WRITING & PRESS

Susan regularly writes articles on interior design and the broader design industry. She has interviewed prominent designers, architects, and artists. A former historian, she led the creation of an online, self-guided walking tour of Rutherford, New Jersey’s historic downtown. She also wrote and edited various publications for the U.S. State Department, including a book on excellence in the planning, design, construction, and management of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

An image of a magazine article on a Brooklyn events venue

amazing things come in small packages

Susan’s cover article for the Fall 2024 issue of DESIGN magazine featured Maria Lomanto of DesignGLXY and her project the Delight Factory art gallery and event space in Brooklyn. This small space is a venue for art exhibits, community events, performances, yoga, sound baths, dancing, film screenings, music jams, and workshops, augmented with a café/bar area. The space is designed to allow flexible configurations and changeable lighting, while still demonstrating its own unique brand.

An image of a magazine article with photos of healthy spaces, with lots of daylight and greenery

living “WELL”

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) developed WELL as a third party certification that focuses on the physical and mental health of the people who use a space on a regular basis. Workplaces, hospitality, retail, schools, senior living, and homes can all be WELL certified. Susan spoke with  Jessica Cooper, WELL AP and IWBI’s Chief Product Officer, about the latest developments with WELL, and how interior designers can help a project achieve WELL certification. The article appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of DESIGN magazine. Susan is also WELL AP certified.

An image of a magazine article on interesting spaces in Staten Island, with photos of a theater, a historic village and a photographer

staten island treasures

The New York Metro Chapter of ASID’s Fall 2023 issue of DESIGN magazine focused on the hidden treasures of New York City. Staten Island interior designer Susan Arann and design publicist Raymond Schneider shared some of their favorite places in their borough with Susan. These include the St. George Theater, the Chinese Scholar’s Garden at Snug Harbor, and Historic Richmond Town, as well as some favorite restaurants and suppliers.

A photo of a magazine article with a photo of a dining room with a large tables and floor-to-ceiling windows

CLEAR PROCESSES TO DEVELOP & EXECUTE A VISION

Award-winning Long Island designer Katharine Posillico McGowan outlines her four-step process for developing and executing her designs. The featured project is a serene water-front home filled with custom details. This article appears in the Spring 2023 issues of DESIGN magazine.

An image of a magazine article with a large photograph of a living room with a fireplace and two striped chairs

A COSMOPOLITAN RETREAT

Keith Baltimore, Allied ASID, detailed a glamorous project in the Upper West Side that draws upon the museum and softly colored skies of Paris, as well as the global influences of that city’s famed salons. He spoke with Susan about his design process and commitment to unique, bespoke spaces for the Winter 2022 issue of DESIGN magazine for the New York Metro Chapter of ASID.

Adam Maiser, the Executive Project Director of CODE, LLC, and Helen Ice, a lighting designer at Circa Lighting are featured in Susan’s piece about the multiple building codes in New York City, and the resources available to designers to work within these code requirements. This article appears in the Fall 2022 issue of DESIGN magazine.

An image of a magazine article about building codes, with several photos of different rooms

WORKING WITH NEW YORK CITY BUILDING CODES

An image of a magazine article with images of gardens and the landscape designer

beautifully functional outdoor living

Award-winning landscape designer Susan Cohan’s work demonstrates her natural, cohesive style of creating livable spaces outdoors. Read Susan’s piece in the Summer 2022 issue of ASID New York Metro Chapter’s DESIGN magazine.

Image of magazine pages showing various light fixtures

lighting with a “wow”

The Hudson Valley Lighting Group’s brands—Hudson Valley Lighting, Mitzi, Troy Lighting, and Corbett Lighting—have grand plans for the next year. Fixtures are drawn from diverse inspirations ranging from nature to sculpture to jewelry. All seek to give you a “wow” moment when you unbox each light fixture. Read all about it in Susan’s article in DESIGN magazine’s Spring 2022 issue.

Image of magazine page with pictures of furniture, accessories and a dog at the trade show.

MODERN ARTS & CRAFTS IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

Field+ Supply is the Hudson Valley’s premier trade show featuring artisan furniture, lighting, accessories, and clothing. Held every May and October, the fair is a chance to find new and unique vendors from this creative hub, while enjoying music and food in a beautiful setting. Susan’s article in DESIGN magazine’s Winter 2021 issue covered the October 2021 fair; the next is in May 2023.

Image of magazine page with images of an artist and her glass sculptures

glass artistry

Susan featured award-winning glass artist Abby Modell in DESIGN magazine’s Fall 2021 issue. Abby’s exuberant work incorporates rich colors and a variety of textures, such as crystals, mirrors, and dichroic glass. Many of her pieces are inspired by nature; her “Galaxy” collection references the night sky.

Image a double-page magazine cover with a picture of the architect and the reception desk at a cosmetic company, with a slatted wood ceiling.

design leader bill bouchey

Susan’s cover story for DESIGN magazine’s summer 2021 issue featured an interview with Bill Bouchey, FIIDA, ASID, then the Director of Design, Interiors, for HOK. Their wide-ranging discussion covered how hospitality design influences his corporate work, how architects and designers can cooperate to benefit the client, and how broad communication supports place-making and the design process.

Vintage postcard showing Park Avenue in Rutherford NJ in the early 1900s. There is a large brick building and a block of smaller commercial buildings.

historic downtown RutherfoRD

As the Vice Chair of Rutherford’s Historic Preservation Committee, Susan took the lead in compiling and writing an online walking tour of the Borough’s historic downtown, with the help of other committee members. Rutherford was one of the first “commuter suburbs” of New York City. Many of the buildings date to the early 20th century, and retain their unique charm despite some street-level modifications. There are also several buildings designed by noted architect Edgar Williams.