Transformative journeys require a heightened level of attention to detail.

Every step of the process must be strenuously considered to ensure it’s supporting the ultimate goal: In this case, supporting teens dealing with mental health and substance abuse struggles.

Founded in 2015, Key Healthcare works to provide teenagers with essential mental health and dual diagnosis treatment, keeping the intersection between mental health and substance abuse top of mind.

“Addressing both of these issues at once is what leads to lasting recovery,” says Key Healthcare co-founder Ryan Blivas. He reflects on the success story of one teenager, a young woman named Sarah, who dealt with mental health challenges and substance abuse. He also reflects on how her time in Key Healthcare’s dual diagnosis treatment program prompted her to discover a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Sarah has since developed the tools to maintain her mental health and sobriety and is happily engaging in meaningful relationships and activities while working to inspire others.

Recently, Industry West Interiors partnered with Key Healthcare to bring to life a new Teen Residential Treatment Center in Malibu, California. The partnership combined design expertise, compassion, and innovation, aiming to reshape the way people approach teen mental health.

Because of the therapeutic nature of the program, Malibu appealed to the Key Healthcare team as an ideal location, given that it “combines the beauty of nature, access to supportive resources, and a sense of privacy,” as Blivas explains. The geographic location, as well as the thoughtfully designed interior space, will help teenagers work toward improved mental health and well-being.

Physical environment plays a key role in fostering one’s healing journey. “Creating a supportive and nurturing atmosphere can positively impact mood, motivation, and overall mental health,” Blivas notes. When drawing its design inspiration for this locale, Key Healthcare kept a number of factors and themes top of mind, the first of which is drawing upon nature and tranquility to “create a serene and peaceful environment,” Blivas shares. “The design elements incorporate the calming presence of nature, such as soothing colors, natural materials, and open spaces, to promote relaxation and a sense of well-being,” he adds.

The concepts of safety and comfort also shaped the design plan to ensure that teenagers feel secure during their stay. “We paid attention to details such as comfortable furnishings, cozy spaces, and a warm and inviting atmosphere to foster a sense of comfort and security,” Blivas comments. It was also essential to take into account privacy and confidentiality; this meant incorporating private living spaces and secluded outdoor areas to promote healing. One key element of the program is its ability to foster a sense of belonging and community, as well as a continued support network, and the design methods employed help to promote these ideals, too.

It was also important to keep the treatment environment free of triggers and distractions. “By carefully selecting the location and designing the physical space, we can create a sanctuary free from external stressors and negative influences, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery and personal growth,” Blivas adds. The completed space also promotes various therapeutic methods, including art therapy, mindfulness spaces, outdoor activities, and comfortable common areas for group therapy sessions.

The sidewalks of Brooklyn are paved with expression, boasting eclectic displays of art, architecture, and community that emulate across the globe in almost every facet of design. But while the borough streets are known for their acute hustle and bustle, the skies are taking on a different role—intimate tranquility. From 535 feet up, the city noises fade, and an appreciation for the striking details of elevated materiality sharpens. At 535 feet up, you find a new community you call home in The Brooklyn Tower. 

The Brooklyn Tower secured the accolade of the borough’s first supertall, piercing the sky at 1,073 feet. Conceptualized by award-winning firm SHoP Architects, the building’s dramatic exterior plays on rich materials, featuring a skillful combination of shimmering bronzes, marble whites, and deep blacks in a geometric pattern reminiscent of Brooklyn’s native architecture. The exterior, however, is only a prelude to the microcosm of design and experiences within the tower’s walls. 

Behind the tower’s masterful facade lies a thriving ecosystem of unprecedented amenities. The Brooklyn Tower has the basics—billiards, lounge seating, and even a library—but what sets the space apart is the floor-by-floor evolution of resources built for every life and schedule. From the state-of-the-art Lifetime Athletic Club to the city’s first Life Work coworking space to an elegant terrace with three outdoor pools, The Brooklyn Tower effects a dimensional escape for daily activities, allowing residents to enjoy what they do and where they do it. 

When not immersed in the tower’s experiences, residents become surrounded by unobstructed city views and exceptional design in the building’s grand condominium rooms. Artfully curated by interior design standout Gachot Studios, each residence was orchestrated to encapsulate a refined aesthetic and radical sense of place. With that in mind, building owners JDS Development Group enlisted Industry West to accentuate the warm, elegant environment culminating within their residential spaces. 

Industry West team members worked closely with JDS Group to seamlessly furnish The Brooklyn Tower’s residences, exuding careful consideration for the building’s central motif of surroundings designed for experiences—a theme the Industry West brand echoes.

“The Industry West team highlighted the building’s distinctive hexagonal form that maximizes the transcendent city and water views through floor-to-ceiling windows when staging the model residences. Through tailored design and attention to detail for furniture selections, Industry West helped achieve the goal of timeless, quality style while showcasing The Brooklyn Tower’s unparalleled vantage points,” says Marci Clark, Managing Director of Strategy and Development at JDS Group.

In addition to furnishing the space, Industry West collaborated with JDS Group to provide prospective residents with the option to purchase pre-designed furniture packages. “As with all of our amenities, we aim to provide residents with unmatched levels of service, quality, and comfort,” says Marci. “The Industry West design and furniture packages allow us to create a convenient, turn-key experience for new residents looking to furnish their homes.”

Pioneering a community suspended above the crowded streets of Brooklyn was no simple feat, but the handiwork of JDS Group, SHoP Architects, Gachot Studios, and Industry West is one of a dynamic spirit ushered to reinvigorate residents as they cross each reflective threshold of The Brooklyn Tower. 

While it can be tempting to buy a full set of matching rattan or teak furniture, mixing finishes on your outdoor furniture can give you a more collected, styled look. Yet, while most people no longer buy bedroom or living room suites, they’re still likely to pick up an entire collection of outdoor furniture and call it a day.

Mark Cutler, co-founder of CutlerSchultz along with Nichole Schulze, recommends, “Try to avoid buying an entire suite of the same furniture. While keeping all the seating cohesive, mix up your selection of tables—etcetera—to create a more collected look.

“I love to mix and match different outdoor finishes,” adds Jennifer Nichols of J Nichols Design Studio. She says, “In one of our current projects, we mixed metal outdoor swivel chairs with teak tables. I love the contrast!”

Also, the range of outdoor furniture materials is continuously expanding. Lauren Robbins of Lauren Robbins Interiors notes that outdoor furniture has come a long way since wrought iron, rust-prone metal, and sweltering plastic were the only options. She says, “Fabric and furnishing manufacturers have made great strides, offering mildew and mold-resistant, anti-fade fabrics, performance rugs, and weatherproof furnishings.”

Cutler says, “We are based in Los Angeles and blessed with a climate that allows outdoor entertaining essentially all year round, so our outdoor furniture is going to get a lot more use.” While that means you don’t have to worry about off-season storage and extreme cold damaging materials, it does mean that furniture will take a beating from the sun.

Cutler recommends, “To combat this, use powder-coated aluminum frames, they are light and incredibly durable, and lean toward lighter colored fabrics as they fade less and do not get as hot.”

Meanwhile, on the East Coast and throughout the South, Cutler focuses on storm and waterproof selections, particularly when it comes to covers (more on those in a minute!)

Kathy Kuo, founder and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home, explains, “If you live in a climate where you know you’re likely to want to store your outdoor pieces during the winter, consider lighter-weight woven items that are going to be easier to pick up and move into a garage or storage space.”

And, if you have waterfront property, Robbins adds, “Salt air is not a great fit for wrought iron furniture which will begin to rust with time.”

Adding cushions to outdoor furniture gives a patio a relaxing, lounge-inspired feel. But, as Nichols shares, they require more upkeep. Cushions on outdoor seating make each piece extra comfy. The trade-off is that to protect the longevity of the cushions you need to cover the furniture in seasons of heavy rain or snow.” She explains that excessive moisture can lead to dry rot in cushions and sling-style outdoor chairs.

Outdoor cushions can be protected by adding waterproof covers or you can store them indoors in a dry area between seasons or during extreme weather. Cutler explains, “In areas where summer is shorter and weather is unpredictable, you want to create a situation that the furniture is ready to go when you are, so a good cover will allow you to use your pieces even if it rained the night before.”

Nichols adds one more tip, “If you are protecting your outdoor dining table with a waterproof cover, make sure to tent the middle of the table so the water will roll off and not puddle in the middle of the table.

“This is furniture that is often moved around, so keep that in mind,” says Cutler. This has multiple implications. First, you want to be careful not to damage your outdoor surface area. “A stone terrace can easily be scraped up by heavy furniture, so think about that as you make selections,” says Cutler. Choose lighter-weight furniture in an area where you’ll be moving pieces around regularly. 

On the other hand, he says, “On a Deck, weight is always going to be an issue, and selecting smaller, more compact pieces will give you more safety.”

“I like to use furniture that can be reinvented to serve multiple purposes,” says Robbins. Particularly when you’re dealing with a smaller space or one that needs to serve multiple purposes from dining to relaxing. “A console or side table can easily double as a small dining table if selected right the first time,” explains Robbins. She suggests using ottomans or stools that can slide under coffee or side tables to accommodate additional guests. She adds, “Cocktail tables can become game tables with an ottoman pulled up at just the right level.”

Before you shop for patio furniture and decor, think about what type of setting you’d like to create on your patio. As Tiffany Piotrowski of Tiffany Leigh Design puts it, “Are you going for the feeling of dining al fresco in Italy, or do you want the feeling of a bright and fresh coastal retreat? Knowing the feeling you want to create will help guide your selections and result in a cohesive patio.” 

Wicker lounge chairs can bring a tropical resort feel to your home while teak dining chairs are great for those who desire a modern, neutral space. 

On a similar note, you’ll want to do a bit of space planning as you get started. “Regardless of how large or small your patio is, it is always good to have different stations set up,” notes home and DIY Instagrammer Sara Raak. “If possible, make sure to have a separate dining area and lounge area, putting the grill and prep stations next to the dining area,” she suggests.

Adding some green friends to your patio is a must, and not just for obvious reasons! As Kara Kersten of Kara Kersten Design notes, “Potted plants are the best way to add “walls” to your outdoor space by creating a visual boundary. You can add height to a medium pot by filling it with a tall palm, for example.” Plus, she says, plants are an automatic means of adding color to any setup. Why not try a fun planter bench, too?

Don’t forget about the importance of texture, even when designing an outdoor space. “Mix mediums like you would inside,” Piotrowski urges. “A healthy mix of stone, plaster, wood, and metal pieces will help your space to feel gathered and comfortable.” One way to add texture is through throw pillows. Kersten suggests opting for smaller pillows in lieu of larger cushions, as they’re easier to bring inside and store in the event of unpleasant weather. Rugs are another simple means of adding texture to any outdoor space and will keep bare feet feeling nice and comfy, too.

The right lighting will jazz up your space in an instant and make spending time outdoors all the more enjoyable. Piotrowski suggests opting for bistro lights, solar-powered lights, or lanterns with candles. “They will allow you to enjoy your space in the evening and create the ultimate evening ambiance,” she says. 

At the end of the day, outdoor living spaces are an essential component of modern homes. Now go ahead and figure out how you can use your space for relaxation, socializing, and recreation.