ALVIN WAYNE

what is your take on more color? theROLODEX | @alvinwayne Alvin's cheat sheet to a #renovation is here: Favorite white paint → 'Swiss Coffee' by Benjamin Moore (@benjaminmoore ) Favorite moody paint → 'Mocha' by Benjamin Moore (@benjaminmoore ) Painter → GO WITH YOUR GC REC! Best stone yard → BAS Stone @basstonenyc Current stone obsession → Amazonia Composite Stone fabricator → Beyond Stone @beyondstonenyc Designer to look out for → Rochelle Jordan General contractor → Emilio Lucas Upholsterer → Stitchroom @trystitchroom Trend prediction → MORE COLOR in LESS OBVIOUS APPLICATIONS —— #TheRolodex — before I was a design professional™️ I remember buying my first home + feeling totally overwhelmed by how to approach the design journey. I would have *died* to work with an interior designer or architect but put every dollar I had into my down payment! I stalked some of my fave designers to see what I could learn from them but I didn’t find much... now as a designer, I know why us designers get some damn protective over great vendors (hint: they are hard to find!) but this series is for everyone out there who is just trying to MAKE IT HAPPEN I FEEL YOU. 🫡 #interiordesign #homerenovation #homedesignIdeas swike

What was once a dark wood paneled room anchored by an oversized stone fireplace and floral drapery is now light, open, airy, and completely transformed into a listening room designed around atmosphere, music, and the view beyond. In this reimagined 1950s Spanish Revival turned California modern home, the family room became a space designed entirely around feeling. Overlooking the backyard pool and the city beyond, every detail was meant to create atmosphere and set a mood. Music was always meant to be part of the experience here. The room carries a quiet rhythm layered with pieces and moments that reflect a deep connection to sound, creativity, and culture without overpowering the space itself. We kept the palette neutral, but layered in texture throughout. Stainless steel mixed with warm wood tones. The original stone fireplace and ceiling beams bringing history and character back into the space. The rug adding subtle pattern play and texture underfoot. Nothing feels overly designed. Just warm, inviting, and immersive. Videography @ethanbarber.co Styling @eyypablo Renovation @neptunerenovation

As a designer, I’m endlessly curious about how other creatives work. What drives them? Why do they make what they make? What does the process look like before the finished piece ever reaches the world? That curiosity is really what In Studio With is about for @aodmagazine It’s an opportunity to step inside the minds, spaces, and practices of creatives I admire. To ask questions, to learn, and honestly, to be a little nosy in the best way possible. Because I’ve learned that curiosity will always teach you something. For this edition, I visited @chalatoprakstudio inside her Brooklyn studio, where porcelain quite literally blooms under her hands. As both a designer, collector, and proud owner of one of her pieces, I’ve long been drawn to the quiet poetry in her work. There’s a softness and intention to her forms that feels human. From the moment I walked in and was greeted with a warm smile, Bruno Mars playing in the background, surrounded by sculptural forms, clay blocks, and works in progress, I was completely in awe. Check out the full article on aodmagazine.com.

This wasn’t just a renovation. It was about creating a feeling. Warm, effortless, and personal. Positioned at the heart of the home, the dining room bridges spaces, energy, and eras. We honored the original architecture while introducing a softer California modern ease. The palette is restrained, but the story lives in the tones and textures. Subtle moments of color in the rug move through the space, grounding it and quietly connecting everything around it in a way that feels natural. This is where the home gathers. From holiday celebrations to everyday work from home moments, it all happens here. And the view onto the patio and pool makes dinners linger just a little longer. Photography @frankfrancesstudio Styling @eyypablo Renovation @neptunerenovation

We’re tagging along with @alvinwayne as he sources pieces for his Sag Harbor project at CB2 Eastside.

Over the course of a year and a half, we reimagined every inch of this home, holding onto the soul of the architecture while introducing a more relaxed California modern vibe. What was once a 1950s Spanish-style residence is now a layered, light filled retreat designed for how this family lives today. The backyard was a full revival. We brought the pool back to life and turned it into an extension of the home, a place that feels just as considered as the interiors, made for entertaining, lounging, and everything in between. Inside, the kitchen was built completely from scratch, only the second time I’ve had the opportunity to do that. It pushed me in the best way. Thinking through how it functions, how it flows, and how it feels all at once, especially with the material mix, It really became the heart of the home. And then there’s the personality. The client’s love of music and art is felt throughout. You can see it, but you can also feel it. There’s a rhythm to the spaces, a sense of expression that makes the home feel alive, not just designed. At the end of the day, this wasn’t just about renovating a house. It was about creating a feeling. Something warm, effortless, and personal. Because the best homes don’t erase what was there before. They build on it. Videography @ethanbarber.co Styling @eyypablo Renovation @neptunerenovation Kitchen renovation @lucasconstruction1

April showered. From NYC > PHL > FL and everywhere else in between. Let’s see what blooms in May. #dump

Clients love @alvinwayne :⁠ "5 stars! Alvin at The Expert is the real deal. We got straight to work—no fluff, just sharp questions and genuine listening. He saw potential in my small city condo that I had completely missed. The result was a cohesive, thoughtful design plan that makes every square foot count. Personalized, practical, and inspiring. I highly recommend booking him." —Gina T., Expert Client⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in bio to book a 1:1 consultation with Alvin⁠ ⁠ Photography: @frankfrancesstudio + @liv_demetros ⁠ Styling: @eyypablo ⁠

Grab and go…

Lately, I’ve been…
 Getting lost in museums and galleries, wandering through artist spaces, lingering a little longer in beautiful restaurants and thoughtfully designed rooms. Curating playlists. Eating slowly. Sitting by the ocean. Dancing. Noticing everything.
 Letting inspiration find me instead of chasing it.

People often ask what inspires me, and it always comes back to this… seeing other creatives fully in their element. As event lead with AoD Magazine, Open Doors returns. A collaboration between the @aodmagazine member community and @goodblackart For our second event in the series, we stepped inside the world of an artist residency, touring @silverartprojects a nonprofit program in Manhattan supporting emerging and mid-career artists. I’m always grateful for moments like this… being invited into works in progress, hearing the stories behind the art and the artist, and experiencing something that’s rarely seen. Stepping inside their world, their process, and the way they think. An intimate look inside the residency, the studios, and the creative process behind the work. This is exactly what the AoD member community is about. Photography: @bbattlecuts Location: @silverartprojects Featured artist: Kimmah Dennis, @kimmah_dennis Jamel Robinson, @iamjamelrobinson Jaiquan Fayson, @jaiquan_fayson Aristotle Forrester, @aristotle_abstractions_ Debra Cartwright, @debracartwright

Still life on the walls. Real life everywhere else. This 4,500 sq ft SoHo loft was designed for a busy family of five that never stands still. The homeowner’s paintings bring a sense of playfulness and whimsy, living right alongside the rhythm of daily life. Nothing is too precious, but the art makes you stop and take it all in. Thoughtful, playful, and never too serious. Beautiful, but meant to be lived in. Because the best homes don’t just look good, they keep up with the life inside them. Full home tour on @curbed + @nymag Photography @_david_land Styling @johndittrick Renovation @lucasconstruction1