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DAVID ANTHONY CHENAULT LLC

Designer in Profile: David Anthony Chenault, David Anthony Chenault LLC

David Anthony Chenault LLC has been shortlisted for 3 Categories in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2022. Read more about President and Owner, David Anthony Chenault, below:

Name: David Anthony Chenault

Company: David Anthony Chenault LLC

Position within company: President/Owner

Website: WWW.DAVIDANTHONYCHENAULT.COM

Tell us a little about your background in design:

I attended Southwest Missouri State University and had an independent major in Architecture, emphasizing Interior Design. My love of interior design has existed within me for as long as I can remember since I was a toddler. Even at play, I always built spaces with my lego blocks and furnished them with self-made furniture from things found around our house and farm. I did not get to travel much as a child, but I was always seeking visual inspiration by getting my hands on any magazines I could find, watching TV, and obsessing over any design details. Once I began traveling abroad, my design influenced my travels and took on a decidedly more European vibe.

 How would you describe your interior design style?

I would describe my interior design style as dark, moody, and sensual, with muted tones. I live the way I design, period.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

My design inspiration comes from travels, music, fashion, film, and what I can only describe as coming from deep within my mind.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Design is moving in two ways: There is a clean, classic, and modern aesthetic. It is often bold and overscaled. It is a movement towards an earthy and organic vibe with nature, where natural light is a must.

There is also a collective revival from the 80s but with a much more artistic approach that is still earthy and organic, presenting the gathered items as being curated like art.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2022 and beyond.

The five key themes to consider for 2022 and beyond are organic, organic tonal, color, natural spaces, and overscaled drama.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?

The one piece of advice would be to go with your heart and design with what you feel, as design should never feel like a forced process. Almost always, the first approach is the right one, so JUST RUN WITH IT!

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?

The IHP Awards are so important for our industry. All creatives are and should be utilized as valuable resources and learning tools! Not only do we get to discover new talent, but it also gives us an avenue and opportunity to exchange ideas that bring something new and fresh to the way design is approached.

What projects are you currently working on?

We now have seven restaurants and bars on our table. We recently traveled to Tulum, Mexico, to study the Azulek Resort for a new build project in Washington DC, USA. Other projects of interest are a tropical restaurant with a bar and rooftop concept and a Middle Eastern Hookah bar and rooftop lounge.

What was your favourite project to work on, and why?

Rather than a favorite project, we love designing restaurants in general. The myriad of themes, cuisine, and concepts means our clients seek us for the mood and story we can tell with our designs. We are given free rein to create without any questions or changes to our design. The ability to create is what we genuinely relish.

What was your most challenging project to work on, and why?

Our most challenging project to date is Nara-Ya, our submission for the IHP Awards. We began the design process for this project pre-Covid, with a concept and budget established. When Covid hit, and the world stopped at a standstill, our budget was cut in half, and we were given the directive that the project had to be completely redesigned. Procuring any product was extremely difficult, and managing our teams while adhering to all Covid rules and guidelines meant that we could not work with full crews. The project initially slated to take seven months eventually turned into one and a half years to finish.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

We could not live without our network of creatives and artisans! They are our collaborative partner and the backbone of most of our designs!

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Through Covid, we learned that we had many weaknesses and strengths and areas that we excelled at. The next twelve months will be about growing our workspace to make way for open collaborations. Instead of small work zones, we encourage staff that works hard and smart and desire to make changes to our environment in a positive way. So, in short, the goal is to foster life-affirming and positive workspaces.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession is a cooking bowl and wooden spoons that my Grandmother gifted me as she was dying. I have vivid memories of watching my Grandmother work with these tools daily to create food and nourishment for our family. She cooked from her heart, and it was her sole contribution to the table and family. My Grandmother spoke no English, yet I understood every word she was trying to convey as she showed me how to prepare food. It is an honour to have these items, and they are treasures to me.

Your favourite holiday destination?

As a full-blooded Taurus Bull, I’m a homebody by heart, so my favourite place is my home. But my favourite holiday destination is London, England, of course. I adore traveling there.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

My favourite hotel is the Ace Hotel in New Orleans, and my favourite restaurant and bar is the Veronica in New York City.

Your favourite book, film & song?

My favourite book is The Box Car Children, my favourite film is The Breakfast Club, and my favourite song is Pet Shop Boys’ Anything.

Your favourite food and drink?

Pasta gives me life, and my beverage of choice is whiskey.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

There is no better way to spend an afternoon than exploring old cities and antique stores.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

Designer for this life, and veterinarian for the next one!

David Anthony Chenault LLC


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