The AD100 Designer Sourcebook: Craftspeople Top Talents Swear By

"Designers are famous for guarding their sources, even as they remain some of the most generous collaborators we know. This year, AD PRO asked every AD100 designer to nominate one indispensable craftsperson or resource they felt deserved the spotlight. The response was immediate and effusive. "I couldn't do my work without them!" was the refrain we heard again and again. The resulting roster, spanning painters, plasterers, upholsterers, finish carpenters, drapery makers, furniture restorers, civil engineers, metal fabricators, and more form an invisible network-the quiet coauthors behind many of the most celebrated interiors and buildings of AD100 designers. A caveat: Many of these talents resist tidy labels. Some practice hyper-specific crafts such as verre églomisé, while others move fluidly across mediums and materials. Think of the categories that follow as loose guideposts rather than strict boxes, and follow the threads wherever they lead."

"PLASTERWORK Art in Construction "Collaborators in the development of custom plaster work that pushes standard practices and applications." -Brian Young of Young Projects Frank J. Mangione Inc. "We've relied on Frank's expertise on many of our recent projects, and his craftsmanship has been crucial to their success." -Sachs Lindores Architecture, Interiors COLOR SPECIALISTS Eve Ashcraft Studio, New York, NY and Hudson Valley Agustin Hurtado, Brooklyn "The most masterful decorative painter and the kindest of gentlemen." -Redd Kaihoi Nancy Lorenz, New York "We adore working with Nancy. She paints incredible, tactile finishes. In one of our projects she painted cabinet fronts and included mother of pearl to add iridescence." -Cullman & Kravis Associates Mériguet-Carr"

AD100 designers identify indispensable craftspeople and resources who are essential collaborators on projects. The nominations cover a wide range of specialties including painters, plasterers, upholsterers, finish carpenters, drapery makers, furniture restorers, civil engineers, and metal fabricators. Many of these artisans resist tidy labels, practicing hyper-specific techniques or working fluidly across materials. The roster highlights both traditional trades and niche crafts, and emphasizes craftsmanship, collaboration, and bespoke solutions. Selected examples include teams that develop custom plaster work and decorative painters who produce tactile, iridescent finishes incorporated into cabinetry and other details.

Read at Architectural Digest