Fairytale homes are simple to hunt out in storybooks—trickier to hunt out in precise life. Nonetheless, some make it off the online web page. Residing proof? Stephanie Perez O’Boyle’s whimsical Westchester abode.
Nestled among the many many metropolis’s lush farming villages, rolling hills, and glowing rivers, the designer’s condo brims with fantastical particulars: Floral tableware straight out of a Mad Hatter tea celebration; fluffy blossoms cascading over the home like these in Casa Madrigal; and baskets floating over the banquette as if spellbound by Fairy Godmother herself.
Nonetheless, the home is rooted in Perez O’Boyle’s actuality. Her sort is an amalgamation of her grandparents’ warmth Colombian dwelling, travels all through Europe’s countryside, and wise particulars that accommodate her family—along with a toddler and pup.
Ahead, the Stephanie Perez Studio founder reveals the strategies behind her magical dwelling, from her favorite basic (100-year-old!) work to the {{custom}} island she created alongside along with her father-in-law, and further.
How did you first uncover your home? What about it appealed to you?
My husband and I occurred to walk earlier the condo all through an open house. We decided to pop in — our first impression was that there was quite a lot of work to be accomplished. Nevertheless as an inside designer, and with a father-in-law who’s a carpenter, work doesn’t deter us.
The place had loads potential with large house home windows letting in unimaginable pure light, and it was in a stupendous location near the water. We knew we’d flip it into a comfortable starter dwelling for our rising family.
Want additional design inspiration? Be part of our free every day e-newsletter for the most recent decor ideas, designer strategies, and further!
Describe the encircling neighborhood—does your individual house slot in or stand out?
It’s a condo nonetheless unassumingly so at first look, as a result of it’s nestled between gorgeous residential homes. It blends naturally into the neighborhood with standard white vinyl siding, bay house home windows, and juliette balconies or small patios for all of its inhabitants.
The condo’s landscapers moreover did a implausible job. There are cherry and white blossom bushes, dogwood, hydrangea bushes, tulips, and crops thoughtfully scattered all by way of your full property.
We even have an infinite white blossom tree correct exterior of our consuming room window that climbs better than my son’s mattress room on the second flooring. It’s always such a stupendous time when it’s in bloom.
How would you describe your technique to adorning your individual house?
My sort is lived-in, non-public, and eclectic. I chased a way of cozy, comfortable dwelling with all of my selections. I think about the muse for wonderful design is creating enduring areas filled with recollections and gadgets that really suggest one factor to you.
There are a selection of things on present all by way of my kitchen — whether or not or not it’s the gathering of cookbooks, basic mugs, and tureen on my espresso bar cupboards, or the hanging wall plates inside the consuming nook, which are basic Fajalauza ceramics from Granada, Spain and a favorite of mine to collect.
Who or what are your best design inspirations?
I’m repeatedly impressed by the earlier. Designers I like are Billy Baldwin, Nancy Lancaster, Josef Frank, and Jean Royere. Each thought of one in all them speaks to a particular facet of my sort, whether or not or not it’s creating livable flooring plans, timeless designs, eclectic gadgets, or whimsical moments.
How does your heritage inform your sort?
My mom and father received right here to New York inside the late ‘80s and I grew up visiting Colombia yearly. My grandparents’ house continues to be my favorite place to at the moment.
It’s a Spanish-style dwelling with a terracotta roof, plaster partitions, and a center courtyard that’s uncovered to the climate. The furnishings are unfussy and cozy, and my grandmother retains your full place filled with gorgeous crops, modern flowers, and warmth meals.
One other cultures you take design notes from?
I’ve been lucky adequate to do quite a lot of touring. I’ve visited over 20 nations thus far—with a good longer bucket report. I take notes from British and French nation interiors complete. Nevertheless I actually like amassing basic tableware and handmade pottery from areas like Mexico, Romania, and Hungary.
I’m moreover drawn to the old-world aesthetic from Portugal and Spain, notably their ceramics, tile, and antiques. Lastly, I actually like the colorful and timeless textiles and rugs that come out of India.
What had been the perfect finds in your home?
I’ve so many! Our consuming desk is an classic Nineteenth-century English pine farm desk that I acquired from The Parsons Nostril Antiques. I left it inside the exact state of affairs it received right here in with an unwaxed, aged excessive which will proceed to patina over time.
The gathering of Swedish herbariums inside the entryway are virtually 100-years-old and is from Studio Welby in London, along with the {{custom}} handmade bobbin frames. The hand-painted floral desk lamps on the bamboo entry desk are basic from Portugal—a country I visited with my family and holds incredible which suggests for us.
Nevertheless I really feel basically essentially the most specific piece is the kitchen island, which I designed and had custom-made by my father-in-law. He’s been a carpenter for over 40 years and has his private enterprise, William Thomas Woodworking. My husband and I had been so thrilled that he left us with an unimaginable heirloom piece that grounds your entire home.
Do you might need a favorite design attribute or room?
The basic baskets hanging over the banquette in my consuming nook are a favorite. They’re part of a set I’ve grown over time from my travels and visiting classic retailers. I was impressed by Bunny Mellon, who effortlessly included baskets in all of her areas in order so as to add a layer of warmth and texture.
The place in your home do you spend basically essentially the most time, and what are you usually doing there?
My husband and I every prefer to prepare dinner dinner so we spend the overwhelming majority of our time inside the kitchen, whereas my son and canine play on the banquette or beneath the consuming desk. The room will get loads pure light and we have a patio correct off the kitchen, so we’re normally going between the two areas.
We even have an espresso machine that we had been gifted for our wedding ceremony ceremony by shut mates. My favorite weekend morning train is making a cappuccino and having fun with with my son whereas my husband makes pancakes.