Designer Friday: An Aspire Exclusive Interview With William Hefner

California-based interior designer and founder of Studio William Hefner, William Hefner has been one of LA’s most respected interior designers for over three decades. Having designed many of Southern California’s finest luxury residences, in a multitude of architectural and aesthetic styles, Hefner is known for integrating and creating a seamless bridge between a home’s natural landscape and its design. Learn more about this legendary designer in this week’s Designer Friday.

This wet bar and wine cellar is sophisticated and lively; a wonderful place for sampling fine spirits.

This wet bar and wine cellar is sophisticated and lively; a wonderful place for sampling fine spirits.

Andrew Joseph: Are you a good cook? If so, what’s your specialty?
William Hefner: Yes, I’m a good cook. At the moment my family really appreciates a pasta I make with penne, tuna, and tomato sauce. It always disappears quickly.

AJ: How would you describe your personal style?
WH: My preferences in clothing mirror my tastes in architecture: things that are tested and classic, and that I don’t get tired of. I’ve found over time that I always come back to the same basics: Malo jeans, khaki pants, cashmere sweaters.

AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
WH: Dream project would be a boutique hotel.

A striking hallway is fitted with black and white checkered marble tiles– leading the eye to an unconventional work of art. The late Queen’s pink bubblegum is complemented by the brass and mauve lacquered consoles.

A striking hallway is fitted with black and white checkered marble tiles– leading the eye to an unconventional work of art. The late Queen’s pink bubblegum is complemented by the brass and mauve lacquered consoles.

AJ: Style (or design) icon?
WH: Tom Ford. At the moment I’m also loving Gio Ponti.

AJ: What are three things you can’t live without?
WH: LL Bean totes — I always have 4 or 5 of them loaded up with different things; A vintage Porsche — I just think they were so on the design when they made those cars so classic; Morning swims — whether I’m traveling or at home, a morning swim makes my day.

AJ: What’s your current TV obsession?
WH: My current TV obsession is Succession. A friend got me hooked and now I keep going back to see episodes or parts of them to observe the nuances I missed the first time around.

This modern, California-style foyer elegantly plays with geometric shapes.

This modern, California-style foyer elegantly plays with geometric shapes.

AJ: If you had one more hour in the day what would you do with it?
WH: If I had one more hour in the day I would read. Just seems like it’s the thing I’m always too tired to devote proper time to.

AJ: What’s your go-to snack between zooms?
WH: My go-to snack between Zooms is fresh-pressed green juice and macadamia nuts.


About the Designer | Los Angeles-based Studio William Hefner has been recognized as one of Los Angeles’s most-respected design firms since its founding in 1989. Hefner designs many of Southern California’s finest luxury residences in a range of architecturally authentic styles, integrating architecture, interior and landscape design into one unified approach. This past summer William released California Homes II, his second monograph of the many California homes his firm has dreamed up since 2013, following the success of the first iteration of the same name eight years ago.

Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.

aspire design and home is seeker and storyteller of the sublime in living. It is a global guide to in-depth and varied views of beauty and shelter that stirs imagination; that delights and inspires homeowners as well as art and design doyens. Collaborating with emergent and eminent architects, artisans, designers, developers and tastemakers, aspire creates captivating content that savors the subjects and transports with stunning imagery and clever, thought-provoking writing. Through lush and unique visuals and a fresh editorial lens, aspire explores what is new and undiscovered in art, interiors, design, culture, real estate, travel and more. aspire design and home is an international narrative and resource for all seeking the sublime.