A Look Inside this Interior Designer’s Hoboken Home

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

The Houston Estate project, located in a lush Houston neighborhood, exemplifies a seamless integration of traditional and modern design elements, creating a distinctive aesthetic that also showcases the client’s art collection. The entryway sets a grand tone with oversized custom steel doors and plaster walls, a recurring design feature throughout the home. A custom staircase, eclectic artwork, and a floral sofa contribute to a bold, inviting atmosphere, complemented by reclaimed octagon and dot tile from Italy, adding warmth and historical character. The formal dining room features grasscloth wallpaper matching the wood trim, producing a dramatic effect. Each furniture piece in this room is a statement, including a solid travertine table seating eight in velvet barrel-back chairs, and a custom console with a carved wave design. A personalized cupboard was also built to display the client’s china collection. In contrast, the formal living room opts for intricate millwork instead of grasscloth, presenting a color-drenched space where walls, ceiling, and drapes share the same hue, creating a sophisticated and dramatic ambiance. Furniture groupings in this room are arranged around a central fireplace, optimizing both aesthetics and functionality. The kitchen is a custom-designed space, rich with marble and tailored to the height of the homeowner, former MLB player Jason Castro. Details such as a bullnosed countertop profile, bookmatched backsplash, integrated marble sink, and hand-painted plug-in covers reflect meticulous craftsmanship. Oak cabinetry and a black Lacanche range complete the culinary area. The adjacent pantry is notable for its abundant natural light, dark blue cabinetry, soapstone countertops, and brass hardware, creating a moody yet stylish storage solution. An oversized vintage rug adds texture and patina. A casual breakfast nook, located off the kitchen, features a light fixture that harmonizes brass and darker metals, linking it with the kitchen's design. Seating includes comfortable, durable chairs with leather seats and plaid upholstered backs, chosen for a family with young children. Artwork by Tyler Guinn and a Heath Oak Cabinet from McGee & Co. enhance the space. The family room, a more relaxed gathering area, incorporates pieces from Round Top, Texas, and a vintage rug that informs the room's color palette. A curved-back sectional with crypton fabric offers durability, while the fireplace, with its fluted front, curved sides, and reclaimed fire brick, is a focal point. Styled built-ins provide display space for collectibles. The primary suite is designed as a serene retreat with a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. Its neutral palette of browns, greens, creams, and moody blues is layered with custom millwork and relaxed drapes matching the wall color. Abstract artwork by Kimberly Moore is intentionally scaled smaller above the bed. The primary bathroom features unique elements such as a mixed metal vanity and plaster walls and ceilings between wood beams. The guest bedroom offers a calm and serene environment with ample natural light from windows on two sides. It is furnished with McGee & Co.'s Sutherland Bed and luxurious bedding. The ensuite bathroom features contrast trim derived from the wallpaper and a Calcutta marble-topped vanity. The study is dedicated to displaying the homeowner's baseball memorabilia, including Jason Castro's MLB career mementos and a World Series trophy. A herringbone wood floor with a brass inlay defines the room. The playroom features a distinctive wallpapered ceiling and various nooks for children's activities, including a firepole leading to a netted loft and built-in shelving for toys and books. The girls' room is characterized by a bold wallpaper dictating a soft pink contrast trim, layering pattern on pattern for a playful effect. The ensuite bathroom extends the trim color to the walls for cohesion, and an arched shower entry creates an artistic focal point. The boys' room utilizes a dramatic, high-contrast paint color derived from the upholstered headboard, which is complemented by a display of baseball hats as art. Its ensuite bathroom has subway tile throughout and a strategically placed vanity and mirror in front of a window. In the nursery, design elements such as wallpaper with contrast trim and a paneled ceiling are echoed from other areas of the home. The crib is positioned as the focal point for both aesthetic and practical reasons. The laundry room is designed to be a pleasant space, featuring wallpaper, patterned floors, and soft-colored cabinetry. A bold floral pattern is mixed with a geometric one, unified by a cohesive color palette. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TraditionalModernMix #HoustonEstate #FamilyHomeDesign #CustomInteriors #LuxuryDesign #ResidentialDesign #RoombyRoomDesign

The 2025 Real Simple Home event is set to feature two distinct residential spaces in One Park Row, downtown Manhattan: a four-bedroom penthouse suite and a two-bedroom “DIY Annex.” These spaces have been transformed by a team of ten designers, including a celebrity, a group of content creators, and an organizing expert. This initiative marks the first time Real Simple has showcased two apartments for its annual home event. The penthouse suite has been collaboratively designed by several notable figures. Alvin Wayne, founder of Alvin Wayne Interiors, is responsible for the primary suite, bringing his signature blend of modern and vintage elements. Jason Saft, owner of Staged to Sell Home, has taken on the open-plan living room, dining room, and kitchen, leveraging his extensive experience in real estate staging. Drew Barrymore, the renowned actor, producer, talk show host, and business owner, contributed her design aesthetic to a dedicated “feel-good room.” Noz Nozawa, a San Francisco-based designer known for her vibrant, layered interiors, applied her style to the penthouse's wrap-around patio. Alexandra Gater, a Toronto-based stylist and home decor expert, focused on the home's second-floor den, emphasizing budget-friendly yet beautiful design. Candace Griffin, founder of Candace Mary Interiors, designed a children's room, incorporating timeless elegance with modern touches. Mandy Cheng, owner of Mandy Cheng Design, created a versatile guest bedroom/office space. The “DIY Annex” apartment was conceptualized and executed by three prominent content creators. Drew Michael Scott, known for his Lone Fox brand, designed the living room, showcasing his expertise in DIY projects and interior design. Mallory Fletchall, a Brooklyn-based content creator and owner of Reserve Home, contributed her ideas to the annex, drawing from her experience with timeless interiors and vintage finds. Valeria Jacobs, the creative mind behind Rebecca and Genevieve, brought her unique DIY perspective to the space, informed by her passion for interiors and content creation. Rounding out the team is Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, an organizing expert who ensured both spaces were optimized for storage and functionality, offering practical solutions for a well-ordered home. This comprehensive design effort aims to offer a wide range of decorating ideas, organizational strategies, and inspiring transformations for both luxury and budget-conscious homeowners and renters. The project brings together diverse design philosophies and practical approaches to create engaging and functional living environments. #RealSimpleHome #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ManhattanApartments #DesignerShowcase #DIYHomeDecor #CelebrityDesign #HomeOrganization #LuxuryInteriors

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