Design Duo Forbes Masters Loves This Unlikely Material Pairing

Plus their favorite vintage source and more.

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Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters, the two halves of Atlanta-based interior design firm Forbes Masters, met under unlikely circumstances. When Masters found herself in over her head on the construction phase of her first commercial design project, her team hired Forbes to offer a helping hand. The two soon became fast friends and business partners. The rest is history. 

“I think we push each other when it comes to design, because we have the same initial idea, but it’s still different,” the duo explains to Domino’s editor-in-chief, Jessica Romm Perez, on this week’s Design Time. “Whether it’s trying to get the other to see our point of view or pushing each other to think a little deeper, we act as a foil to one another.” You can listen to the episode (out today) on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear the pair discuss plans for their new office space in Atlanta’s art district, the most important elements of a well-designed room, and the 10 things making them happy. Here’s a peek at a few of their favorites. 

Design Heroes 

“Brigette Romanek, Genevieve Gorder, and Nate Berkus.” 

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Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Go-To Color Pairing

“We’ve been drawn to a large spectrum of greens lately. It could be hunter or emerald or sage. It must be because we’ve been spending a lot more time in nature.”

Material of the Moment

“Soft leather and bouclé—together!”

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Photography by Zeke Ruelas; Design by Emily Henderson

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Photography by Greg JK/Getty Images

Dream Destination

“New Orleans—the food, the architecture, the culture. I [Forbes] grew up in Jamaica, and it reminds me of the Caribbean. The people are so wonderful and friendly in both places.”

Hotel Hitmaker

“Nizuc Resort and Spa in Cancun. From start to finish, our entire experience there was amazing.”

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Courtesy of Netflix

Screen Time

“Our favorite movies are The Fifth Element and A Bronx Tale. We just finished the series Next in Fashion and were very inspired by that.” 

Page-Turner 

“Andrew Martin’s Interior Design Review comes out yearly, and we have about three copies of it. It’s a really thick coffee-table book, and it’s nice to pore over the pages and see designs from around the world.”

Plant Pick

“Anything that lasts more than a week in our homes. We love succulents and orchids especially.”

Favorite Vintage Source

Westside Market in Atlanta. It’s amazing.”

Wind-Down Routine

“Catching up with our friends or putting on a ratty robe, lighting a candle, and sitting in the middle of the couch.”

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