Designers are famous for guarding their sources, even as they remain some of the most generous collaborators we know. This year, AD PRO asked every AD100 designer to nominate one indispensable craftsperson or resource they felt deserved the spotlight. The response was immediate and effusive. “I couldn’t do my work without them!” was the refrain we heard again and again. The resulting roster, spanning painters, plasterers, upholsterers, finish carpenters, drapery makers, furniture restorers, civil engineers, metal fabricators, and more form an invisible network—the quiet coauthors behind many of the most celebrated interiors and buildings of AD100 designers.
A caveat: Many of these talents resist tidy labels. Some practice hyper-specific crafts such as verre églomisé, while others move fluidly across mediums and materials. Think of the categories that follow as loose guideposts rather than strict boxes, and follow the threads wherever they lead.
WALL TREATMENTS
PLASTERWORK
“Collaborators in the development of custom plaster work that pushes standard practices and applications.” —Brian Young of Young Projects
“We’ve relied on Frank’s expertise on many of our recent projects, and his craftsmanship has been crucial to their success.” —Sachs Lindores Architecture, Interiors
COLOR SPECIALISTS
Eve Ashcraft Studio, New York City and Hudson Valley
“Eve Ashcraft’s color sense is beyond” —Bories & Shearron
“A world-class architectural color consultant, she elegantly marries color theory with the built environment. I’ve had the great fortune to collaborate with Eve on one-of-a-kind commissions, from hand-dyed upholstered walls to entire rooms wrapped in bespoke decoupage.” —Hadley Wiggins
PAINTING
Tony Barros, barros7M@gmail.com, Warren, New Jersey
“We quite literally will not do a job without him.” —Michael Misczynski, Atelier AM
Masterpiece Painting and Decor, Los Angeles
“Our go-to for specialty paint and plaster finishes. They’ve seamlessly helped us restore 100-year-old paint finishes, amongst other specialty projects.” –Ross Cassidy Inc
Rigo Perez, admin@perezbrotherspainting.com, Los Angeles
“Our painter, Rigo Perez, and his crew are absolute artists. They are capable of any finish or detail work we ask of them and the final product never disappoints. We won’t work without them.” —Clements Design
Polaris Painting, jcarv45@hotmail.com, 203-219-2947, Stamford, Connecticut
“From paint to plaster to lacquer to beautifully hand-brushed millwork, Juan Carvajal from Polaris is the best I’ve ever worked with in 20 years of owning my practice. He’s immensely talented and attentive and his team is polished and unbelievably detail-oriented. I couldn’t recommend his work more.” —Ryan Lawson
DECORATIVE PAINTING
Atelier Blundell & Therrien, Paris
I recently worked with Celina Blundell on a whimsical forest mural in my Paris apartment. She extrapolated on typical trees to create a Gustav Klimt-like painting. Her talent is unparalleled. —Sara Story
Atelier Pierre Bonnefille, Paris
“Pierre Bonnefille is not only a master artisan but also an artist in the truest sense, blending material innovation with painterly expression. His handcrafted finishes—whether in patinated bronze, mineral-based surfaces, or his luminous Matières d’Art—transform walls and objects into living works of art, rich with texture, depth, and light.” –Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Christopher Butler, East Hampton, New York
“Time and again Chris Butler and I have had such success with painted floors. Whether blowing up an American quilt design or executing something as simple as a compass star, he achieves it with clarity. He understands how to bring the character one is looking for.” —David Netto
Agustin Hurtado, Brooklyn
“The most masterful decorative painter and the kindest of gentlemen.” —Redd Kaihoi
Nancy Lorenz, New York
“We adore working with Nancy. She paints incredible, tactile finishes. In one of our projects she painted cabinet fronts and included mother of pearl to add iridescence.” —Cullman & Kravis Associates
Mériguet-Carrère Workshop, Paris
“Mériguet-Carrère’s mastery of traditional decorative finishes and commitment to excellence have set the standard in their field, embodying a rare balance between historical know-how and contemporary sophistication. From gilding and patinas to bespoke decorative painting, Mériguet-Carrère consistently delivers work of exceptional quality.” —Hugo Sauzay, Festen
Connor Owens, Los Angeles
“He’s a friend who has resurfaced in my life who is a fantastic artist and decorative painter. (He works with S.O. Beaux Arts, and also independently as Connor Owens.) He’s fun to work with and he makes these genius maquettes that are a delight to our clients.” —Lauren Geremia
Dominigue Architectural Finishes, Belgium
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“We like to work with materials that oxidize well and become more beautiful by time. In order to achieve the beauty of imperfection, one needs to let the craftsmen speak in their most authentic presence. Dominigue Architectural Finishes makes all-natural, mineral-based plasters and paints, following formulas tested by time.” —Axel Vervoordt
WALL COVERINGS
“We’ve worked with them on so many projects. They’re opening a new showroom in New York.” –Michael Smith
“I would like to highlight their creativity and superior craftsmanship.” –Nicole Hollis
Watts 1874, London
“Specializing in fabrics, wall paper, and trimmings, the company stands as one of the great enduring names in British craftsmanship. Their artistic heritage is both bold and uncompromising.” —J. P. Molyneux Studio
HARD SURFACES
METALWORK
Ateliers Saint-Jacques & Fonderie de Coubertin, Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, France
“This foundation located just outside Paris works across four main disciplines: metalwork, stonework, millwork, and bronze casting. I’ve been collaborating with them for decades.” —Joseph Dirand
Artisan Bronze, Oxnard, California
“There’s a wild feeling stepping into Robert Wenzke’s foundry; he and his team are operating on the edge of reason. An expert in the notoriously labor-intensive process of lost wax metal casting, Robert is equal parts artist, technical genius, and eccentric father figure.” —Woods + Dangaran
Bestcase, Copiague, New York
“For a custom display system we completed for Storefront for Art & Architecture made entirely of bent aluminum they were incredible collaborators with an in-depth understanding of fabrication, materials, and aesthetics. Without them, the end result would have been much more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.” —Tal Schori, GRT Architects
David Wiseman, Los Angeles
“His work never ceases to amaze. His fanciful and brilliant creations are dreamy and so beautiful. They give depth to my work!” –Robert Couturier
De Castelli, Crocetta del Montello, Italy
“For a restaurant we recently designed, De Castelli fabricated a decorative metal art mural by the artist Jesse Willems using a mix of hammered brass, patinaed brass, champagne metal, charcoal steel, and blue lacquered metal. They blend craftsmanship with technology to create expressive, sculptural pieces.” —Rockwell Group
De Winter Metalworks, Los Angeles
“It’s very rare to find someone you can work with remotely on something so specific—and then have them build it for you so it arrives at the job site and works perfectly. Their custom brass craftsmanship is incredible.” —Pierce and Ward
Friendly Metals, Brooklyn
“Max Heiges is an artist and a bespoke metal worker based in Red Hook. He can make anything metal and he has great taste and ideas. Max did all the metal work for my industrial loft in Brooklyn and has done several custom commissions for us as well.” —Robert Stilin
Shelton Studios, Brooklyn
“Super creative and passionate, Gabrielle Shelton is a star in her own right.” — WHY Architecture
CUSTOM HARDWARE
Pashupatina, Los Angeles
“They are very responsive to trying unconventional pieces with custom finishes. The final product is always of the highest quality and special for even the most discerning clients.” —Jamie Bush
GLASS
TG Glass Works, New York
“We have relied on TG Glass over the years to implement mirror design concepts. TG Glass has incredible samples of antique to choose from, and their work is meticulous.” —Nate Berkus Associates
Vitreluxe, Portland, Oregon
“Lynn Reed at Vitreluxe who makes our Bobine lamps, is a consummate perfectionist with an incredible mastery of his art. Lynn is also a gatherer and promoter of other craftspeople and a pillar of the Oregon craft community.” —Jessica Helgerson
STAINED GLASS
Manhattan Stained Glass, Jersey City
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“Tommy G of Manhattan Stained Glass is an amazing stained glass craftsman! We just installed a beautiful piece I designed for Ray Harlem. He also does historic preservation.” —Little Wing Lee, Studio & Projects
VERRE EGLOMISE
Miriam Ellner, New York
“If you’re drawn to the art of reverse painting on glass, Miriam Ellner is the person to see. Whether it’s a wall motif, paneling for a powder room, or a free-standing screen, her mastery of verre églomisé spans styles from 18th-century traditional to contemporary design. Collaborating with her is always a thrill.”—Williams Lawrence
“Extraordinary artistic vision in verre eglomise.” —Peter Pennoyer
CERAMICS
Jordan McDonald, Philadelphia
“His pottery feels unique and personal, referencing historic European and Japanese ceramics in a way that is smart and unexpected.” —Charles de Lisle
Jonathan Cross, Joshua Tree, California
“Jonathan and I collaborate on site-specific installations. His work carries a powerful, brutalist quality—primitive in form yet enriched by captivating colors and pigments. The harsh surfaces and rugged shapes give his pieces a striking, monolithic presence.” —Giampiero Tagliaferri
La Céramique du Beaujolais, Lyon
“Led by Jean-Philippe Dubet, this family-run workshop creates extraordinary ceramic pieces with a deep respect for tradition and innovation. Over the years, we have built a strong relationship, and I constantly draw inspiration from their dedication and craft.” —Hugo Toro
CLOISSONE
Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy, Longwy, France
“I collaborate on a regular basis with this well renowned French manufacturer specialized in the technique of ceramic cloisonné. Together we have customized one of my iconic stools with an all-over floral pattern. Their savoir-faire is remarkable.” —India Mahdavi
WOODWORKING
Gavron Dumas Studio, Brooklyn
“They’re young, passionate and talented. They go deep into the matter and are great collaborators. When it comes to making, they go down to the last hinge and exquisite detail.” –Martin Brûlé
Nik Gelormino, Los Angeles
“Nik had the laborious task of hand carving over 100 linear feet of wood trim for our Aspen project. Not only did it turn out beautifully, but he was a joy to work with the entire time.” —Frances Merrill
Peter Ryan, Brooklyn
“A highly talented engineer and builder in one, versed in many materials.” –Mark Grattan
Vince Skelly, Claremont, California
“I am getting really into wood products of all sorts, especially pieces by people like Vince Skelly, who were just commissioned to do a piece for us in the Seattle residence.” —Barbara Bestor
Tercio, New York City
“We loved working with Benjamin Smithson of Tercio on Paloma Elesser's project. His craftsmanship was impeccable the way he put the bathroom together—it was a complex puzzle.” —Gregory Rockwell
John Williams, Los Angeles
“Primarily a fine artist and painter; he brings such depth to every conversation. Working with John is always enlightening and inspiring. I call him a ‘wood whisperer,’ because every piece we create together begins with the wood itself. I don’t think we’ve done a project without him.” —Pamela Shamshiri
LUMBER YARD
Aborica, Petaluma, California
“Evan Shively collects, mills and curates a variety of species of spectacular fallen wood from the California coast.” —Ken Fulk
MOSAICS
Delphine Messmer, Paris
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with mosaic artist Delphine for over 20 years. Her work combines precision, artistry, and a deep respect for tradition. She has a talent for developing surfaces and textures that transform tiles into something beyond their functional use. She bridges the decorative and the architectural, bringing a sense of poetry into any project.” —Pierre Yovanovitch
Pierre Mesguich Mosaïk, Paris, London, and Barcelona
“With Pierre Mesguich, mosaics sparkle like jewels.” —Laura Gonzalez
TILE
Studio Bruno Grizzo, Brooklyn
“Their hand-painted tiles are edgy AND poetic. I love when those two worlds collide!! —Monique Gibson
Huguet, Mallorca, Spain
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“They have pioneered bespoke cement tiles, terrazzo, rammed earth, and more, exploring aesthetic and material experiments with color and recycled aggregates ranging from traditional to pop. They are always pushing boundaries, and never say no to a challenge." —Bjarke Ingels, BIG
Pratt + Larson, Portland, Oregon
“Belle and Anthony Iskowitz at Pratt + Larson show endless enthusiasm for special custom projects that they execute to perfection. They manufacture all our ceramic mirrors.” —Jessica Helgerson
STONE YARD
Beata & Agnes Stone Gallery, Long Island City, New York
“The owners, sisters Beata and Agnes Pisalska, have a formidable combination of exceptional taste and extensive resources throughout the industry. In addition to being fun to work with, our clients always note that visiting their warehouse is one of their favorite parts of the sourcing process.” –Oliver Freundlich
MASONRY
Ateliers de France, throughout France
“They bring together some of the best craftsmen across disciplines: stone, wood, and metalwork. They’re involved in major restoration projects like Notre-Dame and Versailles, and their knowledge is remarkable. What I love about working with such skilled artisans is that we all aim to create things that seem almost impossible at first.” —Joseph Dirand
North Stone Landscaping, New Milford, Connecticut
“Nicholas Stauder is a stone mason second to none, a dear colleague for the past nearly 20 years.” —Miranda Brooks
CABINETRY
Ateliers René Bidet, Paris
“This family-run company specializes in carpentry, cabinetmaking, and custom interior fittings for high-end projects. Their strength lies in understanding the challenges of complex, contemporary projects, blending traditional cabinetmaking know-how with an analytical mindset to find smart, tailored solutions.” —Laplace
Peter Billow Fine Woodworking, Brooklyn
“Exquisite craftsmanship in millwork and custom furniture.” —Stephen Sills
Mongiardo Studio, Great Barrington, Massachusetts
“Taj Mongiardo makes beautiful cabinets, furniture, and has incredible materials and craftsmanship.” —Waldo Fernandez, Waldo’s Designs
Enrigue takes pride in his work, his joinery skills are unmatched, and his attention to detail teaches me every time we work together. His work lasts and lasts. There’s integrity in his work. —Brigette Romanek
MOLDINGS
Arkada Plus Moldings, Brooklyn
“A Brooklyn-based father (Vladimir) and daughter (Leyla) team of craftspeople creating elegant and decorative plaster work with techniques dating back to centuries of old.” —Corey Damen Jenkins
CUSTOM FURNITURE
Philippe Anthonioz, Paris
“Philippe, who trained under Diego Giacometti in the ’80s and worked on most of the furniture for the Picasso museum in Paris, creates the most exquisite bronze and plaster furniture and lighting. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating on various pieces with Philippe throughout my career, and I never tire of its beauty.” —Alyssa Kapito
Christian Mussy, Paris
“We have been so lucky to be able to collaborate on specially-made furniture with the Paris workshop of Christian Mussy.” —Tino Zervudachi
Naula Workshop, Brooklyn
“I've been working with Angel Naula for many years now on upholstery & custom furniture and continue to be impressed with his quality, his eye for the smallest details, and his unflagging commitment to making his clients happy. ” —Kelly Behun
Daniel Poole, Melbourne, Australia
“For our Happy Haus project, Daniel completed a unique sculptural table in two pieces, referencing our client’s favorite dinosaur.” —Flack Studio
Robert Pluhowski, New York
“Robert is an amazing furniture maker.” —Reinaldo Leandro of Ashe Leandro
Jesse Schlesinger, San Francisco
“This artist-turned-furniture maker and designer’s work is solidly grounded by a Northern Californian point of view and historical references.” —AGO Interiors
Studio Robert Stadler, Paris
“We're in love with Robert Stadler and try to place his work across projects.” —The Archers
JM Szymanski, Bronx
“A true artist and individual with a clear sense of his own aesthetic and yet still a wonderful collaborator. The quality of his pieces are top notch. We are lucky to have his work in our projects.” —Josh Greene
FURNITURE RESTORATION
DF Conservation, Brooklyn
“David Fuentes’s knowledge of history, restoration science, and craft come together to preserve and rescue furniture for the future. TenBerke works with artisans like David because of a shared commitment to conservation.” —TenBerke
Jane Henry Studios, New York
“Jane is a true artist in her own right. There’s not a rare wood, precious lacquer, oiled bronze, of pane of antique glass that spooks her. She appreciates craftsmanship and the relationship between materials and creators.” —Jeffrey Bilhuber
Austin Kerr, Miami
“He’s our go-to for refinishing and refurbishing antique items. We admire his extensive knowledge of collectible design, wood and art.” —Julie Hillman
Miguel Saco Fine Furniture & Restoration, Inc, Long Island City, NY
“Miguel Saco does incredible work.” —Billy Cotton
SOFT SURFACES
Anthony Lawrence, Long Island City, New York
“They have been my upholstery workroom for over 25 years. Their attention to detail and quality are the best and willingness to interpret my very bad sketches into beautiful furniture is a gift to any designer.” —David Kleinberg Design Associates
“A genius upholsterer based in France and Morocco, with a new workshop in New York. They are involved in every stage of the development of a project from the design to the installation.” —Studio KO
“I am forever obsessed with the craftsmanship of Atelier Jouffre. Their level of detail remains unmatched.” —Joy Moyler
Classic Design, Torrance, California
“When we lost Raoul Benassaya of Classic Design this year it was huge loss to the community, as he was one of the finest upholsterers in the country. No one knew as much about the history, intricacies, and idiosyncracies of the craft as much as Raoul—except perhaps his son Julian, who continues the work in their Torrance studio.” —Roman Alonso, Commune Design
Decour Décoration, 9 Rue Copernic, 75116 Paris:
“Decour for everything.” —Jacques Grange Interior Design
JP Custom Upholstery, Long Island City, New York
“Their work is truly exquisite.” —Young Huh
Luther Quintana Upholstery, New York City
“Their workrooms produce the building blocks of every room I design. I’d be lost without them!” —Lily Dierkes
Sidotti Decor, Astoria, New York
“Eleana Macias-Molina, owner of Sidotti Decor, is a wonderful furniture restorer and upholsterer who works on some of our most time-sensitive and complicated upholstery projects. She thinks outside of the box when it comes to her technique and how she approaches pattern and scale.” —Charlap Hyman & Herrero
MATTRESSES
Charles H Beckley Inc, New York City
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“Charles Beckley provide incredibly comfortable handmade mattresses and are particularly skilled at pattern placement.” —Leonora Hamill
DRAPERY
Julie Thome, Redding, Connecticut
“Julie has a deep respect for craft and tradition, and understands how the quality and aesthetic of window coverings, pillows, and cushions can elevate our design. She has an innate ability to understand what we’re looking for and executes beautifully every time.” —Heidi Caillier
Couture for Homes, Jersey City
“They make good window treatments and do excellent wall upholstery.” —Leonora Hamill
TEXTILES
Elodie Blanchard, Brooklyn
“Using textile remnants, used clothing, and found materials, Elodie creates whimsical and joyful sculptures, wall hangings, vessels, and installations. Her work with recycled fabrics reveals a history of the materials, and captures moments of daily life.” —Ten Berke
Simona Leona, Los Angeles
“I have had an enduring collaboration with Daniel Pontius of Simona Leona for years. His knowledge of textiles, sewing items by hand, the nature of his stitch, and formidable collection of antique fabrics is always a revelation and perfect for our detailed interiors.” —Jane Hallworth
LEATHERWORK
Bill Amberg Studio, London
“Bill is not only a global authority on architectural leatherwork but a joy to work with. We had so much fun creating our Noble Chair together. I benefited enormously from his expertise in not only leather but craft in general.” —Elizabeth Roberts
“Exceptional craftsmanship and an inventive approach to leather. Bill Amberg Studio reimagines the timeless material in fresh and contemporary ways that feel both enduring and innovative.” —Marmol Radziner
LIGHTING & DECOR
LIGHTING
Lindsey Adelman, New York
“Love her sculptural handblown shapes accentuated by machine-made metals.” —Sheila Bridges
Sandra Santos of Trans-Luxe, New York
“Sandra understands about craftsmanship and proportion in lighting." —Fernando Santangelo
Remains Lighting, New York
“They are not only an incredible source for antique, vintage and their own lighting collection, but they also have an incredible ability to create unique pieces of anything we can imagine for our projects.” —Neal Beckstedt
Jess Wheeler, West Dorset, England
“Her work is a masterclass in craftsmanship and artistry. Whether working with metal, glass, or her latest exploration in handcrafted clay, each piece tells a story and draws the viewer into her world.” —Martin Brudnizki
LIGHTING CONSULTING
Orsman Design, New York, Southampton, and Miami
“Nathan Orsman of Orsman Design is the best lighting designer on earth.” —Jamie Drake
“Nathan Orsman and his team work brilliantly in settings both modern and traditional, illuminating our work and giving the spaces we create the warm glow that makes it a joy to be in them.” —Gil Schafer
Shozo Toyohisa of Kilt Planning Office, Tokyo
“Using scientific analysis, they craft light itself to create lighting fixtures that transmit light that envelopes you and almost makes your eyes see what was otherwise previously invisible.” —Toshiko Mori
OTHER SPECIALTIES
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Guy Nordenson and Associates, New York
“They are structural engineers who fuse conceptual clarity and creative collaboration with technical rigor. They treat structure as an expressive, integral part of design's expression, often working closely with architects and artists to explore innovative forms and materials.” —Sara Zewde, Studio Zewde
Phil Turner, Seattle
“Working with Phil Turner for the past 20 years has completely transformed how we think about architecture. To push beyond simply having doors and windows that could move, and to begin to explore every other element and plane within a piece of architecture—much of which never existed before.” –Alan Maskin, Olson Kundig
GARDENS AND LANDSCAPE
“In addition to being hard-working, kind and supportive of our office and projects, the wisdom and builderly intuition Carmen Orozco and his incredible crew bring to our projects endows our work with permanence and robustness.” —Terremoto
Marco Bay, Milan
“His designs feel timeless, romantic, and powerful without ever being too much. His gardens are elegant and mastered, never rigid. In many ways, Marco is exactly like the landscapes he creates: cultivated, discreet, deeply Milanese." —Studio Casiraghi
Nicholas Faulkner, London
“He transformed what was initially barren land at [our studio] 188 Hammersmith Road into a vital and vivid front courtyard and garden, literally buzzing with life. Now Hammersmith residents stop to admire the garden, smiles on their faces, a testament to Nick’s quiet care and commitment.” —Beata Heuman
Inner Gardens, Los Angeles
“Stephen Block and his team at Inner Gardens have an extraordinary way of translating nature into design. They embrace patina, imperfection, and history, giving gardens a sculptural voice that’s as much about art as it is about landscape.” —Kelly Wearstler
Roger Miller Gardens, New York
“The best landscaping firm in the city.” —Andre Mellone
Urbangreen Gardens, Brooklyn
“We worked with Tommy Little of Urbangreen Gardens on our NYC showroom front stoop. He and his team perfectly captured Nickey Kehoe's palette and our idea of feeling ‘at home’ before you even step through the doors.” –Nickey Kehoe
