It hasn't all been smooth riding for Rajeev Misra, the 63-year-old former Deutsche Bank credit trader who is CEO of SoftBank Investment Advisors. Yesterday, however, Misra was basking in a glow of reflected glory.

Misra's name doesn't appear to have featuredin SoftBank CEO Mayoshi Son's presentationto investors, but the Vision Fund that he runs was mentioned nearly 60 times in what amounted to a glowing vindication of hisstrategy. "Just about a year ago, many mass medias were actually saying that we are only laying rotten eggs," said Son of 2020's criticisms of the Vision Fund. "So many people criticized, but I never doubted," he added, claiming that the Vision Fund is now laying golden eggs at high speed andwith increasing frequency. A slideof a golden goose laying golden eggs underscored the point.

Given that the Vision Fund made gains of $13bn in the three months to December alone (admittedly after $17 billion investment loss forthe year ended March 2020), and that it employs fewer than 500 people, this surely makes Misra one of the best placed employees in all finance. Rajeev Misrareceives a salary of $15m a year, but this is inconsequential alongside his carried interestand investment gains. - TheFinancial Timesnotedlast week that Misrawas last yearloaned $250m by SoftBank to buy shares that have since rallied and are now worth $1bn.

How does Misra spend his enormous wealth? We know that he likes to fly around by private jet and that he likes to go barefoot.But we also know what it's like inside his north London home by virtue of his wife, Shalini Misra, an interior designer and architect who likes to show it off.

In the past year, photographers appear to have been to Misra's "intimate yet spacious" Victorian London house at least four times, and Google is replete with images of its interiors.The house reportedly "had no character" when the Misras moved in 17 years ago, but has since been transformed. There's the floor from a 400 year-old Indian palace on a ceiling, a marble staircase, a Brazilian azul stone bath, vintage chandeliers and a television in a wardrobe. "Most things have a wow factor. We like to impress. If its not beautiful, or related to wellness, I dont have it in my home," Shalini Misra told Elle last year. The couple also have a "lush estate" of four acres in Chattarpur, Indiawhich is equally filled with artworks.Not since the Mughals has so much craft work been commissioned from all over India, Rajeev told India's architectural digest magazine in January...

Separately, while some Robinhood traders count their winnings, the Wall Street Journal reports on a darker side to the trading app. Alex Kearns, a 20 year-old student, took his life after initiating a trade for which he thought the loss was capped at $10k. One weekend last June, the WSJ says Robinhood emailed Alex to say that he needed to deposit $178k in his account to rectify a negative balance of $730k. Alex tried to get in contact with Robinhood three times overnight, but received only automated email responses that omitted to say that the $730k balance referred to only one leg of his trade which would be offset by later ones. He wrote a note to his family and killed himself. The family have filed a lawsuit against Robinhood, claimingthat it by reckless conduct directly and proximately caused the death of one of its victims.

Meanwhile...

Deutsche Bank's reduction of illiquid assets in its capital release unit isn't going to plan. 'The 4bn of capital freed up by selling assets and winding down trades has essentially been wiped out by the more than 4bn of losses racked up by the unit since mid-2019.' It nowexpects the leverage exposure to remain above 50bn into 2023, and that about half the portfolio will be structurally challenging or inefficient to exit. (IFRE)

Brexit-hiring is picking up in the EU.Currently, the focus is on mid-level hiring within large investment banks, which has picked up in recent weeks, but the effect of Brexit will be seen over the next three to five years...Were anticipating an extra 2,500-3,500 banking jobs in Germany over that period. (Financial News)

Rachel Lord, the new head of BlackRock's APAC operations, says Hong Kong will remain an important financial centre. "Infrastructure is very hard to move. Its less about politics and more about the way the ecosystem is set up and I dont see any sign that Hong Kong loses its pre-eminence. Lord will oversee BlackRock's expansion in China from Hong Kong. (Financial Times)

5,000 people have signed an online petition from a BlackRock employee that calls upon the firm to addressharassment and discrimination allegations. (Business Insider)

It's not easy being a short seller. Maven Capital's Gabe Plotkin recently hired security following threats to his family.I could probably have more economic success doing something else, but I think that what we do serves a social purpose, said one portfolio manager. (New York Times)

In most Zoom calls I had to bring my kids with me during the call. Can you imagine taking your kids to a work conference and you dont know when your kids will throw a tantrum? It is simply impossible to look after kids while [working]. I feel constant guilt for my kids and also for work. I shout a lot more [at her children] than before and get frustrated. (Financial Times)

If Robinhood-inspired cases are brought against Citadel Securities and Ken Griffin doesnt settle, he could be forced to open the companys black box. (Chicago Business)

Have a confidential story, tip, or comment youd like to share? Contact:sbutcher@efinancialcareers.comin the first instance. Whatsapp/Signal/Telegram also available. Bear with us if you leave a comment at the bottom of this article: all our comments are moderated by human beings. Sometimes these humans might be asleep, or away from their desks, so it may take a while for your comment to appear. Eventually it will unless its offensive or libelous (in which case it wont.)

Photo by Vitor Pinto on Unsplash

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Inside the life of the most golden employee in finance - eFinancialCareers

CB2 is kicking off 2021 by releasing its first ever Next in Design report, a comprehensive projection of the interior design trends that will shape the home over the next year. The brand surveyed more than 900 interior designers from its Design Trade program to gather insight into what products and materials are most in demand from their clients.

The report found four major design trends based on internal expertise and designer responses: bold, maximalist statement pieces; a desire for stylish outdoor furniture; mineral-inspired color palettes; and a demand for more organic, sustainable materials. Were always looking ahead to whats next, which is why the trends surfacing this year are things that have been informing not only our current collection but whats to come throughout the year, says Samie Barr, vice president of marketing at CB2. The materials, colors, silhouettes and influences are reflected in the products we have available to shop right now, and this trend report serves as our exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at our ever-evolving inspiration.

CB2 predicts that outdoor furniture will continue to be important to consumers.Courtesy of CB2

Theres a fine line between chasing trends and valuable market researchand CB2 president Ryan Turf is keenly aware of that. Truthfully, Im not big on trends, he writes in the letter that opens the report. I like to push my team toward a continuous state of evolution. For us, that means digging in, uncovering the now, and challenging ourselves to instead do what's next.

The report reflects that sensibility, compiling consumer behavior and designer insights as well as whats inspiring the CB2 product development team. Its a world thats just as heavily influenced by vintage style, pop culture and a famous Miami hotel as by whats technically trending, adds Turf.

Some of the survey results, like the increased interest in outfitting outdoor spaces, mirrored what CB2 had seen in its own sales data over the past year. Sara Khodja, product development lead at CB2, says that the surge in demand for outdoor furniture spurred the brand to place an emphasis on the enduring quality of their outdoor pieces, which now feature finishes in polished stainless steel and teak as well as performance fabrics from Sunbrella. Weve really leveled up the quality of both the designs and the materials in our spring outdoor collection, she says.

A vignette from CB2s collectionCourtesy of CB2

The CB2 team attributes many of the findings to the impact of the pandemic. The survey pointed to a shift away from open-concept floor plans, demonstrating a renewed appreciation for dedicated spaces like dining rooms and home offices. It also showed increasing interest in more energetic color palettesa welcome development after years of neutral tones dominating retail. Across the board in our new product introductions, were leaning into this newfound embrace of mineral-inspired tones, says Khodja. Energetic colors are a way to speak to optimism, which is something were excited to address in 2021.

This story is a paid promotion and was created in partnership with CB2. To access the Next in Design report, click here. To shop CB2s latest collections, click here.

Homepage photo: CB2s recent debuts include the Outline sofa in camel and the Discus round marble side table. | Courtesy of CB2

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How CB2 tapped internal experts and interior designers to predict 2021 home trends - Business of Home

Publish dateFebruary 03, 2021

Design Star: Next Gen, the new high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat competition series inspired by HGTV Design Star, is ready for air and, with $50,000 cash and a shot at their own show on the line, one breakout renovation and design expert's life is about to go supernova. Following in the footsteps of HGTV Design Star, the most successful and highest-rated franchise in the network's history, Design Star: Next Gen premieres on discovery+ with a special 90-minute episode on Wednesday, February 24. The episode also will air on HGTV that night at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by Allison Holker Boss, the six-episode series, sponsored by Wayfair, features eight gifted designers, renovators and social media brand-builders as they compete in intense weekly challenges. During the series, head judge Jonathan Adler is joined by designer Lauren Makk and a rotating cast of celebrity guest experts.

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Eight Home Renovation and Interior Design Experts Compete for Stardom and $50000 in "Design Star -- Next Gen" - MediaVillage

Lindsay also used the spaces as a kind of personal lookbook to exhibit the unique ways in which you can apply her lively patterns to the home. Cruising Lindsays Instagram feed, youll find images of the townhouse, demonstrating how to use color and graphics to compose a layered, dynamic space.

In the home, Jill applied pattern in nontraditional ways to highlight architectural features, create movement, and transform awkward nooks into dramatic vignettes, so rooms didnt feel homogenous. You have to think outside the box. It can be used in so many ways. Lindsay says of pattern. You can wallpaper a room in its entirety, but you dont want to wallpaper every room in its entirety.

In the dining room, a vintage credenza topped with Mr. Brown lamps is flanked by vintage chairs from interior designer Kelly Wearstler's Beverly Hills home. Lindsay created a gallery wall to highlight some of her favorite pieces by artists Holly Addi, Addie Chapin, Susan Carter Hall, and Angela Chrusciaki Blehm. That gallery wall went through many iterations, she says. Its about finding the right place for them and creating the right tension between the art.

The starting point for the dining room was Benjamin Moore Black Berry walls. The deep blue-black provided a dramatic backdrop that allowed patterns to leap off the walls, ceiling, and floor. Lindsays Navy White Grasscloth was used to create a faux tray ceiling accented with Farrow & Ball Calamine paint. Jill pumped up the volume in the dining room with the artists Blue Wool Silk Rug and Porter Teleo draperies, Oly Studio dining chairs, a Mr. Brown London honed Carrara marble table, a Julian Chichester light fixture, and a mirror by Made Goods.

In the dining room, wallpaper is encased with molding to create a faux tray ceiling. Set behind glass, wallpaper is used as backsplash on the wet bar. And behind the bed in the primary suite, a vibrant pattern is framed like artwork on the wall.

Walls coated in a soothing Benjamin Moore Gibraltar Cliffs pair well with Lindsays blue and purple Caribbean Grasscloth wall covering. The wallpaper over the bed is the same color as the walls, but just a little touch of pattern, Jill says. The painted photographs are by artist Allison Hobbs. The Room & Board Architecture Bed is topped with Kelly Wearstler blue pillows, a black-and-white Schumacher bolster, and a Rebecca Atwood blanket. Custom nightstands are topped with Kelly Wearstler lamps.

During the renovation, a closet was created for Thomas off the main bedroom entrance. To make the cumbersome space work aesthetically, a hidden door was built into the board and batten, and neighboring walls were covered in one of Lindsays murals. The artist recently released a line of Art Decoinspired mural wall coverings; this one is dubbed Jill to pay homage to the Arkansas interior designer.

In the powder room, a soothing blue Indigo Ocean Alta Non-Woven wallpaper by Lindsay sets a calming tone. A custom vanity is bejeweled in Nest Studio pulls, and Circa Lighting sconces flank a custom mirror.

Since the duo was heavy-handed with prints, they created balance with visual voids so spaces dont feel overwhelming: a calming yin to the Technicolor yang. These interludes come in the form of neutral furnishings; walls cloaked in soothing hues or covered in Venetian plaster; and clean, uncluttered embellishments.

With the home dressed top to bottom in pattern, the eye is drawn up to the ceiling, down to the floor, and from one room to the next. You cant help but follow the chromatic breadcrumb trail.

A leak led to an unplanned kitchen renovation. Floors were refinished in Rubio, which gave the wood a contemporary matte finish. Lindsay originally wanted to paint the cabinets oxblood red, but after happening across Farrow & Ball's Bancha green, she changed her plans. I immediately felt like that was the right color, and it just brought nature in, she says. The leather and brass stools are by Noir.

Green from the kitchen cabinets continues into the breakfast nook. The banquette is topped it with cushions upholstered in Lindsays Onyx Belgian Linen. An Eero Saarinen tulip table is paired with Noir chairs; a framed peacock feather and artwork by Catherine Booker Jones hang on the wall.

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Get Major Doses of Pattern in This Artist's Vibrant Richmond Townhouse - Architectural Digest

The River Lounge on American Melody-headed to the Mississippi in 2021

Coral Gables, FL, Nov. 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interior Design Magazines Fastest Growing Firm Studio DADO, is pleased to announce that American Cruise Lines has selected the hospitality design firm, as the sole interior architect for their newest modern riverboat, American Melody, set to debut on the Mississippi River in 2021. The design project awarded by American, the largest and fastest-growing domestic cruise line, is noteworthy for Studio DADO, as the firms first foray into the domestic river cruise industry.

The magnitude of the American Melody build reaches beyond the normal anticipation we see with clients celebrating the expansion of their fleet, remarked Studio DADO Founding Partner Jorge Mesa. From our first insightful meeting through the entirety of the collaborative design process, our team was honored to step into the moment with American Cruise Lines and create a fresh, but still cultured atmosphere aboard its new ship. We leaned-in and considered every element from a fresh palette to the architectural structure to functional details- while still paying homage to the brands perfectly American origins.

As sole interior designer, Studio DADO thoughtfully approached the design process through the lens of creating a transformative experience the moment American Melodys guests step onboard. The ship features a notable four-story atrium and encircling main stairway which invites guests into intimate lounges on every level, each with its own unique atmosphere.

The new riverboat highlights an elegant, yet approachable color palette both inside and out, which encourages passengers to unwind and explore their new home on the waters of the Mississippi. The staterooms and suites average over 350 square feet, providing serene escapes in open comfortable settings. The main dining room and outdoor lounges highlight refined materials and employ elevated design elements that encourage comfort, relaxation, and the enjoyment of beautiful river views. Each interior space onboard features DADOs refined selection of textiles, colors, and beautiful furniture which complement the ships overall elevated and refined aesthetic.

Studio DADO has a remarkable ability to blend the sophisticated and the modern. Their design vision closely aligned with our mission to provide sophisticated experiences on modern ships said Charles B. Robertson, President, and CEO of American Cruise Lines. We have been proud to partner with them in creating the new class of modern riverboats. American Melody and its sister ships will be the biggest step forward in American Cruise Lines design history, but will still offer the same great experience that has defined us since our founding.

This latest build marks the first time American Cruise Lines has utilized an outside interior design firm for its ships.

To enjoy a video tour of American Melodys new interior design please visit: https://www.americancruiselines.com/usa-riverboat-cruise-ships/modern-riverboat-cruise-ship-tour

For more information on Studio DADOs recent Fastest Growing Firm award, please visit: https://www.studiodado.com/blog/fastest-growing-firm/

About Studio DADO

Studio DADO is an award-winning, Miami-based boutique hospitality design studio with over 60 years of cumulative design experience; delivering striking, clever design solutions and thinking outside the box to remain at the forefront of industry innovation. By synthesizing functionality and elegance, DADO breathes vibrance and utility into every space its designers take on. Both passionate and purposeful, DADO designers have transformed some of the most impressive spaces onboard ships for Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. Since its inception in 2016, memorable aesthetics, appreciation of culture, and a firm understanding of both client and patron needs have established Studio DADO as a world-class hospitality design studio. To learn more about current projects, follow Studio DADO on Instagram @studiodado or visit their website at http://www.studiodado.com.

About American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines offers the finest river cruising and coastal cruising in the U.S.A. Year after year, American continues to launch the newest small ships and uniquely curated itineraries for exploring and Cruising Close to Home. On all Americans cruises, guests discover the history, spirit, and culture of the United States aboard the most sophisticated fleet of modern riverboats and small cruise ships in the country. American operates 14 ships, all accommodating just 100-190 passengers, which cruise more than 35 itineraries in over 30 states, February through December each year. To learn more about American Cruise Lines visit http://www.AmericanCruiseLines.com

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Fastest Growing Interior Design Firm Partners With Fastest Growing River Cruise Line in the USA - GlobeNewswire

From high-profile design commissions to exciting listings, there is always something new happening in the world of real estate. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.

A Piece of Gilded Age Glamour Is Up for Grabs

A historic 27,000-square-foot mansion in New Yorks Tuxedo Park is on the market for the first time in decades. Completed in 1930, Chastellux was built on 8.2 acres above Tuxedo Lake from a design by legendary architects McKim, Mead & White. The landscape was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, with interiors by McMillen, the oldest extant decorating firm in the US.

In addition to nine family bedrooms and four-plus staff bedrooms, the French chateaustyle manor sports 16 fireplaces, a music hall, a billiard room, a teahouse, an orchard, and its original kitchen. The property is listed with Francine Liza of Tuxedo Hudson Realty for $10.9 million.

The entrance to Saint Marks Place.

Saint Marks Place Grows in Brooklyn

Construction has topped out at Saint Marks Place, a 100-unit condominium project in Brooklyns Boerum Hill neighborhood. Avdoo & Partners Development has partnered with INC Architecture & Design on the 12-story building, with lush landscaping by Terrain.

The elevated faade is inspired by the neighborhoods historic brownstones, modernized with bold terra-cotta modules and 338 floor-to-ceiling windows. Units are available in 39 different floor plans, ranging from studios to four-bedroom homes, with most offering outdoor space. Residents also have access to a large outdoor garden and 19,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including a state-of-the-art fitness center curated by The Wright Fit. A sales gallery is welcoming prospective owners at 84 Saint Marks Place.

Resort Living Near the Nations Capital Is Coming

Middleburg, Virginias Salamander Resort & Spa is expanding its luxe brand with Residences at Salamander, 49 estate homes in two distinct communities, the Stables and the Vineyards. Each two-story property includes four bedrooms, five baths, and a central courtyard that can be customized with a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen.

Salamander CEO Sheila Johnson, a founding partner of BET, is collaborating with South Street Partners, the developers behind South Carolinas Kiawah Island Club. Theyve tapped Thomas Pheasant Architects, Mark P. Finlay Architects, Thomas & Denzinger Architects, and J. Banks Design Group for the project.

Surrounded by 200 acres of old-growth forest and framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the expansive property also features a full-service equestrian center, miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis courts, and a putting green, all within about an hour of Washington, DC. With sites ranging from 0.4 acres to 1.3 acres, pricing begins at $2.1 million.

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McKim, Mead & White Mansion Goes on the Market, Luxury Closings Surge in New York, and More Real Estate News - Architectural Digest

As co-host of HGTV's "Nate & Jeremiah Save My House" and a competitor on the upcoming season of "Rock the Block," interior designer Nate Berkus spends his days designing and beautifying homes with husband and fellow designer Jeremiah Brent. But, like many other parents right now, he's experiencing the challenges of working and parenting from home during a pandemic.

"Our kids are 5 and 2 it's been a zoo. It's been absolutely crazy," Berkus told Insider while promoting a partnership with Starbucks to help families take virtual family portraits.

"Respect to the teachers out there," he said. "[I've been] trying to help my daughter with her classes it's a little bit embarrassing that I'm hesitant on kindergarten math, but that's just reality. I'm facing it head on."

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"It's been very, very different and obviously challenging in some ways and beautiful in others," he said. "I've caught those little moments that I normally wouldn't have seen, and it's been pretty great."

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Interior designer Nate Berkus shares the ups and downs of working from home with 2 young kids: 'It's a zoo' - Business Insider India

Two people means twice the stuff at least for us. Both David and I tend to collect things, from a whole shelf of cookbooks to art prints we picked up while traveling. As much as I'd like to declutter, I don't want to part with sentimental objects that hold a lot of meaning.

Thankfully, Kate has a solution: using small knickknacks as part of the decor when possible, then storing the rest. "If you love certain items, I'd recommend displaying them on bookshelves or coffee and side tables," she says. "Or if its something that wouldn't necessarily add to the decor of the space, I'd recommend investing in furniture with storage and baskets to store them out of sight." These stylish wooden baskets work beautifully for throw blankets and other textiles, while decorative bowls can hold smaller pieces like coasters and candles.

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What This Interior Designer Says All Couples Need to Know About Decorating Together - POPSUGAR

PUBLISHED: 16:39 19 October 2020 | UPDATED: 16:49 19 October 2020

Jojo Bradley

Jojo Bradley at her beautiful home near Chester. Photo: Kirsty Thompson

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Whether you are going for the traditional look or bold brights, there is no excuse not to put on a show-stopping display for your guests this Christmas.

Start by choosing your theme. This can be a colour or an idea. It can be based upon a centrepiece you have been lusting after online or childhood memory you want to capture. If youre not sure what to go for you cant beat the classic red and green or frosty winter wonderland. Both work well with either traditional or modern interiors. In this setting green is the go-to accent, in the glass ware, candles and place settings. Dont forget to add some natural green too, holly and ivy are the traditional go to, but consider Christmas roses too for your table and if you cant find these, simple white roses are a classic option. Think natural materials, greens, velvets and country house idyll.

Always lay your table on Christmas Eve so that you dont have last-minute panics about missing serving ware or napkins. And always iron your linens, whether you are going for the full tablecloth and runners or plain and simple, there is nothing better than a crisp neat napkin.

Baby its cold outside! Stay warm with some cosy home ideas from Living Edge

Layer your place settings to give them extra impact. I like to mix a plain white china with my special occasion dinner service, setting the scene perfectly with a festive flourish. Here we have used velvet bows to match the crackers, but you can use holly, mistletoe or even baubles can make it extra special.

You dont always need a centrepiece but an easy yet striking option is to use a festive wreath filled with candles (making sure you use a heatproof mat and the candles are away from the foliage!) Alternatively, to ensure that guests arent dodging the foliage in order to see each other. Dont forget a little festive sparkle too, nothing says Christmas more than how metallic flourishes twinkle in the candlelight.

Finally, I love a handwritten place card. A personal touch that doesnt have to be formal and traditional, or complicated. It could be as simple as a velvet ribbon attached to a bell, a frosted pinecone or a tree decoration that matches your theme, but it is a thoughtful touch that guests will value.

Visit jojobradleyinteriors.co.uk for more classic inspiration

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Cheshire interior designer Jojo Bradley on how to set the perfect Christmas table - Living Edge Magazine

A lighter color palette, home-like furnishings, straighter lines, and more natural materials. These are among the broad trends in todays business aircraft interior design book, applied by OEMs and aftermarket outfitters alike, in combination with improved environmental systems, digital capabilities, and all the comforts and conveniences buyers expect in their homes and offices.

In a typical year, industry executives might have surveyed some of these advances in person this month as theywalkedthe aisles or on static display at the NBAAs annual convention. But while business aviations biggest gathering has been canceled by the coronavirus pandemic, the aircraft interiors world has continued turning, and if anything the global lockdown has focused even more attention on the cabin. Its not just about looking good, but functionality, safety, and wellness, and the new-generation flagships of the business aviation fleet have the technology and the space to deliver the goods.

Gulfstreams forthcoming flagship, the G700, will feature high-end customized interiors.

Gulfstreams forthcoming flagship, the G700, will feature high-end customized interiors, as always, but it will also have a cabin altitude of less than 4,000 feet at most cruise altitudesthe industrys lowestand an advanced circadian lighting system, ensuring passengers can arrive at their destinations refreshed and ready. The five-zone interior in what will be the tallest, widest, and longest cabin of any purpose-built business jet, according to Gulfstream, will give passengers (19 max) ample room to rest on ultra-long-range journeys when it enters service in 2022though its largest-cabin crown may not be worn long.

In creating Dassault Aviations forthcoming Falcon 6X cabin, engineers rethought the entire interior design process, employing a 'sensory design'approach that will completely redefine the passenger flight experience, said chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. The design ethos manages air, light, and sound to maximize health and wellness, according to Dassault, expressed visually in flowing uninterrupted lines, flush surfaces, and recessed technology, providing a cozy, clutter-free interior and the feeling of spaciousness.

The cabin is indeed spacious: at eight-feet, six-inches wide and six-feet, six-inches tall, the Falcon 6X cabin will be four inches wider and three inches higher than the G700s when it enters service in 2022.

Several cabin and interiors specialists report strong demand for residence-style furnishings. Designers are bringing us floor planscreated in collaboration with ownersthat use cabinets that appear to be freestanding, resembling someones furniture at home rather than extensions of bulkheads, said Gabi Hasko, a v-p at Canadas Flying Colours, whose portfolio includes extensive cabin outfitting work for Bombardier Global aircraft.

Jet Aviations interior design studio is getting requests for more monuments with the illusion of freestanding furniture, [and] carpets that are intricately cut to give the appearance of layered rugs, echoed Grischa Schmidt, the studios senior director. Home-like touches such as paintings and decoration as fixed interior elements are also popular.

A corporate airlinersuch as the ACJ320neo Comlux Completion is now outfitting at its Indiana facilityis the ideal vehicle for such bespoke customization. The cabin aesthetic [of the ACJ320] is really focusing on a residential-type environment, a calming interior, Daron Dryer, CEO of the center, said. Large backlit Roman shades will give the impression of large windows, rather than the small aircraft type, with additional lighting from a chandelier, fixed, not swinging, Dryer added.

Sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility are also cabin design concerns today.

Embraers Praeterra concept for the super-midsize Praetor 600 incorporates sustainable woods and other materials in its construction, and recycled wool and worn employee uniforms in composite seat covers. An illuminated inlay on the aft bulkhead is fashioned from recycled ocean plastics.

Embraer Bossa Nova interior.

These design trends are finding their way to the cabins of smaller aircraft, epitomized by the August debut of the first Embraer Phenom 300E outfitted with the optional Bossa Nova interior. First seen on the Praetor 600, the Bossa Nova cabin features carbon fiber accents, piano black surfaces, and Embraers Ipanema custom quilted seat stitching.

ACH130 Aston Martin edition interior.

Bespoke luxury interiors are becoming more common in the rotor world as well. Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) and Aston Martin teamed this year to intro the Aston Martin Edition ACH130, a luxury version of the Airbus single-engine light helicopter for buyers who draw satisfaction from personally piloting their aircraft, according to the French company. The pure black ultra-suede ACH130 cabin is accented with leather trims drawn from Aston Martins autos and brogue detailing found in the DB11, with exterior paint schemes based on the Aston Martin palette.

ACH already has a long-term partnership with German carmaker Mercedes-Benz for special-edition ACH145 light twins, which catermore to the corporate market, noted ACH CEO Frdric Lemos.

Hill Helicopters unveiled this year its clean-sheet, five-seat HX50 turbine-single helicopter (aggressively slated to enter service in 2023), featuring an interior design built around experience and comfort in the same manner as premium automobiles, said Jason Hill, CEO of the UK company. The cabin will incorporate climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, and opulent finishes, and seats outfitted with drink holders, USB ports, and four-point harnesses, covered in two-tone Napa leather.

But aircraft seating upgrades have progressed beyond fancy stitching, accessories, and plush upholstery, driven in part by challenges imposed by the extended range of todays long-haul bizjets, which can keep passengers onboardmostly seatedfor some 15 hours.

Bombardiers Nuage chaise is designed to follow the curve of a passengers body. It can be converted into a flat surface for sleeping or for sitting at the conference-grouping table for banquet-style dining.

When introduced in 2018 as a centerpiece of its ultra-long-range Global jets, Bombardier'sNuage chair was calledthe first meaningful change in the operation and design of a business aircraft seat in 30 years. The seats fully floating base allow precision tracking and swiveling without visible floor rails, a base design concept used for its reclining Nuage chaise for the Global 5500/6500 announced in 2019.

Collins Aerospace Systems has followed on with its next-generation Evolution seat, which includes extended leg rests; manually adjustable headrest; and armrests that can be lowered flush with the seat in full recline. Demonstrated last year at NBAA-BACEin Las Vegas, Evolution is set on a proprietary triple-roller system, allowing it to be positioned close to bulkheads and saving cabin space, while electric controls allow one-touch adjustments to takeoff/landing position, and a zero-gravity position. No launch customer has been announced.

Meanwhile, passengers haul more baggage todayin the hold and cabinand designers are using all of the nooks and little hidden spaces in an aircraft to their maximum, with pop-ups and pullouts to stow carry-ons, said Shannon Gill, managing director of MSB Aerospace. The Georgia firms accessories include lightweight honeycombed cabinets with unique, hand-finished veneers installed on new and retrofit Gulfstreams and other business jets.

Reducing cabin weight and ambient sound levels are two more interior design imperatives, and MSB is among vendors offering composite acoustic insulation panels and liner systems that achieve both objectives. Now, with interiors hushed and Hi-Def media onboard, cabin audio quality grows in importance. HondaJets Elite, an updated version of the HA-420 light twinjet, comes standard with Bongiovis speakerless audio system, which uses vibrating transducers fitted to the back of interior panels to turn the entire cabin into a speaker and deliver an immersive high-fidelity audio experience, according to Bongiovi.

Also this year, the first Bongiovi speakerless audio system retrofit installationby Spirit Aeronautics of Columbus, Ohiodebuted on a Dassault Falcon 7X. As the Falcon 7X audio upgrade suggests, cabin improvements and innovations introduced in the newest platforms are quickly entering the aftermarket, where customers may choose a single system upgrade, partial interior refurbishment, or complete cabin retrofit.

In the aftermarket seating market, the biggest trend has been the introduction of quilted inserts, which customers have seen in luxury cars like Bentley and Ferrari, said Veta Traxler, paint and interior designer at West Star Aviation, on a recent AIN interior design webinar. That trend dovetails with a preference for orangey colors that are currently popular in automotive interiors, she said.

For the practical-minded, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) offers an economical new flooring option that closely resembles real wood, available in planking, parquet, herringbone, and other patterns; At the high end, real stone veneer is becoming more popular, particularly for galley and high traffic areas. Some vendors offer heated stone flooring systemsbut currently, these are only EASA approved.

Aircraft Lighting International offers systems that can be adjusted from warm to cool white light, and RGBW systems that include mood lighting.

LED lighting innovationseven circadian style cabin systemsare also now aftermarket staples, offering a complete spectrum (literally) of lighting options for in-service aircraft. For aircraft with fluorescent lighting systems, plug and play drop-in LEDs use less power, generate less heat, weigh less, and can quickly replace fluorescent fixtures, said Shervin Rezaie, GM at Aircraft Lighting International. That company's LEDs include systems that can be adjusted from warm to cool white light, and RGBW systems that include mood lighting.

Were getting way more requests for this, Rezaie said of the adjustable RGBW systems. With these LED lights, you can actually create an atmosphere that's soothing, that's relaxing and comforting, and potentially even reduce the effects of jet lag.

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