RICHLY LAYERED
Designer Stefani Stein creates an earthy, laid-back home with nods to tradition and the East Coast for clients Lauren Morelli and Samira Wiley.
By Laura Eckstein Jones
Photography by Sam Frost
Styling by Lisa Rowe
“Both of their East Coast roots factored into their preferences and our aesthetic dialogue,” says Stein, who touched every surface of the 3,700-square foot, two-story house, including the pool and patio areas. “Because the home had been recently renovated in a more pared-down interpretation of the architecture, we all felt strongly that we needed to reintroduce details and character. In a way, that provided a blank slate to layer upon, very minimally—white walls, limited millwork—we had a bit of a blank slate as a foundation.
Angeleno Magazine
March 2022
Written by: Laura Eckstein Jones
One of Stein’s favorite spaces is the living room, or, as she and the clients call it, the salon. “They wanted this room to be a place for gathering, for discourse and ideas, for games with friends,” says Stein. “The 17th and 18th century French salons came to mind while we were exploring how this room would be used, and the pink walls have a slightly darker iteration on the ceiling. Paired with the rust mohair sofa, the room is bathed in this lovely soft light that is quite magical, especially when the fireplace is lit.” Morelli requested drama for the dining room, and Stein delivered, using a custom grass-cloth wallpaper by August Abode, paired with the clients dining table from their former home. The den is another standout. Bathed head to toe in teal—Wiley’s favorite color—the small space has a jewel-box quality. “I added bookshelves and wallpaper that made the space really cozy, with this Adriatic hue that just envelops you.” Stein explains, noting the vintage midcentury chess table. “It was our very first furnishing purchase. We came across it on a shopping outing and Samira, an avid chess player, instantly loved it.”
While all of the home’s spaces are special, George’s nursery holds a special place in Stein’s heart. The clients were pregnant with George while designing the home, and did not know the baby’s gender. They wanted a rustic—but not too rustic—gender-neutral space. Instead of painting or papering the walls, Stein selected pine in random widths. “The natural knots provided a hint of rustic, or more so an organic, backdrop,” she says, noting that the ceiling is painted in Farrow & Ball’s School House White shade, with the walls covered in a custom dilution.
“I adore George’s nursery,” she says. “It is both studied and whimsical. The clients shared how George loves to lie in her crib and gaze at the little birdies on her ceiling fixture. I love when a design detail becomes a special memory or heartfelt moment that brings joy to my clients’ lives.