Lisa Frantz’s jewel-tone-driven blend of embossed velvet, saturated silk and tinted glass
What I Love | Nov 27, 2023
In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Lisa Frantz isn’t quite ready to let go of fall. The New York designer draws inspiration from the rich hues and comforting textiles that define the designs of the season.
Brimming with deep jewel tones and tactile organic materials, her current mood board offers a modern take on a traditional autumn palette. Inspired by her three favorite fall shades—golden yellow, blue and green—Frantz crafted the scheme with a medley of ochres, indigos and olives. “Lately, I’ve been gravitating toward color-blocked pieces with interesting textures and cheeky prints,” she says.
To balance out the bolder elements, Frantz layers in natural finishes such as white bronze and burled walnut. “Clean forms and master craftsmanship exude quiet luxury,” she explains.
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from botanical wallpaper to 1960s-style trim.
1. EMERALD QUARTZITE SLAB BY ARTISTIC TILE
“This Brazilian quartzite is the most stunning shade of green with yellow highlights; virtually indestructible, this is my go-to surface for a home bar.”
2. SANTIAGO WALLPAPER IN INDIGO BY MCLAURIN & PIERCY
“More of my favorite genre of flora and fauna, this time in a painterly watercolor to give this traditional print a more modern edge.”
3. HELENA DESK SAMPLE IN BURL BY VILLA & HOUSE
“The scale on this petite desk makes it a great option for a vanity or bedside table; love the gold sabot on the legs!”
4. CHESS FABRIC IN HONEY BY GEORGE SPENCER DESIGNS
“This embossed velvet has a luxurious sheen that looks different from every angle, and it’s buttery soft.”
5. EMPIRE CABINET PULL BY ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
“The White Bronze Brushed finish and the chunky backplate on this cabinet pull take this simple piece of hardware to another level—it has a great hand feel and elevates the millwork.”
6. SWAHILI GRAND WALLPAPER IN INDIGO BY PIERRE FREY
“This paper, available in a small- and large-scale pattern, combines flora and fauna with a contrasting crisp geometric that ticks all the boxes.”
7. HAND-PLANED FADED WALNUT FINISH SAMPLE BY KEITH FRITZ
“I love Keith Fritz’s backstory. He’s a small Indiana-based furniture maker who is so passionate about his work that he prefers to hand-deliver to avoid the possibility of damage. His pieces are heirloom quality and meant to last for generations.”
8. JAJIM FABRIC IN CAMEL BY MADEAUX BY RICHARD SMITH
“This classic woven rugby stripe is an upholstery workhorse, great for a high-usage bench or ottoman. Paired with luxurious velvets and boucles in the room, it’s a showstopper.”
9. FRANCESCO TRIM IN AMALFI BY BENJAMIN JOHNSTON FOR S. HARRIS
“This groovy, ’60s-inspired trim is embroidered with brass studs. It gives off a David Hicks vibe with the retro pattern, but feels fresh in this quirky color combination.”
10. SUNPAT RUG BY ALT FOR LIVING
“This knotted rug (available in Alt for Living showrooms) gives off a laid-back vibe and also looks great with an antique rug or shag layered on top.”
11. CUSTOM LAMP FINISH SAMPLES BY PAUL SCHNEIDER CERAMICS
“The Drip and Lustre finishes are ethereal and unique. These lamps can be customized in any shape, glaze or fitting—I enjoy being able to offer our clients this insane level of custom.”
12. SPENCER WALLPAPER IN CUSTOM COLOR BY THE ALPHA WORKSHOPS
“This pattern is a wonderful texture with incredible dimension and depth. We have used it on ceilings, in powder rooms, and on accent walls as a backdrop for art.”
13. BATTLE GREAT WOOD FABRIC IN INDIGO ON CREAM BY LINDSAY ALKER
“This traditional lino block print featuring Alker’s signature running-deer print is on trend with the biophilia craze in interior design. This single-color fabric makes a huge statement—love it for drapery.”
14. GERRIT END TABLE SAMPLE IN FAUX TORTOISE SHELL BY MCLAIN WIESAND
“This sexy little side table works just about anywhere. McLain takes a fine-art approach to finishes, and I especially admire the little silver inlay in the tortoise.”
15. CRESCENT VESSEL GLASS SAMPLES BY SKLO
“Czech-blown glass vessels in a myriad of punchy colors are a simple way to accessorize a bookcase or table. I have yet to meet a client who does not instantly fall in love with these candy-colored curves.”
16. AMALFI SILK COMO WALLCOVERING IN TUSCAN SUN BY PHILLIP JEFFRIES
“This saturated silk wallpaper is seriously glamorous, and they make it in a wide width for those who don’t love the seams in the raw silk.”
17. CHILTERN ON BRACKET SCONCE FINISH SAMPLES BY THE URBAN ELECTRIC CO.
“My favorite lighting company is known for their highly customizable finishes, and this sconce gives me so many opportunities to make it my own with their curated line of custom colors.”
Want to stay informed? Sign up for our newsletter, which recaps the week’s stories, and get in-depth industry news and analysis each quarter by subscribing to our print magazine. Join BOH Insider for discounts, workshops and access to special events such as the Future of Home conference.
