Interior Design Studio in Connecticut and New York

Our philosophy

These spaces should be uncomplicated yet highly curated, in which every item is purposeful and adds its magic as another layer of the home’s story.

We care deeply about every single detail, and how these all come together as a sum of many parts. A careful consideration and integration of light, materials, nature, and history results in homes that equally respond to their context, but are not bound by style, genre, or location.

When building from scratch, we take a fully holistic perspective to ensure architecture and interiors blend seamlessly with each other and their context. For renovations, we feel the soul of the home and find ways to bring out its innate qualities through combinations of design elements, gestures, materials, and objects—always following the waves of inspiration to achieve the best results.

Our values

We fully appreciate the level of responsibility and intimacy that comes with designing someone’s home. We therefore conduct ourselves with the highest levels of honesty, integrity, frankness, and respect, reassuring our clients that they can trust us to conceptualize and complete their home with the utmost care, and within their budget.

We care deeply about working with genuine, like-minded people to help us craft spaces for living that honor the story and soul of the building, and go beyond expectations to deliver exceptional quality. We therefore work with loyal vendors, suppliers and tradespeople that share our values, and look for clients that love and appreciate great design as much as we do.

These values have resulted in well-established relationships with our collaborators and longstanding friendships with our past clients, and we’re confident that this will continue well into the future.

Architectural Services

We lead and manage architectural projects ranging from renovations and extensions to ground-up construction, with particular expertise in the transformation of older homes.

For each project, we curate a team of experienced professionals suited to its scale, complexity, and location, engaging and coordinating licensed architects, engineers, and specialist consultants as required. This allows us to provide our clients with a cohesive, highly managed process, with a single design vision carried from the earliest concept through construction.

Our commercial design background brings a rigorous, detail-oriented approach to every project. We place particular emphasis on comprehensive documentation and close coordination between the design team, consultants, fabricators, and contractors—helping facilitate accurate bidding and a well-executed build.

With extensive experience working in Europe and internationally, we also bring a global perspective to sourcing, materials, craftsmanship, and construction, connecting our clients with exceptional resources while remaining focused on quality and value.

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Interior Design

We offer a comprehensive interior design service, encompassing space planning, material and finish selection, custom furnishings, lighting, fixtures, and decoration. From intimate residences to expansive homes, historic properties to minimal contemporary spaces, each project is approached individually, balancing architecture, interiors, and the way our clients live.

We guide our clients through every stage of the design process, carefully managing each project from initial concept through installation. Our involvement extends beyond the interiors themselves, coordinating closely with architects, contractors, craftspeople, fabricators, and other specialists to ensure that every element contributes to a cohesive whole.

Drawing on an extensive network of makers, artisans, galleries, and suppliers, we source furniture, objects, materials, and fixtures from around the world. When the right piece doesn't exist, we create it—designing everything from large-scale built-ins and bespoke furniture to lighting, hardware, and one-of-a-kind details, working with exceptional craftspeople to bring each piece to life.

The result is a highly considered interior where functionality, quality, materiality, and beauty come together, with attention given to every detail.

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Fabrication

Our background in retail and commercial design has given us extensive experience in custom fabrication, along with a trusted network of fabricators, makers, and craftspeople across the United States and internationally. From specialist ceramics in Rome to architectural millwork in upstate New York, we seek out the right expertise for each individual piece rather than limiting a project to a predetermined group of suppliers.

We design and develop custom kitchens, cabinetry, millwork, furniture, fixtures, and architectural elements, allowing us to create pieces specifically for the space rather than relying on off-the-shelf solutions. Working directly with fabricators also gives us greater control over material, quality, detailing, and value.

Our process begins by establishing the functional requirements and parameters of each piece, followed by concept design and design development. We then work closely with the selected fabricator as the design is translated into shop drawings, prototypes, samples, and ultimately fabrication.

Our role continues throughout the process—from identifying and engaging the right specialist to reviewing details, materials, samples, and fabrication—helping ensure that the finished piece remains true to the original design intent and is executed to an exceptional standard.

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Residential

We bring 20 years of experience to our residential projects, working across architecture and interior design to create cohesive, holistically considered homes. From ground-up construction to renovations and extensions, we work throughout New York, Connecticut, and beyond, using our intuition and high taste level to conceptualize and execute spaces that feel timeless, distinctive, and deeply personal.

Our clients entrust us with one of their most significant investments—their home—and we take that responsibility seriously. We intentionally take on a limited number of projects each year so that we can remain deeply engaged in every project and provide the highest level of personal attention and service from beginning to completion.

In every home we design, we consider the experience as a whole, from architecture and spatial planning to texture, lighting, fixtures, furnishings, and the details that give a space its character. Whether creating an intimate living room, a light-filled workspace, or a bedroom designed for complete relaxation, we want every room to have its own identity while still feeling naturally connected to the home as a whole.
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By bringing architecture and interior design together under one roof, we are able to consider every facet of a project in concert. Rather than approaching ourselves as simply interior designers, interior architects, or residential architects, we see our role as holistic designers—creating homes in which architecture, interiors, and the way people live are considered together.

Process

We bring the same discipline and attention to execution that informs our commercial work to every residential project. Throughout the design process, we collaborate closely with trusted vendors, craftspeople, contractors, and fabricators to ensure that each element of a home is made and installed to the highest quality and best value.
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Our hands-on project management extends from construction through the final layers of furniture, lighting, art, and accessories. By remaining closely involved throughout the process, we are able to maintain the integrity of the design while ensuring that every detail is handled with care.

People

For the Stewart-Shafer team, strong relationships are fundamental to great design. The collaboration between client, designer, vendor, contractor, and craftspeople is an essential part of creating a home that feels thoughtful, personal, and complete.

We believe that the best residential projects emerge from this shared process. By bringing together our team and trusted partners, we create architecture and interiors that respond to their surroundings, feel distinctive without being overly designed, and stand the test of time.

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Commercial

With 20 years of experience in commercial design, we bring a deep understanding of how architecture, interiors, branding, and customer experience come together to create spaces that are both distinctive and purposeful. Our commercial work spans premium retail, boutique environments, pop-ups, activations, and multi-location rollouts across the US and abroad, with experience ranging from luxury brands such as Thom Browne and John Varvatos to independent retailers such as Lovely Bride.

We approach every commercial project by first understanding the brand, its audience, and the experience it wants to create. Whether developing a new retail environment or translating an established identity across multiple locations, we consider the relationship between the space and the people moving through it. Layout, materials, lighting, fixtures, visual merchandising, and custom elements are thoughtfully integrated to create environments that feel intuitive, memorable, and unmistakably connected to the brand.

Our experience extends well beyond the design of the space itself. We have worked closely with in-house creative and design teams, landlords, contractors, fabricators, and vendors around the world to bring complex projects and large-scale rollouts to life. From space planning and fixture packages to custom furniture, lighting, hardware, and visual elements, we are comfortable managing the many layers of a commercial project while maintaining a cohesive design vision from beginning to opening day.

Lease negotiation consulting
Click-to-brick branding
Space planning and spatial layouts
Store rollouts
Fixture packages
Brand image
Visual merchandising
Custom furniture and lighting
Mechanisms and hardware
Pop-ups and activations

Process

We believe the strongest commercial spaces come from a highly collaborative process. We work closely with our clients and their teams to understand the goals of the business, the realities of the site, and the needs of the customer before developing a design direction. Throughout the project, we balance creativity with the practical considerations of budget, schedule, construction, fabrication, and long-term functionality.

Our relationships with trusted vendors, fabricators, contractors, and other project partners are an important part of this process. Whether we are creating a single destination or coordinating a rollout across multiple locations, we remain closely involved through design development, fabrication, installation, and completion. This hands-on approach allows us to protect the integrity of the design while ensuring that every detail is executed with care.

People

For the Stewart-Shafer team, collaboration is at the heart of successful commercial design. We value the relationships we build with clients, brand teams, creative directors, contractors, and vendors, and believe that the best work comes from bringing different perspectives together around a shared vision.

Our commercial experience allows us to move comfortably between the creative and operational sides of a project, helping brands translate their identity into physical environments that are engaging, functional, and lasting. Whether developing a new concept, shaping a brand's physical presence, or bringing a multi-store rollout to completion, we approach every project with the same level of thoughtfulness, creativity, and attention to detail.

Pre Design Phase

For any new commercial interior space, we research and assess the existing conditions and code requirements, then discuss thoughts, ideas and options with our clients before we begin the design process. This allows us to put forward initial concepts that prioritize aesthetics, well being, and future-focused design, which also align with a client's budget.

Schematic Design Phase

As seasoned commercial interior designers, we always consider the layout, functionality, natural light, and other conditions of each new space as part of our schematic designs. Through the use of high-quality materials, our goal is to ensure the designs for commercial spaces are visually appealing and create a lasting impression, while remaining code compliant. We value client feedback throughout the process, at this and in previous stages.

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Christine Stucker

Founder / Creative Director

A creative powerhouse, Christine Stucker’s exceptional taste and intuitive visual eye allow her to shape unexpected and highly sophisticated spatial experiences.

Chris studied Fine Art and Design at the University of Kansas, and spent the early part of her career as an artist, before a natural progression into furniture design and fabrication. Senior positions with renowned luxury brands including John Varvatos and Betsey Johnson soon followed, where she gained invaluable knowledge in executing retail concepts, producing bespoke furniture, and sourcing unique decor. Meanwhile, her time spent managing Demisch Danant gallery—which specializes in furniture inspired by 20th-century French design—further developed her appreciation for the entwined and inseparable relationship between art and design; beauty and function. A result of constantly traveling for education and inspiration, Chris exudes worldliness and self-assurance, yet retains the directness and no-nonsense sensibility that only comes from 17 years as a New Yorker. As co-founder of Stewart-Schäfer, Chris is the creative risk-taker, bringing together her remarkable perception of color, texture and materials with an innate sense for space, narrative, and detail.

James Veal

Founder / COO

James Veal’s refreshing viewpoint stems from an aversion towards dogmatic design and his ability to think outside the box to develop innovative spaces.

After studying business in Cambridge, England, James worked in construction and project management, honing his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit. After yearning for more creative outlets, he began to travel the world and help brands glean inspiration from unique sources. It was during this time that James developed his photography practice and captured an array of cultural inspiration that Stewart-Schäfer continues to leverage. Later, James followed his passion for design and curation to New York, where he worked in production to create distinct moods and environments for notable fashion photographers such as Mario Testino. Wanting to give permanence to these fleeting yet powerful photo shoots, James transitioned towards creating long-lasting interiors. He co-founded Stewart-Schäfer in 2009 with the aim of helping clients evolve past conventional modes of thinking to reinvigorate their visual brands.

Virtual Consultation

Every project requires a different level of involvement, so we tailor our approach to the specific needs, scale, and location of each project. Our integrated digital workflow allows us to work effectively with clients and project teams anywhere in the world—whether a project is managed predominantly remotely or combines virtual collaboration with site visits and in-person meetings.

We use 3D modeling, photorealistic renderings, digital presentations, and visualization tools to communicate ideas with clarity and allow our clients to experience spaces before they are built. Materials, proportions, furnishings, and architectural details can be explored and refined together, regardless of location.

We also integrate emerging technologies, including AI, where they can improve research, visualization, documentation, coordination, and communication. These tools helpus work more efficiently and provide greater clarity throughout the design process, while creative direction and decision-making remain firmly in thehands of our studio.This flexible approach allows us to assemble and coordinate the right team for each project, collaborate with specialists and fabricators across the United States andinternationally, and maintain the same level of design consideration and attention to detail regardless of where a project is located.

Founders

Leading a purposefully small team, partners James and Christine work together in perfect symbiosis, balancing organic and linear; texture and sheen; artistry and precision; old and new in each and every one of their projects.

The duo lives and breathes design, having developed a broad knowledge and deep comprehension of this discipline over their years of combined experience. Yet they are constantly exploring and experimenting in order to blend influences, styles, and eras into residential spaces that feel both contemporary and timeless.

Intuitively understanding what a home and its owners require to live harmoniously, the designers utilize their background in creating emotive retail experiences to craft spatial narratives that not only look beautiful and feel comfortable, but also add value, function effortlessly, and offer something imaginative and unexpected.

Stewards of great design. Shepherds through the creative process.

Stewart-Schäfer combines James’s middle name, derived from steward—a custodian, in this instance of thoughtful and impactful design; and Christine’s grandmother’s maiden name, German for shepherd—a guide, to help navigate the often wildering creative process.

We are a forward-thinking interior design and architecture studio that believes in the seamless integration of multiple disciplines in space design. Driven by passion and guided by a design-centric philosophy, our studio embraces a people-first approach. We believe in the power of collaboration between various design disciplines to create harmonious and innovative spaces that prioritize the human experience.

Our Philosophy

timeless living room design with natural lighting

We believe in a nonlinear approach to design that disrupts limitation and stirs imagination. (Read More)

We strive to create timeless and unique spaces that are purposeful and detail-oriented, and that perfectly balance function and beauty.

Our Values

living room interior design by Stewart-Schafer in Easton CT

We take a people-first approach to our thoughtful, emotive work. (Read More)

Always at the forefront of our practice are the people with and for whom we are working.

Our Services

Services

Architecture

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Interior Design

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Fabrication

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Virtual Consultation

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Sectors

Residential

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Commercial

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View Our Work

Interior design by Stewart-Schafer - exterior view

Founders

Christine Stucker

Founder / Creative Director

Christine Stucker owner of Stewart Schafer Interior Design Firm

James Veal

Founder / COO

James Veal owner of Stewart Schafer Interior Design Firm

Testimonials

Stewart-Schafer has been our trusted partner for over 3 years as we have worked together to build out our physical retail footprint in the United States. From conception through execution, Stewart-Schafer took the time to understand and infuse our brand and mission. As a result, they helped us rethink how we could deliver our premium brand experience in a new and innovative way

Tom Patterson

CEO and Co-founder
of Tommy John

Stewart-Schafer designed and built one of our most iconic stores in NYC. They managed to work in a difficult environment, kept costs in check, and delivered a stellar result... heartily recommended.

Jay Sternstein

Head of retail
Thom Browne

They completely understood our style, and translated that to every fixture, color choice, and design scheme. They stayed on budget and time, and in fact they were early with part of the process.