At 503found, we specialize in working with interior designers from OC and beyond. One of those designers is Stephanie Hunt. We love her trademark collected style and her beautifully ebullient personality—and wanted to share a bit more about this talented designer and her exciting international travels.
Stephanie divides her time between homes in Southern California and Park City, Utah, with her husband and two sons, and following her 16-year-old son, Chandler, as he competes internationally as a member of the US Snowboard Team. With an innate wanderlust, a history of international travel and living and a passion for art and design, Stephanie saw an opportunity when her son’s athletic career demanded she be other places than the California coast. She now brings her signature style—culled from discoveries in faraway places – to her own home and to the homes of her clients and friends around the country. She’s also currently developing a blog called FlairHunter, which will chronicle the tales of a traveling treasure hunter who finds flair everywhere. Does Stephanie ever sleep? We don’t know the answer to that question, but we did sit down with her for a few moments recently to talk shop.
My design inspiration comes from being raised by parents and grandparents—on both sides—who were international travelers and passionate art collectors. Members of my dad’s family lived in Paris, and my Mom’s in Oslo, Norway, so we traveled (and lived) internationally growing up. I always joke that I’m a gypsy. I think all of that early exposure to interesting homes with so much style, family and cultural history—gave me an early appreciation or tendency to crave the unexpected. In design, that translates to a fearlessness with art, color, and pattern.
I still keep a few select clients who have become lifelong friends in Newport. Even if we’re all 90 and retired, and they call me to help with a new project or a simple pillow, I will always take it on. Recent projects include ski homes in Park City and Deer Valley, design consulting for a clothing store in Salt Lake City, and consulting for homes in New York and Seattle. I’m actually focusing on piece-specific purchases for clients right now, from all of my travels—art and accessories I collect in great places. And, on that note, I’m starting a blog called FlairHunter that will follow and discuss ways to add punch and character to any space!
Why do you love having a home in – and designing in and around – Newport Beach?
Oh my gosh, this issue makes me nostalgic. Life took us to Park City because of our son Chandler, who at age 16 is a competitive, semi-professional snowboarder now on the US Snowboard Team. Although I love our unusual, fast-paced, international adventure, I have never appreciated more the beauty, ease of living, and my friendships in Newport. The vivid colors—flowers, palm trees, blue sky, ocean—add a beauty and energy to pretty much everything. I make a point to spend a few days a month at our place in Corona del Mar, for work, connection with friends and to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in Orange County. There quite simply are not the same quality or quantity of resources with great style anywhere else that I’ve found.
Tell us about one of the most satisfying “finds” you’ve ever made. I can’t narrow it down to one, but I can narrow it down to one feeling. I’ve decided that my favorite “finds” seem to involve the following: At some point schlepping it on planes, through airports, through security and customs, I think “This is too heavy, this was too much money, this is going to break, this is a pain to explain to security.” And then every time I stare at it in my own home or see it in a client’s home, I freak out about how much I love it!!! And am so glad I went to the trouble. Case(s) in point: Enormous glass vintage hand-blown wine jugs from France. Vintage blue and white Paris metal street signs you see mounted on the exterior of buildings (to add to a library book display). A very tall, heavy white porcelain vintage glove mold (try explaining to security why there’s an arm and hand in your luggage!). Big puffy pillow covers and silk fabric from Bangkok. Paintings on blocks in Croatia.
In the best way—or the best combination of ways! I stumbled in while going to Alta on one of my visits home. I love all things about Cannery Village and Lido, having lived there in the past. And then I discovered that fellow moms I knew and loved were owning and running 503found! So the combination of having it be in a place that I love and frequent and via some of the best moms I’ve met through raising kids in sports and schools…in my mind it can’t be beat. The space is beautiful, funky, fun.
The collected nature of it, the mix, the eclectic, well-traveled feel. It combines my perfect formula—travel, art, humor, courage, color, interesting form. I want my clients’ homes (and my own) to shout “I’m interesting, not just decorated!” 503found nails that.
I’ve used mid-century cocktail tables from 503found in an unexpected way—in a home theater surrounding bright grass green chenille upholstered theater seating…on top of black and white graphic greek key carpeting! Also, a mid-century glass globe ceiling fixture, possibly more artistic and sculptural than functional (but totally effective!) used over a billiards table. Then there’s the funky cubist, 1960s still-life oil painting that I took out of the frame and have propped against a wall on an entry table. Again, using these unique finds from 503found in an unexpected way. And I’ve got lots of other items from 503found rolling around in my head daily, in a future purchase holding pattern or wish list, for the mountain contemporary home we’re building in Park City!
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Design Philosophy: The Art of the Collected Home
Stephanie Hunt’s approach to interior design is rooted in the belief that a home should tell a story—one that unfolds through layers of texture, history, and personal meaning. She describes her style as “collected, not decorated,” favoring spaces that feel as though they have evolved over time rather than been assembled in a single afternoon. This philosophy is evident in her love of vintage and one-of-a-kind pieces, which she sources from markets, galleries, and artisans around the world. Whether it is a hand-blown glass jug from a French brocante or a painted block from a Croatian atelier, each object carries a sense of place and purpose.
For Stephanie, the key to a successful room is balance—mixing high and low, old and new, refined and raw. She is unafraid to pair a sleek modern sofa with a rustic antique bench, or to layer bold patterns against a backdrop of calm neutrals. “The unexpected is what makes a space memorable,” she says. “It’s the piece that makes you stop and ask, ‘Where did that come from?’” This fearless approach extends to color, where she embraces saturated hues and artful contrasts, always with an eye toward harmony.
Her clients often come to her seeking not just a beautiful home, but a feeling of authenticity. Stephanie helps them uncover their own stories and translate those into tangible design choices. “I’m not interested in creating a showroom,” she explains. “I want to create a home that feels like you—only a little braver, a little more adventurous.”
How Stephanie Works with Clients
Stephanie’s process begins with listening. She wants to understand how her clients live, what they love, and what they hope to feel when they walk through their front door. From there, she develops a vision that is both aspirational and practical, often incorporating pieces she has sourced during her travels. Her international lifestyle gives her access to a rotating inventory of art, textiles, and accessories that simply cannot be found in a typical design showroom.
Because she splits her time between Southern California and Park City, Stephanie has honed a highly flexible working model. She collaborates with clients remotely through detailed mood boards, video calls, and curated shopping lists, and she travels for on-site installations when needed. This approach allows her to take on projects across the country—from a ski chalet in Deer Valley to a brownstone in New York—without sacrificing the personal attention that defines her practice.
For clients who are not ready for a full-scale design project, Stephanie offers a more focused service: piece-specific sourcing. “Sometimes all a room needs is one incredible object to bring it to life,” she says. “I love hunting for that perfect thing—the vintage rug, the sculptural lamp, the painting that makes your heart beat a little faster.”
The FlairHunter Blog: A Traveler’s Design Diary
Stephanie’s upcoming blog, FlairHunter, is a natural extension of her design work and her lifelong love of travel. The name captures her ethos: a relentless pursuit of flair—that indefinable quality that makes a space sing. The blog will chronicle her adventures as a “traveling treasure hunter,” documenting the markets, galleries, and hidden gems she discovers around the world.
Readers can expect a mix of practical tips and personal stories. Stephanie plans to share behind-the-scenes looks at her sourcing trips, from haggling at a Paris flea market to unearthing mid-century ceramics in a tiny Scandinavian shop. She’ll also offer advice on how to incorporate travel finds into a modern home, with ideas for styling, care, and placement. “I want people to see that you don’t need a huge budget or a design degree to create a home with soul,” she says. “You just need curiosity and a willingness to take a chance.”
The blog will also highlight the people behind the pieces—the artisans, dealers, and makers who give each object its story. For Stephanie, this is an essential part of the narrative. “When you buy a handwoven textile from a woman in Oaxaca, you’re not just buying a pillow. You’re bringing her craft, her culture, her energy into your home. That’s the real treasure.”
Stephanie’s Travel and Sourcing Essentials
Over years of international travel, Stephanie has developed a set of personal rules for successful sourcing. These practical insights are useful for anyone who wants to bring home meaningful pieces from their own journeys:
- Always carry a tape measure. “You’d be surprised how many times I’ve fallen in love with something only to realize it won’t fit in my suitcase—or my client’s living room.”
- Pack light, but bring bubble wrap. “I never check a bag without a roll of bubble wrap and some zip-top bags. You never know when you’ll find a fragile treasure.”
- Know your customs limits. “Duty fees can add up quickly. I always research the rules for the countries I’m visiting so there are no surprises at the airport.”
- Buy what you love, not what’s trendy. “If a piece speaks to you, you’ll find a place for it. Trends come and go, but a genuine connection lasts forever.”
- Take photos of scale. “When I’m considering a large item, I’ll photograph it next to a person or a standard chair. That helps me visualize it in a real room.”
These habits have served Stephanie well, whether she is transporting delicate glass from France or oversized signs from Paris. They also reflect her broader design philosophy: preparation and passion go hand in hand.
Stephanie’s Connection to 503found and the Local Community
Stephanie’s relationship with 503found is deeply personal. As she mentioned, she discovered the shop in Cannery Village while visiting home from Park City, and was immediately drawn to its curated mix of vintage and contemporary pieces. But what truly sealed the connection was the people behind it—fellow moms from her community who share her love of design and her commitment to family.
That sense of community is central to Stephanie’s work. She believes that good design has the power to bring people together, whether it’s a welcoming living room for holiday gatherings or a cozy reading nook for quiet moments. Her projects often involve collaboration with local artisans and small businesses, reinforcing the idea that a home is not just a personal sanctuary but a reflection of the wider world.
Through her work with 503found and her upcoming blog, Stephanie hopes to inspire others to embrace a more adventurous approach to design. “Life is too short for boring rooms,” she says with a laugh. “Go find your flair.”