A Timeless Touch: Interiors with Rebekah Freeman

For decades, the North Star House carried the weight of time, its beauty hidden beneath years of neglect, until careful restoration began to bring it back to life.  But today, stepping through its doors tells a different story. The House is slowly but surely being reborn, not only through restoration crews working behind the walls, but also through the warmth and character returned to its rooms.

That sense of welcome has been guided by Rebekah “Bek” Freeman, who has led the Interiors efforts since the start of 2025. Her work has been quiet but steady: choosing details, protecting fragile furnishings, and shaping the spaces so that they feel both historically respectful and comfortably lived in.

Under her care, the House has regained some of its most beloved touches. The reclining Morris Chairs, once fragile and tucked away, are now repaired and ready to be enjoyed again. The Living Room, long admired for its woodwork, now also greets guests with pillows on the benches and rockers, just as the Foote family once kept them, making the space not only authentic but more inviting. Even the piano has been enlivened, topped with sheet music from 1905 that reconnects visitors to the past.

Bek’s approach is rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement that influenced Julia Morgan’s design, but she is not trying to turn the House into a museum piece frozen in time. Her research runs deep. She has spent countless hours poring over period-appropriate décor, color palettes, and finishes. She believes the House should feel alive. "I love how the small accents I’ve incorporated throughout the house soften the rooms and create a sense of warmth—as if someone might actually live there.” she explains. “They invite you to linger, to imagine the space as both historic and lived in.”

Perhaps nowhere is this balance clearer than in the Mary Hallock Foote Study. Bek devoted 18 months to learning and perfecting wood finishing there, transforming the room into a showcase of both patience and respect for craftsmanship. The process required persistence, but the result is one of her proudest accomplishments, a space that feels both historically grounded and deeply cared for.

The Living Room, too, holds a special place in her heart. She describes it at its best in almost poetic terms: quiet, polished, pillows fluffed, everything placed with intention. In those moments, she says, the House seems to exhale, serene, beautiful, and timeless.

Bek is also looking ahead. She hopes to see more woodwork completed by the holidays, including in the Library and Dining Room. She envisions the Julia Morgan Room becoming less plain and more bridal friendly while still staying true to its period. She would like to see framed Foote family photographs placed throughout the House, and even digital displays put to work, with a monitor in the Julia Morgan Room running historic images and stories for visitors. And yes, she is already dreaming of Christmas, imagining decorations that will make guests stop in their tracks and appreciate both the beauty of the House and the labor of love behind its restoration.

Her attention to detail extends to a wish list of finishing touches: a tall floor vase like those the Foote family once filled with grasses and branches, small Mission-style tables, a mirror for the Julia Morgan Room, and period-style plates for the Dining Room’s plate rail. Each piece, she believes, would bring the House one step closer to a vision of timeless hospitality.

Bek’s perspective is shaped not only by design but by collaboration. She readily credits others for their influence, from Ken Underwood’s suggestion to use cut glass pieces, to the generosity of donors like David Wright and Lois Hensel who have contributed beautiful furnishings. For her, every copper accent and every thoughtful placement is not just about aesthetics but about responsibility. “I feel a real responsibility to preserve the history that so many of us have worked hard to restore,” she says.

The North Star House is not finished. But today, thanks to Bek’s dedication, its interiors shine with a warmth that honors both the past and the present, a timeless touch that welcomes all who walk through its doors. These close-up details are just a glimpse of the story unfolding inside the North Star House. To see the full picture, join us for a docent-led tour on the second or fourth Thursday of the month from 1-3pm. Restoration and interiors are always evolving, so be sure to check back often for updates - there is always something new to discover.

A Conversation with Rebekah Freeman

How do you decide what fits the House?

“I’ve spent—and continue to spend—countless hours researching period-appropriate furnishings and décor. The House should reflect the spirit of the Foote family while staying true to the Arts and Crafts style, which spans roughly 1880 to 1920. I’m working with the Craftsman color palette and choosing accents that complement it thoughtfully. One of my favorite touches is how the copper gleams against the rich woodwork—it’s such a warm, striking combination."

Do you have a favorite room?

“My favorite room is the Mary Hallock Foote study. I spent 18 months learning the wood finishing process in that space, and I’m proud of how it turned out. It’s not quite where I want it yet, so there will be some tweaking, additions, subtractions, and rearranging. But it remains my favorite. I also love the living room—especially when the house is quiet, my work is done, everything is cleaned up, pillows fluffed, and things placed where I prefer them (rather than where someone else moved them). In those moments, I can truly enjoy the serenity and beauty of the space. I love the addition of pillows in the living room and plan to continue that look into the library. It makes the benches more inviting and the rockers more comfortable. The Foote family had plenty of pillows on their benches.

What pieces are you currently looking for?

“I am currently on the hunt for a tall floor vase. The Foote Family used a couple of these around the house and filled them with tall flowering branches, grasses or long stem flowers. Also looking for a few small Mission Style tables that might be used in the NHF Study and the Living Room. For Christmas, I will be looking for Christmas plates to be used on the plate rail in the dining room."

What transformation has meant the most so far?

“When Richard McRay—our former fearless leader and a true master of woodwork—finished the north wall in the living room, it instantly became my favorite. The grain pattern is just stunning; it catches the light in such a beautiful way. And I can’t forget to mention the new Arts and Crafts–style floor registers now sprinkled throughout the House. Every small improvement or thoughtful change brings a fresh energy to the space. It’s amazing how even the smallest details can breathe new life into the House."

What do you wish more people understood about Interiors work?

“I wish more people understood how much research goes into designing the interiors—striving for historical accuracy, sourcing the perfect pieces, and placing them just right. It’s deeply satisfying work, but it takes time. And money! I originally set out to recreate the Foote Family’s living room, but quickly realized that an exact replica wasn’t possible. Now, I’m doing my best to approximate what they might have done, and using pieces that we had in storage. The real challenge is balancing historical accuracy—honoring both the Arts and Crafts period and the Foote Family’s legacy—while ensuring the space can function as an event center. It’s no small feat!"