Designer Friday: An aspire Exclusive Interview With Steph Schlegelmilch

For some, it’s nature; For others, it’s nurture; For Steph Schlegelmilch, it’s both. A born creative, as the daughter of a contractor, she spent much of her free time accompanying her father to construction sites across Stamford, Connecticut. Those “bring your daughter to work days” profoundly shaped her childhood. At a young age, she innately understood the importance of “home,” and what it took to create one. That’s why it was no surprise to anyone when, as a child, she declared that she would one day become an interior designer. Steph followed her passion to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to study interior design. She was particularly smitten by textiles, and she pursued that focus with gusto (it would later become a cornerstone of her design aesthetic). After graduating in 2013, she relocated to Westport, CT, a stone’s throw from her hometown, to work for a local interior designer. In 2017, the time came for Steph to decide what was next — and she knew exactly where she was going. She took the leap to become an entrepreneur, founding her own interior design firm, Studio Seva. See Steph’s beautiful designs in today’s Designer Friday.

Layered textures make this monochrome bedroom rich with depth, proving that neutrals can be just as striking as color. Photo by Coley Stevens

Andrew Joseph: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
SS: Timeless, livable, elevated.

AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
SS: Traveling and really disconnecting always seems to rejuvenate me. I often surprise myself when I return from a European trip, discovering a newfound appreciation for a design element that I hadn’t explored before. Like recently, I fell in love with this vintage Murano glass chandelier from my honeymoon in Italy and now I just have to have it for my own home. It’s cool — I feel like my design style seems to evolve every time I take a break.

This stylish home bar maximizes a compact space with bold black stone, floating shelves, and a seamless blend of function and elegance. Photo by Kirsten Francis

AJ: How do you incorporate client feedback into your designs?
SS: In the early stages of our design process, we dedicate a lot of time to understanding our clients — sometimes even assigning them a bit of homework! We ask new clients to share images that inspire them and complete a detailed questionnaire during the onboarding process. One of my favorite questions we ask is: “How do you want to feel when you walk into your home, in 3-5 words?” I find their answers much more revealing than typical stylistic terms like “modern” or “contemporary.”

AJ: What is your favorite design element to incorporate into your projects?
SS: We incorporate natural materials that patina and age gracefully in every home we design. From tumbled limestone flooring, to vintage furniture, to hardware that has a living finish, I believe there should be a sense of warmth and history in every home we design. These touches also give a home some grace and allow our homeowners to feel like they can comfortably live in their spaces!

The bold Arabescato marble backsplash makes a statement, balanced by the warmth of a fluted wood island and woven pendants. Photo by Rikki Snyder

AJ: What is your favorite type of space to design?
SS: I enjoy designing powder baths most! This is a space where clients often feel more at ease taking design risks and investing in high-quality materials. We have fun turning these areas into little jewel boxes and since it’s a space that guests also experience, why not make it exceptional? Those small touches like finding the right candle, hand soap or guest hand towel are incredibly important too!

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