Top row: Design project in Vermont, United States © Eric Roth; Bottom row: Images of a family home in Millbury, Massachusetts designed by Steven © Sean Litchfield

Today, we invite you to meet Steven Favreau, the Hudson-based interior designer and antiques connoisseur whose creativity and energetic spirit is simply contagious. The Artsper team sat down with Steven to hear about the influences which have shaped his design philosophy, his career journey so far, and his current contemporary art favorites! Enter the “Favreaulous" world of interior design with Artsper!

1. Steven, thank you for taking the time to speak with us! We'd love to hear a bit about yourself and how Favreau Design came to be. Did you always anticipate pursuing a career in interior design? 

I began my professional career as a performer, serving as a soloist at the renowned Moulin Rouge in Paris and as a Cruise Director for American Hawaii Cruises. My first foray into higher education was as a musical theater major at the Boston Conservatory of Music, and upon leaving the institution, I moved to New York City. After approximately a decade of performing, I decided to change the course of my career and enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology to study illustration. However, when I witnessed my peers carrying storyboards showcasing exceptional home designs, I was immediately captivated and inspired to pursue a career in interior design.

As a child growing up in middle-class Massachusetts, I was unaware that interior design could be a viable profession. Despite this, I spent my early years redecorating, although I was unaware that this was known as interior design. Whenever my parents left the house, I would eagerly rearrange the furniture, honing my skills and developing a passion for design that would eventually shape my career path.

2. Your design concepts are joyful, bold and eye-catching. How would you describe your design philosophy? Are there any interior styles or designers that have inspired you along the way?

One of my fundamental design philosophies is "Create, Don't Replicate." As designers, it is our responsibility to deliver a unique experience to each client that aligns with their budget and requirements. Unfortunately, there seems to be an influx of white-on-white design styles that feel like a rehash or copy of an existing design. My promise to my clients is to deliver a project they could never have imagined. This is my ultimate goal on every project.

I am continually motivated and inspired by the innovative work of my colleagues in the design industry. I seek out designers who are at the forefront of creating trends, rather than following them. Kelly Wearstler is one of the designers who consistently delivers stunning and innovative designs. Additionally, I find that Carpenter's Workshop and many of their designers are producing new and exciting pieces that are pushing the boundaries of design.

 Left to right: Kitchen and bedroom design in Beacon Hill, Massachusetts © Steven Favreau

3. Your studio is based in Hudson, New York. Do you feel that location plays an important role in your interior design practice and creativity?

Location often influences my work. As a lover of early American history, living in the Hudson River Valley is like being surrounded by a feast of inspiration. I am particularly drawn to the craftsmanship and intricate details found in antique homes. Although these homes may not directly inspire my work, the rich history surrounding them motivates me to create. Living and working in the Hudson Valley has allowed us to cater to a specific demographic. With a large number of NYC and international transplants purchasing antique homes in the area, we have positioned ourselves as the go-to specialists in the region. While our local clientele extends across Columbia County, the Berkshires, northwestern Connecticut, Westchester, and New York City, we also have a broad portfolio of clients worldwide.

4. At Artsper, we believe that the world of interior design and contemporary art come as a pair. Would you agree with this? How does art fit into your design practice?

I wholeheartedly agree. In my designs, I often incorporate a mix of antique and contemporary furnishings. Each element elevates the other. Art serves as the icing on the cake, balancing or disrupting the relationship between furnishings and lighting. I strive for a dynamic energy that teeters on the edge of too much, yet never goes too far. My spaces are incomplete without bold, exciting, and challenging art.

Living and dining space in an apartment design project in New England © Greg Premru

5. What drove you to establish Favreaulous Factory, your vintage and antique furnishings company? Do you feel strongly about incorporating secondhand items in your design concepts?

As someone who has always loved antiques, I feel like a kid in a candy store given the opportunity to collect and deal in the industry. Vintage and antique pieces are integral to most of my work.

Although different from its Boston predecessor, the Favreaulous Factory in Hudson serves as a storefront to the trade and the public while also functioning as our design headquarters. Additionally, it acts as a marketing tool by inspiring new homeowners who walk into our shop and desire our help with creating their home. The space is seductive and sparks people's imaginations.

6. We're curious. What has been your favorite project to date? Which aspects of the design process did you find to be the most enjoyable?

Although there are many others, my favorite project to date is the one I'm currently working on. We are undertaking a complete remodel of a stunning mid-century home located on a cliff overlooking a bay in Coos Bay, Oregon. We have designed most of the furnishings in the home, including specialty woodwork, cabinetry, wall murals, and rugs. The client trusts us with most of the decisions and supports our artistry, which always results in incredible outcomes.

My favorite part of the design process is creating custom pieces. Clients can only achieve a truly unique home by having us design pieces that no one else has. This is the epitome of interior design at its most distinctive.