Pop of Color!

An office nook in shades of pink and blue stands out from the crowd. A reclaimed wood shelf with a live edge adds depth and dimension while the finished stools introduce another layer. For Stein, it’s all about balance. She uses color sparingly through the open space as seen in the vivid mix of pillows on the custom sofa that wears a neutral slipcover.

To capture the bohemian vibe, she relied on suzanis and ikats and other colors and patterns that provided the look she was after with a slight twist. “That’s the beef I have with bohemian. It often looks very casual, not tailored,” says Stein. “I wanted cleaner and fine pieces to balance it out. I wanted it to be layered and collected, but also really edited, so it was both a soothing and a vibrant place. I wanted serenity in there.”

Shopping from the heart gave her a great starting point. “It’s why I buy pieces I love; they always have a home. I went through a phase where I was really into furniture auctions so I would scoop up great vintage pieces like the coffee table and the gilded French upholstered chairs,” says Stein who added items from Craigslist and Ikea along with a few high-end finds like her custom sofa.

“I had things that were collected over time, so once I was in the space I knew what I wanted to keep an eye out for to see what would work,” she says. “It’s really important to live in a space for a bit to see how you use it. That way you’re more prone to enjoy it.”

Her art collection evolved as well. “I have a fantastic grandmother who has great taste,” says Stein about family heirlooms like a framed Victor Vasarely scarf and a vintage painting of colorful ladies by an unknown artist. The art above the desk came from thrift stores while the iconic Philadelphia LOVE sign was a gift from a friend.

As for the skillful mix of textiles, many were scraps gathered through the years and some feature classic black-and-white patterns. “It’s a really colorful place, but there’s not too much color,” she says. “I was cognizant about balance. In a grand space, I wanted a little color to go a long way instead.

The lively environment was certainly big on style. “French meets Asian meets Moroccan–that, to me, is bohemian; hopefully in a way that is pleasing and not jarring to the eye. The overall response has been incredibly receptive,” she says.

Her magical makeovers include a driftwood mirror in a vivid shade. “It didn’t have the compelling look I wanted, so I spray-painted it teal,” says Stein. And the TV cabinet is actually two Ikea nightstands in disguise thanks to some paint and new hardware.

Allowing the loft to come together over time was a wise decision. “To be able to sit in the space and be in the space helped translate to furnishing the space. I’m always encouraging clients to do the same,” says Stein who does what she calls a three-quarter install so clients can see how a home feels before deciding on the final quarter. “It feels more collected, more comfortable, more you.”