With intriguing details throughout, this home design plan in Antwerp is like a jewel box of surprises. From tassel fringe on lampshades to contouring braids on hand-painted wallpaper. There’s always something to stimulate the eye, like the piping on the sofa or the contrasting lining of the curtains.
“It’s the little details that make all the difference,” says Stephanie Barba Mendoza, the creative behind these confident yet surprisingly serene interiors. “They transform a room from good to great,” she added.
Wallpaper, de Gournay. Bespoke corner sofa fabric, Claremont.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
Born and raised in Mexico, Stefani studied under Martin Brudnicki, one of the most notable maximalists of our time, with studios in both New York and London. She spent a decade of her formative years in a London firm, and it was her work as lead designer of the lively interiors of Mayfair’s private members’ club, Annabel’s, that caught the eye of homeowners.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
“I had just started my own studio at the beginning of 2020, so I was initially contacted for help with the reception room,” she recalls. The couple, he Belgian and she Dutch, had built a Tudor-style house on the outskirts of Antwerp six years earlier.
“She was a passionate Anglophile, and every detail was beautifully executed, using very carefully selected materials,” Stephanie says. “She’s also a big collector of antiques and chinoiserie, and loves being bold with color and pattern. We were a match made in heaven.”
Lacquered table, Moissonnier.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
The challenge the owners faced was creating a large sitting room that felt warm and intimate when only the two of them were at home (their two teenage children are at boarding school and university). The question was how should it be arranged?
“My client loves the English country house style of American interior designer Mario Buatta, so along with some gilded Chinoiserie mirrors she already owned, that was our starting point. “It was,” Stephanie says. I found my experience designing for the hospitality industry to be invaluable. We often design large rooms to accommodate small groups, and that’s exactly what we needed here. ”
Wallpaper, GP & J Baker. Carpet, Aegean. Clarence House by Turnell & Guigon, Ottoman fabric.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
Placing two sofas back to back creates a zoning effect, effectively dividing the room in half. Within these two spaces, Stephanie created more intimate pockets, including an area for playing cards and a reading nook next to the fireplace. The star of the show is de Gournay’s hand-painted wallpaper, complemented by the owner’s collection of art and antiques, as well as the fabrics and passementry that provide warmth and comfort.
“I didn’t use printed fabrics because I thought this room needed something richer. I used silk velvet for the sofa and a sturdier tapestry weave for things like the ottoman, which doubles as a footstool. ” says Stephanie, who offset these colorful choices. Leopard print carpet in neutral tones. “My clients love animal print, just like I do,” she admits.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
Excited about the reception room, the owners asked Stephanie to turn her attention to other spaces in the home, including a family room, a dining space off the kitchen, and a large main suite. In the latter case, the preparatory document was a room full of chintz. “I came up with five different options, but in the end the client chose a leafy Jean Monro chintz because it was a big departure from their previous plans.” I think botanical prints are also good for adding calm. ” says Stephanie.
The same fabric is used on the walls, and the bed drapes, armchairs and blinds are also papered, and its luxurious festoon style adds softness to the windows. The carpet, which features a moiré pattern that complements the headboard fabric, is an archival design by Madeleine Castaing, another master of decor.
Wall and bed curtains, Jean Monro by Turnell & Gigon. Velvet braids and velvet braids with fringes. All headboards are Lelièvre. Table lamp, invisible collection.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
“We tracked down a company in France that still makes Madeleine Castaing carpets and made five different samples to get the exact color we wanted,” Stéphanie says. I admit that the level of detail requires some patience. “Everything took a while because we were decorating the house in the middle of a pandemic.”
That patience paid off for Stephanie, and indeed for her customers. “These rooms convey a personality that reflects the owners’ passions and interests. You really get a sense of who they are,” she says. “I truly believe that color and pattern can enrich your life and make it more interesting.”
Window seat cushion in Colefax and Fowler fabric.
(Image credit: Tim van de Velde)
