Designer Profile: Dan Mazzarini
Since launching BHDM Design in 2012, Dan Mazzarini has encouraged his growing team to create evocative spaces that people want to be in, stay in, celebrate in, and live in.
In tandem with a vast portfolio of residential projects across the US, Dan has worked with a number of renowned brands and beloved clientele including the Harvard Club of New York, Google, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Calvin Klein, among others. He has also helped visually define successful startups including Casper, Tend, and Real.
On the tail of the firm’s 10th anniversary, Dan recently launched ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini, an online marketplace of curated home products and lifestyle content that Mazzarini has sourced from his repertoire of diverse projects. The platform highlights an assortment of unique home decor that honors a variety of aesthetics beyond Mazzarini’s personal style. Created for consumers who are passionate about interior design and appreciate the guidance of a professional, ARCHIVE provides an e-commerce shopping experience, spotlighting well-known heritage labels, bespoke brands, and talented artisans. At its core, ARCHIVE inspires and celebrates the essence of curating a beautiful home and inspired lifestyle.
Here, we question Dan about his work, past, present, and future.
What is your key design philosophy?
At BHDM Design we apply a 'hospitality-forward' approach to all of our projects to create compelling, unique and applicable narratives. We pay mind to the user experience and love to embed elements of surprise and delight throughout. Our goal is to create awe for the audience and garner a 'how smart is that' reaction from the details.
Where does your inspiration come from?
As a designer who grew up in retail, I love the art of storytelling through spaces. It doesn’t matter if it's a house, hotel or cruise ship – all design has the ability to transform people and places, and to tell a story to the world. Call it aspirational, but we aim to use our design to elevate our clients and help them illustrate the narrative they want people to understand through their spaces.
How would you describe your design style?
California casual meets city slicker. Crisp, timeless, and approachable.
What are some career highlights that you’re most proud of?
The Hyatt Regency SoMa hotel is our largest project to date in terms of scale and hospitality budget, and was a great test for us! Storytelling is integral to BHDM’s designs, and the hotel brought on the welcomed challenge for us to scale a narrative. From the big picture to the smallest touch, we feel we achieved that.
I am also immensely proud of the launch of ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini (above). I always wanted to be a merchant. As kids, my sister and I played 'store' for hours at a time and this is my official foray into shoppable content. I dreamed it up as a 'blogazine', where our followers can shop BHDM Design house tours, and round-ups of our favorite items, trends and special features. Soon we’ll be launching how-to videos, city tours, and my favorites – everything from my favorite florists by city to scent, candles and home essentials.
What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
I’m pretty lucky that I’m already living the dream. Both BHDM Design and our new company ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini really feed my creative passion. We try to bring diverse work to the firm. It keeps things interesting for everyone.
If I had to choose one project I have yet to tackle, I’d LOVE to do master planning for a resort – something that allows us to touch lots of different kinds of programming within a parent narrative. From big gestures to all the details, that’s what gets me up in the morning.
If you could go back in time and give yourself any advice, what would it be?
Study abroad! Getting those global experiences while you’re young is invaluable.
Other than that, go out more in your twenties and be a better self advocate in your thirties.
What’s on the horizon for you and your firm?
This is our launch year for ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini , and we’re making it a doozie! Monthly house tours, round-ups, and trends, plus a soon-to-launch newsletter with member-only tips and tricks, and hopefully product launches will be happening in early 2024!
BHDM Design is busy with hotel projects coast to coast and internationally. So, lots of travel on the horizon!
