Inside the home of... interior designer Sophie Paterson

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

Interior designer Shoshanna Shapiro of Sho & Co. undertook the design of a 4,629-square-foot, four-bedroom Craftsman-style home in Woodson Reserve, Fairfax, starting in 2018. The project aimed to integrate the home's existing Craftsman architectural details with a contemporary, luxurious aesthetic to satisfy the divergent styles of the homeowners—a husband, his wife, and their 8-year-old daughter. Shapiro's involvement began while she was working part-time for Evergreene Homes, the community's builder, and continued into 2020 after establishing her own design firm. The initial phase of the design process focused on refining the home's fundamental elements. The traditional center-hall floor plan, which positions the living room to the left, dining room to the right, and the kitchen and family room at the rear, was preserved. However, Shapiro initiated architectural revisions and guided the selection of materials. This included simplifying trim and moldings to achieve a cleaner, more modern appearance. The engineered wide-plank hardwood floors, a nonstandard option, were finished with a matte gray wash, contributing to a softer texture and a refined color palette. Significant upgrades were implemented in the kitchen, transforming it into a chef's kitchen. This involved installing Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, Shaker-style cabinets complemented by modern nickel pulls with a satin finish, and durable quartz countertops designed to mimic marble. A key design choice that signaled the home's shift towards a more glamorous, chic, and luxurious feel was the selection of three brushed-gold island pendants. The kitchen's aesthetic was further enhanced by curved-back bar chairs featuring custom upholstery and inverted pleat detailing. Beyond builder upgrades, Shapiro introduced custom design elements. In the dining room, she paired the homeowners' contemporary and masculine dining set with a striking rectilinear crystal-drop chandelier. For the living room, a custom display and storage cabinet was designed to house the homeowners’ record player and LP collection, replacing a standard bar option. This built-in unit features inset doors and is situated in a moss-green space, made more interesting with applied wall moldings, creating an ideal setting for entertaining. Additionally, a dedicated coffee bar/cocktail station, complete with open glass shelves and a hammered brass sink, was custom-designed and positioned between the dining room and kitchen, tailored to the homeowners' specific desires. The home office, located off the family room, also received custom treatment with navy-blue built-ins, shiplap detailing, and brass library lights, providing seating for all family members. The design strategy accounted for future entertaining, as highlighted by the extra-large sectional in the family room, which wraps in an L shape around a cerused oak drum table with brass detailing. This sectional is adorned with a variety of neutral chenille, velvet, and linen pillows. Throughout the home, the design achieves a balance between masculine and feminine aesthetics, mirrored in both form and color palette. Cool grays and edgy blacks coexist with blush pinks and warm taupes. This yin and yang approach is also evident in the furniture selections. A prime example is the master bedroom, where the wife's preference for pink and fluffy elements was harmonized with the husband's desire for a luxe and contemporary style. This was achieved by muting pink tones, incorporating gold decor, grounding the space with clean, contemporary furniture lines, and topping it off with an elegant crystal chandelier. The overall design emphasizes minimalism and intentionality, incorporating natural textures, warm tones, and soft fabrics to create a welcoming and luxurious environment that perfectly blends the couple's individual visions into a cohesive dream home. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #FairfaxHome #LuxuryInteriors #CustomDesign #CraftsmanStyle #ShoshannaShapiro #ResidentialDesign

Robert Stilin, a renowned interior designer, discusses his career trajectory, design philosophy, and personal inspirations. Stilin's journey into design was unexpected, beginning with the opening of a lifestyle store in Palm Beach in 1989. This store, initially a 'prototype,' allowed clients to discover his aesthetic, eventually leading him to interior design projects. He has since become celebrated for creating spaces that are contemporary, sleek, and livable, earning accolades such as AD100 and the ELLE Decor A-List. His monograph, "Robert Stilin Interiors," was published in 2019. Stilin emphasizes the importance of discovery and paying attention in his work. He recounts a pivotal moment twenty years ago when art collector Beth Rudin DeWoody encouraged him to explore design beyond his usual preferences, reinforcing the lesson of not judging a book by its cover, especially in collecting and vintage shopping. This experience broadened his perspective and taught him the value of finding unexpected treasures. Regarding his evolving style, Stilin notes a cyclical shift. Early in his career, while drawn to contemporary modern design, he also appreciated classic and traditional styles. As his life progressed, his focus shifted more towards modern aesthetics. However, in the last five to seven years, he has found himself increasingly attracted to classicism, returning to his initial inclinations. He highlights his enduring admiration for artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Giacometti, despite their overexposure and high value. Stilin acknowledges the impact of fashion on his design tastes, describing himself as a "shopper of everything." He finds inspiration in fashion stores, vintage furniture shops, and art galleries, believing that all visual experiences inform one's aesthetic. He particularly values multi-brand clothing stores that showcase a strong curatorial point of view, likening this to an interior designer's process of finding their own voice within a space. Fashion photography also serves as a significant source of inspiration, contributing to his extensive photography collection. For art collecting, Stilin advises being actively engaged in the world by visiting museums, galleries, art fairs, and design shows. While online viewing is convenient, he stresses the importance of seeing art in person to fully appreciate it. He also discusses the role of patience in his design approach, noting that while clients often seek instant gratification, the reality of creating bespoke items, like a sofa, can take months. He advocates for a balanced perspective, prioritizing health and well-being over material possessions, especially after the pandemic. Stilin believes that a space for an aesthetic person or a collector is never truly finished; it is always evolving. He encourages clients to continue building on their interiors over time, adapting them as their tastes change. He does not believe in buying art simply to fill walls, preferring to wait until the perfect piece is found, even if it takes a significant amount of time. Ultimately, he views home as a sanctuary, a place for recharging and feeling safe and comfortable, an essential aspect of self-care in a demanding world. #InteriorDesign #RobertStilin #DesignPhilosophy #ArtCollecting #HomeDecor #AestheticEvolution #Lifestyle #CreativeProcess

Peter Andre recently offered his social media followers a glimpse into his Surrey home, specifically showcasing his open-plan living and dining area. The tour highlighted the stylish and functional design choices within his residence, where he is currently self-isolating with his wife, Emily MacDonagh, and their four children: Amelia, Theo, Princess, and Junior. The kitchen area features pristine white tiles, establishing a clean and bright aesthetic. A prominent navy blue island serves as a focal point, topped with matching tiles and surrounded by sleek black chairs, providing a contrast to the lighter elements. The surrounding countertops maintain a modern look with a sophisticated shade of grey. This design creates a seamless flow into the adjacent living space, which continues the theme of white tiles, unified with the kitchen's flooring. The living area is characterized by comfort and contemporary design. A large, fluffy grey rug anchors the space, complementing the grey sofas that are adorned with matching grey and black cushions. A glass coffee table adds a touch of elegance, while a large flat-screen television is mounted on the wall, indicating a dedicated entertainment zone. The overall color scheme of monochrome tones, primarily black, white, and grey, contributes to a cohesive and chic interior. Beyond the main living and dining areas, the family's home is equipped with various amenities designed for family life and relaxation. A dedicated playroom for the younger children is furnished with colorful foam tiles on the floor and a selection of toys, including a miniature car, dolls' cot, and a pushchair, suggesting a vibrant and child-friendly environment. For family entertainment, the house includes a home cinema, featuring a large screen, a black coffee table, and comfortable sofas. The outdoor space is equally well-appointed, boasting a spacious and sunny garden. This area is designed for both adult relaxation and children's play, featuring chic outdoor furniture, a fire pit, and a playhouse. Additionally, a jacuzzi provides a luxurious element for unwinding. The combination of these features underscores a home designed for both aesthetic appeal and practical family living, accommodating various activities and preferences. #PeterAndre #HomeTour #OpenPlanLiving #InteriorDesign #MonochromeDecor #FamilyHome #CelebrityHomes #KitchenDesign #LivingRoom