Zoe Feldman
Zoe Feldman is the founder of her eponymous interior design studio, established in 2004 and based between Washington D.C. and New York City. Known for her fresh and modern interpretation of classic design principles, Feldman creates interiors that balance bold color, rich texture, and playful sophistication with a strong sense of warmth and livability.
Drawing inspiration from art, architecture, and fashion, her work reflects a layered approach shaped by both mid-century modern influences and traditional design training. After studying at Parsons School of Design in New York, Feldman worked at the AD100 firm Mark Hampton under the mentorship of Alexa Hampton, an experience that continues to inform her refined yet approachable aesthetic.
Working on residential projects nationwide, Feldman collaborates closely with creatives, collectors, and design enthusiasts to create interiors that feel personal, timeless, and deeply expressive.
“Know the principles before you break them.”
INTERVIEW
If you have a bad gut feeling about a prospective client, trust it. There is (almost) no amount of money worth white-knuckling it through a treacherous design experience. When I override my instincts, it usually turns out to be unpleasant for everyone involved, and the end product suffers, too.
From my friend Lesley’s dad, the late, great architect Paul Devrouax: Hire people who are better than you.
After college, I started out in advertising. It quickly became apparent that it was not the right industry for me. I had grown up around modern art and mid-century modern furniture (my parents and grandparents were collectors) and had always been drawn to interiors, and my family encouraged me to think about design as a career. I enrolled at Parsons and got an internship under Alexa Hampton at Mark Hampton, the iconic firm started by her dad. I learned so much from her and eventually went on to start my own firm when I left New York.
I will never forget when my mom came to visit me at work in New York, and my boss at the time, Alexa, told her that I really “have it.” It was super validating and was the first time I felt seriously empowered to go after a professional dream. Having that vote of confidence meant everything to me.
Know the principles before you break them. If you start with a classical foundation, you’ll be able to get creative in a way that maintains the integrity of the space. The eclectic elements will look purposeful, not chaotic.
We start by interviewing the client on their lifestyle and personal style. Great design functions seamlessly for the person actually using the space. Using that information, we create a project “mission statement” to act as a North Star throughout the design process. This helps us pull inspiration and start creating a color story.
The people. I am an extreme extrovert. I love getting to interact with interesting people every day, and I get inspired both by my clients and the people I work with, from my staff to the architects and builders we collaborate with.
My team grew really quickly, so figuring out how to properly run an office has been challenging. We hired a human resources firm, which has been great for everyone to know they have an objective third party to go to if they have any issues. Thankfully, my team members seem to genuinely enjoy each other and communicate openly. Now I’m learning to let my more tenured employees use their knowledge and experience to lead initiatives and make decisions for their teams. It’s a strange adjustment to be less involved in day-to-day activities! We also implemented a quarterly sales bonus that applies to all team members—from design to marketing to accounting. It encourages everyone to feel like they are part of the larger mission and working towards a common goal.
Travel, cinema, and being around other creatives. I’m inspired by other people’s creative processes. I’ve been reading music producer Rick Rubin’s book on how to make art, and it’s given me so much perspective. Creativity is a way of being, not necessarily an end goal to strive for. He is an out-of-the-box thinker, and I am inspired by those types. They give me permission to think larger and differently.
People want to maximize the use of all the rooms in their homes. There’s less preciousness in luxury design. Even formal entertaining spaces have a sense of approachability that feels more modern and less archaic. People want both comfort and beauty simultaneously.
READ. Read everything about designers and art that you can get your hands on. Educate yourself so you can learn what you like. Develop a vocabulary for design so that you feel properly informed during your first internship. That is my other advice: Get an internship. There is no replacement for hands-on experience. Remember that great work takes time and practice and does not come from one source. It’s a journey–soak it all up!
We have two very exciting projects in New York coming out next year that we can’t say much about! Stay tuned.
Thank you so much Zoe, for this lovely interview!
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