Star Turns

Let's face it. Every issue that my crack editorial team and I put together focuses on the work of our lead character, the Designer. But time and again this month, my mind has wandered over to the "other side," as I wonder about the Client. Over the years, we have witnessed high-end design going mainstream ad infinitum. Most of our February stories illustrate that these new clients rate a definite gold—for up-to-date knowledge, empathy for excellence, steep expectations, and, with luck, deep pocketbooks. The days when a job meant dealing with a time-pressed manager out to buy lifestyle by the pound or an inarticulate home buyer? They've definitely gone bye-bye. Today's dynamic is a lot more give-and-take. At the original Dior boutique in Paris, executives had very strong ideas about the culture of couture. And Peter Marino came right back at them with his own ideas about corporate art patronage. When a couple of empty-nesters asked Eve Robinson for a pale palette and unfussy furniture, she returned with a plan to drop the ceiling of their apartment by an entire foot. (You'll have to read the story.)

Speaking of renovation, Interior Design has one of its own coming up. Preparing for our redesign debut next month, we've been trying to quantify and qualify our designer-readers to determine exactly which departments we'll add and improve. Clients, those charismatic and demanding partners, will figure in our plans, too. Not to worry, though. Our commitment to designers is still numero uno, and we will always remain crystal clear about who our stars are. You.

Get ready to crank your interior design dial way up.