Fairfax, Virginia, November 10th / PRNewswire / — As contemporary interior design increasingly engages in dialogue with different periods, references, and traditions, the importance of context and cultural identity becomes once again prominent. Puerto Rican interior designers Gretchen Rivera - Lebr view design as a continuous interpretation of "place," exploring how existing buildings, objects, and personal histories can gain new meaning within contemporary lifestyles.

Rivera-Lebr is the founder of Casa Casual, and she is also the only designer from Puerto Rico in today's newly released design book in the United States, titled " Interior Design in Latin America ". The book features two of her projects, which are showcased alongside works from 28 design studios from 20 countries, demonstrating a contemporary approach to interior design that draws inspiration from Puerto Rican architecture, art, and history.

This 272-page hardcover book was published by teNeues and curated by design scholar Ana Elena Mallet. It is the first publication to systematically examine how designers across Latin America create contemporary spaces shaped by local history, craftsmanship, and cultural identity. Two projects selected for Rivera-Lebr – a restored residence from the 1930s in San Juan and the interior design of a contemporary coffee shop – demonstrate how these influences have given rise to distinctly different design styles.

Her work also reflects the broader changes in the field of interior design in the United States. According to 1stDibs' report for 2026, among 468 design professionals surveyed globally, 85% purchased vintage furniture, and vintage and antique items accounted for an average of 36% of the items purchased for each project, the highest proportion since 2021. The report "2026 U.S Fall Design Trends Report" also indicates that there is a growing interest in interior styles that are rich in layers and have undergone long-term accumulation, with a greater emphasis on a sense of history, individuality, and meaningful items, rather than standardized decorative styles.

For the Rivera-Lebr that serves Puerto Rico and the Washington D.C. area, these concepts have long been at the core of their design approach.

She said, "Good designers know that a home shouldn't look as if it was completed overnight. The most interesting interior spaces often combine objects from different generations, furniture with history, and artworks that are meaningful to the inhabitants. In Puerto Rico, we are surrounded by these layers of history. Instead of erasing them in order to create something new, I think designers should find ways to make them a part of our lives today."

Two representative projects showcase Puerto Rico's architectural, artistic, and cultural traditions.

Rivera-Lebr The two projects selected in the book demonstrate how historical architecture and local cultural influences can shape contemporary interior design without being confined to a single decorative style.

In the Hato Rey district of San Juan, she transformed a residence from the 1930s into a modern dwelling for a young couple, while preserving its original architectural style. Instead of treating the old building as a blank canvas, she allowed the history of the house and the personal tastes of the owners to guide the design together. The Puerto Rican ceramics, furniture, and artworks collected by the couple occupy a central position within the space, combining the history of the building with their contemporary lifestyle.

The second project is located in Old San Juan, which has a Spanish colonial style, and it presents another expression of Puerto Rico's history. Rivera-Lebr Inspired by the island's coffee culture, a space with a strong atmosphere and an experimental design was created, transforming a familiar cultural tradition into a contemporary context. The project did not rely on common tropical elements or easily recognizable Caribbean imagery; instead, it offered another interpretation of the island's traditions through patterns, atmosphere, and modern design.

These two projects jointly demonstrate the flexibility of the Rivera-Lebr design philosophy: they respect the architectural and cultural context of the space while creating indoor environments that reflect how people live, gather, and express themselves today.

Puerto Rican design enters international dialogue

Rivera-Lebr has been included in Interior Design in Latin America, placing her work within a broader context of contemporary Latin American design and its multicultural influences.

This book challenges the concept of "regional aesthetics," showcasing design methods from various parts of Latin America, and explains how architecture, materials, craftsmanship, and local traditions together shape different contemporary styles of expression.

The curator of this book, Ana Elena Mallet, is a renowned scholar who studies modern and contemporary Latin American design. He also served as the guest curator for the exhibition " Crafting Modernity : Design in Latin America , 1940–1980" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

As the only Puerto Rican designer selected for the book, Rivera-Lebr believes that her participation provided an opportunity to introduce to American readers a perspective shaped by the island's unique history and culture.

She said, "Puerto Rico is a place made up of beautiful contrasts and contradictions. We have a rich tradition in furniture manufacturing and modernist ceramics, but few people are aware of it. Participating in this book has given me the opportunity to share this perspective with a wider audience. I hope it will encourage people to break away from familiar design categories and discover that interior spaces can be so diverse and expressive."

Her approach also provides practical inspiration for American homeowners who wish to create spaces with more personal flair. Rather than starting from preset decoration styles, Rivera-Lebr encourages people to first consider the existing architecture, the furniture and artworks they cherish, and how designs from different generations can coexist in the same space.

About Gretchen Rivera - Lebr ón

Gretchen Rivera to Lebr is an interior designer from Puerto Rico and also the founder of Casa Casual. Casa Casual is a boutique interior design studio that specializes in residential and hotel space design, serving clients in Puerto Rico and the Washington D.C. area. Her work draws inspiration from historical architecture, modernism, vintage furniture, as well as the cultural identity of the locations and communities she designs for.

Rivera-Lebr has a background in art history, graphic design, and interior architecture. They have designed residences and restaurants in Puerto Rico, operated a business specializing in selected vintage furniture, and have since expanded their business to the Washington area.

Her professional design opinions and comments have appeared in media such as Architectural Digest, MarthaStewart.com, Real Simple, Newsweek, Better Homes, Gardens, Apartment Therapy, and Southern Living.

Regarding "Interior Design in Latin America"

“Interior Design in Latin America” is published by teNeues as part of the “The World of Interior Design” series. It is a 272-page hardcover book in bilingual format that explores the figures, locations, materials, traditions, and architectural contexts that shape contemporary interior design in Latin America. The book contains approximately 220 color and black-and-white photographs.

• Publisher: teNeues
• Editor: teNeues and Ana Elena Mallet
• Author: Ana Elena Mallet
• Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
• Mandatory requirements:
• Issued: International release on September 15, 2026; Release in the United States on November 10, 2026
• ISBN : 978-3-96171-737-8

Media materials

You can apply to the publisher for a review copy of the book; the email address is [ email protected ].

High-definition images of the book cover and Rivera-Lebr Ón representing the project are available for editing. For how to obtain them, please refer to the original link.

Media Contact

Michael Tebo