Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 140

perspectives

interview

venus
williams

By Stacy Shoemaker Rauen
Photography by Jerome Migliori

Venus Williams sits behind the Furtif desk she
designed for Roche Bobois, topped with leather
swatches and one of her diary entries.

GAME, SET, MATCH
A tennis champion takes on design

Venus Williams has played tennis ever since
she can remember. And though "tennis star"
may be how people define her, it isn't her only
passion or talent. "Design is in you until you pull
it out," the four-time Olympic Gold medalist and
21-time Grand Slam winner says. "I was a tennis
player since I was four years old, and I thought
about that endlessly for years, but then in my
teens, I realized I have other loves as well."
With a mother who taught her how to
sew clothes for her dolls, an "artistic thinker"
father, and creative sisters (her equally famous
competitor and doubles partner Serena created

140

an "unbelievable" painting that hangs in their
office, she says), it's no surprise she received an
associate in arts degree in fashion design from
the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida,
excelling even while she was on tour. "It took
me awhile," she says, "but you start what you
finish." And she isn't stopping there: Williams is
working toward her bachelor's in interior design
and a business degree online.

Design Mogul

Inspired by the growth in South Florida real
estate, in 2002, she formed V Starr Interiors. "I
wanted to be a part of it," she says. About seven
years later, she decided to switch focus from
residential to hospitality and commercial design
because, as she says, "the dream gets much
bigger-I love dreaming big, and that is what
hospitality is all about."

She's completed presidential and executive
suites for the InterContinental Miami, and her
firm is currently updating a DoubleTree by Hilton
in Palm Beach, Florida into one of the company's
Curio collection of hotels; crafting model units
and amenity spaces for eight developments for
the Related Group Miami; collaborating with
Cha Sports on a handful of university projects;
and imagining the 15-court tennis lounge and
V suite at the Midtown Athletic Club Chicago.
Along with Williams' suite in the hotel, the
property-designed by DMAC Architecture
and set to open in July-will also feature a spa
and gym. This project perfectly blends her love
of sports and hospitality. "It's super bright and
energetic, but when you segue into the rooms, the
energy is more subdued because you've done the
work and now you have to relax. But when you're
going to prepare to go do the work, you need to be

May 2017 hospitalitydesign.com

perspective.VENUS Williams Interview_.indd 140

5/15/17 9:10 AM



http://www.hospitalitydesign.com

Hospitality Design - May 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - May 2017

Hospitality Design - May 2017
Contents
Online TOC
From the Editor
People: HD Summit
People: CitySCENE
Perspectives
Sketchbook
On the Boards: Christian Robert
Trends: Coworking
Places: Shoreditch
Interview: BD Hotels
Interview: Sharan Pasricha
Interview: Venus Williams
Interview: Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Interview: José Andrés
Interview: Leong Teng Wui
5 Questions for Stephen Alden
Products
Designer Profile: Badgley Mischka
Trends: Collaborations
ICFF Preview
Textiles
Carpet
Seating
HD Expo Preview
From the Show Director
Conference Highlights
Interview: sbe
Places: Las Vegas
HD Expo Products
New York
Special Feature: Nomad Spotlight
Special Feature: Dazzling Debuts
Arlo Nomad and Hudson Square
The Whitby
Union Square Café
Nickel & Diner
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Leuca and Westlight
Projects
Around the World
The Dwell Hotel
The Warehouse Hotel
Riviera Palm Springs
Monarch Beach Resort
Il Sereno Lago Di Como
Voltaggio Brothers Steak House
Clerkenwell Grind
Ad Index
Back Space
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Intro
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Hospitality Design - May 2017
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Cover2
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 1
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 2
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 3
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 4
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 5
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 6
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 7
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 8
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 9
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 10
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 11
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 12
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 13
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 14
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 15
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 16
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 17
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 18
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 19
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 20
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 21
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 22
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 23
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 24
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Contents
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 26
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 27
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 28
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 29
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 30
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 31
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 32
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 33
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 34
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Online TOC
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 36
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 37
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 38
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 39
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 40
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 41
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 42
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 43
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 44
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 45
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 46
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 47
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 48
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 49
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 50
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 51
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 52
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 53
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - From the Editor
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 55
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 56
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 57
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 58
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 59
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 60
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 61
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 62
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 63
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 64
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 65
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 66
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 67
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - People: HD Summit
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 69
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 70
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 71
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 72
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 73
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - People: CitySCENE
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 75
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 76
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 77
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 78
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 79
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 80
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 81
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 82
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 83
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 84
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 85
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 86
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Perspectives
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 88
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Sketchbook
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 90
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 91
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 92
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 93
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 94
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 95
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 96
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 97
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 98
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 99
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 100
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 101
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 102
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 103
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 104
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 105
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 106
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 107
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 108
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - On the Boards: Christian Robert
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 110
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Trends: Coworking
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 112
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 113
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 114
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 115
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 116
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 117
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 118
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 119
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 120
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Places: Shoreditch
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 122
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 123
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 124
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 125
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 126
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 127
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: BD Hotels
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 129
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 130
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 131
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 132
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 133
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: Sharan Pasricha
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 135
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 136
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 137
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 138
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 139
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: Venus Williams
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 141
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 142
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 143
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: Anchalika Kijkanakorn
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 145
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 146
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: José Andrés
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 148
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 149
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 150
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: Leong Teng Wui
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 152
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 153
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 5 Questions for Stephen Alden
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 155
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 156
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Products
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 158
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Designer Profile: Badgley Mischka
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 160
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 161
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 162
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Trends: Collaborations
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 164
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 165
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 166
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - ICFF Preview
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 168
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 169
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 170
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Textiles
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 172
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 173
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 174
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 175
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 176
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 177
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 178
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Carpet
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 180
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 181
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 182
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 183
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 184
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 185
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 186
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Seating
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 188
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 189
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 190
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 191
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 192
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 193
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 194
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 195
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 196
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - HD Expo Preview
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - From the Show Director
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 199
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 200
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Conference Highlights
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 202
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 203
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 204
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 205
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 206
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 207
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 208
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 209
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Interview: sbe
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 211
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 212
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 213
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 214
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Places: Las Vegas
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 216
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 217
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 218
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 219
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 220
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - HD Expo Products
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 222
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 223
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 224
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - New York
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 226
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Special Feature: Nomad Spotlight
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 228
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Special Feature: Dazzling Debuts
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Arlo Nomad and Hudson Square
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 231
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 232
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 233
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 234
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 235
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - The Whitby
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 237
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 238
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 239
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Union Square Café
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 241
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 242
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 243
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Nickel & Diner
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 245
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 246
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 247
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 249
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 250
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 251
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 252
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 253
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Leuca and Westlight
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 255
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 256
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 257
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 258
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Projects
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Around the World
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 261
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 262
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 263
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 264
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 265
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 266
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 267
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 268
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 269
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 270
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 271
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - The Dwell Hotel
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 273
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 274
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 275
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 276
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 277
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - The Warehouse Hotel
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 279
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 280
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 281
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 282
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 283
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Riviera Palm Springs
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 285
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 286
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 287
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 288
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 289
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Monarch Beach Resort
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 291
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 292
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 293
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Il Sereno Lago Di Como
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 295
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 296
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 297
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Voltaggio Brothers Steak House
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 299
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 300
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 301
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Clerkenwell Grind
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 303
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 304
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 305
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 306
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 307
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Ad Index
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 309
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 310
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - 311
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Back Space
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Cover3
Hospitality Design - May 2017 - Cover4
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