Designer Corey Damen Jenkins on how to create joyous interiors – 5 ways to be more daring with design
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Loading... - Jason Chloros
- 22 May 2023
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Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates are known for their wholehearted approach to interior design. This rising star based in New York is a trailblazer, creating joyful and vibrant living spaces. Despite starting his career as an interior designer in 2008 during a global recession, Corey remained undeterred. The publication of his first client project quickly caught the attention of a TV producer, leading to an opportunity to appear on a design show. Corey's warm and engaging personality made him a natural on television, and he went on to win the HGTV competition series Showhouse Showdown. Today, he continues to share his expertise as a design expert on TV and has earned numerous awards in the industry.
The pandemic could have posed significant challenges for Corey, considering his rapidly ascending career. However, he embraced the situation and made the most of it. In 2021, he released his first book, titled "Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms" published by Rizzoli. He also launched a video series called "Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design" on MasterClass. Additionally, he relocated his office to New York permanently, focusing on building a new team and expanding his loyal client base.
Corey's approach to design revolves around creating schemes that pay tribute to established principles without being driven by trends. His book's title, "Design Remix," alludes to his unique take on incorporating elements from different periods, injecting vibrant colors, playful patterns, and unexpected materials. He skillfully integrates intricate details like passementerie in a bold yet harmonious manner. His talent has garnered attention from industry experts as well. 1stDibs, the renowned online marketplace for extraordinary design, has named Corey as one of the honorees in their annual compendium of inspiring work by the world's most talented interior designers and architects, called the 1stDibs 50.
Let's explore why Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates deserve our attention:
Emphasizing High-Quality Materials
Investing in premium materials, especially in the heart of a home, is crucial. For instance, a waterfall countertop in the kitchen adds a show-stopping feature. Rather than a standard flat slab, the countertop elegantly flows over the sides to the floor, creating a dramatic look. Corey demonstrates how playing with shapes and scales can amplify the impact of marble in small spaces. He achieves cohesion by using the same marble on the backsplash while anchoring the kitchen.
Unleashing the Potential of the Fifth Wall
Our ceilings, often overlooked, provide an opportunity for creativity and should be considered as an integral part of the room's design. Corey encourages using the ceiling as a decorative surface to introduce color and drama. Ceilings can add another layer of interest and should not be limited by conventional rules. Corey believes in honoring the principles of good design while bending and breaking the rules when it makes sense for the project. For example, Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates utilized statement wallpaper on the ceiling of a dining room, extending the walls visually. The luxurious finishes, layered patterns, and neoclassical influences create a sophisticated ambiance.
Bridging the Gap between Indoors and Outdoors
In Corey's design for the FLOWER Magazine Inaugural Showhouse in Atlanta, Georgia, he aimed to bring the beauty of nature indoors. The Morning Bar, Wine Room, and Secret Speakeasy, created by Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, became highlights of the event. Corey envisioned an underground garden that exuded elegance and contemporary aesthetics, offering a unique twist on traditional "man caves." The carefully curated palette of blush pinks, mint and celadon greens, black, white, and gold, along with reflective finishes, artwork, and a blend of traditional and antique pieces illuminated by modern light fixtures, transformed the space into a serene haven reminiscent of the great outdoors.
