New Orleans STR Design Without Clichés
A fresh take on New Orleans STR design—no clichés, no shortcuts. House of No Era blends vintage sourcing, sustainable materials, and authentic style to create a tropical retreat that feels real, not staged.
New Orleans is no stranger to spectacle. But when it comes to short-term rentals, too many lean into surface-level clichés—plastic beads, Bourbon Street posters, and loud color schemes that shout “NOLA” but say nothing about how the city feels. The truth is, the soul of New Orleans isn’t found in a Party City decor kit—it’s in the textures, the heat-soft colors, the sense of time slowing down just enough to let you breathe. That was the guiding principle behind a recent project: a Palm Regency-inspired short-term rental designed to feel like an actual retreat and not a tourist trap.
Instead of leaning on overused tropes, I built this space around what a trip to New Orleans should evoke: a tropical escape with character and ease. The palette, mint green, cobalt blue, soft pastels, and off-whites punctuated by black; offers a calming, sun-washed contrast to the city’s intensity. Materials like raffia, rattan, and woven textures keep it grounded, while subtle signs of age—some patina, a little wear—add the kind of authenticity that can’t be faked. Nothing is overly polished or staged; it’s meant to feel lived-in, relaxed, and real.
Nearly every piece was sourced locally and secondhand, from the vintage campaign trunk used as a side table to the sculptural postmodern bedside table lamps found through a local dealer. Sourcing locally takes more time, but it pays off. Beyond supporting New Orleans’ secondhand and vintage economy, it lets pieces with real stories find a new home. The original watercolor artwork anchors the room, tying the whole design together—far from generic, mass-produced wall art. A pre-owned West Elm sofa and coffee table, a Facebook Marketplace rattan headboard, and a desk and chair set with a past—all of it adds up to something far more personal and livable than anything flat-packed and mass-produced. And let’s be honest: clients are always more impressed when you say Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and West Elm instead of Wayfair, Target, and Walmart.
The result is a Palm Regency-inspired space designed to help guests recharge, reflect, and escape—not perform a version of New Orleans that was never real to begin with. More than just good looks, these choices reflect a deeper commitment to sustainability, authenticity, and experience-driven design. You shouldn’t walk into a rental and feel like it was built to turn a quick profit. You should feel like someone thought about what it’s like to stay there. That’s what makes people return—and what sets truly well-designed rentals apart in a city where hospitality is the culture.
Designed, styled, and photographed by House of No Era, this Mid City short-term rental reflects a commitment to authentic, sustainable interiors that honor New Orleans’ unique spirit.
Designing a Miami 1970s Coastal Postmodern Condo
As summer settles in, it’s the perfect time to bring a fresh, coastal vibe into your space. This Miami-inspired design shows how light, natural materials, and greenery come together to create an airy, grounded atmosphere—no matter where you live.
When designing for a coastal city like Miami, you have to consider more than just style—you have to think about how the light hits, how the heat lingers, and how the energy of the city flows through a space. This project reflects my love for Miami’s coastal style and Italian postmodernism. For this small Miami condo, the palette, materials, and layout were all shaped by that reality: intense sun, limited square footage, and a need for levity. The result is a space that feels both grounded in its environment and translates beyond Miami because its focus on light, scale, and material addresses universal design challenges.
We kept the bones simple—white stucco walls and terra cotta tile floors, both classic Miami 1970s elements. The living room was tight, so we leaned into scale and lightness. A Jack Lenor Larsen petite sofa in beige, white, and black grid graphic upholstery anchored the seating, paired with a smoked glass lucite coffee table that kept the center open and reflective. A 1970s beveled mirrored panel behind the sofa amplified the daylight, nodding to Miami’s Art Deco roots without feeling literal. Overhead, a white MCM globe swag light floated above the coffee table—using ceiling space instead of crowding the floor.
Storage was an issue, especially with a long narrow hallway leading into the dining area. Instead of trying to force more furniture, we used a two-piece Milo Baughman chrome étagère that spanned nearly the entire wall—functioning as both storage and display. This let us keep the kitchen clear of clutter while giving personality to a tight transition space.
Mirrors play a key role throughout the space, amplifying light. A large octagonal mirror in the dining area worked double-duty, reflecting the condo’s only real natural light source: a kitchen window. A whitewashed pencil reed nightstand was repurposed as an entryway table as its scale and texture blended perfectly, while adding additional storage. In tight corners, postmodern burled wood and mirrored pedestals function as lamp tables and plant stands. Art was kept minimal to maintain openness—one notable piece is a 1970s charcoal abstract watercolor framed in sage green and chrome, its shape and tone complementing a nearby 1970s brass rectangular mirror.
The color story is grounded in white, terracotta, chrome, sage, smoky amber, reflective materials, and natural wood tones. Paired with plants, it feels airy but rooted—coastal without clichés. No blackout curtains or heavy upholstery—instead, materials that breathe, reflect, and expand a room. Even if you’re not designing in a coastal city, this approach translates: work with light, scale, and reflective surfaces, add big healthy tropical plants, and you can create your own Miami oasis wherever you live.
NO THANKS
House of No Era’s “No Thanks” campaign takes a bold approach to holiday marketing by rejecting cliché and focusing on authenticity. Blending vintage tabletop pieces with a mix-and-match aesthetic, the campaign highlights quality and individuality over gimmicks. It’s a fresh take from a Cincinnati-based studio that values real storytelling and design with purpose.
At a time when holiday marketing leans heavily on sentimentality and sameness, House of No Era took a deliberate detour. “No Thanks” wasn’t designed to reject tradition for the sake of rebellion—it was about clearing space for something more intentional. Instead of pushing products with artificial urgency or nostalgia-drenched language, the campaign offered a different rhythm: a surrealist dining collection rooted in quality, contrast, and character. No gimmicks, just good design, presented with clarity and a sense of humor.
Pulling from mid-century ceramics, hand-thrown pottery, and sculptural glassware, the edit told a story through objects—not just about aesthetics, but about autonomy. Figurative pieces added quiet tension to the table, while mixed glassware sets encouraged customers to think outside the matching set. The result? A table that felt real, personal, and actually usable—something that could work just as well on a random Tuesday as it could for a quiet Thanksgiving for two.
“No gimmicks, just good design, presented with clarity and a sense of humor.”
The broader message was simple: you don’t need to perform the holidays to participate in them. “No Thanks” offered an alternative for those who see design as an extension of values, not just visuals. And in doing so, it reminded us that authenticity can still be aspirational—just not in the way most marketing decks would have you believe.
Redd Theory: An Exploration of Art, Fashion and Design
Redd Theory is House of No Era’s latest visual campaign—an experimental collision of fashion, performance, and design. Featuring Detroit-based artist Redd and photographed by Charles Nnamdi, the project reframes iconic vintage furniture as collaborators, not props. Set in a charged palette of reds and earth tones, this collection pushes the boundaries of styling, storytelling, and the role design plays in movement and identity.
Every time I produce and art direct a campaign for No Era, the artist in me is always asking: How can I push these concepts further? How can I make them bolder? No Era’s latest project answers these questions with striking intensity, thanks to the extraordinary talent behind this provocative work. I present to you Redd Theory: An Exploration of Performance, Fashion and Design.
Redd, a Detroit-based performance artist, takes center stage in this collaboration, wrapped in electric red—a hue that mirrors their bold fashion sense and fierce artistic expression.
Redd's attire becomes an extension of their persona—an avant-garde blend of striking silhouettes and captivating accessories. Redd moves fluidly through a curated set of iconic, high-design furniture—from the Pierre Paulin Ribbon Chair to the Verner Panton Cone Chair—each piece stands as a testament to design history. These objects are not props; they’re significant works of art.
Captured at Nfinity Studios in Cincinnati, photographer Charles Nnamdi brought his keen eye to the project, imbuing the visuals with high-energy creativity. His expertise in fashion photography elevated the narrative, drawing out the dynamic interaction between performance and design in a way that feels both striking and harmonious.
My creative vision for No Era has been clear. It’s about creating a dialogue between fashion, performance, art, and design. Collaborations like this are an invitation to reimagine how furniture and design are presented and discussed, while challenging the spectator to reconsider the roles of both. This approach elevates each medium into something more fluid and alive.
Thanks to the incredible talent of both Redd and Nnamdi, the result is a compelling visual narrative that not only communicates this message but also stands as a stunning work of art in its own right.
Collaborations like this are reshaping independent partnerships, connecting cities, and sparking creative exchanges, and No Era has been ahead of the curve in this evolution.
Magazines are no longer at the pulse; we, the independent creators, are igniting change and driving this momentum forward. Support living artists, and let’s mob!
REDD THEORY
This curated collection of vintage designer furniture, objects, and art captures the essence of the enigmatic Redd. These pieces showcase a striking color story of bold reds contrasted against organic earth tones, enhancing their sculptural and biomorphic shapes.
The Redd Theory collection is available for local pick-up in Cincinnati or can be purchased online via Chairish, with White Glove Delivery service for those outside the Cincinnati area.
Photo by House of No Era
Drop Me A Line!
Whether you want to share your thoughts on this collaboration or are eager to elevate your space, I’d love to hear from you.
No Era provides personalized interior design services tailored to your vision and is also accepting new consignments of unique vintage furniture and art from clients across various locations. You can also book your next production at my Cincinnati Studio.
Drop me a line, and let me know what you've got going on!
Attribution
Art Direction & Concept: House of No Era
Talent/Wardrobe: Redd
Photography: Charles Nnamdi
Location: Nfinity Studios
Set Design: House of No Era
URBAN LOFT-STYLES
Sculptural vintage furniture shapes the character of a sunlit industrial loft. With open layouts and historic windows, the space balances raw architecture and curated design, where styling becomes a form of spatial expression.
Photo by House of No Era
Foreword
Here, it's nearly impossible for a collection to fall short of striking. The exposed brick, hardwood floors, open ceiling beams, and oversized historic windows, bathed in natural sunlight, make this space a dream that once defined the '90s Architectural Digest aesthetic.
From the bold contours of the sculptural Brown Saltman Sofa to the airy minimalism of the Italian Zermatt Sling Bench, and the unexpected occurrence of old-world tradition found in the Hollywood Regency Silk sofa, the open layout allows each piece to assert its own presence in this loft space. Majestic fig trees serve as natural partitions, while vintage folding screens add structure and definition, creating an environment full of artistic potential.
As you explore the limitless possibilities of working within such a space, the question I leave you with is: What is your Loft-Style?
(Watch Janie in "Last Daze of Summer”)
Photo by Kayla Palmer
Italian Airport Lounge
In this loft, stark concrete walls and exposed beams are softened by the buttery leather of this sleek Italian Zermat Sling Bench. It’s architectural steel frame mirrors its industrial surroundings, while repeating geometric forms and warm wood accents add a keen mid-century atmosphere. This moment, reminiscent of a suave 1970s Italian airport lounge, takes us back to a time when flying was still glamorous.
(Watch Postmodern Pink Leather)
Photo by House of No Era
Photo by Kayla Palmer
Urban Escapes
Outdoor spaces hold immense value, especially in the heart of a big city, where a fire escape often doubles as an extension of your living room. Countless moments have been shared on these cleverly outfitted, plant-filled “balconies” in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. I’ve seen some impressive setups from back in the day. Things were different back in Y2K. While we appreciate the creativity behind this, No Era strongly advises against decorating fire escapes due to serious safety hazards. For now, let’s just imagine the possibilities.
(Watch Kendra in “Elevator Art”)
Photo by Kayla Palmer
Photo by Kayla Palmer
Tradition in Transition
This Hollywood Regency gold-striped silk sofa introduces a shimmering counterpoint to its raw industrial surroundings. Framed by a vintage rattan folding screen, the sofa becomes an even more dramatic centerpiece. The screen's intricate weave anchors the space, drawing the eye and grounding the sofa within the open-concept layout.
Photo by House of No Era
Refined Futurism
Vintage doesn’t have to look “vintage.” At No Era, the mission isn’t to mimic the past but to integrate its relics into the future. Take this 1950s Brown Saltman Sofa—its sculptural form feels ahead of its time, a nod to space age futurism. Paired with a Lucite globe, a postmodern twist on a classic, this collection doesn’t just span decades; it bends time. How do you envision your future?
(Watch What’s Your Next Move?)
Photo by House of No Era
Reel Them In: The Power of Video in Crafting Brand Stories
Exploring how experimental video shorts can shape brand identity through visual storytelling. A look into House of No Era’s Haunted Graffiti campaign.
Video, as a medium, offers a unique, immersive experience that is unparalleled in its ability to engage audiences. This medium is particularly potent for visual brands like No Era, who specialize in vintage home goods and products. For example, each item offered by No Era is not just a product; it's a piece of history with its own story. Video reels are the perfect format to bring these stories to life, allowing them to be both honored and re-imagined for today's world.
In a digital landscape filled with standard advertising, storytelling stands out. It's about making a lasting impression and creating content that resonates with viewers long after they've watched it. For No Era, the goal is to craft narratives that invite the audience into a world they can experience and connect with, to create moments that are not just seen but felt. This approach not only enhances brand identity but also engages audiences on a deeper level. By harnessing the power of video, any brand has the potential to significantly leverage their presence, transforming their story into an impactful and memorable experience.
Interested in learning how No Era's storytelling approach can elevate your brand? Connect with me to explore how we can craft unique video reels that bring your narrative to life.
Present Tense: Experimental Product Video shot & Edited by House of No Era
Rethinking Rentals: No Era's Vision for a Sustainable Stay
No Era challenges common critiques of short-term rentals by integrating sustainable practices and local culture into thoughtfully designed spaces. This approach supports local economies and offers travelers unique, responsible stays that go beyond the usual lodging experience.
STR Design, New Orleans by House of No Era
(Originally published January 2024)
Short-term rentals often get a bad rap, criticized for their perceived negative impact on housing markets and community dynamics. This portrayal overlooks the potential for short-term rentals to serve as a conduit for economic and sustainable development when approached thoughtfully. Recognizing an opportunity to pivot this conversation, No Era has been at the forefront of a trend that harmonizes short-term lodging with community and sustainability values—a movement that breathes new life into the ecosystem of local economies while championing environmental stewardship.
At No Era, there is a quiet yet firm commitment to re-imagining the business approach to short-term lodging. By thoughtfully selecting second-hand, quality furnishings, often from reputable brands, the focus is on creating a circular economy. This approach not only recycles valuable resources but also supports the local economy by channeling funds back into community and small businesses instead of impersonal corporate conglomerates. Spaces are thoughtfully curated to truly reflect the character and culture of the city, attracting discerning guests who appreciate the uniqueness of their accommodations. This method showcases a path where short-term rentals not only coexist with but also contribute positively to their communities.
In curating spaces that reflect the local ethos, No Era contributes to a different narrative for short-term rentals: one where each stay enriches the visitor's experience and supports the city's economic health. These are not merely transient spaces but homes that tell a story and inspire guests to engage with the culture around them. In doing so, No Era demonstrates that short-term rentals can indeed harmonize with the city's rhythm and bolster local economies, all while steering the real estate narrative toward a more inclusive and positive horizon. No Era is not just following a trend—it's setting one, illustrating that thoughtfully designed spaces can create a ripple effect of positive outcomes for local economies and the short-term rental market as a whole.
If you're intrigued by the prospect of distinctive and responsible short-term stays that celebrate and sustain local culture, I invite you to connect with me. Witness for yourself the spaces where every detail tells a story, and see firsthand how No Era is shaping the future of mindful travel.
Pay to Play: The High Price of Social Media
Explore how social media algorithms on platforms like Instagram and YouTube affect authentic content and challenge small businesses. Understand the shift from organic reach to paid visibility and its impact on creativity and engagement.
35mm Film Still by Carly Sioux
In today's media landscape, authenticity is more than a buzzword—it's a necessity. Especially on platforms like Instagram and Youtube that have become inundated with pay-to-play ads, sponsored content, and corporate behemoths, making social media no longer social... or original for that matter.
“Social Media is choosing content for us in a massive cultural phenomenon of gaslighting.”
It's no longer enough to engage and interact with the posts we want to see; Social Media is choosing content for us in a massive cultural phenomenon of gaslighting. Users are led to believe that their engagement will shape their feed, but in reality, the algorithms prioritize and manipulate our perception of what is popular, important, creating an illusion of choice.
The rise of algorithms has fundamentally altered how content reaches audiences and how smaller artists and businesses connect with their actual following. Genuine posts often struggle to surface without financial boosts, relegating them to complete obscurity. Despite their efforts, many individuals find themselves criticized by experts for not achieving desired outcomes. This critique often points to perceived issues with quality and consistency. Magazines, once bastions of editorial integrity, now monetize their platforms under the guise of 'collaboration,' blurring the lines between paid visibility and sincere storytelling, further altering our perceptions of what's relevant.
“Algorithms are like toxins—buzzwords that no one seems to be able to actually define, yet so many experts claim to understand.”
35mm Film Still by Carly Sioux
So what is the solution if we can't teach the algorithms to work with us and instead they work against us? It's disheartening for many smaller businesses like No Era, which have completely built their brands on platforms like Instagram. Do we revert to paper trails and handwritten letters? I know my email campaigns are far more effective than anything shared on Instagram. It feels like we've been trapped in their dopamine-driven click-bait cycles and left out to dry. If you're not there, you don't exist, yet we're kept in an endless loop of maniacal posting to keep our heads above water treading in the social currents. This leaves many burnt out, underappreciated, and robbed- literally, since so many celebrities and larger businesses mine ideas from smaller content creators.
Initially, social media had the potential to revitalize capitalism by empowering smaller businesses with limited capital or extensive advertising budgets to connect authentically with their own local audiences. It offered a pathway for individuals to bootstrap their ventures and create sustainable business practices. However, as companies like Meta recognized a missed opportunity to profit from small businesses achieving organic success, they dismantled this 'viral phenomenon' and blamed our failure to have visibility on our alleged shortcomings. Algorithms are like toxins—buzzwords that no one seems to be able to actually define, yet so many experts claim to understand.
I don't claim to have the answers, but I do hear a growing chorus of voices tired of superficial content and the relentless pressure to post incessantly to achieve 'success.' This sentiment is exacerbated by platforms like Meta, which use AI to mine our posts, enabling others to shape their brand identities and personalities at the expense of those unwittingly being turned into content creation assembly lines. It's almost as if they've established a content creation sweatshop, exploiting individuals already marginalized by these online corporate media practices. Original ideas and creativity are the most valuable assets, sought after by corporations for their own gain. So be careful who you send that pitch letter to.
Is There Room for One More at the Creative Table?
In the interiors and branding space, collaboration over competition drives stronger creative outcomes. This article explores how a collective approach fuels innovation, supports growth, and builds a more inclusive, future-focused design industry.
Painting from Miami Art Week, 2023 by Ismaele Nones
Photographed by No Era
In creative industries, the notion of collaboration over competition is not just an ideal; it's a powerful catalyst for innovation and growth. Why view another's brilliance as a threat when it can be a monumental asset?
Each of us brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table. When these individual talents are viewed through a lens of competition, opportunities for growth and innovation can be inadvertently stifled.
In contrast, embracing a collaborative mindset opens up a world of possibilities. It allows for the exchange of ideas, fostering an environment where creativity is not just about individual achievement, but about collective progress.
In creative fields, true success is not just measured by personal accolades but by the ability to contribute to and elevate the collective body of work. When we shift our focus from competing to collaborating, we create a space where creativity flourishes, ideas multiply, and everyone benefits.
The big picture is not about outshining each other, but about shining together, creating a brighter, more innovative future for the industry. By championing collaboration, we advocate for a more inclusive, dynamic, and progressive industry. It's about thinking big, beyond the confines of individual achievement, towards a future where collective creativity leads the way.
Thoughts?
Protect Your Selfie: The High Price of Digital Entrepreneurship
In a digital era shaped by algorithms and AI, No Era's ‘Faceless’ campaign pushes back against the pressure to market ourselves instead of our ideas. By choosing anonymity over exposure, the campaign challenges the growing trade-off between visibility and privacy, questioning what we lose when identity becomes currency in the entrepreneurial world.
35mm Film Still by Carly Sioux
In an age where digital footprints are as significant as physical ones, I embarked on a 'Faceless' marketing campaign for my brand, No Era. This journey began as a bold statement against the digital era's invasive algorithms, which often encourage overexposure and oversharing, through selfies and the relentless push to sell ourselves rather than our ideas. A scenario in which we are coerced into being the front-and-center of our marketing narratives, often at the expense of our concepts, ideas and privacy.
When I started this concept two years ago, little did I realize how prescient this move would be in today’s AI-driven world, where the manipulation and distortion of identity pose serious consequences. The digital world today is not just about connectivity and convenience; it's a complex battlefield for identity and privacy. In this context, my marketing experiment was not merely an aesthetic choice but a strategic maneuver, addressing the growing concerns about how technology influences and sometimes distorts personal identity and anonymity, and the way we market our ideas.
Headless Headshot by House of No Era
Sometimes, the most powerful statement we can make is what we choose not to reveal.
This evolution points to a significant shift: Privacy is becoming a luxury, and so is the ability to market something beyond our own personas. In the entrepreneurial landscape, where personal branding is often conflated with business success, choosing to focus on ideas rather than self-promotion becomes a radical and revealing decision. It suggests that there might be value in mystique, in holding back, and in protecting one's digital identity as fiercely as one's intellectual property, while challenging the algorithm-driven narrative that visibility and personal branding are paramount.
So, as entrepreneurs in an era where AI and algorithms hold sway, we must ask ourselves: What is the price of our privacy? How much of our personal identity are we willing to trade for success? And perhaps most importantly, how do we navigate the delicate balance between visibility and vulnerability?
Still from "Coastal Alien" Design Campaign by No Era
Retro Reprice: The Covid Effect
Retro Reprice: The Covid Effect was originally published January 2024. It explored how pandemic-era demand reshaped the vintage market—and raised questions about value, pricing power, and who gets to charge premium rates. With everyone aiming for top dollar, the lines between resale, curation, and professional service got increasingly blurred. A year and a half later, those tensions still echo across the market.
"People like you are ruining the vintage market." That stinging comment directed at me on Facebook Marketplace made me pause and reflect. The vintage market has indeed transformed, especially noticeable post-COVID. The pandemic sparked a unique fusion of increased home-focused activities and halted furniture production due to safety measures. This period also saw a rise in people turning to side hustles. Amidst this, influential voices like Vogue Magazine and Architectural Digest declared vintage and antiques mainstream, thus reshaping the market's dynamics.
The stark contrast in pricing is most apparent on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores, where figures have skyrocketed. This trend begs the question of the rationale behind these prices, particularly from Instagram sellers, furniture flippers, and low-frills thrift stores. My experience at an antique mall in the middle of nowhere Mississippi vividly illustrated this point. Amid the sweltering southern summer heat, dusty shelves, and cramped, unventilated spaces, I found items priced similarly to those in my own well-curate and heavily marketed shop, situated within a magazine-worthy space. This incongruity highlights a disconnect; many still struggle to understand the evolving norms of the vintage market, where unpolished, hard-to-navigate spaces are demanding premium prices. Another dealer I visited recently in Dayton, Ohio, with a warehouse crammed with common vintage items like Hallmark and Precious Moments figurines, priced at $35 each, exemplifies the market's shift.
Styling and Photography by House of No Era
“What dictates the perceived value of a luxury shopping experience? Does the platform, be it online, in-store, someone's storage unit or at a flea market, sway your perception of an item's worth?”
This pricing seems overly ambitious. It showcases an emerging trend where even the most commonplace vintage items are fetching premium prices, regardless of their setting, value, or presentation in the market. Goodwill, traditionally a haven for thrifty finds, has also adapted. Their platforms like shopgoodwill.com and their online auction site feature items at significantly higher prices than what we were accustomed to pre-pandemic. This change not only mirrors the broader market's trajectory but also illustrates the changing perception of value in the secondhand goods sector, where previously affordable finds are now premium offerings.
“Being a professional in this field means managing costs that go far beyond the initial price of an item. The reality is, acquiring a chair for $100, per se, doesn't mean it costs $100 to sell it.”
One thing is certain: the heyday of thrift hunting is over. As a dealer, it’s now more crucial than ever to establish direct contacts with liquidators, wholesalers, and other industry professionals, as well as with individuals eager to offload their personal possessions, effectively bypassing public second-hand marketplaces. But this still leaves us with the million-dollar question: how should pricing be approached in this new era? This is a common question I hear from newcomers in the vintage resale scene. The answer lies in what the market will bear. What dictates the perceived value of a luxury shopping experience? Does the platform, be it online, in-store, someone's storage unit, or at a flea market, sway your perception of an item's worth? I will say that establishing a brand, building trust with consumers, and creating a valued shopping experience, whether online or in traditional retail, is essential to justify higher prices.
Styling & Photography. by House of No Era
Being a professional in this field, and ensuring legal compliance as a business, means managing costs that extend well beyond the initial price of an item. The reality is, acquiring a chair for $100, per se, doesn't mean it costs $100 to sell it. The pricing reflects a whole spectrum of business expenses and effort. This includes registration and license fees, contributions to city infrastructure through taxes, rent, various insurances, and significant investments in photography, advertising, and marketing, along with the subscriptions needed to support these services. To the feisty man on Marketplace who accused me of single-handedly destroying the vintage resale market, and to others who might echo this sentiment, here's something to consider. While it might seem like dealers like me are the culprits behind rising prices, it's really the changing market dynamics at play. Don't hate the player; understand the complexities of the game!
*Originally posted on January 22, 2024
No Era is an Art & Design house based in Cincinnati, OH, specializing in interior design services, product sourcing, art direction, and fine consignment.
Urban Loft-Styles
Urban Loft-Styles is a collaborative editorial from Cincinnati-based House of No Era and New Orleans fashion photographer Kayla Palmer. Blending vintage furniture with industrial design and postmodern references, the project channels the energy of 90s-era loft cultureHouse of No Era presents Urban Loft-Styles, a Cincinnati-based editorial in collaboration with New Orleans fashion photographer Kayla Palmer. Set in the city’s warehouse district, the project merges vintage furniture with postmodern, industrial, and mid-century modern design—infused with 90s SoHo loft culture, hip-hop references, and streetwear influences.
The Dream of 90’s Soho Is Still Alive in Cincinnati
Urban Loft-Styles, No Era's latest drop, is far greater than a collection of vintage home furnishings. It represents the collective talent of several creative professionals. The result is a highly stylized look book that is as poised and gorgeous as it is savvy and, dare I say, contemporary—a term rarely associated with vintage. Evident in every photograph of this stunning catalog is the unique contribution of each participant whose efforts deserve your admiration and support.
Imagine the raw pulse of Detroit streetwear colliding against opulent designer furniture classics including B&B Italia, Saporti Italia & Herman Miller. This interplay of styles draws from the hypnotic sounds of Hip-Hop and Trip-hop, layered with the moody ambiance of 90’s era Chloë Sevigny films, alongside a subtle nod to Miami’s global art and design influence. All of these dynamic elements clash in perfect unison against the gritty backdrop of Cincinnati's warehouse district, anchoring this concept. In Mid-west cities like Cincinnati, the dream of an artist's loft-style is still very much alive. What's your loft-style?
xx No Era
Summer of Loft
Anchored by an oversized, plush sectional sofa, this collection evokes the leisurely elegance of an ‘80s yacht sailing down the Biscayne Bay. This look is accentuated by airy glass and lucite elements in a crisp, tangy palette of white, brown, amber, and tangerine. Unexpected yet flawless, this Postmodern nautical theme is perfectly situated within this industrial interior landscape. Bon Voyage!
Grit & Graf
Defined by loud colors, sharp graphics, and clean lines, this look embodies the cutting edge of urban industrial design in interior aesthetics. This collection features oversized graffiti canvases and pop art murals reminiscent of Wynwood's vibrant art district. These bold artworks are juxtaposed with minimalist, industrial furniture, such as Giovanni Offredi’s perforated purple leather dining chairs, Paolo Piva’s renowned Alanda Coffee Table, and the iconic Coconut Chair by George Nelson.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the Alanda Coffee Table was intentionally chosen for the set design in the film American Psycho? It embodied the height of modernist luxury and exclusivity at that time and served as a status symbol for Patrick Bateman. You can read more about this here.
Attribution
Direction & Concept: House of No Era & Kayla Palmer
Photography: Kayla Palmer
Set Design: No Era Living
Muses: Donni Cole Jr., Kendra Trinidad
Make-Up: Supremely Beautiful Experience
Styling & Wardrobe: Disco Tits Vintage, Last Word Vintage, & House of No Era
Coastal Alien
Coastal Alien transports you to a Twin Peaks–style beach town where 1970s Space Age furniture and sun‑bleached textures meet Miami coastal‑postmodern lightness and rural Ohio occult lore. UFO sightings, haunted houses, and submerged relics form a surreal design narrative by House of No Era.
Foreword
No Era has always prided itself on exploring the fringe, venturing into artistic territories where comfort rarely resides. Pushing boundaries is never easy, and frankly, I had some initial concerns about the "Coastal Alien" campaign. Would its audacity resonate with my audience? Could I risk alienating you (pun not intended) before grasping its intention?
Then just a few days ago Alexander McQueen began to drop their Spring 2024 campaign. It was striking to see a creative direction with such an uncanny resemblance to Coastal Alien. This isn't about seeking validation; it’s a reminder of the reality that smaller artists like No Era often pave the way, only to see their ideas adopted and amplified by established names. This also highlights a deeper issue: the tendency for artistic merit to be judged based on reputation rather than inherent value.
Coastal Alien isn't just a design campaign; it's a statement. It sparks dialogue while challenging the spectator to emancipate themselves from the influence of curators, editors, and celebrity endorsement. Similarly, it encourages artists to pursue their creative vision to completion, regardless of whether a concept is initially understood or accepted by the wider creative community. It's crucial to remember that artistic integrity matters more than staying within the lines. Pushing your ideas out, even when it's risky, is essential for artistic growth. You must stay steadfast in the belief of your own vision and capabilities, for external opinions are fickle and sway with the wind.
Do Epic Shit.
xx No Era
Femme D’Ecole
Femme D’Ecole blends 1970s Brutalist and Mastercraft furnishings with 19th-century French Quarter architecture in New Orleans. This curated setting features tortoise veneer, velvet upholstery, and brass accents against warm ochre walls, creating a bold fusion of classic and contemporary design by House of No Era. Photography by Kayla Palmer.
Nude and Rude
Nude and Rude explores Beige Goth through provocative design, blending structured linens, Victorian furnishings, and stark nude tones. Shot in New Orleans by House of No Era, this series challenges traditional design with an experimental edge.
“Beige Goth” emerged as a radical fusion of performance art, fashion, and interior design, conceived by House of No Era. This unique design philosophy challenged norms by reappropriating the sacred color of beige, often revered in traditional interior design circles, into an act of defiance and rebellion.
Imagine Coco Chanel’s timeless elegance effortlessly layered with Alexander McQueen’s iconoclastic edge. It’s a concept where structured linen fabrics and severe starched dresses intertwine with the haunting silhouettes of antique furnishings, skulls and bones, Italianate Victorian decor, and sharp mirrored facets. All these elements are harmoniously interwoven into a muted monochromatic palette of nude tones, enriched with sporadic hints of white and ethereal, ghostly shapes.
“Beige Goth” metamorphosed beige into an embodiment of darkness, menace, and sinister allure, all while remaining true to the signature high-contrast style that defines No Era. This concept playfully teased the traditionalist interior design of New Orleans while simultaneously tapping into the city’s eerie, gritty gothic history.
Now that Beige Goth is over, what do you anticipate the New Era
Haunted Graffiti: Future Tense
Future Tense is a conceptual design story within the Haunted Graffiti series, blending Hungarian graffiti murals with antique Italian furnishings inside a decaying New Orleans mansion. The collection explores themes of contradiction—life and death, softness and severity—through surreal, carefully constructed scenes that challenge conventional design narratives.
SIGHTED: Haunted Graffiti
Haunted Graffiti reimagines a forgotten Victorian home in New Orleans through large-scale graffiti murals, antique Italian furniture, and mid-century Hungarian design. A study in contrasts, the project explores decay, beauty, and the collapse of time.
In The Mood for Deco-Dence
In the Mood for Decadence blends vintage Hungarian Art Deco and Italian tropical styles with cinematic influences from In the Mood for Love and Ernest Hemingway. The design concept explores rich textures, chinoiserie details, and a bold color story that evokes timeless elegance and layered storytelling.