Designer Stephanie Freeman infuses a blank canvas in the Raffles Residences with a West Coast-inspired-modernism vibe.
The client is from southern California and loved the idea of a West Coast-inspired space with an emphasis on texture and warm modernism.
An interior designer’s role morphs into many things throughout a project. They can become a confidante, a friend and a conductor directing multiple moving parts. When Stephanie Freeman, the founder of Stephanie Freeman Design (stephaniefreemandesign.com), was tasked with creating an inspired space from a blank canvas in the newly appointed Raffles Residences, she happily donned many hats from draftswoman to art consultant and many things in between.
Pops of raspberry and mauve add color throughout.
When the clients first laid eyes on their potential new place, they saw only a structure made of walls, ceilings and floors, and not the trappings of a home. Two units within the luxury high-rise could be combined to create a unified space, and yet it was hard for the clients, who had a baby on the way, to visualize their growing family residing within the empty rooms. “There was no time to go through a full architectural process. Their real estate agent and my friend, Rachel Goldman of MGS Group, reached out to me to see if I could quickly sketch a buildable concept floor plan. What I drew, which included furnishings and lighting placement for context, was enough to convince the clients, who I had never even met, that this empty space could become their home. And for the most part, that sketch ended up translating into what became the final product,” says Freeman.
Guests are greeted by a 1964 Picasso self-portrait, “Fumer a la Cigarette Rouge,” in the foyer. Galerie D’Orsay’s stepped gold-leaf frame adds a nod to tradition in the modern space.
The clients are busy, successful professionals—he is a biotech venture capitalist, and she is a surgeon—both so focused on building their careers that they haven’t turned their attention to imagining how their home could look. “Even though they were very open to my aesthetic guidance, I wanted to make sure that I zeroed in on inspiration that resonated with them. The wife is originally from southern California, and when I started sharing images of west-coast inspired spaces with an emphasis on texture and warm modernism, she lit up,” says Freeman.
Lichtenstein’s “Peace Through Chemistry” was perfect for the clients who met in Stanford University’s chemistry lab. Art consultant Samantha Hanman was able to locate one from the rare series in pristine condition in a matter of weeks.
With the clients on board and a plan in place, Freeman got to work. As The Lagasse Group began construction, she engaged System 7 Technology Design to help rework the electrical and A/V plan. She collaborated with the builders to refine the original floor plan, adding two fireplace designs and several areas of custom millwork. She also wrapped 80% of the space in a Venetian plaster.
The view from the balcony.
“I knew we needed a soft, light, bright canvas for most of the home and was able to show the clients live examples of Venetian plaster and how it can add just the right amount of sheen and texture to make a white wall feel special,” says Freeman. Construction began in June 2023 and was finished by December of that same year. The Lagasse Group made the entire process smooth every step of the way.
The nursery
Freeman and her team then began to add layers of luxe and polish without making the home feel too formal or fussy. “The clients wanted comfort above all else. They were very trusting aesthetically with the one parameter that we didn’t give them a home they couldn’t relax in after their grueling workdays,” says Freeman. Almost all of the sofas and chairs were sittested by the design team at local vendors like Artefact, Modern Relik, and B&B Italia before purchasing. Freeman and her team added calming natural wood accents throughout, like a custom elm coffee table by Cannon Hill Woodworking, a custom bleached oak dining table by Justin Godar and a dining credenza by Croft House L.A. The wife gravitated toward bold, geometric prints, which Freeman incorporated in the Landry & Arcari entry rug, the James Malone “Harlequin” via Studio 534 office wallpaper and the den’s Christopher Farr “Ocean Squares” grasscloth via Studio 534 fireplace wallpaper to complement and add interest to the softer tonal backdrop. Undyed wool rugs in neutrals throughout the home laid a tapestry for unexpected infusions of color like the pops of raspberries and mauves seen in the kitchen stools, throw pillows and in the primary bedroom. “There’s something magic about the primary bedroom with the watercolor-ombre Rosemary Hallgarten fabric and the deep mauve Venetian plaster enveloping you,” says Freeman.
The client gravitated toward bold, geometric prints.
The nursery is another highlight. The clients wanted a not-too-girly design lightly inspired by their travels to Africa. “I love that the Pierre Frey wallcovering is not instinctive for a nursery but lends a lovely handmade worldly feel,” says Freeman.
Timing was a factor throughout the project as the baby’s due date loomed. A choice was made to keep updates to the kitchen and bathroom minimal and decorative to minimize the scope of the project. Another challenge during the process was figuring out the rug layout and furniture placement within the den’s unusual shape so objects felt centered in relation to the fireplace. Freeman also had to solve for the consideration that much of the unit didn’t have ceiling space for recessed lighting, so she added surface-mounted architectural lighting throughout. There was also a pivot that had to be made in the living room. Initially, Freeman planned built-ins for either side of the fireplace, but while brainstorming with the clients, she realized that better light was needed in the home office. She scrapped her original idea in favor of custom steel and glass pocket doors by Weldwork. “They turned what was a tricky space into one of the most fun and often used rooms in the home,” she says.
Watercolor-ombre Rosemary Hallgarten fabric and deep mauve Venetian plaster envelop in the primary bedroom.
One of the final hats Freeman wore for this project was that of art adviser. As a designer, Freeman brings her personal passion to the art selection process, often collecting and sourcing for her projects. But these clients loved the idea of filling their new home with modern and contemporary art. They didn’t necessarily want rooms with preserved pieces for potential resale. They wanted pieces with wall power that would spark conversation and complete their interior now. They wanted a mix of pieces that had a personal connection, that fit with their design aesthetic, that were fresh and unique and also some that were blue-chip investments.
A custom-bleached oak dining table and credenza add calming natural wood accents.
Freeman connected them with her dear friend and art consultant Samantha Hanman (shcurations.com), the granddaughter of art patrons and collectors. She walks in the art world effortlessly with knowledge, taste and a Rolodex of connected dealers at her fingertips. With Hanman at her side, they sourced almost 20 pieces of art, collaborating on placement in the client’s new condo. Freeman and her team worked hard behind the scenes for a smooth process from acquisition to hanging, insuring and framing every piece of art. “The art selection process becoming very in-depth and engaging was the cherry on top of an already fun project,” says Freeman.
Design Details
Type
Luxury High-Rise
Location
Raffles Boston
Interior Design
Stephanie Freeman Design
stephaniefreemandesign.com
Builders
The Lagasse Group
thelagassegroup.com
Millwork
Mark Richey
Woodworking
markrichey.com
RESOURCES
Allied Maker
Various lighting
alliedmaker.com
Apparatus
Dining room, chandelier
apparatusstudio.com
The Bright Group
Kitchen, counter stools
thebrightgroup.com
Casa Design Group
Home office, desk and shelf
casadesigngroup.com
Design Within Reach
Various furniture
dwr.com
FAIR
Den, side table
fair-design.com
Gallery L7
Den, light fixture
galleryl7inc.com
J. Adams & Co
Entry, sconces
jadamsandco.com
Landry & Arcari
Entry, rug
landryandarcari.com
Lawson-Fenning
Primary bedroom, dresser
lawsonfenning.com
Made Goods
Nursery, dresser/changing table
madegoods.com
The Martin Group
Various fabrics
martingroupinc.com
Monte
Nursery, glider
montedesign.com
Parete
Primary bedroom, wallpaper
paretewalls.com
Partners in Design
Various furniture
partnersindesignltd.com
Patterson Flynn
Various rugs
pattersonflynn.com
Pinch
Primary bedroom, pendant
pinchdesign.com
Soho Home
Nursery, floor lamp and pendant
sohohome.com
Studio534
Various wallpaper
s5boston.com
Thibaut
Entry, wallpaper
thibautdesign.com
TRNK NYC
Living room, pendant
trnk-nyc.com
West Elm
Nursery, crib
westelm.com
Williston Weaves
Various rugs
willistonweaves.com
Photography by: TAMARA FLANAGAN; Styling by SEAN WILLIAM
