Decorated

Show notes and images available on our website.In this episode of Decorated, Cotter and Will discuss Art et Industrie, the SoHo gallery that redefined what furniture could be. Founded in 1979 by Rick Kaufman and Tracy Rust, the gallery blurred the boundaries between art and design, object and expression. It created a new context for furniture as a conceptual practice, rejecting the rationality and uniformity of modernist design. Art et Industrie is often compared to the Memphis Group, and in fact it was the first gallery in the United States to exhibit work by Italy’s Studio Alchimia—including Ettore Sottsass—bringing radical ideas about what design could be to a New York audience.Set against the backdrop of New York in the 1980s, this episode explores how the gallery championed handcrafted, one-of-a-kind design pieces—decades before art furniture became a recognized genre. With firsthand stories from artists, curators, and gallerists, we trace the gallery’s influence on the American design landscape and its lasting impact on how we think about furniture, interiors, and the relationship between art and design.Interviews with key voices—including artists Howard Meister and Elizabeth Browning Jackson, historian and curator Glenn Adamson, and gallerists Stephen Markos and Hugues Magen—shed light on the cultural significance of Art et Industrie, its ties to Italian Radical Design and Memphis, and its role in shaping New York’s downtown art and design scenes.In 1979, amidst the creative explosion of New York’s legendary downtown, everyday objects become conceptual statements.Rewind back to 1979, when everyday objects became conceptual provocations, in the creative explosion of New York’s legendary downtown

In this special episode, recorded live at Parsons School of Design, we explore the profound impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis on interior design, activism, and memory. Hosts Cotter Christian and Will Fryer moderate a panel discussion with artists, historians, and designers, delving into how interior spaces served as sites of resistance, community, and care. Featuring insights from Stan Walden, Jamie Drake, Ivan Munuera, and Gavin Browning, this conversation sheds light on the overlooked histories of design’s role in shaping queer spaces, preserving memory, and responding to crisis. For more, view the show notes here.

Step into the vibrant world of 1980s New York City nightlife as we explore the revolutionary design and cultural impact of iconic clubs like Studio 54 and Infinity. From innovative lighting techniques and theatrical elements to the way these spaces shaped community and identity, this episode uncovers how nightclubs became more than just venues for dancing - they were transformative spaces that influenced residential design and provided sanctuary for marginalized groups. Featuring fascinating interviews with club owners, designers, and scene insiders, including Lee Soulja's incredible story of sneaking into Studio 54 as a teenager, we examine how these spaces used design elements like neon lighting, moving architecture, and dramatic spatial effects to create unforgettable experiences. For more info, visit the episode page here.

In Episode 4 of Decorated, hosts Cotter Christian and Will Freyer are joined by architectural historian Timothy M. Rohan to explore the dazzling interplay between NYC’s 1970s and 80s nightlife and home design. The episode dives into the cultural influence of clubs like Studio 54 on interior trends, including minimalist platforms, neon lighting, and the privatization of space. From ephemeral disco-inspired apartments to the lasting legacy of nightlife aesthetics, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how interiors became stages for identity and lifestyle. For full show notes and links to resources, visit: Episode 4: Bringing the Disco Home.

In Episode 3, Cotter and Will explore the formation of an industry giant: Architectural Digest. During the 1970’s and 80’s, the magazine became a major force in the industry, offering readers a glimpse of the world’s most luxurious interiors; and designers, a chance to become stars. Cotter and Will speak to Maile Pingel, Chuck Ross, Mary Nichols and Peter Vitale about their contributions to the magazine, as well as Kate Wagner, architecture critic for The Nation and creator of the beloved blog, McMansion Hell. Join us as we explore AD’s immersive photography, the complicated legacy of Editor in Chief, Paige Rense, and the allure and peril of ‘house porn’.For full show notes and links to resources, visit: Episode 3: Architectural Digest

In the second episode of Decorated, Cotter and Will dive deep into the intersections of gender and interior design, guided by the lavish world of Prince Egon von Furstenberg’s 1980 book The Power Look at Home: Decorating for Men. Join us as we discuss how masculinity, invigorated by the all-time high divorce rates of the 1980s, popularized a new interior design culture that manifested itself in the chosen habitat of the affluent single man, the bachelor pad. Click here to view links and show notes.Research and editing support for this episode by Olive Jones, Paul Rochford, Kanishka Puri and Naniyah McClain.

In the first episode of Decorated, we cover the life and work of Melvin Dwork, a New York City interior designer who received an "undesirable" discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1944 for being gay. While Dwork is mostly known for his activism - he fought to overturn his discharge, and was the first to successfully do so - his work in interior design is famous in its own right for mixing old and new in an harmonious and timeless way. Join Will and Cotter as they recount his story and examine his work within the vibrant context of 1980s NYC. For more information visit the extended show notes here.This episode features music and scoring by Peter Mark Kendall. Research and editing support by Chitrakshi Chelawat and Stan Walden, with additional support from Olive Jones, Paul Rochford, Kanishka Puri and Naniyah McClain.  

Wild nightclub interiors, the VonFurstenburgs, Melvin Dwork, HIV/AIDs, and other topics are up for discussion as we explore the world of interior design in 1980s and '90s NYC. Episode 1 drops on October 30!