It may very well be the “non-decorative years” of Stephanie Stokes’ career that have contributed the most to her unique sense of style and Interior Design. A former international photojournalist, art historian, and Wall Street investment banker, Stephanie combines a thoughtful approach to architecture, proportion and order. She is known for “understated elegance” and a skillful use of color. Above all, she is practical. With exacting precision, she plans every anticipated need and can turn the tiniest of spaces into a virtual cornucopia of storage – complete with good lighting and comfort.

 

Stephanie Stokes started her design company, Stephanie Stokes, Inc. in 1982. Prior to that she trained with Mark Hampton and had a partnership with Harrison Cultra. Ms. Stokes has completed projects in Manhattan apartments as well as houses in Aspen, Colorado, Bel-Air, California, and numerous houses up and down the east coast. Stephanie has decorated many homes throughout the city, including the home of SNL's Lorne Michaels. 

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Because of her Art History background, Stephanie often advises her clients on their art collections. Recently, she assembled the following collections: Artwork by living African-American artists, American paintings from the 1930-40′s, a collection of black and white photography, two collections of Asian Art, and a contemporary collection now at the Plaza Hotel and at a penthouse in Washington, DC. The experience of visiting over 85 countries, with their countless sites and museums, as well as a Master’s degree from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, has given her extensive knowledge and appreciation for fine and decorative arts.

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Stephanie Stokes is a Friend of the Connoisseurs Circle at the Institute of Fine Art from which she is a graduate. Stephanie Stokes is also a Patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a Patron of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, a Member of the Salzburg Festival Society and is a past member of the Explorers Club. She currently sits on the board of the Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, is a Member of the UN's Women’s International Forum, and sits on the Committee of the Network 20/20 organization. Stephanie Stokes was a long-term Board Member of the Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation.

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Ms. Stokes has been published in numerous magazines, including Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Vogue, and more! She collaborated with Chris Madden on an HGTV TV series. House Beautiful named her to their list of the Top 100 Designers, and awarded her kitchen the “Kitchen of the Month” award in July, 2008. New York Social Diary did an extensive reportage in the “Home Section” on Stephanie’s own apartment and design philosophy. She is featured in numerous publications on design and her first book “Elegant Rooms That Work: Fantasy & Function in Interior Design.” was published by Rizzoli in April 2013.