Planet" transforms the spa space into an airy, shimmering environment that seems to inhale and exhale around you. Created by White Mirror, Marshmallow Laser Feast, and atelier 522, and powered by smart sensory research, real NASA wind data, and trippy mirrored surfaces, the installation guides visitors through slow, grounding breathwork without ever feeling clinical. The result? A calming, planet-powered escape that leaves you feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and a lot more connected.

5 Unbelievably Appealing Upholsteries You Need to Know

Boring beige blah interiors, begone! As Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering predicts warmer, softer, more biophilic design directions for 2026, five standout upholstery introductions show how durability and style now go hand in hand. Nassimi’s Hyphyn offers a truly biodegradable, low-VOC vinyl alternative; HBF Textiles’ Feel & Form celebrates moody tactility; Luum Textiles’ Earthbound elevates recycled chenille; Concertex’s Kaleido Collection reimagines childhood wonder in performance textiles; and Designtex rounds out the mix with Italian-made patterns bursting with color and character.

Flexible Classroom Design Matters, Says Occupational Therapist

A flexible classroom isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer, says occupational therapist Rana Alcocer in part two of Artcobell’s design series. After 25 years working with kids with sensory processing disorder, Rana breaks down why one-size-fits-all furniture simply doesn’t cut it. Students experiencing visual fatigue, poor posture, and constant fidgeting—sound familiar? All signs the environment needs to work harder. Her advice: Think adjustable everything, room for micro-movements, better lighting and acoustics, and spaces that feel more human than institutional. The takeaway? Smart, flexible design helps every learner thrive, not just those with SPD.

SouthLoft's Parametric Bench Blends Form, Function, and Durability

Furniture maker Colby Murphy of SouthLoft didn’t just create a bench—he reverse-engineered an algorithmic fever dream into a sculptural showstopper built for real-world use. When an interior designer floated the idea of a parametric bench, Colby dove into parametric design with zero prior knowledge. After intense research, creative freedom, and plenty of experimentation, he delivered a functional art piece that commands attention in any space. Crafted from European polar core plywood and finished with sleek Italian acrylic polyurethane, the bench is now part of SouthLoft’s growing product line.

Lincoln, a Chic New Sit-Stand Desk/Console Brings Serious Charm

Room & Board for Business knows how to do resi-mercial right. Just look at Lincoln, the height-adjustable worksurface/console dreamed up with Gensler. Think warm woods, clean geometry, and tech that stays politely out of sight. This piece fits in just about anywhere, whether it’s heading to a C-suite, hotel lobby, or home office. It’s thoughtful, flexible, and clearly designed by people who understand how we actually work and live—shifting, multitasking, and craving a space that supports it all. Lincoln proves that function doesn’t have to sacrifice personality, and that a well-made piece can elevate an entire space.

Q&A: Colby Murphy Discusses His Design Ethos and Creative Process

Artisan furniture-maker Colby Murphy has an eye for form and craft that enabled him to transform a one-man garage workspace into SouthLoft Crafted Concepts, a bona fide design and production studio founded in 2014 in Dallas. With tenacity, grit, and a client-centric approach, Colby and his team create American-made, solid-wood, custom furniture—for both commercial and residential clients—that’s meant to stand the test of time. We tapped Colby to learn more about his process, inspiration, and the story behind an artistic bench so striking that people aren’t sure they can actually sit on it.

Building a Nest for Eco-Conscious Parents: A Chat with Gabi Fiorentino

Mothers juggle an extraordinary amount, and architect-turned-entrepreneur Gabriela Fiorentino knows this firsthand. After years in sustainable design, she realized that healthy living wasn’t just about buildings—it was about what touched her baby’s daily life. Craving reliable, judgment-free guidance, she founded Nest Earth, a vetted community where eco-conscious parents can access expert advice, share tips, and find solidarity in the “messy middle” of modern parenting. Built during the chaos of new motherhood, Nest Earth blends Gabi’s design expertise with a mission to make sustainable parenting approachable, supportive, and genuinely doable.

Say Hi to Hyphyn Biodegradable Vinyl

Somewhere along the quest to make performance textiles indestructible, the industry veered off course—but Nassimi is pulling it back with Hyphyn, the first biodegradable vinyl for commercial interiors. It performs exactly like traditional vinyl (hello, hospitals, schools, and airport lounges) but breaks down after disposal thanks to a clever enzyme system. No microplastics, no toxins, no problem. Safe during use and superstar-sustainable after, Hyphyn has already made waves at NeoCon, HCD Expo, and BDNY. With distributor collaborations underway and more designs coming, Nassimi’s just getting started.

Check Out the Curves on Disco-rectangle by Infinity Drain

Not your typical circular or linear drain, Disco-rectangle is turning heads with its unique pill-box shape that Infinity Drain designed based on a client request. Now introduced as a new collection in 10 finish options, this sleek little tile insert drain is available to you too.

Collaborative Seating Rolls Into the Modern Workplace

Rethink your workspace with playful, flexible, and collaborative seating that make mingling, meeting, and moving around the office a breeze.

BuzziSpace Creates an Acoustic Oasis with BuzziBrella

BuzziSpace’s new product, designed by Sebastian Herkner, redefines acoustic design with sculptural form and serious function. Think umbrella canopy meets sound-absorbing haven—perfect for privacy, focus, or a stylish break from the noise.

Inside the Avant-Garde Exhibition Bridging London & New York

New York’s Galerie56 and London’s Themes & Variations team up for the first time on All the World’s a Stage, an avant-garde exhibition exploring the dialogue between historic and contemporary design. Running through early 2026, the show spotlights sculptural and archival works from icons like Tom Dixon.

Designing Inclusive Classrooms Where All Students Thrive

Early collaboration between teachers, administrators, and designers creates inclusive learning environments that support every student. Former special education coordinator and current middle school assistant principal, Alyssa Marshall discusses the factors driving this new vision for the classroom and pinpoints specific design strategies that benefit those with sensory processing disorders and create positive learning environments for all.

Mindful Design + Mindful People = Neuroinclusive Workplaces

In this edited and condensed excerpt from an HKS article, we examined HKS’s workplace research on Creating a Brain Healthy Workplace with a neurodiversity lens to expand its applicability and equitability.

From Pixels to Pile: Jonathan Marsland’s Creative Crossover

For five years, Jonathan Marsland has been transforming his digital illustrations into tactile rugs and wallcoverings. This passion project has become his new business called Just Air Design Group, and it blends family, art, and everyday inspiration.

Sonoma's Beauty Shines in Jiun Ho's Restaurant Design

Michelin-starred restaurant Enclos highlights Sonoma's natural beauty indoors and out thanks to designer Jiun Ho's vision. His signature aesthetic—blending cultural influences with contemporary design—elevates this Victorian home into an upscale wine-country dining destination.