Gretchen Rivera-Lebrón Brings Puerto Rican Design to the Global Stage in New International Book on Latin American Interiors

Casa Casual founder Rivera-Lebrón is the sole designer from Puerto Rico featured in the book, titled Interior Design in Latin America, with two projects selected alongside work from 28 studios across 20 countries

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Puerto Rican interior designer Gretchen Rivera-Lebrón, founder and principal designer of Casa Casual, is featured in Interior Design in Latin America, a new book from Gestalten/teNeues that examines contemporary interior design across the region. Rivera-Lebrón is the only designer from Puerto Rico included, with her work appearing alongside 28 studios from 20 countries.

Released internationally today and scheduled for U.S. publication on November 10, 2026, the book includes two of Rivera-Lebrón's projects: a 1930s private residence in San Juan's Hato Rey district and a coffee shop in historic Old San Juan.

Curated and written by Mexican design scholar Ana Elena Mallet, Interior Design in Latin America brings together contemporary interiors shaped by the architecture, materials, craftsmanship, cultural traditions and ways of living particular to their locations.

Through residential, hospitality and public projects, the book shows how designers draw on those local influences rather than treating Latin America as a single design aesthetic. The publisher describes the volume as the first comprehensive interior design book to explore the diverse styles of Latin America.

"Being included in this important book on contemporary interior design is especially meaningful to me," said Rivera-Lebrón. "My way of seeing has been shaped by Puerto Rico—its objects, architecture, visual contrasts, its improvisation and layers of cultural memory. I'm very proud to help make Puerto Rican design more visible internationally and to see that perspective documented as part of a larger conversation about how we understand place through design."

Rivera-Lebrón's two projects featured in the book approach that idea from different directions. In Hato Rey, she designed around the original character of a 1930s residence and a young couple's collection of Puerto Rican art, furniture and ceramics. In Old San Juan, she translated the history and culture of Puerto Rican coffee into a moody, more experimental interior. Together, the projects reflect an approach central to Rivera-Lebrón's work: preserving the qualities that make a place distinctive while creating space for contemporary ways of gathering, working and living.

About Ana Elena Mallet

Mallet is one of Mexico's leading curators specializing in modern and contemporary Latin American design. She organized the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) exhibition "Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980" as guest curator and has held curatorial and leadership positions at Museo Soumaya, Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Museo del Objeto del Objeto and Museo Tamayo. She also directed "Destination: Mexico," a project that introduced the work of 60 Mexican designers through MoMA stores in New York and Tokyo.

About Gretchen Rivera-Lebrón and Casa Casual

Rivera-Lebrón founded Casa Casual with a design approach informed by her Puerto Rican roots, historic architecture and modernism. Her background in art history, graphic design and interior architecture informs work that treats interiors and visual identities as expressions of a place's history, culture and material traditions.

After designing residences and restaurants in Puerto Rico and launching a curated vintage furnishings business, Rivera-Lebrón expanded Casa Casual to the Washington, D.C., region. The studio now works with clients in Puerto Rico and the Washington metropolitan area.

Rivera-Lebrón's design expertise and commentary have appeared in Architectural Digest, MarthaStewart.com, Real Simple, Newsweek, Better Homes & Gardens, Apartment Therapy and Southern Living, among other publications.

About Interior Design in Latin America

Published by teNeues as part of The World of Interior Design series, Interior Design in Latin America is a 272-page bilingual hardcover examining the people, places, materials, traditions and architectural contexts shaping contemporary interiors throughout Latin America. The book includes approximately 220 color and black-and-white photographs.

Publisher: teNeues
Editors: teNeues and Ana Elena Mallet

Author: Ana Elena Mallet
Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Languages: English and Spanish
Publication: September 15, 2026 internationally; November 10, 2026 in the United States

ISBN: 978-3-96171-737-8

Media Materials

Review copies may be requested from the publisher at [email protected].

High-resolution images of the book's cover and Rivera-Lebrón featured projects can be downloaded here.

Media Availability

Rivera-Lebrón is available for interviews in English or Spanish by phone, email or Zoom. Interview topics include Puerto Rican design, the Hato Rey and Old San Juan projects featured in the book, designing in response to place and cultural context, and Puerto Rico's role in contemporary Latin American design.

Media contact:

Michael Tebo
Phone: 571-835-8775
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Casa Casual