In a stunning display of decisive design, Stephanie Perez O’Boyle purchased and renovated a “boring, blank slate” condo during her ninth month of pregnancy, creating a layered, family-friendly home that embodies the power of instinct-driven interiors and proves that great design thrives under pressure.
Most expecting parents are preparing nurseries, but designer Stephanie Perez O’Boyle was signing closing papers. At nine months pregnant, she and her husband impulsively bought a dated 1980s two-bedroom condo in Westchester, New York, envisioning a blank canvas for their growing family. The property had no architectural character and an awkward layout, yet its abundant natural light and beach proximity hinted at untapped potential. This snap decision—made during a casual walk—launched a three-year renovation that unfolded alongside the joyous chaos of early parenthood.
The initial months were a study in contrasts: while welcoming their newborn, the family lived in a construction zone with a “kitchen” consisting of a microwave on a folding table. Perez O’Boyle balanced site meetings with subcontractors, sketching cabinetry in real time, and hunting for materials with an infant in tow. She completely reconfigured the home’s footprint, converting the original two bedrooms into three and redistributing square footage to suit family life. Custom millwork, paneling, and built-ins—crafted by her father-in-law—injected the architectural soul the condo lacked.
Designing a Narrative, Not Just a Space
Without historic bones to guide the project, Perez O’Boyle crafted her own narrative, blending coastal Americana memories from Newport with European influences from travels through England, Spain, Portugal, and her grandmother’s home in Colombia. The result is a home that feels inherited rather than imposed, where every vintage basket, antique mirror, and collected trinket tells a story. “Without historic bones dictating the story, we were able to craft the narrative ourselves,” she notes. This approach turns constraints into creative fuel, a lesson for anyone facing tight budgets or timelines.
Perez O’Boyle, who founded Stephanie Perez Studio in 2021, emphasizes that good design transcends aesthetics. “This is a home shaped by circumstance and defined by intention,” she says. “It tells our story in a way no other place ever could.” Her work, recognized when she was named a House Beautiful Next Wave designer in 2024, champions layered, lived-in spaces that evolve with families.
Room-by-Room Revelations: Functionality Meets Personality
The renovation prioritized practical family living while weaving in personal touches. Key spaces include:
- Kitchen & Dining Nook: A former narrow galley expanded by stealing space from the dining room, now featuring a custom pine-stained island and checkered marble tiles for European country charm. The adjacent nook, anchored by a 19th-century English farm table, serves as the primary family dining spot.
- Living Room: Designed for “deep liveability,” it mixes multiple seating areas with vintage finds like a bamboo table from LiveAuctioneers, perfect for board games and relaxation.
- Children’s Bedrooms: The son’s room, inspired by Winnie the Pooh, integrates vintage treasures he selected himself—from baseball mitts to quirky bookends. The daughter’s nursery blends nostalgic children’s books with a Bemelmans Bar painting and a Grimm’s Fairy Tales light fixture, showing that nurseries can be as layered as any other room without rigid themes.
- Primary Bedroom: A serene retreat with stacked drapery panels disguising off-center windows, focusing on dynamic neutrals and textures for rest.
- Kid’s Bath: Originally an en suite, it now uses timeless materials—marble, unlacquered brass, beadboard wainscoting—to grow with the children, including a discreetly hung vintage mirror.
- Powder Room: A “jewel box” with embroidered fern wallpaper from Madeleine Castaing’s collection, green millwork, and Newport-sourced art for a saturated, romantic feel.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Home
Perez O’Boyle’s journey offers immediate lessons for homeowners and renovators:
- Decide Fast, Trust Instincts: The condo purchase happened in days, not months. In a hot market or life transition, swift, confident decisions can secure opportunities.
- Embrace Construction Chaos: Living through renovation with kids requires flexibility. Create temporary solutions (like a microwave kitchen) and focus on end-goal functionality.
- Narrative Over Perfection: Incorporate personal artifacts and travels to build a home that tells your story. Avoid over-theming spaces like nurseries; let them evolve with your child’s interests.
- Prioritize Layout for Family Life: Redistribute square footage to accommodate gathering spots, play areas, and storage. Open, multifunctional nooks can replace formal rooms.
- Vintage and Custom Balance: Blend vintage finds with custom millwork to add character affordably. Family-built elements, like Perez O’Boyle’s father-in-law’s work, infuse meaning.
About the Designer
Stephanie Perez O’Boyle is a self-taught interior designer who founded Stephanie Perez Studio in 2021. Her work has been featured nationally and internationally, with a focus on homes that reflect a family’s unique story. The 2024 House Beautiful Next Wave honor highlights her rising influence in creating authentic, layered interiors.
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