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Christie Ward and Staver Gray met in 2012 when they were interior design students at Parsons School of Design in New York and bonded over a mutual love of antique lighting and French rattan.

They went on to work together at Soho House + Co, where they developed residential and commercial interiors for the brand’s locations across the U.S., including Dumbo House in Brooklyn, Malibu House and Miami Beach House.

In 2020, the duo established their interior design firm in New York, Ward + Gray. Since then, the partners, both 37, have worked on residential and hospitality projects in the U.S. and Europe, including single-family homes; Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Collection Resort in the Catskills in New York; and Pizzeria Mozza, a Nancy Silverton restaurant in London.

Most recently, Ward and Gray were tapped to design the amenity areas at One Williamsburg Wharf, a 22-story waterfront condominium development in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, opening late this year. The 20,000 square feet of spaces they conceived include a co-working lounge, an indoor-outdoor gym, a children’s playroom, a cinema and a terrace.

They say their aesthetic for the project is influenced by the Dutch Masters, particularly Vermeer, and nods to the Dutch influence on Brooklyn architecture.

Ward and Gray talked to Mansion Global about their style, the creative opportunities in new construction, and the meaningful objects in their personal spaces.

What’s your design philosophy, and does it change depending on where your projects are?

Christie Ward: We start a project by ensuring it feels natural in its surroundings. We spend the first several weeks researching the city or region it’s in, the culture, architecture, and who will inhabit the space. A project having a true sense of place is one of our key design philosophies.

Staver Gray: There are aspects of our design philosophy that remain constant across architectural styles and places: Our designs are mostly bespoke, always include vintage, and follow a narrative tailored to each project rooted in research. No two projects of ours will ever be alike. However, we have a signature style that connects the spaces we design.

One Williamsburg Wharf is your first amenity space for a residential building. In what ways did that process differ from the firm’s other work, namely hospitality projects and private residences?

Ward: We pictured ourselves living in this building and wanted to include what we would love to have in a residential building, such as thoughtfully designed shared spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel. We are making sure that the cushions are soft and plush, the fabrics have a residential feeling, and the woods are raw and solid, just as you’d see in your own home. We avoided synthetic materials you often see in those projects.

In new construction, what are the biggest opportunities for interior designers?

Ward: With new construction, the space will feel fresh, which can be an opportunity but also a challenge. For One Williamsburg Wharf, we looked to combine textures and materials such as oaks and raw blackened metals with a natural patina to bring more warmth.

Gray: New construction allows designers to have more control over the narrative and shape the direction of a place. With One Williamsburg Wharf, for example, we looked at historic Brooklyn architectural movements reimagined through a modern lens. The story became more about what Brooklyn is today and the way we live now.

Your firm’s website says Ward + Gray designs spaces that “evoke an atmosphere of lived-in authenticity.” What does that mean?

Ward: We admire spaces where you can see someone’s personality through their interiors—personal collections, collected antiques or pottery from travels, photography they took on a trip, or of their relatives. While it’s not quite as personal as a hospitality project, we look to inject those lived-in touches however we can so the space has a true soul. For instance, in our Wildflower Farms project, we created custom quilts for all the beds throughout the cabins and collected antique textiles for the room’s artwork.

What design trends do you see in the years ahead?

Ward: Color. We’re hoping to see less of the grey or monochromatic beige schemes and more risks taken with color and pattern. People seem to be shifting their focus to their well-being, and I think color can play an important role in lifting your mood or inspiring creativity.

Gray: Slow fashion. We always encourage our clients to invest in heirloom pieces that will last a lifetime.

What meaningful objects are in your own living spaces?

Ward: I collect pottery and tableware when I travel: antique bowls, objects for the table, linens. I also love to collect books on travel or specific places I’m curious about.

Gray: I’m constantly collecting antiques and rearranging my own home. My favorite piece is an antique French mirror with beautiful foxing I found at a shop with my mom. It’s been in every house I’ve lived in.

What are your definitions of luxury?

Ward: Freedom to see new places and experience something new.

Gray: Time is the ultimate luxury. It’s a finite resource that we choose how to allocate. As a business owner, work doesn’t stop when we leave the office. I feel the most indulgent when I can carve out time in my week to do something that’s not on any to-do list, that doesn’t fulfill any obligation.