This week we welcome back Baton Rouge-based interior designer Rachel Cannon, who reminds us that our home is our space and we can (and should) design it specifically for our personal needs!
Rachel shares her philosophy on designing for introverts and creating quiet spaces in homes. She discusses the importance of traditional floor plans and the impact of the pandemic on home design, and introduces her new venture, RCL Organizing. Rachel also offers insights on balancing open and closed spaces, designing for individual needs, and the challenges of organizing a home for longevity.
Interior design sample images courtesy of rachelcannonlimited.com
What You’ll Hear This Episode:
- Rachel’s philosophy on designing for introverts and creating quiet spaces in homes.
- The benefits of traditional floor plans over open concept designs.
- Introduction to Rachel’s new venture, RCL Organizing, and its focus on integrating organization into the design process.
- The importance of understanding clients’ habits and preferences when designing spaces.
- Beautiful ways to store and organize beauty products.
- Challenges of organizing and maintaining a home, including Rachel’s personal experiences.
- Tips on balancing structure and flexibility in home design.
- Designing for different life stages and the need for adaptability.
- The balance between open vs. closed floor plans in a home.
Decorating Dilemma:
Hi ladies!
I am a relatively new listener to the show, and I am already a huge fan! I have been bingeing your past episodes while keeping up with the new ones, and I would love your help with my den. My husband, my one year old daughter, and I moved into this new-to-us home about 3 months ago, and this is the room we would like to focus on finishing first.
The main dilemma I have is what to do with the brick/fireplace situation. I am not a fan of the color of the brick, but I wasn’t sure what to do with it, so I have done nothing so far! I feel like it is a bit of an eyesore in its current state. What would your suggestion for it be? Paint it blue to match the rest of the trim and walls or do some sort of limewash?
You also might see the blue painters tape on the rug, I am working to measure out options for a coffee table. With a young child, I am thinking about an upholstered ottoman, but I worry there would be too many soft materials in the space if I went that route? I would love your opinions since you all have had young children in your home before.
And then finally, I want to get your thoughts on the rug. My style is a fresh take on southern traditional, which keeps with the architecture of our home as well. I love the pattern along the edge of the rug, but I worry that the design in the middle is dating our room. It is a high-quality hand tied vintage wool rug, but should I rethink it or reimagine it in another room?
I would be just thrilled if ya’ll would help me!
Thanks,
Alex
Hi Alex!
It’s great to hear you’re tackling your den as the first room to finish in your new home – that’s such a smart approach. Rachel has some wonderful suggestions to help you create a cozy, personalized retreat for your family. First, regarding the dark red brick fireplace that you feel is an “eyesore” in its current state – Rachel strongly recommends painting it the same soft blue color as your walls and trim. This will help the fireplace blend in seamlessly and eliminate that jarring contrast. It’s a simple but impactful change that can really elevate the whole space.
As for your vintage, hand-tied wool rug, Rachel reassures you that it’s a beautiful, timeless piece. She advises keeping it as the foundation for the room’s color palette, rather than trying to replace it. The pattern and quality are lovely, and they will provide that fresh take on the Southern traditional style you’re going for.
When it comes to the coffee table, Rachel thinks an upholstered ottoman could be a great option. The key is to choose one with legs, which will give it a more tailored, contemporary look to balance out the traditional elements in the room. And with a young child, the soft surface can be a practical and comfortable choice for little ones to play on.
Rachel suggests pairing the ottoman with two skirted chairs in a darker blue fabric to tie everything together. She also recommends rearranging the bird artwork – perhaps grouping the two pieces closer together on a smaller wall, and then adding a larger statement piece over the sofa to create more visual balance.
Thanks so much and happy decorating!
Happy decorating,
– How to Decorate
Also Mentioned in This Episode
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Happy Decorating!
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