The Hart House

About the Project

The Hart House is many things at once: a family home, a historic landmark, and the future center of campus life at Duke University. When we came on board, our charge was to honor all of it.

The renovation was guided by the vision of the current resident's wife, shaped by family input and grounded in a deep respect for the house's legacy. She wanted spaces that felt warm and lived-in, but that could also welcome a hundred guests without missing a beat. That's a specific kind of design challenge, and one we love.

Our Furniture Procurement + Custom Furnishings work anchored the project, with every piece selected to balance elegance and ease. We created rooms that shift naturally, from an intimate dinner to a formal reception, from a quiet family morning to a campus-wide celebration. The design supports all of it without needing to try too hard.

What we're most proud of: the Hart House now feels like it belongs to its people. Not just the family who calls it home, but the students, faculty, and guests who will gather there for years to come. It's a space shaped by purpose, where history and forward-thinking commercial interior design coexist with genuine hospitality.

Curious about large-scale residential and institutional design? See all our work or learn more about our Commercial + Hospitality Design capabilities.

‍