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Creative Minds

John & Christine Gachot

The interior design duo behind Gachot Studios debut a refined hotel in Detroit and a striking new collection for Waterworks

By Geoffrey Montes
Modern living room with large windows, brown couch, fireplace, and contemporary decor in an airy, angled ceiling space.
The Canfield accommodations at the Shinola Hotel in Detroit. Photo: Nicole Franzen, Courtesy of Gachot

Man and woman sitting on outdoor steps with a dog, both casually dressed and looking at the camera.
John and Chrisitne Gachot cofounders of Gachot Studios. David Urbanke, Courtesy of Gachot

Sought after for their holistic approach to creating timeless and sophisticated spaces, Gachot Studios cofounders John and Christine Gachot recently unveiled the first-ever Shinola Hotel in Detroit, a 129-room property comprising a trio of historic downtown buildings. Beautiful but timeworn, the existing architecture “was not so much a challenge but a gift,” says Christine. “We weren’t just building a hotel; we were making a community.”

An even larger community awaits on the Caribbean island of Barbuda, where the couple have been tapped to collaborate on a 600-acre beachfront residential complex. In March, the Gachots launched a line of hardware with Waterworks inspired by two unlikely historic figures: Aesthetic movement pioneer Christopher Dresser and prolific industrial designer Dieter Rams. “These two men lived a century apart but had the same drive,” explains John. “That was the energy I was trying to channel.”

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Modern living room with large colorful tapestry, brown sofa, two orange chairs, and tall windows with curtains.
The living room at the Shinola Hotel. Nicole Franzen, Courtesy of Gachot

Modern cosmetics store interior with sleek white displays and red seating, featuring elegant lighting and floral decor.
The new Glossier flagship store was designed by Gachot Studios and P.R.O. Architecture with the idea that it would be an immersive community space where customers could connect with each other. Courtesy of Glossier, Inc

Modern hotel room with cozy bed, colorful rug, wooden furniture, and large window with golden curtains.
Eaton DC Hotel in Washington, DC.  Courtesy of Gachot

Outdoor dining at an illuminated restaurant with a historic facade surrounded by trees, bustling with people in the evening.
Bocce USQ in Union Square. Courtesy of Gachot

Red carpeted staircase with curved white walls and soft lighting in a modern architectural setting
Pink-tinged plaster and a red quartz floor line the stairwell. Jason Schmidt

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2020 Spring Issue under the headline Creative Minds. Subscribe to the magazine.