With dopamine accents and neutral tones vying to capture the design zeitgeist, it can be hard to know how to proceed once you’ve decided on a remodel. Will you go all out with bright and bold hues or keep it simple and cool? But sometimes, you’ll find a project that falls somewhere in between, opting for a classic, timeless appeal that makes a case for moving to the country (or at least emulating the country) and keeping your redesign consistent with its bucolic setting. Talk about projects? Far Studio transforms a Pennsylvania property into a cozy modern haven.
Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar founded Philadelphia design firm Far Studio in 2017 with her husband. Each residence is distinctive yet cohesive, evoking a design approach that combines residential charm with high-end aspirations.
Far Studio founder Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar reflects on renovating a residential gem
It’s obvious from the images alone that Brittany has a talent for contrasting natural light with moody elegance. Rather than feeling cramped or cluttered, she opens up the space through built-ins, strategic window placement, and paint colors to evoke an idyllic calm. Brittany layered supplementary materials to capture visual interest while maintaining an underlying coherence. She understands the importance of using both ends of the design spectrum—using negative space to find inner beauty.
I sat down with Brittany to learn more about how she approached this project. From designing for the homeowner’s lifestyle to infusing the space with lasting appeal, this is how Far Studio transforms a house into a vibrant, beautiful home. Come inside and let’s take a tour.
When someone walks into a space and says it looks like the interior of Far Studio, then I’ve done my job.
Brittany Wilzak Haginfahl
Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar is the founder and principal designer of Far Studio, a full-service interior design and lifestyle studio headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brittany graduated from George Washington University in Interior Design and began her career working for Mark Cunningham in New York City. In 2012, she moved to Los Angeles and worked with renowned AD100 designer Waldo Fernandez for five years, honing her skills in high-end residential and commercial design. She then returned to her hometown of Philadelphia to launch her own design firm and raise a family.
Tell us about the space. What are a homeowner’s goals when remodeling their home?
This is a great home design! It’s on a charming street, in a great and walkable area, and the home has a lot of charm and potential. The homeowners are a young family with a little girl and a little boy about to be born. They wanted the house to feel particularly timeless while still being practical for young children.
The house needed a complete makeover and some space planning. At the beginning, we wanted to best figure out the flow of the home and the client’s lifestyle. The master suite also needed a complete rework. We downsized the space to the studs and completely redecorated the room to provide a beautiful master bath with a large shower, vanity and tub, as well as a large walk-in closet. This makes for a stunning master suite.
Other rooms have been redesigned and every finish has been thoughtfully designed to feel like a new home, with the qualities and character of a classic home, but with character.
Paint, dark trim, and neutral tones throughout the house convey an elevated yet approachable mood. What was the inspiration behind the color palette?
Paint can transform a space, and we created a color story for this home early on. Every room has its own mood and feel, and color helps create that. I also like to place lighter furniture in darker rooms to create a beautiful contrast.
Tell us about the rooms you particularly like.
My favorite room in the house is the kitchen. The green we chose is Farrow & Ball Lichen and it’s the perfect color for this space. We then used a beautiful handmade chandelier from Lostine and a stunning Rohl bridge faucet.
You layered some incredible decorative touches. What is your greatest discovery? Where is your favorite place to shop for vintage decor?
For accessories and styling pieces, we love using vintage and found items. We spend a lot of time sourcing pieces for our studio that feel special and unique. We source from across the United States and around the world!
You have a gift for keeping your design spaces balanced, timeless, simple and warm. What’s your secret?
I like to use natural, high-quality materials that will stand the test of time.
Introducing texture and unique neutral colors to create a warm and layered space is key.
What advice can you share for someone new to design?
Find your style! I have a strong sense of style and what I like, which can fit into many different styles of homes, but there is always an element running through my designs that just feels like me. When someone walks into a space and says it looks like the interior of Far Studio, then I’ve done my job.
