Courtney Porter
For over two decades, Urban Villages has developed and operated extraordinary projects across
the United States that define environmental stewardship while delivering strong financial
returns. Its impressive portfolio includes Denver’s iconic Larimer Square, which successfully
combined specialty placemaking and innovative urban farming; Denver’s Sugar Block, which
blended adaptive re-use of the Historic Sugar Building with architecturally dynamic urban infill;
West Village at UC Davis, the largest planned Net-Zero energy community in U.S.; and RailSpur,
a multi-project revitalization in Seattle featuring adaptive re-use of historic warehouses
retrofitted for LEED Platinum certification.
With a long-standing reputation for creating unique and innovative outdoor living solutions, Exteta’s new collection with designs by Paola Navone and Massimo Castagna ignited the interest of thousands of international attendees at Milan Design Week, fulfilling their search for innovative outdoor living solutions that combine style and functionality.
Influenced by architects and artists of the 1970s, the Spring 2023 Collection includes an
assortment of furniture, upholstered sofas and chairs, dining and bedside tables, credenzas,
lighting and more. Modernized for the upscale American market today, the collection features an
overstuffed puffer, rounded velvet sofa, concrete nesting tables in organic shapes and several
chairs including a belted, leather slingseat dining chair. Polished concrete, walnut, velvet, soft
leather and linen are some of the materials in application.
The overarching trend that emerged from High Point Spring Market was casual luxury. It was all about creating spaces that exude a relaxed yet refined ambiance where comfort reigns supreme; where organic materials and shapes elevate the everyday. Casual Luxury embraces a laid-back approach to design without compromising on sophistication. It’s a harmonious blend of high-end elements and comfortable, inviting features. Elegance meets comfort, and opulence blends effortlessly with simplicity.
Last week, the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, hosted its Spring Market, a day full of furniture and fabric vendors premiering new lines and experts chatting about design during panel discussions. There were several major themes that emerged throughout the day about what design clients are craving




