STEPHANIE TYLER
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
W
A welcoming Caribbean space beautifully appointed with natural woods, modern art, and the ATHOS reclaimed teak and lightweight concrete table in gray from Seasonal Living.
Working for her parent's company, Caribbean Producers, at the start of Stephanie Tyler's career turned out to be an introduction to a lifelong connection with the hospitality industry. The company, which specializes in hospitality supply, deals primarily with hotels in the Caribbean. When it was sold to Stephanie's brother, Stephanie went to work for her mother, a prominent decorator. Stephanie's love for the work blossomed and led to opening her own company, Studio IDC, in 1998. Studio IDC is famous for its work in hospitality design and more specifically, hospitality design in the Caribbean. Recently, though, her company has taken on more and more luxury residential projects in exclusive destinations such as Jumby Bay, Antigua, and Barbados. Currently, they are working on a new Marriott Autograph hotel, which she says is part of a growing trend she sees in hotels. Big hotel brands are developing ‘boutique’ brands within their brand to offer clients a more upscale stay defined by experience and detailed design aesthetics. Working in the Caribbean may seem idyllic, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Beyond the expected struggle of explaining import duties, currency conversion rates, and transportation costs, there is the issue of finding quality subcontractors to pull off such grand projects. All of these things must be weighed to get the best result but remain within budget. Additionally, the right materials must be considered to withstand the unique weather conditions in the Caribbean. For hospitality design, the products must be durable enough to withstand frequent use, but also harsh sun, water, and corrosive salt. Stephanie looks for products made of quality materials like teak, solid mahogany, natural stone, and porcelain for their suitability to indoor/outdoor use, which is why she frequently specifies Seasonal Living products for their quality and fabrication.
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Warm tones and a collection of stunning stools and tables in an initmate reception area.
SEASONAL LIVING MAGAZINE