Before the world started to reopen, five hospitality professionals shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how they have been working remotely due to COVID-19.
Ed Ng
Principal, AB Concept
Where: We live in Karuizawa, a resort town in the mountains of Japan about an hour from Tokyo. Here, we’re so absorbed by nature. My main workstation is my dining table right by the main living room. I sit at one end, and Terence [Ngan, my partner at AB Concept] occupies the other.
Staying positive: One of the best features of our house is the floating timber deck, which is surrounded entirely by forest. It is where I reinvent myself and like to reconnect with the outdoors. I often sit outside to work with my notebook listening to nothing but birds singing. When it’s warm, I practice yoga and meditate to relax.
The upside: I have tried to embrace this opportunity to slow down and really immerse myself in my surroundings. The scenery here is so exquisite, it’s reignited my love for photography, so I have been spending lots of time exploring with my camera.
What’s missing: We have another home in Milan, and I miss roaming the streets and markets in search of trinkets and local items to enrich our home.
Aliya Khan
Vice President of Design, Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International
Where: I have been working in my dining room in Washington, DC. Every evening when I finish, I clear the table, reset it for dinner, and then go back to a clean surface so that I start with an uncluttered slate the following day.
Staying positive: Keeping a routine has saved me. A pot of coffee early in the morning for quiet me time, wearing real clothes to work, cooking, and long walks at the end of the day have all been a welcome structure to what could otherwise be days that go sideways very quickly.
The upside: Fresh flowers, my favorite candle from Joya, a variety of playlists, and conference calls on the roof deck all help brighten days.
What’s missing: Being able to sit at a bar and have an ice-cold martini. You know the kind with sleet on the surface. Homemade ones just aren’t as good.
I can’t live without: Fresh Direct and my coffee maker.
William Paley
Design Principal, tonychi
Where: Quite often I find myself on the floor in our living room in the Bronx, New York. But where I am at that given moment is where I will live, whether it’s the bedroom, my youngest son’s room, or the dining room.
Staying positive: I am enjoying being surrounded by our collection of crazy eclectic stuff, artwork, and living with the mess of materials as constant inspiration. And, of course, I cannot be more appreciative of the increased family time with my wife, Jessica, and our two boys.
New normal: With the Tokyo team, I am on a call at the crack of dawn, so my days are completely discombobulated. I get dressed for the day post-morning call and brush my teeth while getting caught up. Being compassionate, fluid, and flexible are the keys for staying motivated.
I can’t live without: Good food and wine shipped to the house as frequently as project samples.
What’s missing: There is something about the social aspect of shared studio life that keeps you on your toes. At home, a different kind of alertness is required, but it is not the same as being physically together.
Miriam Torres
Cofounder, Parker-Torres Design
Where: At the beginning of quarantine, I came to Puerto Rico to be with my family, and I have been working on my parents’ terrace overlooking the pool. I love being outside in the fresh air and warm sunlight. The beautiful foliage surrounding me helps me forget about the restrictions.
The upside: I take conference calls with my feet dangling in the pool and, of course, with a piña colada in hand. I also go swimming every day to relax and to stay active.
What’s missing: The thing I miss most is laughing with my team. If you know me, my Puerto Rican slang sometimes doesn’t translate, and it’s always a funny story for my team. They call them Miriam-isms.
I can’t live without: My phone. FaceTime has been essential in keeping in touch with my team and clients.
Inspiring moments: I have been amazed and so grateful for fabric companies in our industry who are making masks. In particular, Valley Forge Fabrics was so generous to send masks to my kids in Boston and to me all the way in Puerto Rico. We may be quarantined, but that doesn’t stop the true spirit of hospitality from shining through.
Matt Davis
Partner and cofounder, DesignAgency
Where: My house is a century home and as such has a more traditional plan, where the floor plate is broken up into a series of rooms. Conveniently this allows me to have a dedicated studio space on the second floor.
The upside: I don’t think I had ever noticed the subtle daily emergence of spring as much as I did this year. It is truly phenomenal to have life slowed down enough to witness nature transition through the seasons.
New normal: I do miss in-person meetings, although in the future, given what we have been through, in-person meetings will be more purposeful. As a designer, I also miss our sample library. As vast as our digital resources are, it’s still incredibly important to me to touch and feel the materials.
I can’t live without: Music. Other than my laptop, a stable WiFi connection, an iPad, Zoom, fresh coffee, and a closed door…music is essential.
A version of this article originally appeared in HD’s July 2020 issue.
