Behind-the-Scenes of the Architectural Digest Greenroom

A telephone conference was arranged with the diamond jeweler, Hearts On Fire, to discuss our focal idea for the greenroom. We wanted something dramatic, tasteful—something with a major “wow” factor. Kind of kidding, I suggested that we create a chandelier made from real diamonds?! To my surprise, Hearts On Fire loved the idea. I immediately started sketching out ideas that I hoped would work. Later during the conference call, the representative from Hearts On Fire suggested that we come for a sit-down with their design team, to see their collection firsthand and explore possibilities for our chandelier at their headquarters in Boston. A few days later, I was flying east, joining my colleagues from Architectural Digest’s New York and Boston offices at Hearts On Fire. Their stylish headquarters, featuring Fort Knox-like security, was buzzing with activity.  After a tour of the office, we met the team in their conference room to view both their collection and my concepts. 

What an inspiration to actual see the diamonds and discuss possibilities. They also presented an upcoming “architectural series” collection that was amazingly beautiful and thoughtfully rendered. We played back and forth with ideas—and diamonds—finally settling on a sleek, contemporary, multi-tiered piece that we all found very exciting. I flew back to Los Angeles, thrilled with what I had seen and excited about all the potential. Now it was time to finish designing the rest of the room.

A hand-drawn sketch of my intial ideas for the Hearts On Fire diamond chandelier:

(Click to enlarge)

And a digital rendering of the chandelier.  (Click to enlarge)