I really love the design firm Roman and Williams. I first learned of the architect/interior designer pair fairly recently after their buzz worthy renovation of the Royalton hotel lobby was revealed last Fall. Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch are the designers behind the company which is named after their respective grandfathers. The professional and romantic partners met during their days as Hollywood production designers when they worked together designing sets for movies such as Duplex, Practical Magic and Zoolander. After growing tired of seeing all of their hard work destroyed after each production wrapped, they decided to start a company of their own and in 1999 Roman and Williams was founded. While working on Duplex in 2003, they drew the attention of Ben Stiller, the movie’s star, who loved their work so much he commissioned them to design his own Hollywood Hills home. After that, a barrage of celebrity clients came calling and Robin and Stephen quit their production design jobs to focus full time on Roman and Williams. Soon after, they moved from Los Angeles to New York and lived happily ever after…or at least that’s their story in a nutshell! The designers definitely have a strong point of view and a pretty identifiable aesthetic. I would describe their style as modern with a little bit of vintage charm, intriguingly dark, a little bit industrial, extremely tactile, earthy, kind of masculine, slightly gothic and very dramatic. Currently, they’re working on several exciting new projects including the New York outpost of Andre Balazs’ Standard Hotel, the Ace Hotel in New York, the spa and Gym at the 40 Mercer condos (also owned by Balazs) and the 211 Elizabeth condos, their first ground-up building which looks like it’s going to be absolutely incredible. I’m really looking to seeing more from these two. If you ever visit their website you’ll notice that there are no photos up so I decided to put together a little Roman and Williams portfolio of sorts so everyone can see a collection of their work all in one place. Hope you enjoy!
Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch’s Home
Photos via New York Magazine, Frette.com, and 1stdibs.com.
The Roman and Williams Office
Photos via 1stdibs.com
The Royalton Hotel Lobby and Braserie 44
Photos via Royalton.com
Renderings of the 40 Mercer Spa and Gym
Photos via 40mercersoho.com
The Home of Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor
Photos by Grey Crawford for Elle Decor
Kate Hudson’s LA Home
Photo via W Magazine
Renderings of the 211 Elizabeth Condos
Photos via 211Elizabeth.com
12 Comments
do you know that we rep Brasserie 44? it’s like keeping it all in the family! ha 🙂
Hey Leyna! I had no idea! Small world. I didn’t realize you guys repped them! The next time I go there I’ll let you know and maybe you can get me hooked up;-) xo
Big fan of their work.
I worked with Robin on Ben Stiller’s Home (I manufacture lamp shades and lamps) and can agree with you that she’s a fantastic Interior Designer. Extremely “focused” designer. Good Blog!
“Focused” – I like that world play. I agree great work. Only problem is Robin is such a horrible person and complete egotistical bitch that enjoying her work will only make her more sucessful and more of a monster. Humility and true love of the craft and people in it are what’s most important. Pretty stuff nonetheless.
That’s a horrible thing to say about Robin. She’s worked her ass off for everything she has. She’s loyal and the people she has been working with, like myself, and others, have been working with her for many, many years, and again, like myself, have had wonderfully creative experiences with her. Shame on you. One thing you can be sure of is that Robin is way to classy to ever bad-mouth someone on a blog like this.
Robin’s too savvy and political to smear someone on a blog. No she’d just look over their shoulder at a cocktail party to see if there is anyone richer, more famous or better connected to talk to.
Amen. I’ve had my dealings with The Standefer and I couldn’t agree more with both Truth is Truth and designer x’s comments!
Roman and Williams are great designers if you like a space that is an amalgamation of ripped off ideas from other great designers. The only innovation that they have is a wealth of idiot patriots who don’t know the difference between a literal translation (RW2’s MO) and an inspiration.
These two designers do work their asses off, and they have a definite sense of style…but they are not the “new darlings of design”.
The spa and Gym the Ace Hotel in New York are also very good. No need to go as far as the Codos. LMT got me this great deal for my last LMT vacation so I intend to go there again. Will check a new one next time i’m there.
the info and the comments are very good thanks for charing all this useful info.
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