Scholarship Winner Spotlight
It’s GIVING TUESDAY – the global generosity movement celebrating the power of people and organizations transforming their communities and the world, qualities that Rocky LaFleur certainly lived every day. In honor of that spirit, we congratulate and recognize this year’s winners of the Rocky LaFleur Scholarship Fund Student Competition! We asked our winners to tell us about their experience designing A CALIFORNIA BEACH ESCAPE for the Design Icon. Read their insights and view their full design submissions below. And please GIVE to KF’s Rocky LaFleur Scholarship Fund to keep his legacy going!
Congratulations on being a winner of the 3rd Annual Rocky LaFleur Scholarship Fund Student Competition - your second time winning! Tell us what most inspired you about this year’s brief and drove the vision for your project.
Thank you-I am so honored to be one of the winners this year!
While I was in Paris last year, I met so many of Rocky’s friends and really got a sense of who he was as a person. Simply put, I was inspired by his joy and the beauty of deep friendships. This year’s brief really resonated with me since I am someone who cherishes time spent by the Pacific Ocean and sharing abundant home-cooked dinners with my closest friends. I wanted to create a space for Rocky’s friends to cultivate joy and deep time together. My selection of textiles and colors were a translation of how it feels to have this type of ephemeral time and connection with loved ones. I fell in love with ZAK+FOX’s Hedera wallpaper and immediately knew I wanted to center my design around the idea of a garden, so I looked to gardens from Provence and the Côte d’Azur for inspiration because of Rocky’s connection to France. I mixed various patterns and colors, aiming to keep the aesthetic playful and lighthearted, creating an environment that mirrors the essence of joy and togetherness.
I never knew Rocky in person, but he has become a huge source of inspiration for me. To center beauty, love, and connection is all we can really ask for in life! I’m really grateful to go to Paris, a city we both love so deeply, and to be a part of his legacy again this year.
Which space or feature of Rocky’s Beach House was your favorite to design, and why?
The ceiling of the Breakfast Nook was the beginning of my design process. The vaulted ceiling reminded me of an atrium, so I had the idea to line the ceilings with ZAK+FOX’s Hedera wallpaper. The room was cozy, sweet, and full of light, so it was the perfect canvas for a green multi-patterned design. I added a playful moment by using Samuel & Sons’ Aspen Bullion Fringe along the base of the banquette.
I also loved the challenge of designing the long and narrow Study. I designed this room with warmer tones, but still incorporated subtle green floral and nature motifs. I lined the walls and floors with several different patterns - Nobilis’ Gouge wallpaper, Pierre Frey’s Toile Africaine upholstery, and Pierre Frey’s carpet, Pommiers.
“I wanted to create a space for Rocky’s friends to cultivate joy and deep time together.”
In the project’s Great Room, your design includes a custom dining table/island that incorporates inlays of ceramic tile, handmade by your own studio. Tell us more about this side of you!
I have had a tile obsession for a long time and started to make my own ceramic tiles a few years ago. Recently, I’ve been combining tiles as inlays or accents to furniture pieces or objects that I’ve been designing. I’ve also been working with my creative partner, Se Young Au, to use unglazed ceramic tiles as a vessel to carry scent for an upcoming art installation. Currently I’m working on a carved wood stool with two rows of green tiles at the base and a marbled ceramic table lamp (which I am envisioning with a Pierre Frey Sari - Chartreuse lampshade!).
You were tasked with incorporating products sold by KF in your project - which products and/or KF supplier partners stand out, and why?
It is so hard to pick a favorite! I have been actively cataloging favorites over the last year during trips to the KF showroom and Deco Off that have become “must-haves” to use at some point in my future. I got to do some deeper dives with Nobilis, Glant, and ZAK+FOX for this year’s competition.
I love the subtlety of Glant’s Botanica Japonaise and have been very eager to use this textile for months. I got to spend time speaking with the Glants last year and they are such lovely and warm people. Nobilis’ Gouge wallpaper was another favorite-as soon as I discovered it, I knew I had to use it. And of course, ZAK+FOX’s Hedera wallpaper was the anchor of my entire design. I really admire ZAK+FOX’s product photography - this influenced my design as well. The way that they combine florals and their set design within old-world garden settings creates such a sensory portrait of their fabrics.
I’m also deeply enamored with Pierre Frey’s Le Manach line. I could spend hours flipping through the swatches at the showroom. So many of the patterns feature historical references from various design movements and the customization feels unlimited. I used the Toile Africaine pattern on the sofa in the Study, which is inspired by motifs of the Wiener Werkstätte (my all-time favorite design movement).
You’ve already hinted that you’ll use your prize money to join us in Paris again for Deco Off 2025. What about your experience last time makes you want to return?
Paris Deco Off was one of the best weeks of my life. I still feel so grateful to have started off this last year surrounded by art, design, beauty, and so many new connections. It was such an unbelievable opportunity to spend days gushing over design and getting to see and touch new products in person. Everyone I met extended so much warmth and it was special to meet the families and designers that run all the supplier partners that KF represents! As someone who is transitioning careers, it’s really impactful to get this type of mentorship, encouragement, and exposure to a new industry - it is a reaffirmation of all of the things I am passionate about.
Congratulations on being a winner of the 3rd Annual Rocky LaFleur Scholarship Fund Student Competition! Tell us what most inspired you about the brief and drove the vision for your project.
Thank you so much! What inspired me most about the brief was the opportunity to create a space that reflected Rocky LaFleur’s vibrant, multifaceted personality. The way he lived his life—both as a connector within the design community and as someone who cherished personal moments of introspection—really resonated with me. The brief’s emphasis on natural light, artisanal details, and a connection to the ocean also helped anchor the design vision, allowing me to draw inspiration from the fluidity and tranquility of the tides.
Which space or feature of Rocky’s Beach House was your favorite to design, and why?
My favorite space to design was the Great Room. It was initially challenging to find a way to balance the multiple functions of the Great Room—creating distinct yet cohesive areas for seating, dining, and a bar without overcrowding the space or obstructing natural pathways. Given the room’s open layout, I needed to carefully consider circulation, ensuring that guests could easily move between areas, especially during large gatherings. I focused on using furniture with organic, flowing shapes to keep the energy of the room light and inviting while drawing attention toward the room’s most important feature—the stunning views of the ocean. By anchoring the space with low-profile seating and positioning the dining and bar areas closer to the study, I was able to ensure that the windows and the breathtaking views remained unobstructed. The solution not only maintained a good flow but also emphasized the seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors, which was key to Rocky’s vision of a space that could both energize and rejuvenate. In the end I felt like this solution allowed me to create a space that felt both dynamic and serene. It felt like the heart of the home—a place where Rocky’s love for connection and introspection could both shine.
You were tasked with incorporating products sold by KF in your project - which products and/or KF supplier partners stood out to you, and why?
Incorporating Kneedler Fauchère’s products was an exciting part of the design process, but made it slightly difficult as their range offered so many inspiring possibilities! A few key pieces and suppliers stood out to me for their craftsmanship, versatility, and ability to reflect the vibe that felt right for the space.
One standout was Gregorius Pineo. One of the things I love about Gregorius Pineo’s furniture is their ability to create a sense of understated elegance. Their pieces aren’t flashy but exude a quiet sophistication through the use of organic forms and natural textures. The Montauk club chairs added a sophisticated yet inviting element to the Great Room. Their attention to detail and use of organic materials helped ground the space while offering the perfect complement to the coastal, relaxed elegance that I wanted to bring into the home.
The amazing selection of textiles was also integral to the project. The variety of stunning textiles and wall coverings allowed me to introduce texture and pattern, offering subtle, yet playful nods to Rocky’s love of travel and art. I particularly loved ZAK+FOX, Nobilis, Dedar, and Kerry Joyce Textiles. Their painterly fabrics and wall coverings gave these rooms a unique sense of personality, while still harmonizing with the overall palette of the home.
What part of Rocky’s legacy resonates most with you?
What resonates most with me about Rocky's legacy is his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers. His passion for mentorship and inclusivity is truly inspiring. Rocky wasn’t just focused on his own success; he was deeply invested in helping emerging professionals feel like they belonged in the design community. His belief that students and young designers were the future of the industry and deserved a seat at the table is something I deeply admire.
Rocky’s ability to connect people demonstrates his understanding that design is more than just creating beautiful spaces; it’s about fostering relationships and learning from each other. The way he opened doors for so many, including his legendary "American in Paris" events, shows how much he valued the importance of collaboration and shared experiences in design.
That sense of community and mentorship is something I want to carry forward in my own career. I hope to always seek to learn, grow, and uplift others as Rocky did.
Will we see you for Paris 2025, or have you decided to use your prize money to further your education?
I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to attend Paris Déco Off 2025—it’s a dream come true for any designer! The chance to experience the latest innovations in design firsthand, while being surrounded by such rich history and inspiration in Paris, is truly once-in-a-lifetime. I’m planning to use the prize money to make that happen and immerse myself in the vibrant design culture that Rocky loved so much!
Congratulations on being a winner of the 3rd Annual Rocky LaFleur Scholarship Fund Student Competition! Tell us what most inspired you about the brief and drove the vision for your project.
Thank you so much! This scholarship competition has helped me grow as a designer, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Rocky’s hospitable nature, the Californian coast location, and Scandinavian design elements were the basis for the floor plan and palette of this project. Made for Rocky to host groups of various sizes, the space is meant to be comfortable for Rocky whether he is hosting or relaxing on his own. It was challenging to create a space that felt large enough for a group but quiet and intimate enough for a single person. To meet this need, there are spaces that Rocky can change according to his needs. The moody beach house palette is inspired by the meeting of the earth and sea along the coast and includes beiges, olive greens, and deep-sea blues. As the California coastline varies so much, I thought it would be interesting for some of the more dramatic elements of the coastline such as rocky cliffs, crashing waves, and shrubs to inspire the design. The architecture includes Scandinavian features, so there was also a strong effort to include Scandinavian furniture throughout the space.
Which space or feature of Rocky’s Beach House was your favorite to design, and why?
The Great Room stood out to me because each has its own sub-palette (sea and earth), but the Great Room is where both palettes “meet”. It was interesting creating a space that serves multiple functions but also feels cohesive. The dining area is meant to be dramatic, and I created a wave-like edge for the carpet. For the wallcovering on the wall and ceiling, I used Il Vespro from ZAK+FOX in a deep olive green that features stars reminiscent of the night sky above the ocean. For the living room portion of the Great Room, I was able to incorporate numerous lively textiles like Verge from Kerry Joyce Textiles, which has really pretty thin, organic lines like waves, and Haikou from Pierre Frey, which comes in an eye-catching Klein-esque blue.
You were tasked with incorporating products sold by KF in your project - which products and/or KF supplier partners stand out to you, and why?
I absolutely loved ZAK+FOX’s textiles and wallcoverings. Their designs are so meaningful and playful, and I enjoyed using their products in all three rooms. Each of their designs has a backstory on the inspiration for the piece, and I love reading every description. In the Study, I used their Orangerie wallcovering that is not only symbolic of California, but it also adds a sense of optimism through its subdued orange and biophilic pattern. It makes the Breakfast Nook look like it’s in an orange grove and brightens up the space. Their Alga wallcovering is used throughout the Study and is reminiscent of fronds and seaweed found in tide pools along the coast. It’s so moody and adds a sense of depth and formality to the space. I also really enjoyed using HOLLY HUNT’s textiles. They look so textural.
What part of Rocky’s legacy resonates most with you?
I really wish I could’ve met Rocky! He sounds like such a kind and caring man with a contagious sense of joy. And of course, he knew how to throw a great gathering! It is clear that he inspired so many people to not only have a love for design but also a passion for life. Rocky was people-oriented, and good design is people-oriented. Influenced by Rocky’s legacy, I hope that my designs and interactions with clients, co-workers, and vendors create a lasting positive impact as well.
Will we see you for Paris 2025, or have you decided to use your prize money to further your education?
I am looking forward to attending Déco Off in January! I cannot wait to stroll around the streets of Paris admiring great designs.
