“Elegant Rooms that Work” by Stephanie Stokes

Apr

This month will be published, Stephanie Stokes’ first book “Elegant Rooms That Work: Fantasy & Function in Interior Design.”, by Rizzoli.

Clients bring to Interior Designers fantasies about how they want to live. For over thirty years, designer Stephanie Stokes has turned clients’ dreams into realities, into beautiful rooms that work. Stokes’ philosophy that functional rooms are beautiful permeates this book; well thought out rooms make life easier by saving time and energy.

“Elegant Rooms that Work” is different from other books: it is not a portfolio but rather a tell-all in which Stokes shows and explains how to infuse enormous practicality into beautiful, atmospheric environments. This design primer is organized by room type, from multipurpose libraries and kitchens to beautiful entryways and bedrooms.

Stokes has worked on demanding spaces in apartments and houses worldwide. Her extensive exposure to different cultures has contributed to her broad knowledge and appreciation of design. With fresh approaches to color and the ability to mix modern and traditional aesthetics, Stephanie Stokes creates practical and efficient living spaces that reflect today’s lifestyles while recognizing her clients’ individual fantasies, tastes, and special collections.

Some of Stokes’s tips and tricks include:

Setting up flexible rooms with multiple seating areas that are comfortable for all ages and can accommodate anywhere from two to twenty people
Creating flexible closet interiors to allow clients to easily make adjustments to accommodate changing fashions
Installing narrow, vertical pullouts in traditionally unused spaces to serve as storage for jewelry
Using the kick space area under kitchen cabinets for recessed drawers to store serving trays
Doubling large kitchens as media and breakfast rooms
Giving one room five functions: a library can double as a guest room, home office, and a media room with a bar.

Stokes is a master of creating comfortable and multipurpose spaces that include innovative cabinetry, flexible seating areas, and showcases for art collections. Whether you live on a ranch in Colorado or in an apartment in New York City, Stokes’ secrets for maximizing storage and practicality without sacrificing style can be incorporated into the designs for your home.

A former international photojournalist, art historian, and Wall Street investment banker, Stephanie combines a thoughtful approach to architecture, proportion and order. She is known for “understated elegance” and a skillful use of color. Above all, she is practical. With exacting precision, she plans every anticipated need and can turn the tiniest of spaces into a virtual cornucopia of storage – complete with good lighting and comfort.

Stephanie Stokes started her design company, Stephanie Stokes, Inc. in 1982. Prior to that she trained with designer Mark Hampton. Ms. Stokes has completed projects in Manhattan apartments as well as houses in Aspen, Colorado, Bel-Air, California, and numerous houses up and down the east coast.

Published by Rizzoli New York, Stokes’ book will be presented officially by Michael Bruno, Founder & Chairman of 1stdibs and Jim Druckman, President & CEO of New York Design Center, on next Wednesday, April 10^th at New York Design Center, New York City.