David Santiago & The Kaleidoscope Project

Apr 28, 2021 Uncategorized

Bergen County is rich with diverse design talent. Meet David Santiago who we met through our involvement with the Kaleidoscope Project.

David Santiago

David Santiago is the Principal of Casa Santi, a full-service and award-winning interior design firm based right here in Hackensack, NJ. David is also the Founder of Strictly Santi, his signature trademark brand, under which he has launched several products, including proprietary lighting, wallpaper, and furniture lines that reflect his unique fusion of unexpected styles.

David’s cultural roots hail from Puerto Rico, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands and he is thrilled to be a part of The Kaleidoscope Project. He says the platform is not only an acknowledgment of his work from leaders in the creative industry but is allowing him to give voice to the multicultural perspectives in the design industry and be an advocate for his peers.

The space that David is designing at The Cornell Inn has been reimagined as the “Acento Bar.” The word Acento in musical terms is an emphasis on a particular note or chord and this luxurious space will certainly be just that, a High Note Destination Spot.

In addition to being a talented interior designer, David is a world-class opera singer, and this project is the first time he has had the freedom to fully design a space that personifies and embraces his other great loves: music and theater. The inspiration for this project is the beautiful theater of the Metropolitan Opera House, featuring gold leaf ceilings, Lobmeyr-like chandeliers, and beautiful red silk walls. The bar itself will be a showstopper, featuring an exquisite onyx countertop manufactured and generously donated by David’s Bergen County resources at Arena Stone and will be adorned with stunning tile work by another outstanding local New Jersey small business and generous donor, First Class Granite.

David’s partner and Art Director Ricardo Monge has collaborated to create two stunning pieces of original artwork that will complete the space and pay homage to two quintessential Opera heroins; a giant graphic mural of Mimi from La Boheme will be the centerpiece of the powder room that is adjoining the bar area. A stunning mixed medium DOLLesque portrait of renowned American-born Greek Soprano singer, Maria Callas will watch over the guests at the bar.

We can’t wait to see David’s exquisite design come to life.