The One Room Zoe Feldman Will Never Forget

Interior designers and other experts in the home industry work on an impressive number of spaces throughout their careers. But even if some of the makeovers and redesigns start to blend together after a few years, there are some rooms that are just truly unforgettable. 

So, to give designers a chance to revisit their favorite projects—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the one room these pros will remember forever. For some, there’s a sentimental connection, for others, there was an obstacle they never thought they’d overcome. But no matter what, these rooms are worth remembering.

It’s rare that a designer spends extensive leisure time in a client’s space before executing its makeover, but recently, Zoe Feldman had the special opportunity to revamp a home for a close friend. “I have loads of memories in the space, pre-renovation,” Feldman says of the Washington, D.C. home. “I obviously knew the client extremely well, so I was able to subtly integrate parts of her life into the renovation without it feeling forced.” 

Read on to see how Feldman gave this kitchen a new life and stylistic meaning.

The kitchen, which Feldman describes as “classic, refined, and Old World” was just one of many rooms that she tackled in the home. “The original town house was built in the 1990s, so there was little to no existing charm,” she explains. “We really had to start from scratch, architecturally.  There was very little symmetry and almost no storage. A lot went into re-designing the space just so it could flow and function properly.” 

Feldman chose to divide the original expansive kitchen into both a cooking space and a dining room. “By centering the opening, removing an awkward fireplace, and replacing the back doors, we were able to double its size by engaging both sides of the room and placing the dining table in the center in lieu of an island,” Feldman explains. “Originally, we worried that a lack of island would result in insufficient storage, but it just forced us to carve out storage elsewhere and in a more meaningful way.” 

Feldman describes the project as taking what was essentially a basic box and re-constructing it to add soul and architectural interest. But, she notes, “It really feels like it's all been this way forever.”

She greatly appreciates the textural elements of the space. “I love how quiet the palette is,” she reflects. “The varied use of materials—stone, steel, brass, wood, and nickel—all add interest and warmth without feeling chaotic."  

The large scale use of plaster was new for Feldman’s team, too. “Plaster just allows spaces to feel blended in such an effortless and gentle way; I love how it engages a space,” she explains. “We use it so much more now.” 

Feldman’s favorite pieces within the room include the open shelf with brass detailing, which “just adds an additional aesthetic element to an already lovely detail,” she says. She also loves the Café appliances, which were an amazing, last minute find. "They’re a total affordable luxury—the hardware really sold me," she notes.