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Entertaining well is a matter of planning. Barbara Entertaining well is a matter of planning. Barbara shows how paneled door casing becomes a serving shelf, turning a compact bar into a gracious entertaining space. Efficient space planning and clever storage let this bar gracefully adapt everyday use to hosting spirited parties.
The challenge: marry a 1962 Richard Neutra landmar The challenge: marry a 1962 Richard Neutra landmark with a collection from a different era. Our answer: listen to what the architecture is saying, then respond in a different voice. Where the house is rustic, we bring refinement. Where it’s matte, we bring polish. Where edges are hard, we bring curves that invite you closer. It’s not about matching an era. It’s about knowing exactly which one to introduce, and why. Read more on the blog at the link in our bio. Photo @richardpowersphoto
The real work on any new project starts with resea The real work on any new project starts with research. The EDC team pull from every source available — the archives of institutions like the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia City Archives, and HABS, as well as curators, dealers, auction specialists, and scholars who’ve spent careers studying a period or a place. Here, Scholar in Residence and Weitzman School of Design graduate student Andrew Grider (@grider_upholstery) reviews research materials at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia related to ongoing projects in Rittenhouse Square and the Philadelphia suburbs. Research is a springboard, not a destination. Our role is to uncover precise historical information and run it through the lens of what a client is imagining — then land somewhere new.
A Study In: Scenic Wallpaper | Transforming a room A Study In: Scenic Wallpaper | Transforming a room into a fully immersive world, scenic wallpaper tells a story on every surface. Applied wall to wall, the narrative of a single scene reveals itself more fully from each vantage point. To create these ethereal worlds, the @eberleindesign team meticulously engineers the composition and placement of every motif, ensuring the story unfolds uninterrupted by architectural elements and furnishings. When a rare, antique fragment of scenic wallpaper cannot be repeated or extended, it is treated as art, applied strategically to a single wall or set within a frame. The furnishings that follow take their cue from the wallpaper, in color, in mood, sometimes in illusion. As Barbara puts it: “Illusion and reality are blending on every surface, and we’re just extending it.” 1: Richard Powers @richardpowersphoto 2-4: Tom Crane
Ask Barbara Eberlein what a reading nook needs, an Ask Barbara Eberlein what a reading nook needs, and she has an answer for every corner. A surface for a tea cup, a book, and — naturally — an antique magnifying glass for the fine print. Warm light coming from multiple heights, each source dimmable conveniently from the chair. Multiple pillows to sit up or sink into to your heart’s content. The beauty and warmth of a fireplace — even in summer. And then, the flourish: “No reading nook is complete without a truly unique piece,” Barbara says of the collapsible antique library ladder tucked into the corner until the top shelf calls. Simply put, Barbara says, the perfect reading nook feels “cozy, cozy, cozy!” #HistoricPreservation #TraditionalDesign #InteriorDesign
A Study in: Mirrors | There is no such thing as a A Study in: Mirrors | There is no such thing as a bad mirror, only a badly placed one. Mirror is an architectural tool, deployed with the same intention as stone, plaster, or paneling: expanding a vista, bending light through a room, coaxing dimension from a flat wall. Wall to wall, floor to ceiling, a mirrored expanse suggests a room without edges, space that continues past where the architecture actually stops as seen in our Manhattan project, “Central Park Collector”. In our “Delancey Place Townhouse” project in Philadelphia, mirror disappears into the architecture itself: a paned door, its glass replaced with mirror, echoing the windows across the room. The detail repeats, but the story it tells shifts entirely. Set beyond the frame of a painting, mirror allows the art to float free of its wall, untethered, luminous as showcased here in another view of our Manhattan project, “Central Park Collector”. And behind a sculpture, mirror becomes a second vantage point, offering the angles a single view could never reveal to amplify an ancient Roman bronze in this striking Richard Neutra masterpiece, our project “Cairncliff”. In Barbara’s words, “What connects these installations is the architectural use of mirror – to expand the vista, bounce light, and allow a view of dimension you might otherwise miss.” Photographer: Richard Powers @richardpowersphoto
Eberlein Design Consultants’ President and Creativ Eberlein Design Consultants’ President and Creative Director, Barbara Eberlein, joined a distinguished national jury for the 2026 Palladio Awards, @traditionalbuildingmagazine and @periodhomes premier honor for excellence in classical and traditional design hosted by publisher Peter H. Miller, Hon AIA. Charged with selecting the year’s finest work from nearly one hundred entries across residential, commercial, institutional, and ecclesiastical categories, the jury faced what Barbara called “an embarrassment of riches.” The caliber was such that deliberations ran several weeks, yet in every category, the decisions were unanimous. “It’s a master class in design, architecture, landscape architecture, and craft,” she reflected. “You come out knowing far more than you knew going in, even though you’re considered the expert.” To be asked to judge the best work in one’s field is its own quiet distinction: a recognition, by one’s peers, of a lifetime spent in service of beauty, scholarship, and the enduring principles of traditional design. (Photo published with permission copyright from Traditional Building magazine Active Interest Media 2026, Melanie Montecalvo, photographer) At roughly 30,000 square feet, Astor Courts is a residence of enormous grandeur, and yet, Barbara noted, one that achieved a rare “visual and emotional accessibility.” Her verdict said it best: “Please, please, please invite me to a party here.” Winner: Interior Design Astor Courts · McBournie Richards @mcbournierichards · Photography: Annie Schlechter @annieschlechter Florestal is a sublime restoration Barbara admired above all for its sensitivity and scholarship. Every fiber of this Southern California dream was researched and honored, from plaster and wood to tile and ornament, and returned faithfully to its original glory. Winner: Restoration/Renovation (Over 10,000 sq. ft.) Florestal – Main House · Appleton Partners LLP @appleton_architects · Photography: Alexander Vertikoff @vertikoff_photography The Gates of Eden sets the mark for artistry in sand-cast bronze. Among the craftsmen honored this year, an affirmation that traditional design lives in the hand of the maker as much a
Just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Unit Just in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, we have our own way of celebrating—through color, pattern, and energetic interiors. Here are some favorites that pull out all the stops with red, white, and blue. Mountain Retreat - Poconos, PA (photo credit: Tom Crane) Shingle-Style Beach House - Longport, NJ (photo credit: Tom Crane) Big Sky Chalet - Big Sky, MT (photo credit: @audreyhallphoto)
EDC is proud to celebrate President and Creative D EDC is proud to celebrate President and Creative Director, Barbara Eberlein, recognized as the 2026 honoree of the Ball on the Square — a distinction made all the more meaningful this year, as the Friends of Rittenhouse Square mark a half-century of stewardship. For fifty years, the Friends have safeguarded one of Philadelphia’s most cherished public spaces — William Penn’s “greene countrie towne,” elevated under Paul Cret’s hand in 1913 and tended ever since with what Barbara aptly called Herculean devotion. She was honored for her extraordinary contributions to the city and to the Square itself: bringing an archaeologist’s curiosity and a preservationist’s reverence to decades of restoring significant historic homes and cultural institutions, and offering steadfast service as a trusted advisor to the Friends and a past chair of the Ball. In her remarks, Barbara reflected on the quiet exchange between place and people: “We shape the natural world around us, and it most certainly shapes — and nourishes — us.” We are profoundly proud to see her celebrated, and deeply grateful to the Friends of Rittenhouse Square for fifty years of devotion to this treasured jewel of our city.
Just in time for those perfect end-of-summer eveni Just in time for those perfect end-of-summer evenings, the installation of these black and white checkerboard cushions has truly transformed the roof deck at our #GlamorousRestoration! Playful and chic, this roomy banquette is now the ideal space for outdoor entertainment. Complemented by lush landscaping and sweeping city views, you’ll find us savoring the end end of summer here! And don’t forget to say hi to David on your way out to the roof deck 😉
We are honored to announce our recognition in the We are honored to announce our recognition in the upcoming issue of @MountainLivingMag as one of their 2024 Top Mountain Interior Designers! The May/June issue features our #BigSkyChalet — a home nestled high in the Rockies that has become the perfect reflection of an adventurous family who embrace outdoor living and value authentic connection to the land and to each other. The process of designing this home challenged us to artistically blur the boundary between outside and inside, creating a feeling of being truly at one with nature. Given the opportunity to work in such an environment was an absolute privilege, and we are thrilled for the recognition amongst so many other fantastic projects and designers in the top home design magazine in the mountain west. Swipe to see our spread and check out the full issue online at the Mountain Living website!
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is ushering in the The Philadelphia Museum of Art is ushering in the new season with their “Spring Salon” event series, as they spend the month of April bringing together artisans, intellectuals, and creatives to inspire artful conversation through multiple programs. We are so excited for this Sunday’s upcoming panel hosted in part by our very own Barbara Eberlein! She is joined by PMA’s Montgomery-Garvan curator of American Decorative Arts, Alexandra Kirtley, as they host Michael Diaz-Griffith, the Director of the Design Leadership Network, for a provocative conversation about collecting art, designing interiors, visiting art shows, and the role of museums within today’s visually exciting world. Their talk stems from the many ideas and experiences Michael put forth in his recently published book The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors, and will be followed by a book signing. Head over to PMA’s website for additional information and to secure your tickets now. We hope to see you there! Featured in the first slide: “Spring,” 1941, Harry Sternberg (American, 1904–2001). Courtesy of the Estate of the artist and Susan Teller Gallery, NY, NY
When a ride on the elevator feels more like a trip When a ride on the elevator feels more like a trip around the globe 🌎✨ Adding wallpaper to an unexpected space like this elevator shaft in our #GlamorousRestoration is one of the many ways we infuse character and whimsy into a home. This awe-inspiring paper from @lamaisonpierrefrey sends you on a global journey as you travel from floor to floor, complete with a brass compass floor inlay to guide the way.
As an iconic member of the @ZuberOfficial family o As an iconic member of the @ZuberOfficial family of wallpapers, this “Eldorado” scenic mural has been an Eberlein favorite for years. When embarking on the design process for our #GlamorousRestoration, we knew that this was the perfect setting to finally bring Eldorado to life. This historic paper was designed in 1848, with its lush scene carved into 1,554 different woodblocks that are still used to create the paper by hand to this day. Zuber is the only remaining manufacturer in the world to produce scenic murals with these antique woodblocks, making them Historical Monuments by the Ministry of Culture in France. After procuring a selection of panels from the overall scene at auction, we carefully planned the layout to highlight the most impactful moments and minimize waste. Collaborating with the experts @ScenicWallpaper allowed us to perfect the installation and achieve an utterly transportive masterpiece in an otherwise small, enclosed space. We just can’t get enough of this picturesque paradise of flora and fauna!
Inspired by its original architecture and elevated Inspired by its original architecture and elevated by skilled craftsmanship and thoughtful design, our #GlamorousRestoration is a masterful display of preserving the historic character of a home while making it functional for today. This grand staircase in the home’s living room was an obvious feature to be preserved through the restoration. It’s sweeping form and intricate details rendered in silver metal served as profound inspiration for the rest of the room. The home’s mid-19th century roots still sing with history while being ever-enjoyable for modern day living. We’re so excited to continue to share more from this project as she gets her finishing touches ✨
Feeling the love in every corner with these Valent Feeling the love in every corner with these Valentine’s-ready interiors ❤️🌹 Red is a powerful color we frequently use in our spaces for its rich, evocative nature. It creates so much energy within a room while still exuding elegance, and works as just an accent or a total color drench. You really can’t go wrong with red!
We’re so excited to share the completion of our 18 We’re so excited to share the completion of our 1830 Rittenhouse lobby renovation. This space has certainly come a long way but maintains its distinct integrity as one of the most elegant pre-war buildings in the neighborhood. We preserved the ceilings and floors, and refreshed the limestone walls, thus creating a strong backdrop to frame our new furnishings. The star of the show is the glass @fortuny pendant, which works in perfect harmony with the existing ceiling medallions. Transportive photography by @goffigon creates little portals of history throughout the space. This lobby is now a proper first impression for such a stately building, singing with old-world charm and modern amenities. Photography by @jeffreytotaro #1830Rittenhouse #HistoricPreservation #PhiladelphiaDesign #PhiladelphiaInteriorDesign #PhiladelphiaArchitecture #PhiladelphiaHistory #RittenhouseSquare #LobbyInteriorDesign #Fortuny
Home for the holidays has never looked so good! Wi Home for the holidays has never looked so good! With multiple cozy bedrooms and inviting living spaces, this Montana-based haven is the perfect backdrop for creating family memories. Where are you spending this holiday season? #EDC #BigSkyChalet #HigherGround #MountainLiving #MountainHouse #MountainInteriorDesign #WesternDesign #MontanaInteriorDesign
We are so excited and honored to share that our #B We are so excited and honored to share that our #BigSkyChalet has received a Jacques Benedict Award for One Room Interior Design by the ICAA Rocky Mountain chapter. In celebration of renowned 20th-century Denver architect, Jacques Benedict, these awards recognize the architects, designers, builders, and craftsman that continue to expertly demonstrate this tradition of classicism through the built environment of the Rocky Mountain region. The #BigSkyChalet intertwines our signature traditional design with the strong character of its mountainous surroundings. Our winning Great Room boasts functionality for a range of activities, with features like a full bar, wine cellar, pool table, and entertainment center. Wrapped in a rich and cozy palette, the Great Room is an ideal landing place for family and friends to enjoy the full Rocky Mountain experience. Thank you so much to the ICAA Rocky Mountain chapter for this incredible recognition! @icaarockymountain
Dreamy bedrooms and palatial ensuites make a stay Dreamy bedrooms and palatial ensuites make a stay at the #BigSkyChalet nothing short of luxurious. Strong materiality through wrought iron, hand-cut glass, natural stone, and raw wood layer dimensionality into the soft color schemes throughout these suites.

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