Zoe Feldman Design Introduction
Zoe Feldman Design is a boutique interior design firm specializing in luxury residential projects in Georgetown, one of Washington, D.C.’s historic neighborhoods. With over fifteen years of experience, Zoe and her team restore historic homes, preside over projects from the ground up, and welcome a great diversity in design opportunity along the way.
“We believe great design should remain accessible and attainable. Like fashion, design is not simply about luxury-it should be welcoming and enriching,” says Zoe.
Describing a Distinct Interior Style
Sustainability is central to Zoe Feldman’s design ethos. “Every home we design encompasses vintage and antique furniture. There’s something beautiful about the relationship of past and present,” she says.
Very often, her firm’s projects touch upon the subject of historic home renovation in Georgetown. “I love modernizing interiors while preserving their original character, giving them a feeling of being in motion instead of being frozen in time.”
Unlike some designers who follow a signature style, Zoe favors her adaptable approach. “We step outside our comfort zone constantly. Rather than focusing on a singular look, we aim to evoke a feeling-something that makes people say, ‘This feels like Zoe’s work.'”
The Path to Building Up Zoe Feldman Design
Fifteen years ago, partially due to frustration, Zoe embarked on starting her own firm. “I was working for a prestigious New York design firm, but something was missing,” she recalls. “I hated working under someone else. I moved down to Florida and couldn’t find anything that felt like a fit. I wasn’t ready to run my own business, and I made every mistake in the book. But it was when I moved to D.C. in 2004 that everything fit in. I fell in love with the architecture and the whole time it was: I just want to create something of my own.”
Design Is in Her Blood
Zoe’s path to interior design wasn’t a straight line. “I started in advertising, and I hated it. My mom was the one who suggested interior design, but I had never thought about it as a career.” Zoe was raised around Pop Art and worked with her mother’s decorator, developing an eye for aesthetics but not quite knowing what it meant.
Studied at Parsons School of Design, her career developed from there into the prestigious Mark Hampton Inc. firm in Manhattan. “At home, I was surrounded by colorful Pop Art. At Mark Hampton, I was introduced to classical and traditional designs. The tension between those two influences defined my voice.”
Zoe’s house is yet another dynamic entity. “It’s always undergoing renovations and redecorating,” she says, adding, “But the one space I like the most is my living room, where I entertain, where I hang with family, and where I display my most exciting artworks.”
So what is a perfect living-room to her? “An obscene amount of art,” she laughs. “Not just one piece-one gallery of artworks. I love to mix in mid-century classics and antiques that carry history. Soft neutrals accentuate the art pieces, and I use sculptures as functional features in the room.”
Design Is in Her Blood
Zoe’s path to interior design wasn’t a straight line. “I started in advertising, and I hated it. My mom was the one who suggested interior design, but I had never thought about it as a career.” Zoe was raised around Pop Art and worked with her mother’s decorator, developing an eye for aesthetics but not quite knowing what it meant.
Studied at Parsons School of Design, her career developed from there into the prestigious Mark Hampton Inc. firm in Manhattan. “At home, I was surrounded by colorful Pop Art. At Mark Hampton, I was introduced to classical and traditional designs. The tension between those two influences defined my voice.”
Zoe’s house is yet another dynamic entity. “It’s always undergoing renovations and redecorating,” she says, adding, “But the one space I like the most is my living room, where I entertain, where I hang with family, and where I display my most exciting artworks.”
So what is a perfect living-room to her? “An obscene amount of art,” she laughs. “Not just one piece-one gallery of artworks. I love to mix in mid-century classics and antiques that carry history. Soft neutrals accentuate the art pieces, and I use sculptures as functional features in the room.”
Contemporary Interior Design Trends
As Zoe says, “There’s never one trend at one time. The present one goes for the neutral palettes and organic materials that go on the sustainability line of thoughts and creativity-along with whatever we have.”
The Most Rewarding Aspect of a Project
She adds, “The final reveal is always the most thrilling for me. The initial stages take time; as far as I’m concerned, the space comes alive once every finishing touch is in its place, especially the art. At that point, it has a heartbeat!”
Finding Inspiration Everywhere
Zoe’s inspirations for her design come from a lot of sources. “Each building tells its story; each client tells theirs-that’s the foundation. Beyond that, fashion, color, and art are a source of inspiration. Recently, I found deep inspiration from Mad Men.”
She further adds that travel and cultural exposure are other big influences. “French architects must be close to my heart now, and I dream of working on a historic building in Paris. Being a creative means you can’t stick around one place for too long.”
An Art Life Forever
Art speaks for all-time being in Zoe’s life. “My grandmother had an enormous art collection, which I still draw inspiration from. One of my favorites is Alex Katz-His playful deconstruction of figuration feels just as much of the moment today.”
Upon prompting about her favorite art movement, she says: “Definitely Pop and Modern Art. I like the abstract side of Picasso; Keith Haring and Warhol really inject a lot of color and energy-Maybe that’s one of the fascinating things about art, that it’s layered; one movement inspires the next.”
Art Is the Soul of the Interior Design Process
“To me, a room is never complete until the art comes in. Furniture is kind of a canvas; art is the overlay that breathes everything to life,” Zoe emphasizes. “Interior design and art form a cooperative symbiosis; they never fight with each other, but instead, they nourish and heighten each other’s expression.”
Dreaming Big: The Future of Zoe Feldman Design
The horizon seems big for Zoe, who says, “I would love to do a historic property in Paris, but I also want to do a boutique hotel-one that is still residential in feel. This would allow for more experimental uses, more artistic integration where we get design to feel like a living gallery.”
She sees it as an art experience for the guests outside the traditional gallery. “Seeing a painting in a museum is one thing, but putting it in a home-or a hotel-brings it further. Art transforms space, and I want to bring that alive.”
Zoe Feldman continues to stretch the boundaries of interior design, marrying history with modern, sustainable luxury design with art. She proves that fabulous interiors are not just about beauty, the interiors tell a story, bring in memories, and, most importantly, they feel like home.