Freestone & Smith is a Utah-based design firm led by Kelsey Freestone and Justine Alexandra Smith Cooley. With over ten years of experience in the design industry, the duo artfully blends their distinct skill sets—Kelsey brings a neutral edge while Justine embraces more color. This balance ensures their spaces feel uniquely tailored to each client. Working closely with contractors, architects, furniture makers, and artisans, a Freestone & Smith space is comfortable and collected. For this ‘80s Tudor remodel, they worked on all phases of the remodel and brought together European influence and East Coast charm. The pair shares more about their approach.  

Tell us about this home. Where is it located, and what do you love most about the area?
This home is located right up against the mountains in a really charming town in Utah Valley. The town is centered around community, family values, and the outdoors. Our favorite thing about the area is actually the homes—there is a lot of development and remodeling, and most of the homes still sit on their original, large parcels of land. These homesteads are created to host generations of families and most of them are unique to the owners. 

Tell us about your clients. What were their top requests for the home? Any must haves? 
This home was created for a large family. The main goal was to make the home functional for a busy lifestyle with a lot of kids while also feeling thoughtful aesthetically. We needed charm and organization, as well as a few essential spaces that we’re missing from the original house. We created a full-size mudroom and large walk-in pantry within the existing floorplan. A designated entry was also created with a small addition to the front of the home.  

In a few words, how do you describe the style?
The style of this home is based on a love of traditional east coast and European design. The client is fond of handmade and found things and loves classic structure. She also loves whimsy and color, so building a balance on fun, functionality, and authenticity was the main goal for style. 

Do you have any favorite spaces in the home?
In the kitchen, we love the interior window over the sink—this was a solution to giving the sink a proper space and letting light into the kitchen area. We also love the mix of countertop material and profiles in the kitchen. 

The pantry is pure joy with endless rows of bright yellow shelving. Mixing patterns and embracing that whimsy feminine energy in the laundry room makes that space feel very specific to our client. 

The dining room is amazing because it can host a massive table. We sourced the dining table at Round Top and the client collected a ton of mismatched chairs. We also added reclaimed beams in the dining room to help add age to the home. 

Then, the entry was created by an addition of a vestibule. This added actual space on the interior of the home and much needed dimension on the exterior. This addition also created the perfect spot to incorporate leaded glass. 

What was the biggest challenge faced?
The biggest challenge faced on the project was the general challenge that this was a remodel instead of a tear down. We touched all areas of the home and only expanded in the entry and garage. Creating something new and functional in the confines of an original structure has its difficulties, but we find that working in parameters often creates some of the best results. It’s all about the process in a remodel and if the team is open to adapt and pivot as issues arise, the end result is exceptional. 

How long did the project take, and what did the client say when they saw the finished space?
This project took about two and a half years, and the end result was something the client could continue to grow into. There are often new additions on art, wallpaper, or her garden when we have stopped by. Our favorite feedback from the client is that they really share their home. They have hosted many events both big and small, even a summer concert in their yard. The special moments and lasting memories made in the homes we create are part of what makes these spaces unrepeatable.