Meet Michael Ferzoco of Eleven Interiors

Gibson Sotheby International Realty interviewed Michael Ferzoco, Principal of Eleven Interiors.

Michael, can you tell us about your background and how you started Eleven Interiors? 

In my earlier corporate life, I lived and worked in Paris, France. Surrounded by amazing architecture and design in everything from furniture, lighting, accessories, and fashion, I decided it was time to follow my true passion. I returned to Boston and pursued my education in interior architecture and design while working part time for a large residential design firm. After completing my degree and working for several years in the field, I decided to strike out on my own and start my own design firm. Fast forward fourteen years and I am now surrounded by a team of six bright and talented colleagues and designers who collectively make Eleven Interiors the successful firm it is today. We have completed challenging and creative projects in and around Boston, Cape Cod, New York City, Los Angeles, and Savannah.

Tell us about Eleven Interiors.

Our firm creates spaces that allow our clients to live, work, and relax in an environment they love. Our projects include new construction and renovations. We work closely with architects, developers, and contractors in the planning and building stages. We design the interior spaces and select the finishes—tile, flooring, plumbing and electrical fixtures, custom cabinetry and millwork, countertops and backsplashes. Then, we outfit and decorate the interior spaces with furnishings, accessories, and artwork. We are known for incorporating a measured mix of periods and styles into our interiors so that our clients spaces feel as if they have developed over time. We don’t have a “signature look.” Our design approach is project-specific and is dictated by the project location and the needs and requests of each client.

What do you think sets you apart in your industry?

What sets us apart in our industry is our ability to work in partnership with architects and builders. Our team is  very knowledgeable about the construction process and we take pride in our collaborative approach. Our business approach to interior design also sets us apart—the budget details and the lengthy communication with our clients means there is never a financial surprise during a project. No one likes surprises, especially when it comes to cost overruns!

I’m sure each project is different, but do you have any principles that you and your team always start with when designing? 

Sometimes clients need help articulating what it is they really want, and we pride ourselves on the ability to translate that for them into words, images, and, finally, a tangible, finished space. During the beginning design development stage, we always start with a broad conversation and then progressively dig deeper for information, even providing our clients with a detailed questionnaire so that we can develop specific concepts based on their feedback. Our interiors are so client- and project-specific, and that really wouldn’t be possible without the effective communication that occurs during the design development stage. We also need a budget, or at least a budget range. We don’t begin a project without this critical information. Budgets guide us by providing our team with a better idea of the materials and/or furnishings to source. Depending on the project scope, we schedule all design meetings up front and over the course of several months. We provide clients with two very detailed concepts for each interior space. From concept to execution, the entire team believes in delivering the highest level of design excellence.

If a student wanted to enter the field, what advice would you give them?

I’d advise students to:

Take full advantage of internship opportunities while in school. Exposure and experience within the field is an excellent way to learn and jumpstart your career.

Check your ego at the door. Clients have opinions that may not be the same as yours. 

Make connections. You never know where your next client will come from. 

What is your favorite room and why?

I’d have to say my master bathroom. It’s spa-like with a mix of materials that invoke a masculine, Zen feeling. The shower is glorious!

What do you see for the future of design?

I think clients are going to be more interested in some level of sustainability in the materials and products they use in their projects. The Smart Home movement is also  becoming a serious, must-have design feature, no matter the project size, and this technology is going to grow more affordable in the very near future. Small, highly-functional and luxurious spaces are becoming ever more popular, especially in the second-home market. 

See more photos of the project pictured above in our portfolio by clicking here.