Stanford White Mansion's Radical Redesign

Charlap Hyman Herrero, recent recipients of the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Award, have been lauded for their innovative redesign of an historic Long Island mansion. The 8,000-square-foot octagonal house, originally constructed in 1895 by Stanford White, was in a state of foreclosure before its acquisition in 2020 by James Hirschfeld and James Green.

The design firm, co-founded by Adam Charlap Hyman and Andre Herrero, is recognized for its distinctive 'world-building' ethos. They approach projects by crafting detailed narratives that guide their design choices, a method described as 'queering' traditional decorator canons. This approach imbues their work with a unique, layered aesthetic.

Their clientele includes notable companies and institutions, but their residential projects often involve significant renovations of historic properties. The Long Island house, despite its initial dilapidated state, underwent a transformation that respected its Gilded Age origins while adapting it for 21st-century queer inhabitants. The redesign, characterized by resourcefulness and creativity, resulted in a magical realization of the clients' vision.

The completion of the five-year renovation project culminated in October 2025, with the house serving as the venue for Mr. Hirschfeld and Mr. Green's wedding. This marked a significant milestone, transforming the once-foreclosed property into a vibrant space for celebration and a testament to the firm's impactful design philosophy.