Discover how illustrator Steph Stilwell transformed her Brooklyn home into a creative sanctuary with smart storage solutions, playful organization ideas, and inspiring artistry with the help of Yamazaki Home.
At Yamazaki Home, we love exploring the ways creativity and organization shape inspiring spaces. This month, the Yamazaki Home Artist Spotlight series features Steph Stilwell, a Brooklyn-based illustrator known for her playful puns, food-inspired artwork, and vibrant, joyful style. We had the opportunity to sit down with her and talk all things creativity, organization, inspiration, and NYC apartment-friendly storage.
Steph’s career spans design, art direction, and children’s publishing, but at the heart of it all is her love of drawing—a passion that began in childhood and grew into a full-time creative practice.
A Creative Journey Rooted in Play
Steph describes herself as having “always been an artist.” From childhood art kits to high school painting and photography classes, she knew art was her path. When she discovered illustration in college, it clicked instantly: “I knew I was an illustrator at heart because I wanted to spend my time drawing. What I loved so much about the field is that there were tons of applications—I could illustrate a book, a comic, or patterns for products in people’s homes.”
Her work is now instantly recognizable for its humor and food-forward themes. A pivotal college project sparked her playful use of puns, and she hasn’t stopped since. As Steph explains, food became a favorite subject because “it’s such a universal language,” rich with nostalgia, meaning, and delight.
Whimsy for All Ages
Though often labeled as children’s illustration, Steph’s work speaks to kids at heart of all ages. After working in design and art direction for children’s publishing, she came to appreciate the complexity and joy of creating books for young readers.
Her process is thoughtful, playful, and always grounded in joy: “My work is often labeled as being for kids, but I believe it’s for adults who are kids at heart too—I think there’s room for whimsy in everyone’s life.” Here at Yamazaki Home, we certainly agree!
Smart Storage from Studio to Kitchen
Steph's Organizing Must-Haves
A Brooklyn Sanctuary
Steph’s Brooklyn apartment doubles as her studio, and she emphasizes how the environment fuels her creativity. Cozy, colorful, and thoughtfully organized, her home is designed to inspire.
Her favorite piece? The Forest Green Leaning Ladder, which keeps her blankets on display while adding a touch of pattern and warmth to her living room. “I love how much coziness it adds to the space. If anyone is visiting, they can easily grab a blanket, which makes guests feel right at home.”
And then there are the Yamazaki Home baskets! She relies on a mix of the Tosca Storage Baskets and Tosca Wire Baskets throughout her apartment and studio. “The baskets are in pretty much every room of my apartment. They make it easy to organize anything while looking so clean and sleek.” From notebooks and stickers in her studio to tea towels in her kitchen and DVDs in her living room, Steph turns to the baskets to bring beauty and order to every corner.
“My work is often labeled as being for kids, but I believe it’s for adults who are kids at heart too—I think there’s room for whimsy in everyone’s life.”
Inspiration Everywhere
Steph’s creative sparks come from a mix of everyday life and intentional exploration. Brooklyn coffee shops, Prospect Park, and New York’s many museums provide endless fuel for ideas. Window shopping and bookstores also play a role—sometimes leading to new treasures, sometimes simply offering a fresh perspective.
When deadlines pile up, she recharges by cooking, sketching just for fun, or taking time away from her desk to reset. Her advice for creatives reflects her own journey: “Give yourself permission to be yourself. It can be tricky once you start working for clients, but the more you listen to that instinct, the easier it is to find your unique voice.”
Looking Ahead
Steph’s proudest project so far? A Pizza My Heart, her first fully author-illustrated book.
The playful, pizza-shaped board book was a turning point for her, leading to an entire series that combines puns, love, and food in ways both children and parents can enjoy.
"A fun aside about A Pizza My Heart," Steph said, "whenever I read it to kids, I like to ask everyone what their favorite topping are. Shockingly, I’ve had a ton of kids say they love mushrooms! What!!"
With her mix of humor, precision, and warmth, Steph continues to build a body of work that brings joy into people’s lives—whether through books, prints, or the playful patterns she’s known for.
Connect with Steph
If you love Steph's work as much as we do here at Yamazaki Home, give her a follow or bring home a copy of one of her books!
IG: @stephstilwell
Web: https://www.stephstilwell.com/
Read More Books By Steph!
