STYLE AND SENSIBILITY

Architect Odom Stamps and his wife, Kate, an interior designer, recently published their first book, “Stamps & Stamps: Style & Sensibility,” which highlights some of their recent work.

Style

AND SENSIBILITY

STAMPS & STAMPS PUBLISHES BOOK ABOUT INTERIOR DESIGN

BY KAMALA KIRK

Kate and Odom Stamps have worked together for years on countless home projects. From craftsman bungalows to Victorian mansions, they specialize in designing, decorating and reviving historic homes and gardens. Their work has been featured in numerous publications, including Architectural Digest and Vogue Entertaining.

Recently, the Stamps published their first book, “Stamps & Stamps: Style & Sensibility,” which features beautiful photography and highlights some of the couple’s recent work. It also includes practical advice; design tips; and an appendix that details where to find antiques, fabrics, textiles and specialist books. The book was written by noted design lecturer Diane Dorrans Saeks and includes a foreword by Pilar Viladas, who is the author of three books on residential design.

“We talk about our design philosophy, some of the projects we’ve done over the past year, as well as our home in South Pasadena,” Odom says. “When working with clients, we try to respond to the type of architecture we’re working with while also making it personal and connected to their lifestyle. Each project is quite unique to the individual client that we’re working with. I think people will enjoy that process as we explain it in the book.”

Odom, a well-known architect, and Kate, an interior designer, met when they were college students at Tulane University.

“We both had mothers that were antique dealers,” Kate says. “I would go antique buying with my mom, then I started buying and selling things in her shop. I made enough money to go to Europe in the summers and lived in England my first two years of college. I loved English country houses and gardens, and traveling around Europe to places like France, Italy and Turkey influenced both of us so much. Odom grew up in New Orleans, where there is a wealth of historic architecture. He was an artist from the time he was a small child, and that channeled nicely into architecture.”

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The couple founded their design firm, Stamps & Stamps, in 1991 and specialize in designing, decorating and reviving historic homes and gardens.

The Stamps have been residents of South Pasadena for 28 years and live in a Greene & Greene carriage house that they have lovingly restored while staying true to the home’s charm and character.

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In 1991, the couple founded their own design firm, Stamps & Stamps. Most of their projects are residential, and while they focus on historic properties and buildings, they also design new houses, multiple family dwellings and hotels. Kate and Odom frequently work together as a team, traveling across the country and around the world for various projects.

“Our best projects are the ones we do together, because it’s a complete thought,” Kate says.

“Odom has a wonderful sense of spaces and provides me with the perfect background for decorating. All the houses look as if they couldn’t have been designed in any other way. It’s all about suiting the client, respecting the neighborhood and location, and having some real design integrity. I think regardless of style, those are the most important things, and to make sure the house has some soul and humanity and really improves the quality of life for the people who live in it, that’s how we approach all of our projects.”

Odom adds, “All of the rooms in our homes are warm and meant to be lived in. That’s a continuous theme throughout our work.”

The Stamps have been South Pasadena residents for 28 years and live in a Greene & Greene carriage house that they have lovingly restored while staying true to the home’s charm and character.

“It’s a little compound set in the middle of the block, and you can’t see it from the street,” Kate says. “It has a guest house and another little structure on the property that we call the “cabana.” As long as we’re in Southern California, I can’t imagine not living in this house.”

The couple loves the diversity of homes that are in South Pasadena, and many of their projects are local. They are also very involved in the community and dedicated to preserving the city’s architecture and heritage. Previously, Odom was mayor of South Pasadena, as well as a city councilmember.

“I became very active once I became aware that our house was previously scheduled to be demolished,” Odom explains. “I was also on the Cultural Heritage Commission, and I was the Planning Commission liaison. All this came out of trying to keep a freeway from cutting down the middle of our city, just like the 110 Freeway had done years before.”

Stamps & Stamps’ next project is an innovative senior living complex in South Pasadena. The four buildings will have 86 units and feature a Spanish Colonial design, offering multiple dining experiences, gym and spa facilities, a rooftop pool, decks, landscaping and a coffee shop. The project is a collaboration with GeorgeArchitecture and will be a nice addition to the community to house seniors once they are ready to sell their homes.

The Stamps’ book was recently No. 1 in Amazon’s new books category for interiors and architecture. One of their favorite aspects of the project was being able to see their completed projects come together in one place.

“I often don’t get to see the finished projects for a while,” Odom says. “Once the architecture of a project is completed, then I’m off to do other projects, so I may not see that house for a long time unless I come back to visit. It was a real thrill to see how everything came together in the book.”

Kate adds, “It was really satisfying to see our work organized, put together and thoughtfully written about. Everyone in the book whose house is featured is a friend, and that’s the most fun thing, to see all of our friends enjoying their homes. It’s really wonderful.”

“Stamps & Stamps: Style & Sensibility”

The book is available at Vroman’s and on Amazon. Signed copies can be purchased on the Stamps & Stamps website and retail for $50. Follow them on Instagram (@stampsandstamps). For more information, visit stampsandstamps.com.