Talk Shop: Zoë Feldman // Zoë Feldman Design
Courtesy of ZFD
ABOUT ZOË
Zoë Feldman Design is an eponymous high-end interior design firm specializing in residential restorations and ground-up construction projects in Washington D.C.’s historic Georgetown neighborhood (where AO lived in college!) ZFD operates under a “make it right” mentality, maintaining a collaborative environment that is fast-paced and goal-oriented. Founder and principal designer Zoë has been decorating homes along the East Coast for more than 15 years.
Zoë studied design at Parsons School of Design and cut her teeth under the tutelage of AD100 designer Alexa Hampton at the Manhattan-based design firm, Mark Hampton, Inc. Currently, Zoë Feldman Design is decorating houses in the Washington, D.C. metro area, New York City, the Hamptons, and South Florida.
Zoë’s design aesthetic is a modernized classicism influenced by art, fashion, architecture, and, of course, each individual client. Through a series of discussions and surveys she learns the style, needs and desires of the client as well as that of the space, to create a timeless, functional and unique environment. Drawing inspiration from the traditional style from her New York training and education, with her early exposure to modern art and design, Zoë works with clients to create a space to suit their personal needs. Her finely tuned knowledge of color, detail and function allows her to work in a range of styles to construct a signature look tailored to reflect the space in which she is working. We love her work for its beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary, exciting use of color, and professionalism on the business side. (We particularly loved her recent interview with Business of Home in which she opened up about how she runs her firm – some great tips in there for other designers!) We sat down with Zoë to chat all things design – check it out below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Collected, evolving, modern.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My childhood home-- a mix of Mid Century Modern furniture and Pop Art, working for Alexa Hampton at Mark Hampton and my grandmother--she was an incredibly progressive and chic woman who exposed me to art and fashion at a very young age.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
It really came out of a combination of desperation, naivety and arrogance. I had been working for Alexa for maybe four years and made a knee jerk decision to move back to my hometown in Florida. I really wasn't quite ready to go on my own but when I began to look around at the other firms, they paled in comparison to my recent exposure. So, I opened my own firm--it's been a wild ride, but somehow it worked out.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I don’t think I have a mentor in the official sense. I would say that Alexa has had the most influence on shaping my career. I was pretty new to the field and quite unsure of myself when I worked for her. Alexa sat me down one day and told me that I had “it”-- this thing you can’t teach someone--I guess a natural talent. When I look back on my life, that stands out as a pivotal moment and kept me going a few times when I was flooded with self doubt and imposter syndrome.
What does your home say about you:
It says that I'm basically the cobbler with no shoes. It says that I torture my family with endless renovations and revisions. I am my worst client. It also says that I love art, objects, travel and unexpected moments of color--and that part--I am very proud of.
Where do you find inspiration:
I find inspiration in history, art, fashion, travel (is that still a thing?!) and nature--sort of the usual, I suppose. But I also find inspiration in whatever building we are working in and the particular client--this part is always the foundation for my design.
Who are your style icons:
Albert Hadley, Jean-Michel Frank, Peggy Guggenheim, Jenna Lyons
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Good friends, good food, good lighting, loads of red wine and a kick ass playlist
Do you collect anything:
Sculptures and objects mostly of the human form
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@elizabeth_roberts_architects, @amyastley, @colinking, @stevengambrel, @farrowandball--but really, it’s always changing.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Ugh, I'm so not a rule follower but I do try to always follow one rule I learned while working at Mark Hampton. The living room must be able to seat the same number of people as the dining room. This is why we often use occasional or secondary seating in the form of hall chairs, benches, etc. But mostly, I feel that rules are meant to be broken, but only once you know them. That said, I break a lot of lighting rules-I tend to prefer extra big or extra small light fixtures. I will also hang as much art as I can--no rules there for me at all.
What are you working on right now:
Lots and lots of outdoor, year-round spaces--this should come as zero surprise.
Wardrobe staples:
An excess of bracelets, smoky eyes (does that count?) and an oversized leather bag (I’m a mom of two toddlers and I care about fashion).
Best interior advice you ever received:
To always add thoughtful tension into my designs--it will keep them from falling flat.
Best career advice you ever received:
To hire people better than I am--it's really brilliant advice.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in art, primary upholstery pieces, plumbing and good bones. Save on: side tables, vintage pieces and rugs
Your greatest extravagance:
Facials and instacart!
Favorite places to shop for home:
1st dibs, Charish, urban electric, waterworks--I like vintage, hand made and well curated.
Most prized possession and why:
My babies, of course. All the beauty in the world could never stand up next to them.
Your interiors motto:
Don’t overthink things--purchase things you love and they will find their way seamlessly into your home.
Your life motto:
I actually have two: Do one thing everyday that scares you and working to leave the world a bit more beautiful than how I found it.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Educate and expose yourself to loads of different design styles through design books (old and new), museums, magazines, and instagram. Design is an ever evolving experience--there is so much beauty out there and you don't have to commit yourself to one aesthetic. Be open to the evolution of the experience.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Sushi
Drink: Casamigos on ice with seltzer water and loads and loads of lime.
Film: Notting Hill
Hotel: Peacock Pavilions outside of Marrakech
City: Paris
Bedding: Matouk
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Both. Coffee w/ loads of sugar free, dairy free creamer (it's really barely coffee). And tea, I like it with milk and a little sugar.
Playlist: The first Spotify playlist my husband, Matt, made for me--it's a great mix of folk rock, indie pop and classics like Otis Redding. It always brings me back to the beginning:)
Weekend Activity: Sunday mornings in bed with the kids.
Design Book: Interior Design Master Class