New York, giancarlovalle.com
When architect Giancarlo Valle first made our Hot List in 2017, we predicted that his furniture collection was going to evolve into greatness, but that may have been an understatement. Not only have we been impressed by the evolution of his objects — which incorporate lush, even baroque upholstery that Valle’s drawn to for its contrast with the stone, wood, and concrete he uses in his architectural practice — he’s become hands-down one of our favorite interior designers, blending old and new in an effortlessly cool way.

What is American design to you, and what excites you about it?

American design, especially in New York, is really exciting right now because you’re seeing such a concentration of talent. There are a lot of people exploring similar ideas and pushing the conversation forward. There’s still a global thinking, but there’s also a movement toward craftsmanship and seeing the hand.

What are your plans and highlights for the upcoming year?

We are working on a ground-up pavilion in Mexico City, converting a 22,000 square-foot orphanage in Chicago into a single family home, we have three New York City townhouse projects underway, and we’re working on a new line of ceramic tile furniture.

What inspires or informs your work in general?

I grew up between several different cities and cultures, and I think it sums up my feeling about how we design. We are always looking at the various points of commonality and overlap between styles and periods, trying to balance seriousness and playfulness. I hate the word eclectic. At the end of the day, you need a point of view.