Business Details
9 Years
experience
Your Trusted Interior Design Partner in New York
Hamilton Design Associates is an interior design firm deeply rooted in the decorative arts, blending rigorous research with creative inspiration to craft spaces that honor historical integrity while serving modern living. Founded by Ellen Hamilton, our approach emphasizes intellectual curiosity, client collaboration, and a commitment to preserving architectural heritage. Each project begins with an in-depth exploration of a property's unique history, allowing us to reimagine spaces that maintain their timeless character while adapting to contemporary needs. Our dedication to education and emerging talent is exemplified through the Brooklyn Designer Showhouse, an annual event we established in 2017 to nurture innovation in the design industry. With work featured in Veranda, Luxe, Elle Decor, and Galerie, we prioritize meaningful relationships with clients, ensuring our designs reflect both their vision and our expertise.Our team's process combines academic rigor with inventive reinterpretation, resulting in environments that are as functional as they are aesthetically resonant. Through publications, lectures, and community initiatives, we strive to elevate design discourse while maintaining transparency and ethical standards in all our projects. The firm's interdisciplinary perspective draws from diverse influencesfrom Renaissance architecture to classic cinemato create interiors rich in narrative and detail. Our focus remains on crafting spaces that endure through generations, balancing preservation with progressive design solutions.
Services
Residential Interior Design
Historic Preservation
Custom Home Design
Space Planning
Showhouse Production
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We employ a research-driven approach integrating architectural history into modern design.
- Our team combines academic rigor with creative reinterpretation for unique spaces.
- Ellen Hamilton founded the Brooklyn Designer Showhouse to advance emerging talent.
- Published in Veranda, Luxe, Elle Decor, and other leading industry publications.
- We maintain long-term client relationships through transparent communication and expertise.
What people say
Historical integrity preserved
Exceptional design insight
Collaborative process
Timeless aesthetics
Professional expertise
Services
Residential Interior Design
Our residential interior design service transforms homes by blending historical context with modern functionality. Each project begins with a thorough analysis of architectural elements, client lifestyle needs, and design inspiration drawn from diverse sources. We deliver fully customized spaces that maintain structural integrity while incorporating contemporary comforts through collaborative design reviews and material selections.
Historic Preservation
Historic preservation specializes in restoring and repurposing architecturally significant properties. Using archival research and modern techniques, we maintain original features while updating infrastructure for modern use. Our approach ensures historically important buildings remain functional living spaces that respect their original design intent and cultural context through meticulous documentation and conservation methods.
Space Planning
Space planning optimizes room functionality and flow while respecting architectural constraints. We analyze spatial relationships to create efficient layouts that enhance usability without compromising aesthetic value. Through 3D modeling and client consultations, we develop practical solutions that maximize available space while maintaining visual harmony and structural considerations.
Showhouse Production
Our showhouse production creates immersive design exhibitions that showcase emerging talent. The annual Brooklyn Designer Showhouse features collaborative installations across multiple rooms, providing public engagement opportunities and professional development. This service supports design education through hands-on experiences while maintaining high curatorial standards for participating designers and visitors.
Custom Home Design
Custom home design creates unique living spaces tailored to specific client requirements. We develop personalized solutions that integrate site-specific considerations with architectural heritage, using detailed client briefs to guide design decisions. Our process ensures every elementfrom lighting to furnishingscomplements the home's character while meeting contemporary lifestyle demands through iterative design presentations.
People
Ellen Hamilton
Founder and Principal
Ellen Hamilton established the firm with a focus on historical context and intellectual design exploration. Her work combines academic research with creative reinterpretation, resulting in spaces that honor architectural heritage while serving modern needs through collaborative client relationships and scholarly investigation.
Sydney Acard
Senior Interior Designer
Sydney Acard leads project execution with expertise in translating design concepts into functional spaces. Her approach balances creative vision with practical implementation, ensuring projects maintain historical integrity while incorporating modern functionality through meticulous attention to material selection and spatial planning.
Corrie Ostrander
Interior Designer
Corrie Ostrander contributes design expertise focused on creating cohesive interior environments. She works closely with clients to understand spatial requirements and aesthetic preferences, developing solutions that integrate architectural context with contemporary design elements through detailed specification and execution planning.
Questions
What design styles does Hamilton Design Associates specialize in?
We focus on historically informed interiors that balance preservation with modern functionality across residential and cultural projects.
Do you work on properties outside New York?
While based in New York, we handle projects nationwide including Connecticut estates and Montana properties as documented in our portfolio.
What is the Brooklyn Designer Showhouse?
Founded in 2017, this annual event showcases emerging talent through curated installations in architecturally significant Brooklyn spaces.
How do you incorporate historical elements into modern homes?
We conduct architectural research to understand original design intent, then integrate contemporary needs through careful material selection and spatial adjustments.
Can you work with historic preservation guidelines?
Yes, we have extensive experience navigating landmark designation requirements while modernizing buildings for current use.
How are design decisions made during projects?
Decisions emerge from collaborative client consultations, historical analysis, and iterative design presentations to ensure alignment with project goals.
