I’m going to make everything around me beautiful- that will be my life.
ELSIE DE WOLFE
Ever since I was ten years old, I knew I valued beautiful things. From standing in awe in front of a curated shop window to admiring the typography of a teen magazine spread, I knew I was meant to be a part of the design world one day. Every time I would enter a store at the mall, I would escape to a new, completely different world than the hum-drum suburban one to which I was accustomed. It was beyond exciting to see the trendy clothing of the season glistening under the lights on the racks among the furniture and display pieces that played a supporting role. I remember I would spend hours getting curiously lost in these stores, these different mini worlds.
Fast forward to today, and I am an adult who still loves to wander inquisitively into new, beautiful interior environments. Whether it be a charming restaurant in the West Village, an otherworldly, bohemian clothing shop in Tulum, or an artsy boutique hotel in Barcelona, I have been inspired by creatives, their stories, work and natural environments across five of the seven continents. These global perspectives act as the foundation to all my interior design work, as I now strive to create new mini worlds in which others can be immersed.
After all, to design is to really see the world around us and its possibilities. It is to craft a story centered around its main characters so they can carry out their purposes. Therefore, as a designer, I am an explorer, observer, listener and storyteller.
I hope you enjoy the stories told and interior worlds created in this portfolio.
Ashley
Mahr Flagg
LE PANIER BLU
FINE DINING RESTAURANT
STUDENT HOSPITALITY PROJECT
L UXURY HOTEL, SPA & EXECUTIVE SUITE
STUDENT HOSPITALITY PROJECT
COBBLE HILL
LUXURY RESIDENCE
STUDENT RESIDENTIAL PROJECT
LENOX HILL
L UXURY RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN
STUDENT TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
LE PANIER FINE DINING RESTAURANT
CHELSEA, MANHATTAN
Every summer the French head to a city park or the countryside with their blankets and baskets filled with refreshing wines and sumptuous goodies. The picnic, or “le panier,” has become a tradition for centuries that symbolizes the enjoyment of simple pleasures with good company. This is known as “la joie de vivre” or the joy of living. This gathering around food in a picturesque, organic setting serves as the foundation for this fine dining restaurant design.
BAR & LOUNGE
BRIEF & CONCEPT
Le Panier is the newest French-American fine dining restaurant in Chelsea, home to the city’s art as one of Manhattan’s most expensive neighborhoods. Whether guests want to come in for a drink and hors d’oeuvres at the bar and lounge or a full pre-fixe menu dinner, this restaurant has several dining options and areas to accommodate them. This building boasts high ceilings, two floors and an outdoor patio. It has a seating capacity of 28 in the bar and lounge area, 62 in the main dining area downstairs, and 28 in the upstairs dining area that can be used to host private events. Therefore, the indoor seating capacity is 118 and the outdoor capacity is 32.
In the spirit of “la joie de vivre,” the concept for the design of Le Panier is the picnic itself. In order to have a picnic, one needs a large blanket (that is preferably checkered or plaid), basket, plates of various sizes, glasses, utensils, food and beverages. Also, flowers are a lovely touch. Therefore, the whole design of the restaurant embodies most of these items. The floor of the main dining area is the plaid blanket and the bar is modeled after the basket. Also, the round custom banquettes and pendant lights above the main dining area represent the plates in various sizes, and the textiles and wallpaper chosen throughout embody the flowers. All these elements work together to create an elegant picnic.
FLOOR PL ANS
Inspired by the formation of French china plates of I created a custom light fixture and banquette
DESIGNS
The form of a classic picnic basket inspired the custom design of the restaurant’s bar. This is fitting because the basket holds beverages and food just as a bar does.
BAR
LOUNGE FF&E
LOUNGE
MAIN DINING AREA
DINING ARE A FF&E
MAIN DINING AREA
BL U LUXURY HOTEL, SPA &
EXECUTIVE SUITE
MONTREAL, CANADA
On the coast of Greece, the deep blue Mediterranean Sea hugs the tall white cliffs. The warm sun kisses the salt water, and it glistens like a gemstone. The many white buildings along the rolling cliffs offer shade and symbolize the evolution and influence of Greek architecture. Whether as a door, window, gate, belltower or exterior wall, the classical Greek arch is the prominent shape of the peninsula and its surrounding isles. Created as early as the 6th century B.C., the arch symbolizes “rule” and “power” and has been seen in architecture around the world. Therefore, this iconic shape has informed the design of this unique luxury boutique hotel, Blu.
SPA POOL AREA
BRIEF & CONCEPT
Sunkissed Mediterranean bliss can now be found in the heart of Montreal, Canada. This city is home to over sixteen various spas, as Canadians want to escape the often harsh weather conditions. Therefore, there is a high demand for unique spa experiences all year round. Inspired by the client, Korres, an all-natural skin care brand made in Athens, Greece, BLU Hotel and Spa is the newest luxury spa hotel in the city. With its luxurious amenities, such as the BLU Water Circuit, and its gourmet world-class restaurant, “The Olive,” this hotel is ideal for giving its guests a sense of restoration, whether one is a tourist or local. Health and wellness is at the heart of BLU’s mission, and its Greek origin is conveyed through its space, materials, and design selections. The famous classical Greek arch is the concept and foundation of the design of BLU Hotel and Spa since it conveys power and history, and it is at the heart of Mediterranean architecture.
FLOOR PL ANS
FIRST FLOOR
Vestibule
Reception & Concierge
Lobby
“OLIVE” Restaurant
“OLIVE” Bar
Inspired by the symbolism and timelessness of the classical Greek arches, I chose to use them in various ways through out the project. They can be found most prominently in the lobby, spa and executive suite.
The picturesque Andes Mountains run through all of South America and has been the home to several diverse communities throughout history. Therefore, it has been the breeding ground for some of the richest cultural art and fashion as well as home to some of the most unique landscapes that attract millions each year. From the country’s beautiful moutains and wildlife, such as the llama, to their culture’s weaving tradition, Peru is a nation in this region that stands out for its materials and design. Enter now a new Brooklyn residence that pays homage to it, even from thousands of miles away.
GREAT ROOM
BRIEF & CONCEPT
A young family of four of Peruvian descent recently purchased a brownstone in Cobble Hill, one of Brookyn’s most upscale neighborhoods. Since the husband and wife wanted their new residence to reflect their cultural roots and follow current luxury design trends, this project features the shapes, muted color tones, patterns and textures of the Peruvian Andes and their communities. The main concept for this project is specifically the country’s famous Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, and the weavings integral to its history. This is shown throughout this residence through the choices in textiles, marbles, shapes, and art. It is a nod and modern interpretion of both the country’s art and culture. This brownstone has three floors, a finished basement, patio and outdoor space. The family intends on using their new property for daily living as well as entertaining guests from all over the world.
Great Room
Kitchen
Guest Bedroom #1
Children’s Bedroom w/ En-suite Bathroom
Primary Bedroom w/ En-suite Bathroom
Office
Media Room
Guest Bedroom #2
I was inspired by the curves and layers of the Rainbow Mountain and texture, fringes and geometric patterns of traditional Peruvian weaving when choosing materials, furnishing, lighting and art for this project.
SECTIONAL ELEVATION
KITCHEN
PRIMARY BEDROOM
PRIMARY BEDRO OM FF&E
PRIMARY BATHROOM
PRIMARY EN-SUITE BATHRO OM FF&E
LENOX HILL
LUXURY RESIDENTIAL KITC HEN
TEC HNICAL DRAWINGS
LENOX HILL, MANHATTAN
In a renovated townhouse in the prestigous Manhattan neighborhood, Lenox Hill, lives a newly married couple who love to cook and entertain guests. Lovers of a trendy yet elegant pattern and earthtones, they requested a new kitchen that is uniquely luxurious. These are the technical drawings that inform the builder on how exactly to bring their vision and desires to life.
KITCHEN W/ MINI BAR
KITCHEN TEC HNICAL DRAWINGS
BRIEF & CONCEPT
The goal of this project was to design a kitchen fit for entertaining that meet the needs of imaginary clients. My clients, a newly married husand and wife in their late 30’s, are modern and stylish. The wife works as an editor for a top fashion magazine. Therfore, it was important to create a kitchen that would reflect this. Inspired by fashion designer, Ulla Johnson, and her pattern and color palettes, I chose various finishes and textiles accordingly. Included are the annotated floor plans, elevations, key plan and lighting plan.
