Roman and Williams is a New York based design firm with an interesting back story. Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch spent ten years designing sets for Hollywood films before taking on their first residential project, a home in Los Angeles. Together they formed Roman and Williams (named for their grandfathers) in 2002 and in 2004 relocated the firm to New York. Since then, they’ve completed an impressive scope of projects including homes, restaurants, hotels, and retail locations.
I have a book of work by Roman and Williams called Things We Made, given to me by a cousin who is studying architecture. She thought I’d be interested in their projects, and she was right. I really appreciate what they do and how they do it. Roman and Williams have a different approach than I do, but I like the moodiness and industrial vibe of many of their projects.
I find it interesting how they mix materials. Their interiors feature so many collected items — it takes skill to make this look effortless. They can take dilapidation and expand on it, creating a memorable environment. Roman and Williams has a huge design range, everything from industrial to clubby.
I recall seeing a kitchen years ago and remembering it was in actor Ben Stiller’s home. I was enchanted by the use of 3×6 tiles all over the kitchen walls and not just allocated to the back splash. It’s funny how certain things stay with you, and once I found out the kitchen was a Roman and Williams design, I was even more impressed with the the space and their work.