• What is the design philosophy of Forbes + Masters?
  Forbes + Masters believe in connecting with clients to understand their personalities and style preferences, using that information to create spaces that are indicative of the clients themselves.
• What are some favorite color palettes and patterns that Forbes + Masters enjoy working with?
  They love shades of greens, terracotta’s, muddy reds, and rust. Lately, they have been incorporating yellow into their designs. They also enjoy using graphic patterns, organic or painterly designs, as well as culturally-influenced patterns without appropriation.
• Are there any decor essentials that Forbes + Masters often use in their designs?
  Forbes + Masters prioritize functionality when selecting decor essentials. They may use asymmetrical layouts with items like benches and desks, incorporate mirrors to expand spaces, and strategically place items like console tables with inviting scents in entryways.
• How do Forbes + Masters define a comfortable outdoor space?
  They aim to design outdoor spaces like indoor ones, using layered textiles, unique patterns, mirrors, various plants, and cozy elements like throws and pillows to create a warm and inviting extension of the home.
• Who inspires Forbes + Masters in their design style?
  Kelly Wearstler and Brigette Romanek are significant inspirations for Forbes + Masters. They admire Wearstler’s bold and artistic aesthetic and Romanek’s eclectic and collected style.
• What advice do Forbes + Masters have for those starting their own design practice?
  For aspiring designers, Forbes + Masters advise trusting oneself to make good decisions, emphasizing that starting a design firm involves entrepreneurial skills beyond just design expertise.
• How has the Forbes + Masters aesthetic evolved over the years?
  The Forbes + Master aesthetic has evolved to be more minimal with a focus on bespoke pieces and iconic elements that command attention. They also prioritize sustainability, quality materials, and intentional selection of long-lasting pieces.

Forbes + Masters: Masters of Bold and Eclectic Interiors

Since founding their Atlanta-based design firm Forbes + Masters in 2014, Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters have been making waves with their bold, eclectic, and layered interiors. Known for their unabashed use of colors, perfect pops of graphic patterns and full rooms decked out in luscious and vibrant wallpaper, they are masters at creating spaces that feel at once inviting and impactful. Today, Forbes + Masters are darlings in the design world, with features in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Domino, My Domaine, and other top shelter publications. And from the looks of it, theyre just getting started, with projects spanning across the country, from Florida to Texas to California. Were thrilled to have Forbes + Masters among our Decorno Home Room experts. Here, we sit down with the design duo to talk about their journey, embracing color, and finding inspiration in their vibrant southern city. Read on for our full conversation, and get their curated picks for designing a luxurious and layered outdoor oasis.

Design Philosophy and Process

Your spaces have a bright, open-arms feeling that pulls people in right away. What is step one in your design process with any space? Step one is to connect with the client and get to know them and their personalities and overall sense of style. Well ask a lot of questions to help them figure out what their style is, and then we use that information we’ve gathered to create a space for them that is indicative of them.

Color and Pattern

Color and pattern are foundations in all your designs, be they bold or subdued. What have been some of your favorite palettes and prints to work with? We love all shades of greens mixing that with terracotta’s and very very muddy reds and rust. We have been getting into a bit of yellow lately and that’s kind of on-trend with the moods of people, as were all looking to feel safe and warm. We do go for graphic patterns and things that feel organic or painterly as well as tight patterns that have a very textured look. And also designs that feel collected and worldly, that have some cultural context, be it African or Asian, without it being robbed or appropriated.

Design Essentials

Are there decor essentials you turn to time and time again? It depends on the space, of course. You’ll always have a bed, but with, say, nightstands you can put a bench on one side and a desk on the other for an asymmetrical look. A lot of the furniture pieces come from the function of the space. For example, in an entry, we try to use mirrors to expand the space and for a place to check on yourself before you leave, a console table with an inviting candle or diffuser so you’re immediately met with an inviting scent and feeling.

Creating Outdoor Comfort

Define what a comfortable outdoor space means to you? We love to design outdoor spaces like their indoor spaces. So layering textiles with patterns that you wouldn’t typically see outside, adding pieces like mirrors, and using a variety of plants for centerpieces on the table all of which just make it feel like an extension of your home. Also, pieces that make you feel grounded and connected to nature alongside throws and pillows that make you feel cozy, just like you are in your living room.

Inspiration and Advice

Who are some people that inspire your respective styles? Who are your muses and what about them inspires you? Kelly Wearstler because, you know, she’s Kelly. We love that shes always going to be bold and have this very playful aesthetic while still remaining very artistic and sophisticated. We love Brigette Romanek for her eclectic and very collected style. And there’s just maturity in the way she designs as well as using things that are lasting and incorporating vintage pieces. Do you have any advice for those looking to start their own design practice? Trust yourself to make good decisions. Starting a business is really hard and starting a design firm isnt always just about design. You have to want to be an entrepreneur and that’s a different mindset. Owning a business is 80% logistics, accounting, and all the things that you did not think you’d be doing, especially if you’re starting off on your own as a freelancer.

Future Endeavors

Your firm has grown so much over the past few years. How do you feel the Forbes + Master aesthetic has evolved? We started to become a little more minimal with our styling and really focus on more bespoke pieces now. Moments that call attention versus a lot of small things. Were looking at the value of an iconic piece and allowing that just to take center stage. We also try to repurpose pieces when we can, and anything that’s being cycled out of a client’s home we try to make sure it doesn’t go to a dumpster and is donated somewhere or upcycled by someone else. Also, picking quality materials we want to purchase pieces that will last longer and does not have to be replaced. Its just being more intentional about getting pieces that are made by craftsmen and companies that believe in sustainability and quality pieces.