J. Stephens Interiors
/J. Stephens Interiors
New York Metropolitan Area
Photography by Peter Rymwid
Jo Ann Stephens Alston is an ASID award-winning interior designer, a professor, writer, and art enthusiast. Earning a BFA with an emphasis in Interior Design from Northern Illinois University, Jo Ann was recruited and enjoyed a long tenure at one of the top 100 interior architecture firms of the United States. Jo Ann has taught interior design at Ray College of Design and the Illinois Institute of Art, and was invited to sit on the board of advisors at both colleges. Today, Jo Ann owns her own full-service interior design firm called J. Stephens Interiors.
Jo Ann’s firm specializes in creating timeless, elegant spaces that reflect their clients’ tastes in the traditional or modern aesthetics. From the beginning of a project, Jo Ann and her team seek to fully understand the client’s goals: “We carefully interview each client to meet their objectives for their interior design project both functionally and aesthetically. Then, we work closely with them each step of the way during the project.” Jo Ann draws upon her art background to create spaces that are visually exciting and utilize color in an effective manner. “As an artist, I can view the projects in 3D in my mind as I am creating them,” Jo Ann told us. “I consider each plane of the room and how they will interact together. Our work always includes custom creations that individualizes the design for each client.”
A superb example of the work accomplished by J. Stephens Interiors is this combination dining room and library. The space embodies a dramatic beauty; the expert contrasting of colors and textures captures every viewer’s attention. The discerning Japanese client harbored a love for the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, and sought a room that fused classic design with a sophisticated Asian influence. With this as Jo Ann’s inspiration, she blended bold horizontal elements with dark colors and contrasting textures, creating an environment with a sense of both excitement and stillness. Not only did the design win Jo Ann an ASID award, but the new space has brought joy to her client every day.
