Devoted to Design

WITH HIS ELEGANT decor skills, Rafael Novoa, owner of Rafael Novoa Interior Design, is a top talent in the interior design world. His signature aesthetics have been highly sought after and used in residential and commercial properties for decades. When walking into an empty room or one in need of renovation, this local designer has always had the innate ability to envision how to elevate the space to the next level.

Novoa’s father and mother were both from Madrid. Although he was raised in Virginia, Novoa was enriched by the European influence from his parents, which inspired his future career path at a young age. “As a child, we went back and forth to Europe, but mainly Spain,” he says. “We constantly went to museums, castles, old villages, and saw architecture. It always fascinated me and always interested me.”

Many of Novoa’s family members pursued professions such as doctors, bankers, and lawyers, but there were also talented painters, sculptors, and landscape designers. In fact, his uncle won the coveted award of Madrid’s architect of the year. This creative exposure was part of his upbringing.

Novoa was an excellent student, especially in chemistry. He attended Virginia Tech and a school in Switzerland (associated with Virginia Tech) for architecture. He started to acquire high-end architectural experience by working for a German firm from 1990 to 1992, where he managed and coordinated the construction and architectural drawings mainly for famous architect Frank Gehry. His career continued with top firms in Paris and Zurich before moving back to New York City.

PASSION PROJECTS

Novoa’s professional life continued to take interesting turns by working for three years in the restaurant industry, then opening his own architectural interior business in Manhattan in 1997. He eventually bought a country house in Lahaska and found himself leaning more toward interior design.

“I went from being an architect at a large firm, mostly working on high rises, to having more of an attraction to interior designs,” he says. “I was able to work with artwork, sculpture, furniture with colors and textures, all kinds of media which I liked more than working as an architect.”

From 2000 to 2007, Novoa and a business partner opened Alba Home Furnishings and Interior Design in Frenchtown and Lambertville, New Jersey. He eventually started his own

business, Rafael Novoa Interior Design, originally based in New Hope and eventually expanded into Philadelphia and Palm Beach. Novoa says his design aesthetics range from European interiors with antiquities all the way to very modern and minimalistic.

“A lot of times, people don’t know how to put everything together, so I help them bring it down to a very few options to decide on,” he says. “When meeting with them, I keep them steered in a direction to make decisions. Color is always the first thing on my mind and whether we’re going to do a neural palette or something bold. Then I try to find unique pieces I find attractive and implement them in my design and offer them to my clients.”

Novoa says he likes to make projects a fun process for everyone. He works with budgets that best suit the needs of his customers and helps them figure out where and how to spend the money. He says one of the keys to his success is his constant research on what’s in style by going to cities like New York and the High Point Market in North Carolina, the largest furniture show in the world. Art, fashion, and film also influence his designs.

“If you look at a design magazine, I know where all the stuff comes from,” he says. “I make it a point to know that because I research them, I go see them, and I find out who’s making the furniture for a company. I try to be on top of what’s going on in the design scene.”

THE MOVE TO UPPER MAKEFIED

About 15 years ago, Novoa worked on one of his favorite projects—a contemporary barn on Meetinghouse Road in Solebury Township.

“Rafael is a visionary,” says the local homeowner, Mark Waldman. “He took our drab, empty barn and transformed it into a magnificently radiant home bursting with light. He’s a genius. He’s creative and knows all the right suppliers. He and my wife shared a common vision for the project, and when everything was executed, it was great.”

While working on the property, Novoa’s realtor told him about a unique home with a barn on top of a mountain in Upper Makefield Township. When he saw it, he had to have it. He says he not only fell in love with the house but the entire area.

“I love Upper Makefield,” Novoa says. “I joined the Jericho National Golf Club for 10 years. I love Colonial Farms and being near the river and towpath. There’s just something secret about it; it’s tucked away. I think what I mainly love about it is the geography of it. There are so many beautiful homes in the area. Moving here was private and peaceful.”

ALWAYS ON POINT

Novoa lives with his partner of 25 years, Robert Lieberman, who was also in the design world. They recently bought a second home in Newtown. Although Lieberman is retired, Novoa consults him when making decisions on some of his design plans. Novoa says they have always valued each other’s opinions and like the same pieces and decor for his clients.

Since living in Bucks County, Novoa’s business has grown mostly through word of mouth and jobs are consistent. He’s had many clients in Upper Makefield. One of his newest commercial ventures is designing a restaurant in New Hope. In the world of interior design, there are always new popular trends that work in both homes and commercial spaces.

“Wallpaper is a hot thing right now,” Novoa says. “People get scared because it’s permanent, but I’m seeing people be more out of the box and go in this direction.

Another trend is color blocking, which is the use of contrasting blocks or panels of solid color used in fashion and design. At the restaurant I’m working on now, we’re taking five different colors and putting them all together.”

As for Rafael Novoa Interior Design, he says he has expanded to doing renovations and architectural designs. He also plans to broaden his work to Florida where there are more opportunities to create outdoor living spaces. No matter what the project is, his company is a full-service operation where he provides total oversight from the initial concept to the final product.

“I think my favorite part is when all of the elements come together,” Novoa says.

---

THANKSGIVING DESIGN TIP

From Rafael Novoa:

“Traditionally, the warm, yummy colors of autumn are one direction to take this time of year, but you also can get into the white palettes, which is unusual. Decorate white pumpkins and white gourds. Then, you can use the same setup for Christmas or Hanukkah. Since it’s all white, you just need to add some gold and silver. Now you’ve done two things—you took care of your Thanksgiving look and, without moving any of it, you can transition into your December look.”

BY DARI KOTZKER