Looking Ahead How We’re Thinking About Design at City Design
The start of a new year always invites a certain kind of reflection — not just on what’s changed, but on how our thinking continues to evolve.
At City Design, that evolution is intentional. It’s rooted in curiosity, openness, and a constant awareness that the way people live in their homes is never static. We asked two of the creative voices shaping City Design to share how they’re thinking about what’s ahead — not in terms of predictions, but perspective.
A Creative Lens Grounded in Openness
For Gladys Schanstra, City Design owner & creative director, the new year is less about a reset button and more about mindset.
“A new year always feels like a fresh start,” says Schanstra. “I approach it with openness — to new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new opportunities to evolve how we design.”
Rather than chasing what’s new for the sake of novelty, the focus stays on how thoughtful design choices can support real life — now and as needs change over time.
Where Design Conversations Are Gaining Momentum
That philosophy carries directly into the ideas Emily Kreber, City Design’s design director, is most excited about right now.
“As the year wraps up, I love diving into what designers are talking about for the year ahead,” Kreber says. “I’m seeing more focus on natural stone finishes, bolder color palettes, and organic textures — elements that bring warmth and depth to a space.”
What’s notable isn’t just the materials themselves, but the shift in how they’re being used. These choices feel less about making a statement and more about creating spaces that feel grounded, tactile, and personal.
“There’s a richness to these materials,” Kreber adds. “They have a way of making a space feel intentional without feeling overdesigned.”
Designing for Flexibility as Life Changes
Another theme shaping City Design’s work is adaptability — homes that can shift and respond as lifestyles evolve.
“I’m really interested in modular and flexible design,” says Kreber. “Kitchens and bathrooms, especially, are being asked to do more than ever. I love the idea of spaces that can move between open and airy, and more intimate or highly functional, depending on the moment.”
This way of thinking reflects how people actually live: entertaining one night, working from home the next, navigating growing families or changing routines. Design that anticipates those shifts tends to age better — not because it’s neutral, but because it’s considered.
Technology That Enhances the Experience
Alongside materiality and layout, technology continues to find its place — when it serves the experience rather than distracting from it.
“I’ve been amused, in a good way, by how many clients are incorporating high-tech bathroom features,” Kreber says. “Things like smart mirrors that adjust lighting based on mood or time of day. It’s a really interesting blend of luxury and convenience.”
At its best, technology in the home feels intuitive and supportive — enhancing comfort without becoming the focal point. When integrated thoughtfully, it adds another layer to how a space functions and feels.
Starting With Vision, Not Finishes
As design conversations grow more layered, both Schanstra and Kreber return to the same core principle: start with vision.
“Good design doesn’t begin with products,” says Schanstra. “It begins with understanding how you want to live, and being open to where that exploration leads.”
Kreber echoes that sentiment when advising clients at the beginning of a project.
“My biggest advice is to start with a vision,” she says. “Think about how you want the space to feel and how it needs to work for your lifestyle. That foundation makes every other decision clearer.”
That includes balancing practical considerations — storage, flow, durability — with aesthetic goals, and being open to mixing styles when it feels right. Lighting, Kreber notes, is another element worth thinking about early, as it can dramatically influence both function and atmosphere.
Design at City Design isn’t about forecasting what homes should look like next year. It’s about staying curious, listening closely, and shaping spaces that feel responsive, thoughtful, and deeply personal.
That perspective — grounded in openness and guided by experience — continues to shape how we approach every project, no matter what the calendar says.