Interior Designers: Autumn Oser and Andre Golsorkhi | Haldon House
Studio Location: Philadelphia, PA
Client review: Close friends of Oser and Golsorkhi, the clients originally asked the pair to tour another vintage home with them. The designers encouraged the husband and wife to also view this 1925 Georgian mansion designed by renowned architect Horace Trumbauer. While many people wouldn’t be able to see past the dated interiors, Oser and Golsorkhi trusted that their friends would appreciate the great bones and meticulous craftsmanship of the home. They were right — the couple fell in love with the house immediately.
Design Aims: It was important to honor the home’s 1920s architecture while making it functional for a young family. This meant preserving original details — such as the marble staircase and the plaster mural on the dining room ceiling — improving flow so it worked for their young family, and finding a balance between Art Deco-inspired and modern décor.
From the Designers | For each room, we took the same approach: carefully preserving architectural details while creating thoughtful updates. It was important to open up some of the spaces so it had a family-friendly floor plan. We relocated the kitchen to where the dining room was, bringing it into the heart of the home and using the breathtaking plaster ceiling mural as an inspiration for the entire kitchen design. Our client embraced the idea of forgoing appliances on the kitchen island to create an old-world feel, so we were able to create that custom Goebel Cabinetry wooden island.
We definitely imagined the parties in the 1920s that happened in the great room, which is divided into a living area, dining room and bar. Because the interior architecture is so ornate and the living room’s original fireplace is embellished, we brought in more modern lines, such as the custom couch and Banana Republic lounge chair. While we ensured each space in the great room felt separate, we also wanted continuity. So, we carried certain things through, such as the smoked-glass Ethan Allen chandeliers that appear in both the dining and living areas.
We had fun exploring their art aesthetic, which is modern and edgy. We leaned into that. Above the custom sofa in the bar hangs an abstract by FH Art Studio. In the kitchen are Walter Cunningham ink drawings. And an Adja Yunkers lithograph hangs on the office window (we like to place art in unexpected places). There are also many pieces that were passed down. Both of their daughters have paintings by their grandmother in their bedrooms.
We made the primary suite intimate and cozy, lining the back bedroom wall with curtains. Then, to balance the traditional fireplace and moldings, we brought in contemporary furnishings such as the Arteriors chandelier. To make the bathroom feel like a French terrace, we brought in the Matiere porcelain tile from Stone & Tile. We embraced pattern in the closet and color drenched it with Benjamin Moore’s Storm Cloud Gray, once again creating warmth.
Every one of our projects is led from a client perspective. We love learning about each one and what inspires them. We loved bringing their passions into the design, while honoring the architecture of the house. This home hits all those notes.
Photography by Jason Varney.
Styling by Kristi Hunter.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.